DARD set to move to Ballykelly

Published Monday, 03 September 2012
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The Agriculture Minister has announced her department is to move from Belfast to Co Londonderry, as the Executive met for the first time after the summer break.

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The former military site at Ballykelly will be the new headquarters for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Michelle O'Neill said it was a "significant step" towards the target move for the Programme for Government.

"This announcement provides clarity and the time necessary to ensure that any potential moves can be managed carefully and sensitively taking account of business need and the needs of individuals, although this may not always be possible," she explained.

Around 800 staff will be affected by the move, which is expected to begin in 2015 and the Sinn Féin minister said the transfer would stimulate the local economy.

"This is a good news announcement for the rural economy, especially the north west. It is a unique opportunity to relocate high quality public sector jobs outside of Belfast which over the years will bring a range of related economic and social benefits," added the minister.

During the Executive meeting at Stormont the new Victims Commissioner was revealed, and ministers also discussed the recent disorder at parades.

Speaking after the meeting, Justice Minister David Ford said: "I am extremely worried about the outcome of yesterday's march. The fact that 47 police officers were injured is a disgrace. It has to be addressed in a manner in which ensures that we do not ask police officers to hold the line in future in such a way."

He revealed that the First and deputy First Ministers are keen to meet with people in north Belfast to discuss what happened on Sunday.

Meanwhile there has also been speculation that, with Prime Minister David Cameron set to announce his first major cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Owen Paterson could be in line for a promotion.

UTV's Political Editor Ken Reid said: "The expectation is that he will probably stay, but we'll keep an eye on that - we've had surprises in the past. We should know as early as tomorrow."

© UTV News
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2 Comments
JOHN in BELFAST wrote (255 days ago):
This move is more politically motivated than simply to create more jobs for Derry. Most of the 800 staff that work there now live within 30 miles of Belfast and somehow I don't think that all of them will be absorbed by other departments as the Minister claims. There is more to this spin than meets the eye and I can envisage there possibly being redundancies coming.
mike in lurgan in Lurgan wrote (257 days ago):
Nothing to do with the fact the SARD Minister is from the North West HAHHA It is just a cover to say its for a more diverse Dept and spread out to all points of the compass.So whats going to happen to all those people who have to drive in the bleak mid winter from Belfast to Bally kelly every day ! ha seeing as the Roads service cannot cope with extreme winter conditions a mess is what i call it, as the roads will clog up making people late etc .
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