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

Belfast Sinn Féin consultation on Sirocco Site continues

Published: 10 December, 2007

Sinn Féin's East Belfast Representative Niall Ó Donnghaile has expressed his encouragement with the on-going consultation Belfast Sinn Féin has began, regarding the former Sirocco Works site on the Short Strand.

He said,

"It is encouraging that we have been able to access such influence both within our own party structures and other groups and agencies as well as the wider community. A number of weeks ago I committed myself and my party to beginning a process of consultation with the community on the future of the Sirocco site and how this will impact upon the long term sustainability of the community. Sinn Féin views this development as impacting upon the whole of Belfast and indeed beyond."

"This process is on-going and we will continue to engage with the relevant groups concerned, we all share a common aim, and that is to help alleviate the under-investment and lack of infrastructure here in the East of the City, whether that takes the form of lack of social housing, lack of leisure and sporting facilities or indeed the greater need for apprenticeship and employment schemes. It is our view going into this consultation that a £600 Million development like that of Sirocco Quays should look to actively help those of us within the community trying to sustain the communities that exist as well as welcoming and encouraging the new communities that will no doubt be created by a development of this size. It is up to us all collectively to get this project right and I believe that Sinn Fein through engaging in its own consultation process will help contribute to that aim and I and my party at a Belfast level very much look forward to the challenges that lie ahead."