Is Nelson in denial, or hiding, or both?
11 March 2010
TUV leader Jim Allister has challenged DUP DCAL Minister Nelson McCausland on a £1.7 million extension to the An Chultúrlann Centre in West Belfast.Jim Allister said:
“Reports in the nationalist press and a statement on the Sinn Fein/IRA website proudly announce the fact that additional funds have been obtained for the Irish language centre in West Belfast, but DCAL and its Minister remain strangely silent. Why? If these reports are false why has DCAL not scuppered them?
“Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has stated that the money – some £1.7 million – was secured following “intensive communication” with the DUP Minister and with the help of the Co-First Minister’s Office. Well, Nelson, stop hiding, have you delivered as boasted by Sinn Fein? Let's have some truthful clarity from the Culture Minister.
“It has been claimed by both Sinn Fein and the SDLP that the DUP had been holding up the money until now. Has there been a change of heart? Is it yet another side deal for Republicans arising from the Hillsborough negotiations?
“Let’s just take a look at what An Chultúrlann has been used for in the past. In December 2005 Caitríona Ruane used the centre to host an event celebrating Republican women like Mairead Farrell who served 14 years for bombing the Conway Hotel in Dunmurry and met her just deserts while intent on staging a bomb attack against soldiers stationed on Gibraltar. Now, it seems, courtesy of the DUP Minister, they are to be better equipped to do more of the same.
“Is this delivering for Unionism? I think not!”
