Moyle Council vote to keep Causeway in public control

Moyle's Council has once again reversed its decision to sell the Giant's Causeway site.

The local council, under pressure to sell the nine-acre site, said it could not afford the investment needed to develop the tourist centre and car park. The tourist centre is currently housed in mobile huts following a fire that destroyed the original building in April 2000.

Wednesday evening's decision by councillors to keep the tourist site under the public ownership is a u-turn of the move on January 20 to entertain private bidders and comes just six days after Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Sir Reg Empey stepped in to meet with the area's representatives.

Following last week's meeting, Sir Reg pledged to "do everything in my power to ensure the potential for economic benefit is captured" and spoke of the need for private and public sectors of the tourism industry to work in partnership. However, he refused to speculate on how much funding, if any, would be made available from governing bodies for the project.

Councillor McConaghy said: "As far as I know, there was is no financial carrot from any government agency behind the council's vote and we have not been offered anything."

The minister made it clear that any financial assistance the council may seek for the upkeep of the Causeway would be subject to the same appraisal process as the National Trust and Seaport Investments. Councillor McConaghy believes that those proposals cost up to £50,000 each to compile.

"I think the council would have to put together a proposal that could cost up to £50,000 and even then we would not be guaranteed success, or even know the size of the award if granted," he said.

"We are one of the smallest councils in the UK and have the highest unemployment in Northern Ireland – I think it is totally and utterly wrong for the ratepayers of such an area to be expected to fit the bill."

However, SDPL councillor for Ballycastle, Madelaine Black, welcomed the decision: "That decision was probably one of the most important decisions the council will ever make. I have no doubt it is the right decision, and is supported by the vast majority of people in the area. The SDLP hope to champion the development of the Causeway with the help and assistance of government agencies."

(GMcG)