PROJECT KELVIN
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When it emerged that a key component of the EU-funded Project Kelvin was to go to Coleraine, it was given a welcome in the borough. But the facility had originally been expected to go to the city of Derry. There, the reaction was one of shock, and then outrage. Councillors, MLAs, and the local MP asked questions about who had changed the location for the facility, known as a "Telehouse". A local businessman said there should be a judicial review. He was so certain of the case that he put up 拢50,000 pounds of his own money to fight it.
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The controversy centres on a fibre optic cable or telecommunications link which connects North America with Europe. Businesses in Northern Ireland should benefit from faster, better, communications. According to the 拢28m plans, the new cable will bring a 22 mile extension ashore near Portrush. The contract to construct the link to North America has been awarded to Hibernia Atlantic Limited. The Department of Enterprise says that after coming ashore, the new cable will connect with Northern Ireland's existing telecoms infrastructure at a number of different locations including Armagh, Ballymena, Belfast, Coleraine, Londonderry, Omagh, Portadown and Strabane.
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NEGATIVITY - 20 Feb
Minister, Arlene Foster's description of "rising levels of negativity" in Derry raised the hackles of many in the city, among them, the former city centre manager, Stephen Kelly. He told Paul he was "fuming with anger". |
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DECISION OVERTURNED - 20 Feb
The decision to site project Kelvin in Coleraine was reversed after a campaign. It will now go to the city of Derry City. But recriminations continue - Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster said: "the rising level of negativity in Londonderry surrounding this project has created a real danger that the many benefits which Project Kelvin will deliver to local businesses and prospective investors would have been lost." Foyle MP, Mark Durkan, gave his reaction to Sarah Brett.
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"ANNOYED"- 20 Feb
Foyle MLA, Martina Anderson, said she never believed that the controversy was a matter of Coleraine versus Derry. |
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ACTION NEEDED - 17 Feb
Local Councillor, Maeve Mcloughlin, was the first public representative to say she believed a judicial review was the best option. |
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SUSPENSION - 16 Feb
Derry's Civic Regeneration Forum asked for a suspension of work on Project Kelvin, and an urgent review of how the contract was awarded. Minister Arlene Foster refused to suspend work, offering instead a meeting in March. Chairing the meeting was the Mayor, Gerard Diver. |
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JUDICIAL REVIEW - 16 Feb
The prominent Derry businessman, Phil O'Doherty, felt so strongly about the issue that he gave 拢50,000 pounds of his own money to support a challenge in the courts. |
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KELVINGATE - 13 Feb
It was an issue that just wouldn't go away. Anita Robinson had her say. |
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FOSTER - 12 Feb
The Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster, spoke in the Assembly to voice her disappointment in the stance taken by Mark Durkan, who chairs the Enterprise Committee. She said she was content with the decision to bring the telecoms hub to to Coleraine, and so was her counterpart in the Republic. |
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NO "SWITCH" - 12 Feb
The Foyle MP, Mark Durkan, held a meeting as chair of the Enterprise Committee, to raise his concerns over Derry being overlooked in favour of Coleraine. He was told there was no "switch". |
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PLUGGING IN - 9 Feb
Joe is a Derry man who works in telecoms all over the world. He told Paul that the main communications hub does not need to be at the same location as the cable is landed. |
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UNIVERSITY - 5 Feb
Educationalist, Grainne McCafferty, drew a comparison with the siting of the University of Ulster's campus at Coleraine. She said righteous anger should be turned into concerted action. |
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MORE IMPORTANT - 4 Feb
Padraig Canavan of the successful Derry-based IT company, Singularity, said the site DID matter. In his world, it was "more important" than a motorway or an airport. |
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