Councillor Hugh Hastings:

As for the merger of Derry and Strabane councils, obviously, a lot of work has been done and much work has been undertaken over the past year. At present we are in shadow, as it is called, but we are not really a shadow. We have already identified each of the areas in which we will be working. We have looked at the staffing and resources and at present, we are considering the transformation of the council in terms of where we wish to be by April 2015, because in March, as the Chairman and Mr. Pat Doherty are aware, the other councils will cease to be. The existing councils are Derry City Council and Strabane District Council. As for the North Wwest Gateway Initiative and the North West Region Cross Border Group, the group now is made up mainly from Strabane and Derry. We have moved forward and while we still will deliver parts of the programme in Limavady and Magherafelt, the main thrust in the future will be from the new Derry City and Strabane District Council. From that perspective, there is a ready identification there. There will always be stresses when one is changing things and of course, we are working towards that. I believe there is a willingness within the councillor group and across the board to see an outcome because we believe we have been elected by the people and are there to serve them and that the people are not there to serve. I believe this attitude is prevalent.

In respect of Deputy Conlan's question regarding the blocks, after this meeting all the joint committee members will have to hand a copy of the document our group has constructed. We are asking them, as a committee, to support the way forward in respect of the gateway. The gateway undoubtedly did deliver some things. As I stated previously, it delivered in respect of the Letterkenny Institute of Technology compound, as well as on the science park and several other items. However, it has not had the impact we would have expected. I should note that last week, we attended the launch of the new science park in Fort George and members will be pleased to learn that a target that was set for 2017 has been achieved or in other words, 70% of all the space within the science park has been taken up and other organisations or businesses are waiting to become part of the science park.

As for relationships within Derry City and Strabane District Council and of course Donegal County Council, relationships always have been very good. We have a common purpose, which is to develop the north west. It does not matter from what part of the north west one comes as we probably perceive Derry city as the city of the north west and as a central hub of activity. As one develops one's hub, that also helps the outlying areas. However, we of course would not have been able to have the science park without Letterkenny Institute of Technology's new compound. It would not have been a runner because that puts in place the cross-Border element. This project constituted a coming together and we would be happy to state the North West Regional College, Magee College and Letterkenny Institute of Technology actually work in tandem to develop strategies for the future and the way forward for us. As for what needs to be done, we must revisit the gateway strategy that we have penned and constructed. There is an opportunity for members to consider it after we have left but as our chairman, Councillor Canning stated, we would like the joint committee to invite us back after the meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council to then give us an opportunity to ascertain how our proposals lie with it.