Minister to be pressed again on jobs move

Minister to be pressed again on jobs move

8 May 2013

THE potential transfer of the Department of Agriculture’s Fisheries Division from Belfast to Downpatrick will be discussed at a meeting this week.

South Down Assemblyman Chris Hazzard is meeting with Stormont Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill to press the case for the fisheries office to be relocated to the Downshire Civic Centre.

Mr. Hazzard will also use the talks with Miss O’Neill to discuss concerns of the Co. Down fishing industry about a number of issues.

Plans were recently announced to transfer the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development(DARD) from its current base at Dundonald House in Belfast to Ballykelly in the north west of the Province.

The proposal prompted a number of local politicians to make the case for the department’s fisheries division to be located in Down District, close to the Co. Down fishing ports of Ardglass,, Kilkeel and Portavogie.

Mr. Hazzard has been lobbying Miss O’Neill about the advantages of moving fisheries officials to Downpatrick, describing the town as the “perfect location” for their base.

“I will be reiterating the strong case for relocating fisheries officials to the Down area with the DARD Minister and look forward to receiving an update as to any progress on this matter,” he said.

Also during the meeting, Mr. Hazzard will discuss the increasing hardship many in the fishing industry have faced over recent years and how tough it is for them during the current economic downturn.

He continued: “With a reformed Common Fisheries Policy on the horizon, we must ensure our local fishing industry is strengthened, not weakened. There is great potential for growth in the years ahead, but we must enable our local harbours and fishing communities to take advantage of such opportunities.

“I will be discussing with the Minister the situation on the ground across South Down and exploring possible measures to alleviate the pressure the fishing industry and coastal communities are experiencing during these tough times.”