20 Feabh 2014, 17:21
A delegation from the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement was this afternoon told of the lasting positive legacy on Derry community relations of the hosting of Fleadh Ceoil na hÉireann in 2013.
Fleadh organisers in the city outlined how the event embraced all traditions in the city, providing the a number of the city’s Protestant bands with a platform to contribute to the musical festival.
The delegation was hosted in Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, a purpose built Irish language arts and cultural centre, in which the play ‘Pride’ showcased the activities of Protestant bands as part of the Fleadh programme.
Committee Chairman Joe McHugh TD is leading the delegation. He says: “The delegation was this afternoon afforded a rich insight into the lasting positive impact of the hosting of the Fleadh last year. The Committee was told that the city came together and the key to its success was communication and trust and acceptance of each other’s culture and traditions. These relationships secured a diverse musical and cultural festival, which included the input of Protestant bands. That a PSNI band was also very well received by a local audience demonstrates how much the city has moved on and is now a model for many areas of Northern Ireland.
“The Committee was also told of the vibrant Irish language community in the city. The state-of-the-art centre, opened in 2009, was purpose built to serve this community for 15 years, yet has found itself operating at full capacity since 2010, such is the demand for language and cultural activities. The Committee agreed to continue its work in highlighting the commitment to an Irish Language Act in the St Andrew’s Agreement.”
The delegation also visited the Triax Neighbourhood trust, which works on neighbourhood renewal on a cross-community basis for an area of about 17,000 people in the city. Deputy McHugh continues: “The upbeat meeting with Triax representatives underlined their ongoing cross-community work in providing opportunities for populations in areas where socio-economic deprivation is still prevalent. The presentation focussed on the particular challenge of engaging young men from both traditions in education and employment. It was a timely reminder that, despite the enormous strides of the past 15 years, the peace process still requires careful nurturing. The Committee takes on board the imperative of enhancing economic development for the Northwest, which can be achieved through supports for social and community projects and delivery of key infrastructure projects such as the A5 road.”
This afternoon, the delegation is continuing its outreach engagement. It is meeting representatives from the Exploring New Directions Programme cross border peace and reconciliation programme who are based in Carndonagh Co Donegal but whose work extends cross border to mid Ulster and Derry.
Tomorrow Friday, the delegation will meet with the North West Region Cross Border Group, which comprises 22 elected representatives as well as the Chief Executives and County Manager of the five local authorities of Derry City Council, Donegal County Council, Limavady Borough Council, Magherafelt District Council and Strabane District Council. Tomorrow afternoon, the delegation travels across the border to Letterkenny, where it will meet with representatives of the West/Northwest Hospitals Group. (see programme below).
Deputy McHugh TD continues: “Having held detailed discussions with Department of Health officials earlier this month, the Committee is acutely aware of the constructive engagement on advancing healthcare cross border. We were told of the new advanced radiotherapy centre, one-third funded by the Irish Government, that will be opened at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry in 2016 to serve a catchment area of 500,000 people in the Northwest. The assistance and cooperation of Altnagelvin following the serious flooding of Letterkenny hospital was also instanced. The meeting with the West/Northwest Hospitals Group will further develop the Committee’s understanding of the areas where cross-border cooperation in healthcare might be advanced.”
Ends
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Communications Unit,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Members of the Committee:
Deputies: Seán Conlan, Seán Crowe, Clare Daly, Regina Doherty, Frank Feighan, Martin Ferris, Peter M Fitzpatrick, Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, Michael P Kitt, Joe McHugh (Chair), Joe O’Reilly (Vice-Chair), Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Brendan Smith, Joanna Tuffy and Jack Wall
Senators: Maurice Cummins (Leader of the House), Jim D’Arcy, Mary Moran and Mary White
Programme of Outreach Visit to Derry and Letterkenny, 20-21 February 2014
Thursday 20 February
1.00 pm : Arrive Derry Lunch at Cultúrlann Ui Chanainn Caife, Queen’s Quay.
2.00 – 3.15 pm : Cultúrlann Uí Chanainn, Queen’s Quay.
3.15 - 4.30 pm: Triax Neighbourhood Partnership Trust
4.45 – 6.00 pm : Exploring New Directions Programme (Carndonagh)
Friday 21 February
10.30 am: TBC
11.30 am – 12:30pm: North West Region Cross-Border Group
1.00 pm Depart for Letterkenny
1.30 pm – 3:30pm: Letterkenny Hospital: Meeting with West Northwest Hospitals Group