South and East Belfast Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Maskey meets Minister over Holylands

Published: 15 September, 2009

South Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey speaking after, this afternoon, meeting with Employment and Learning Minister Reg Empey to discuss problems in the Holylands area of South Belfast has said that he made a number of suggestions to the Minister and that he looks forward to continuing to work with him on this issue.


Alex Maskey MLA said,

"This afternoon I met with Employment and Learning Minister Reg Empey to discuss the ongoing problems being faced by long-term residents in the Holylands area, with the fact that the new University term is due to start adding an extra focus to the meeting.


"Obviously, we are still awaiting publication of the report from May's Holyland Stakeholders Forum. However, I have been concerned that too much focus is being placed on short-term measures in dealing with these problems. I believe that, while some short-term measures are required, what is needed to resolve these problems adequately is a longer-term holistic approach.


"Among the issues which I raised with the Minister were mandatory landlord registration; compulsory student accommodation; rezoning the Holyland area as an area of special need and the potential of unoccupied houses being bought by the Department of Social Development and used for social housing."


He concluded,

"Today's meeting was positive and the Minister was open to a number of suggestions which were made to him. The Minister undertook to take on board the suggestions made to him and I look forward to continuing to work with him on this issue in the future." CRÍOCH