Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“At today’s meeting of the Social Development Committee, during its discussion of the Regeneration Bill, I established with departmental officials that, subject to Assembly approval, it would be possible to write into the Bill a prohibition on naming any facilities funded by any council under this Bill after anyone with a serious criminal conviction.
“I, therefore, intend to propose such an amendment to the Bill.
“It is imperative that the hurt gratuitously caused to innocent victims, by naming a play park after hunger striker, McCreesh, is not capable of repetition by any council grant-aiding any facilities under the Regeneration Bill.
“I trust all democrats will assist in getting such a protection into the Bill. While it will not undo the specific McCreesh Park insult, it would prevent any Sinn Fein controlled council doing the same in respect of anything it funds under the Regeneration Bill.”