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Sinn Féin have released a statement following the move last night, 8 April by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to overturn a decision made by Council in March concerning a funding application for the Down GAA Centre of Excellence.
At the March meeting of the Enterprise Regeneration and Tourism Committee Cllr Mickey Ruane had proposed that council weren't in a position to support the GAA application at Ballykinlar "Unfortunately Council are not in a position to support Down County Board's Centre of Participation, Wellbeing and Shared Learning Hub as their application to Peace Plus is in direct competition with Council's Wellbeing Hub in Warrenpoint."
Last night Cllr Ruane proposed to make an amendment to the Ballykinlar item and following a discussion 'in committee' the previous decision was reversed.
After last nights decision Sinn Féin’s Council Group Leader, Oonagh Hanlon reaffirmed the party’s commitment to supporting the centre of excellence in Ballykinlar at Monday night’s Full Council meeting
Cllr Hanlon said “In recent weeks, Sinn Féin have been working closely with Newry, Mourne and Down Council as well as the Down County Board in advancing the vision for a Centre of Excellence at Ballykinlar.
“We have supported the development of a Down GAA centre of excellence at Ballykinlar for many years now and will continue demonstrating our commitment to supporting Gaelic games in Newry, Mourne and Down.
“Sinn Féin have been determined in resolving the matters arising following last month’s ERT committee meeting and to ensure councillors received all the correct information before this process could proceed any further."
Cllr Hanlon concluded “It is positive that the matters have now been resolved and we have been able to overturn the decision at last month’s ERT committee meeting.
“Sinn Féin will continue working with both Council and Down GAA throughout the process to ensure this project can continue progressing smoothly."
