FIFTY years after the hurt of being snubbed for a new university politicians have united to agree – Derry needs an expanded Magee.
The SDLP’s Pat Ramsey moved his motion on the expansion of Ulster University’s Campus here.
Speaking in the Assembly Chamber Mr Ramsey stated that only by expanding the campus could the Assembly grow the economy of the North West and curb the endemic emigration of young people from the area.
Mr Ramsey said: “The hurt caused by the University decision fifty years ago is still very real. We have brought forward this motion in an attempt to effect positive change, a positive change for Derry, a positive move for the young people of Derry, a positive move for Derry’s economy and that of the whole island.
“I would like to think that the merits of developing and advancing any higher education campus, anywhere, would be obvious and it is time for this Assembly to put its money where its mouth is. If we are serious about addressing issues of economic imbalance then this is the best move.
“I welcome the fact that Minister Farry states publicly he is sympathetic to the development of Magee but we do not need sympathy, we do not need debates, we need action.
“We need the submitted business case actioned. We need to provide the best education facilities and opportunities for our young people or they will be left further behind their UK and Irish counterparts.
“The statistics prove that where people study they remain there to work. People leave Derry and cities across the North to find education and work, returning home only for the odd weekend or Christmas dinner. 25, 400 people migrated from Northern Ireland between July 2012 and June 2013.
“The University is not simply for the people of Derry. Northern Ireland had the highest retention of graduates in the UK. Northern Ireland has the highest participation rate of young people participation in higher education in the UK.
“We need to offer our young people reasons to stay. We need to tackle the worst unemployment black spot in the UK. It is simple; we need to grow our University to grow our work force.”
Sinn Féin MLA Raymond McCartney has said that the project to expand the campus to Magee can be delivered through collective support across the party divide.
Speaking in the debate in the Assembly Mr McCartney said: “The project to increase the number of students and the physical expansion of Magee is gathering pace and I believe it will be delivered in the near future.
“The recent announcement by Martin McGuinness that a sub group, including the Minister for Employment and Learning, has been set up in order to address the inequalities in investment to the North West can be the catalyst on which we deliver the expansion of Magee.
“The best way to see the expansion of Magee come to fruition is for all party support for the project and work together with all campaign groups over the weeks and months ahead.
“The expansion of Magee is too an important issue for any party to attempt to make it a political football but I am confident we can garner the necessary support to see it delivered in the near future.”
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