Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“I am astounded by information unearthed in a Question I tabled to DSD, arising from the BBC Spotlight programme, relating to government funding of the premises ultimately partly occupied by Sinn Fein’s supposed research company, RSI.
“It turns out that in 1998 – the timing, I suspect is significant in matching the desperate push by the Blair government to placate Sinn Fein – DSD paid over £280,000 to Clonard Residents’ Association (headed up subsequently by leading IRA/Sinn Fein figure, Spike Murray) to build premises on the Springfield Road, Belfast with a view to CRA occupying the premises for a peppercorn rent so that they could sub-let for income.
“Thereby public money, which in fact was PEACE money, was used to enrich this residents’ association and provide them with control and finance from the entire first floor of the building. One of the “tenants” for several years was Research Services Ireland, run by Sinn Fein’s finance officers.
“I have never encountered such generosity towards a residents’ association!
“In fact it turns out DSD itself remains in possession of the 999 year lease, but has allowed CRA to sublet offices to others. Now, amazingly, Mervyn Storey in his answer advises he intends to complete the arrangement with CRA by handing over the 999 year lease to CRA.
“I am urgently calling on Mr Storey not to do this, but, instead, to launch a full investigation into the mishandling of public funds for the enrichment of a private interest organisation. If DSD in fact holds the lease, then, it is time they started charging a commercial rent to all occupying under it. To do otherwise is to be complicit in this most unseemly episode.
“It is quite possible that under a Blair minister questionable arrangements were reached, but how can a DUP minister now rubber-stamp and regularise same?
“This whole matter has the whiff of political chicanery and fix. It is up to the present minister to expose and unpick it.”
Below are Mr Allister’s Question and the Answer:-
Question:
To ask the Minister for Social Development what propriety interest his Department has in the premises at 148-152 Springfield Road, Belfast where Clonard Residents’ Association operates; and if it historically had such an interest, what is the history of his Department’s involvement with the premises and any transfer of interest relating thereto.
Answer:
An examination of existing records shows that the Department for Social Development took a lease on the first floor of the building at 148 to 158 Springfield Road, Belfast on 30th October 1999. A right of way through the ground floor entrance and stairs is part of that lease. The lease was taken at a peppercorn rent from Arthur Rooney and Anthony Rooney trading as Rooney Brothers. Clonard Residents’ Association occupies part of this premises and sub-lets part to another community group, Clonard Neighbourhood Development Partnership.
Given the time that has elapsed since the development of 148 to 158 Springfield Road in 1999, limited information remains on the process by which DSD came to have a lease on the premises. It is clear, however, that the Department’s original intent in part-funding the development, approving a grant of some £280,000 to Clonard Residents’ Association in 1998, was to provide a 999 year lease to the Association for the first floor at a peppercorn rent for its use and to let for income. All relevant policy, procedural and value for money approvals were obtained in the course of the appraisal of the project. It would appear that in the absence of agreement between the Association and Rooney Brothers the Department took the lease as a temporary measure to complete the development of the premises.
The Department has initiated discussions with the property owners and Clonard Residents’ Association to consider the reassignment of the lease on the premises to Clonard Residents’ Association.