30 Mar 2012, 15:53
A delegation from the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement enjoyed a fruitful visit to Derry yesterday 29 March. The delegation met with a number of organisations and individuals at the forefront of peace building and community relations in the city.
The Committee heard upbeat messages from representatives of a range of community development organisations of a more positive shared civic engagement by all communities in the city. The Committee saw examples of how Derry’s City of Culture 2013 status has inspired the community to reclaim and celebrate in new ways its rich history and political importance through the development of new cultural spaces such as the First Derry Presbyterian Church Visitor Centre and the plans to redevelop and enhance the Museum of Free Derry. The delegation also heard a positive message from community groups regarding closer engagement and better relations between the PSNI and the community both within the city and its environs.
Committee Chair Joanna Tuffy TD says: “The Committee thanks all who received us so warmly in Derry and afforded us an opportunity to view first-hand the efforts of organisations progressing reconciliation and driving regeneration in the City. It is clear that there is greater support and appreciation than ever for shared spaces and a shared future for all parts of the community in Derry.
“It was an opportunity for us to hear deeply personal stories from community leaders from a wide range of backgrounds who, reflecting difficult recent history, spoke of the atmosphere of optimism that now flows from improved community relations in a city.
“The Committee also took on board the message from the community that the full implementation of the letter and spirit of the Good Friday Agreement is important to their work. The Committee heard that aspects of the peace dividend remain unrealised and are exploited by dissidents to undermine peace and reconciliation efforts and community development within the city and beyond.
\"The Committee will continue its work exploring practical ways towards reconciliation, enlightened and inspired by yesterday’s meetings in Derry. The painstaking work of these committed citizens over many years to secure a better shared future for their city is now bearing fruit.”
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Ends
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
F: +3531 618 4551
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Members of the Committee:
Deputies Seán Conlan, Seán Crowe, Clare Daly, Regina Doherty, Alan Farrell, Frank Feighan, Martin Ferris, Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, Dominic Hannigan, Michael P. Kitt, Joe McHugh, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Joe O’Reilly, Brendan Smith and Joanna Tuffy.
Senators Jim D’Arcy, Maurice Cummins, Martin McAleese, Mary Moran, Mary White.
Chair: Joanna Tuffy, TD Vice-Chair: Joe O'Reilly, TD