Durkan strongly criticises ‘resistance and negligence’ of NI Executive over City Deals

SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan has strongly criticised the “resistance and negligence’” of the DUP/Sinn Féin-led Executive over their failure to take up City Deals for Northern Ireland – not least in terms of a cross-border deal for Derry and the wider North West.

Questioning the Leader of the House of Commons, David Lidington MP, at Westminster today, Mr Durkan , called for a debate on the issue.

Mr Durkan (pictured) said: “The Leader of the House has earlier waxed positive on the government’s commitments to City Deals and regional growth deals and the like. Could we have a debate in this House on the range and reach of such deals across the UK, including the very positive developments and prospects in Scotland and Wales which might help to illuminate that there has been resistance and negligence on the part of the Northern Ireland Executive in failing to take up what previous Whitehall Ministers have said would their readiness to support deals if they get proposals – including cross-border deals?”

Mr Lidington replied: “It may well be that either a long debate in Westminster Hall or a backbench business committee debate would form or provide the opportunity for the kind of exchange of best practice the Honourable Member wants to see so that members of different parts of the UK can share their relevant experiences.

“Clearly, the Northern Ireland Act devolves important powers to the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly – and it must be for the authorities in Northern Ireland primarily to decide how to take this policy further.”