West Belfast Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Adams welcomes Executive investment in Gaeltacht Quarter

Published: 4 March, 2010

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams was in the Chultúrlann on the Falls Road to meet with groups and organisations based in the pioneering cultural centre. Mr Adams was joined by Junior Minister Gerry Kelly and Councillor Caoimhín Mac Giolla Mhín.

Speaking during a press conference in An Chultúrlann Mr Adams said:

"It was under the West Belfast and Greater Shankill Task Force that An Chultúrlann was first proposed as a flagship project for the Gaeltacht Quarter.

"For six years, An Chultúrlann has been battling to get the money to push forward this exciting project. Alongside community leaders who have been spearheading the West Belfast and Shankill Task Force agenda, An Chultúrlann has kept campaigning for the investment promised to be delivered.

"I have had intensive communication with the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure.

"With the help of Martin McGuinness' office, we have finally secured from Minister McCausland a commitment to release the funding promised to An Chultúrlann. This will not only be an important injection of investment for An Chultúrlann, which is already the heartbeat of An Ceathrú Gaeltachta. This is also evidence of local delivery of the kind which Sinn Féin has been demanding and which will help to turn the ambition of the Gaeltacht Quarter into a reality."

Mr Adams was joined this morning by Director of An Chultúrlann Eimear Ní Mhathúna. He continued:

"I commend the diligent work of all those groups based in and around An Chultúrlann who do so much everyday to contribute to the economic, social and cultural life of our city and I commit myself to continuing to support them and the wider west Belfast population in making the vision of An Ceathrú Gaeltachta a reality. Guím gach bhláth agus rath ar an tionscadal seo; go n-eirí libh!"

Asked about the comments from Alliance Party Leader David Ford on the Saville Inquiry, Mr Adams said:

"Firstly I have no doubt that the remarks will cause deep hurt and trauma to the Bloody Sunday families and survivors, who have so diligently sought to have the truth of that day known and for justice to prevail. I understand that Mr Ford intends to meet with the families. He should do that without delay and immediately retract what were hurtful and ill-conceived comments."