Maze Already Drawing Terror Tourists
24 April 2013
Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“The DUP would have us believe that the Maze will never become a Republican shrine on their watch.
“However, Coiste Political Tours – a group which, according to its website, organises tours which “give the Republican viewpoint as trained guides from the political ex-prisoner community take tourists on an in-depth journey of their area” – already claims that they can “pre-arrange Political Education Itineraries, South Armagh, Derry Political and Maze Prison Tours” (see http://www.inyourpocket.com/northern-ireland/belfast/What-to-see/westbelfast/Coiste-Political-Tours_28231v).
“What on earth do people think Republican former terrorist prisoners are telling people during their “Maze Prison Tours”? Would Jeffrey Donaldson claim that they don’t mention Bobby Sands as he has claimed will be the case once the so-called “conflict transformation centre” is built?
“This is already a site controlled by OFMdFM. I have therefore tabled a question to co-First Ministers McGuinness and Robinson asking how many such tours have taken place, why are they permitted and since the organisation imposes a charge what financial arrangement exists.
“I have also tabled questions to tourism Minister Arlene Foster asking why the Belfast Welcome Centre is facilitating Republican tours of the Maze prison by giving out the phone number of Coiste Political Tours and why the Tourist Board is promoting them on its website (see http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Belfast-Welcome-Centre-Tourist-Information-Belfast-P8235).
“The DUP keep insisting they have a veto on what happens on the Maze site so why have they not vetoed what is already happening there? The more about the Maze one hears the more preposterous their claims appear. It is obvious that the Maze is already drawing terror tourists. The number will only grow when millions of pounds are spent on a centre on the site.”
