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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Wilson considers Maze delisting | Wilson considers Maze delisting |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The Environment Minister, Sammy Wilson, has asked officials to consider if he could revoke the listed building status of structures at the old Maze prison. | The Environment Minister, Sammy Wilson, has asked officials to consider if he could revoke the listed building status of structures at the old Maze prison. |
| The former jail's hospital and part of the H-blocks are currently listed. | The former jail's hospital and part of the H-blocks are currently listed. |
| Mr Wilson told the assembly he has asked the NI Environment Agency to carry out "a further review of the listing and potential for delisting." | Mr Wilson told the assembly he has asked the NI Environment Agency to carry out "a further review of the listing and potential for delisting." |
| The move was revealed in answer to a question from Sinn Fein MLA Paul Butler. | The move was revealed in answer to a question from Sinn Fein MLA Paul Butler. |
| He asked why a review was taking place given that the structures meet the requirements of the law regarding listed buildings. | He asked why a review was taking place given that the structures meet the requirements of the law regarding listed buildings. |
| Mr Wilson agreed that the decision to list structures at the Maze was taken only after a detailed examination of the architectural and historic significance of the site and buildings had been carried out. | Mr Wilson agreed that the decision to list structures at the Maze was taken only after a detailed examination of the architectural and historic significance of the site and buildings had been carried out. |
| However, he said "as a result of previous concerns expressed on this issue" he has asked the Northern Ireland Environment Agency to "carry out a further review of the listing and potential for delisting on this site." | However, he said "as a result of previous concerns expressed on this issue" he has asked the Northern Ireland Environment Agency to "carry out a further review of the listing and potential for delisting on this site." |
| Bluster | |
| He continued: "I believe it is appropriate that the concerns expressed by the public and some members of this Assembly, subsequent to the protection of these structures by the agency, are seen to have been considered seriously." | He continued: "I believe it is appropriate that the concerns expressed by the public and some members of this Assembly, subsequent to the protection of these structures by the agency, are seen to have been considered seriously." |
| Some unionists are unhappy about the listing of the Maze structures, believing they have the potential to become a "shrine" to republican hunger strikers who died in the jail in 1981. | Some unionists are unhappy about the listing of the Maze structures, believing they have the potential to become a "shrine" to republican hunger strikers who died in the jail in 1981. |
| Republicans argue the jail is an important part of Irish history and would like the site to become a conflict transformation centre. | Republicans argue the jail is an important part of Irish history and would like the site to become a conflict transformation centre. |
| TUV leader Jim Allister described Mr Wilson's comments on delisting as "nothing but bluster." | |
| "Two consecutive DUP Environment Ministers have stood over the questionable decision and therefore given the proponents of the Maze ammunition to fight any moves to reverse it," he said. | |
| A development corporation is to be set up to look at what to do with the former jail site after Sports Minister Gregory Campbell decided not to build a multi-sports stadium there earlier this year. | A development corporation is to be set up to look at what to do with the former jail site after Sports Minister Gregory Campbell decided not to build a multi-sports stadium there earlier this year. |
| More than £350,000 has been spent maintaining the listed buildings on the site the former Maze prison over the last four years. | More than £350,000 has been spent maintaining the listed buildings on the site the former Maze prison over the last four years. |
| The high-security prison, built to house paramilitary prisoners during the Troubles, was closed in 2000. | The high-security prison, built to house paramilitary prisoners during the Troubles, was closed in 2000. |