Allister Expresses Disappointment at Kennedy’s Answer on Terrorist Monuments - and Asks Again
05 August 2011
Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“Following a Written Question to the Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy I have discovered that there are a total of 34 unauthorised commemorations to terrorists on property owed by his Department. I was disappointed that the Minister completely avoided the second part of my question – namely what he intends to do about them – and have therefore written to the Minister today in the following terms:
Dear Minister,
Re AQW 1303/11-15
I refer to your answer to the above Written Question.
I must say that I found it most disappointing. As a Unionist who represents an areas which has suffered so much at the hands of terrorists I would not have thought that you would completely avoid the second part of my question – what you will do to remove these illegal monuments to terrorists.
They are completely unacceptable as they (a) were erected illegally and (b) commemorate individuals whose contribution to Northern Ireland was purely negative and who brought death, destruction and untold misery to families the length and breadth of our Province.
I would therefore ask you to reconsider your decision to avoid the second part of my question and outline what steps you intend to remove all unauthorised commemorations to terrorists which exist on property owned by your Department.
Thanking you in anticipation.
Yours sincerely,
James H Allister QC MLA
“I trust that, at the second time of asking, Mr Kennedy will respond positively.”
Note to editors:
Mr Allister’s question and the answer received were as follows:
To ask the Minister for Regional Development to detail (i) the number of unauthorised commemorations to terrorists which exist on property owned by his Department, or its arm's-length bodies, and (ii) what steps he intends to take to remove them.
My Department’s officials have advised that there are 34 commemorations on property owned by my Department, or its arm’s length bodies.
My officials are acutely aware of the local and political sensitivities surrounding such commemorations.
