16 December, 1999

CITY CAN HAVE A BRIGHT FUTURE, SAYS DRD MINISTER

Strong foundations are in place but they need to be built on to ensure an even better future for the people of Londonderry.

That was the message today from Regional Development Minister, Peter Robinson MP MLA, during his first visit to the city since taking up his new role. He met with the Mayor of Derry City Council, Pat Ramsey, before receiving a background briefing on the work of the City Partnership Board on its long term vision for the city.

Mr Robinson said: "I am delighted to pay my first visit to Londonderry since becoming Regional Development Minister. I know that the full City Council will be anxious to have a meeting with me in due course to discuss some of my Department's responsibilities, particularly in relation to transport and roads.

"In turn, I will want to hear the Council's views on the future of the city, as set out in the draft regional strategic framework, and on how best to turn into reality the imaginative 25 year vision which the City Partnership Board has prepared.

"I have been enormously impressed by the progress which has been made in recent years. There are strong foundations on which to build an even better future for all the people in the city.

"However, we need to be realistic about the scale of the social, economic, environmental and community issues still to be overcome, not least in making the City a prosperous, peaceful and equitable place, of which every citizen can feel part and be proud to belong."