Minister confirms fisheries jobs move

Minister confirms fisheries jobs move

22 May 2013

AFTER weeks of speculation it has finally been confirmed that the Department of Agriculture’s Fisheries Division is being transferred from Belfast to South Down.

Stormont Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill confirmed the news last week with the government officials likely to be based at the Downshire Civic Centre in Downpatrick.

News of the transfer of the public sector jobs has been welcomed by South MP Margaret Ritchie and Chris Hazzard MLA who have both been lobbying for the Fisheries Division to be located close to the Co. Down ports of Ardglass, Kilkeel and Portavogie.

Minister O’Neill had initially suggested that her entire department would be transferred from its current base at Dundonald House in Belfast to Ballykelly in the north west of the Province. However, local politicians argued it made no sense to have fisheries officials located almost 100 miles away from the local ports.

Miss Ritchie described the relocation of the public sector fisheries jobs to South Down as a “welcome, if overdue piece of news.”

She continued: “I have been campaigning tirelessly for the Fisheries Division to be located at its natural home in South Down, the epicentre of our region’s marine and fisheries economy.

Miss Ritchie said she had been urging the Minister to review her initial decision to relocate the jobs to Ballykelly, taking a fresh view based on cost and staffing and to make the correct decision for the public purse, staff and stakeholders involved.

The MP added: “I welcome this change in policy and look forward to exploring the multiple benefits this decision will bring to the area.”

Mr. Hazzard said the Co. Down fishing ports are well known throughout Ireland as major fishing locations and as such, South Down is the “perfect location” for DARD’s fisheries office.

He continued: “Sinn Féin promised to decentralise governmental departments and Michelle O’Neill has been to the fore in delivering this.

“Her decision is a major boost for the South Down region and a reversal of the trend of public sector workers commuting from the constituency to greater Belfast. Relocating staff here will also provide a boost for the local economy.”

Mr. Hazzard said he will continue to lobby all government departments to consider South Down as an option for relocating public sector staff “as the process of decentralisation speeds up.” The MLA said he’s confident that further public sector jobs can be secured for the area in the months and years ahead.

Downpatrick councillors Éamonn Mac Con Midhe and Liam Johnston hope more central government jobs will be transferred from Belfast to Down District and are seeking Down Council support for a motion calling on all government departments to follow Miss O’Neill’s lead.

Councillor Mac Con Midhe said it’s Sinn Fein’s hope that this is the beginning of a process to bring further inward investment to the area. He said it’s now up to other government ministers to continue this trend.

Councillor Johnston said the motion, due to be debated next Tuesday night, calls on other government departments to explore ways in which it is possible for further jobs to be decentralised and to look at Down District as a possible location for them.

He added: “This is a subject that has to be to the fore as we move into our amalgamation with Newry and Mourne Council. For some time now this district has seen a shortfall in jobs and investment and it’s about time this was addressed.”