Expansion of Ulster University’s Magee campus to 10,000 students by 2032 “is the single biggest transformative economic project, not just for this city but for the entire North West,” argues Stephen Kelly, who is chair of the Magee task force as well as chief executive of Manufacturing NI. He was appointed by Sinn Fein’s former economy […]
Will Magee expansion to 10,000 students actually happen? Read More »
A few days ago I was accosted at a conference in Derry by an unhappy woman. Her grievance was that expansion of Ulster University’s Magee campus is leading to an increase in what she termed a local ‘transient population’. This is connected to a significant increase of houses in multiple occupation, or HMOs, in nearby
The ancient Kingdom of Ailech, or Aileach, lasted from the 5th to the 12th centuries, covering what are now the counties of Donegal, Tyrone and Derry/Londonderry. Today, despite partition, much of this area continues to constitute a single economic and social region that is recognised as such by its population. This reality is made
New opinion polling has provided important evidence of how the North West’s population regards the cross-border regional economy. There is overwhelming support amongst those living on both sides of the border for closer integration between Co. Donegal with Derry and Tyrone. This is no surprise for those of us living close to the border, who
Hundreds of Derry’s residents walked, ran and cycled along the city’s beautiful riverside every day over the Christmas and new year period – sometimes in bitterly cold winter weather. This is an astonishing transformation from the time when I moved to Derry 26 years ago, when I was stunned to find almost no one took
The PSNI veers from one serious problem to another. The latest is the Police Ombudsman’s report laying clear the failures of the force in its investigation of Alexander McCartney, who was conducting online blackmail through ‘catfishing’. Lack of resources and an appropriate focus on cybercrimes led to unacceptable investigation delays: faster action should have avoided
A ‘new Ireland’ is exactly that: a new state, with a new constitution, an enlarged and partly different population, as well as a lot of political and social change from the existing republic. It is not perhaps a revolution, but it is a lot more than a slight evolution. The populations of both the South
City of Derry Airport is regarded by many in the city, including its civic leaders, as vital infrastructure. That view has been supported by the Northern Ireland Executive and the UK and Irish governments. It has, though, received strong criticisms, not least within the Belfast Telegraph – with some commentators arguing that the costs outweigh
Lough Neagh Fishermen’s Co-operative has been forced to suspend eel fishing this year. It hopes to resume next year, but severe pollution of Europe’s largest freshwater lake is putting its future at risk. The pollution is causing a range of problems, of which the health of eels is just one. Degraded water standards in Lough
The cross-border north-west region is the weakest both within Northern Ireland and across the island of Ireland. Statistics for unemployment, low wages and deprivation are similar in Donegal to those in the Derry and Strabane council area. The two areas also have too few school leavers going into higher and further education for the health
Cross-border inward investment would be a positive development Read More »
Relationships with bloc to remain uncertain as future government likely to be more antagonistic to Brussels and could pull out of agreement. The combination of Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump as globally powerful leaders has had a seismic impact on European politics. Suddenly security is a major concern across the continent — including for the
The bulk of public money is spent in greater Belfast area, leading to serious variations in economical and social outcomes. Surely the purpose of government is to improve the wellbeing of the population as a whole, not just a part. Investment is needed to produce returns that can be measured in economic, social or environmental
Shake-up of UK investment strategy should prompt Stormont to end ongoing regional bias Read More »