Allister joins Causeway controversy
17 September 2007
Statement by Jim Allister MEP:
“On the 100th day of devolution I warned that an all-inclusive Executive and the resulting absence of an Opposition, would lead to arrogance, bad decisions and poor government.
The Giant’s Causeway is an unparalleled national treasure and asset for Northern Ireland. It is imperative that it is developed, in all its facets and opportunities, exclusively in the public interest. Public benefit, not private gain, should be the priority.
Thus, I am dismayed by recent events. It is wholly inappropriate that a key development at the Causeway should be handed over to private control and profit. Even in a joint public/private venture there could be public control over management and prices, but handing untrammelled control to a private developer, where maximum profit will be the overriding concern, is not just wrong, but utter folly.
Not least because the beneficiary of the Environment Minister’s intended course is also a member of the DUP, it is essential that public unease is adequately addressed by full disclosure of all the facts, including details of all representations made in his support.
Accordingly, I have written to the Environment Minister in the following terms:-
Dear Minister,
I write to enquire as to the criteria, protocols and circumstances governing when a ministerial determination is made on a planning application.
Since coming to office how many such determinations have you made and to which applications do they relate? Likewise, how many such cases are presently “on your desk”, awaiting determination, and which applications are involved?
In regard to the much publicised Causeway application of Mr Sweeney, can you advise when the matter was referred to you, whether, how and when you consulted with ministerial colleagues, if at all, and, if so, with whom and to what effect? Whether, you were in receipt of representations, oral or written, directly or indirectly from ministerial or other political colleagues, and, if so, from whom and to what effect? Moreover, are you aware of any ministerial involvement in this application, or commitments made, before you came into office? I believe that it is in the public interest that these matters are clarified, not least, given the concerns expressed.
For my own part, I think the development of a national asset, like the Giant’s Causeway, is primarily a matter for public, not private, control, oversight and benefit. I am therefore disappointed that you appear to be moving towards permitting a private developer for profit to take control of the long-awaited centre at the Causeway.
Yours sincerely,
Since I am also concerned by the public money lost in DETI’s seemingly synchronised abandonment of public development of the site, I have also written to that DUP Minister, Mr Dodds, enquiring as to whether any EU funds were spent on what he has now abandoned, if so, how he intends to reconcile same with Brussels’ auditing requirements, and whether EU funds might have been available for a public project, but not a private venture.”
