Dallat seeks assurance that the money for Dungiven sports project is ring-fenced

During Question Time in Stormont the SDLP Assembly Member John Dallat sought assurance from the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure Carál Ní Chuilín that the £2.5 million set aside for the new Sports Complex is ring-fenced given the current assembly is coming to the end of its mandate and her department is going out of existence. He said: "I am pleased to have it on record that this money is, in fact ring-fenced for a sports project and that project will be in Dungiven. I also wanted it on record my own personal feelings about the disgraceful way in which Unionist Councillors on Causeway Coast and Glens Council handled this affair in the hope that in the future they will know that we are still very much in the infancy of democracy and behaviour of that type only defers the day when we can operate as one community serving all the people in an open and non-partisan way. "Hopefully the Dungiven saga is now at and end and the money is, as the Minister claims, ring-fenced and available to be drawn down as the project proceeds. "I have no doubt the Sports Complex, when completed will be accessible to all and will provide a very important outreach to the wider community who need to understand that Dungiven is a welcoming town eager to regenerate its economy and share its leisure and social facilities with all. "The Sports Complex can be the beacon of light which will radiate partnership, mutual understanding and the mechanism to build a new society which was badly fragmented during dark days which are now in the past."