SDLP Ballyarnett councillor Rory Farrell
The Ballyarnett representative made the comments after it was revealed that the first ministers failed to respond to two pieces of correspondence from Derry City & Strabane District Council regarding university expansion in Derry.
Said Councillor Farrell: “The New Decade, New Approach deal to restore Stormont in January stated that the Executive would bring forward proposals for the expansion of Magee to 10,000 students.
“A motion to Council in February welcomed this commitment and called on the Executive to liaise with Ulster University and the Irish and British governments to deliver expansion plans.
“In March, Council wrote to the Office of the First and deputy First Minister requesting ‘consideration in this important matter’ and no response was received.
“In June, Council sent further correspondence reminding the first ministers that their response was still outstanding.
“And again, no response was received.
“Six months have now passed and we have received no feedback at all on the first ministers’ plans for Magee expansion.
“We haven’t even received an acknowledgement.”
Councillor Farrell added: “As an output of the same motion, Council wrote separately to the Economy Minister, Diane Dodds, about the need to increase the maximum student numbers cap, for exclusive use in Derry, to allow Magee expansion to happen. She responded, but not in a positive manner. But, at least she responded.
“Magee expansion is critical to our city’s future. We are committed to expansion and we need to see a similar level of commitment from Arlene Foster and Michelle O’Neill.
“New Decade, New Approach provided the commitment to expand. We now need to see concrete proposals from the first ministers.
“But, as a bare minimum we need some level of engagement with our Council.”
