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Sinn Féin have replied to a statement by community group Newry 2020 that accused the party of "misleading the public" about the proposed Newry City Park.
While the statement doesn't dispute the groups accusation of Sinn Féin putting out "false and misleading statements" it does state that the Sinn Féin Chair of Council did not block a motion on funding.
A Motion was put before council last week asking for Peace Plus funding to be applied for concerning the project. The motion was deferred to a September meeting by which time applications for the fund will have closed!
The Newry 2020 statement said ""Sadly, once again, the proposal was blocked, this time by the Sinn Fein Chair of the Council, Valerie Harte." In reply Sinn Féin disputed the claim. In reply a Sinn Féin representative said "We are disappointed that some parties and groups have decided to play politics with this project and spread misinformation. The Sinn Féin chair of council referred a motion on funding to the committee responsible for funding, as per council standing orders – nothing was blocked." * Update 2.30pm 16/8 - Note under that specific Standing Order 16.1.6 the Chairperson presiding "may, if he/she considers it urgent and necessary to the dispatch of business, allow the motion to be dealt with at the meeting at which it is brought forward.”
Newry 2020 also claimed that "two false and misleading statements were put out by Sinn Fein on Facebook immediately after the meeting. Firstly, they claimed that they had obtained additional funding from Stormont, when in fact it was the same money that was announced almost two years ago. Secondly, they repeated a claim by Enterprise, Regeneration and Tourism Director Conor Mallon that the park was not eligible for Peace Funding due to the spending deadlines being 2027." The group claim that the Peace Funding deadline is actually December 2029 which hasn't been disputed. In reply to the accusation of the 'false and misleading' statements Sinn Féin didn't comment.
The Sinn Féin spokesperson added "Sinn Féin is resolutely committed to the delivery of a first class city centre park for Newry.
“It was Sinn Féin Finance Minister Conor Murphy that allocated over £16 million to the project. That money will shortly be drawn down to allow essential work to begin on the site."
The spokesperson continued “Sinn Féin met with senior council officials this week for a detailed update on the project and they confirmed that they expect the £16.2 million to be released shortly to allow phase one to begin.
“They believe that this funding will deliver phase one of the project and anticipate that by 2027 the full 15 acre site will be ready for public use.
“Further detail is due to be presented to the next stakeholder forum in the coming weeks.
“We will continue to press council to deliver a first class park as a priority and to actively engage with potential funders for phase two of the project.
"Sinn Féin remains absolutely committed to working together with the community, with stakeholders, other parties and funders to deliver the top of the range park the people of Newry deserve."
See Sinn Fein and Council management 'misleading the public' about Newry Park - Newry 2020
