BY MARK McKELVEY
Universal cross-party support was expressed in the Assembly Chamber on Monday for an amended Sinn Féin motion calling on the British government to transfer lands at the Omagh vacated military sites at Lisanelly and St Lucia for local development, primarily of an "education village".
Following a DUP amendment, which was accepted immediately by motion sponsors – West Tyrone Sinn Féin MLAs Pat Doherty, Barry McElduff and Claire McGill – there was a unanimous vote in favour, illustrating the fervent feeling raised on this issue on all sides throughout the North.
The general consensus among those who contributed to the 1 1/2-hour debate, was that the education village proposal was an opportunity not to be missed. MLAs agreed the Assembly should do whatever it can to secure the land free of charge so this innovative project can commence.
After the debate, West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP Pat Doherty said, "The endorsement of the Assembly for not only the proposal to develop a unique secondary-level education village campus in Omagh but also in its call for the British government to transfer the vacated military sites in the town is an important development.
"It not only keeps the issue centre stage of the Executive and Assembly agenda but rightly ratchets up the pressure on the British government to deliver on the spirit of the Joint Declaration of April 2003 in relation to the transfer of demilitarised sites."
It was clear from the debate there is much more incorporated in the proposal than simply the shared educational advantages. The symbolism that land previously used for military purposes in a divided society, could be used to unite a community through the education of its children and young people.
In outlining the history behind the Education Village concept – and the reason the West Tyrone Sinn Féin MLAs brought it to the attentions of the Assembly – Mr Doherty revealed that the MoD is insisting on payment of full market value for these valuable sites.
"The Ministry of Defence (MOD) position was articulated by British Defence Minister Des Browne during a recent exchange with me in London," Mr Doherty said. "The Ministry of Defence's position runs contrary to the spirit of the joint declaration of April 2003, and the British Government's failure to fulfil its commitments are obstructing progress on that unprecedented proposal."
This state of affairs was confounded by Minister of Education Caitriona Ruane who said despite much lobbying by the Stormont Executive, it has yet to receive a response from the British government regarding its plans.
"The MoD is committed to the disposal of the Lisanelly and St Lucia sites," said Ms Ruane. "Subject to the satisfactory resolution of several issues, including the terms of transfer, the MOD is fully aware of our interest in the possible acquisition of the sites.
"The First Minister and Deputy First Minister have sought the gifting of the sites with British Government ministers. The issue was raised some time ago with the British Government and the Executive, but, as yet, there has been no response.
"OFMDFM continues to press the British Government strongly about the transfer of Lisanelly, St Lucia and several other military sites to the Executive. The Finance Minister has also written to the chief secretary on the matter. It is important, however, that my Executive colleagues continue to make the case for the transfer of the lands."
In calling for the amendment to the original motion, adding that the transfer of this land would be used for the development of the Omagh district, local DUP MLA, Tom Buchanan who is a member of the Lisanelly Lands Working Group of Omagh District Council stressed the potential this has for the entire western region.
Mr Buchanan said, "The importance of the transfer of MOD sites at Lisanelly and St Lucia to the Northern Ireland Executive cannot be overemphasised. Members must recognise the enormous potential of the sites for social and economic development, not only for Omagh town and district but for the wider western region."
Concluding the debate, co-sponsor, Mr McElduff said that, once the transfer of the site is established, there is no shortage of ideas for uses of the land, stressing the most developed of those ideas is the plan for an education village.
"I believe that that project ticks all the boxes as regards the Bain vision for education," he said. "Political support and goodwill is evident on the part of many Ministers across the political spectrum. The Executive are showing strong support, including the First Minister and deputy First Minister.
"That support is also evident in the Chamber today. People are working together. Of course, there are differences of emphasis, but there is a great deal of consensus and unity of purpose. There is a desire to send a strong, clear message about the unique nature of this project and about how it should be progressed."
