To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the business plan of the Maze Long Kesh Development Corporation.

Mrs Little-Pengelly (The deputy First Minister)

The Maze/Long Kesh Development Corporation business plan was submitted to the Executive Office, but we understand that the development corporation is further reviewing it in light of its current budget allocation. The business plan will be revised now that the outcome of the internal reallocation exercise is known. The Member will appreciate that that outcome became known only today. The development corporation will consider that, and that will determine what is achievable from a budgetary perspective. We will consider the updated plan as soon as possible. Once approved, it will be published on the Maze/Long Kesh Development Corporation website. In the interim, the Maze/Long Kesh Development Corporation continues to operate in line with its agreed remit. We are committed to working with the development corporation to realise the potential of the site to the benefit of all, but we recognise that we must move only with consensus and sensitivity. No decisions have yet been made on the future of the site.

Mrs Little-Pengelly

I thank the Member for her question. As I outlined, a significant history is associated with the site. It also has huge potential, but we can move forward only with sensitivity to the victims and survivors who are most impacted on by the events that happened on and are associated with that site. That is what I will do.

Mr Boylan

At a Question Time in September, the First Minister referenced a meeting with the MLK Development Corporation in July. Will the deputy First Minister update us on subsequent discussions that will inform a road map for the regeneration of the site?

Mrs Little-Pengelly

I thank the Member for his question. We had an update from the board. There is a new board in place, with six new members. They are looking at some of the plans and proposals that the previous board made. The new members are still in the early stages of working together, but there is significant talent, enthusiasm and ambition on that board. Anything that the board proposes, including the budget and activities on the site, will require the First Minister and my agreement. As the Member will be aware, however, a number of organisations are on the site, so part of the board's role will be to continue to support those excellent organisations, such as Air Ambulance and the Ulster Aviation Society.

Mr Buckley

The deputy First Minister will know that yesterday marked a significant day for many of us who attended acts of remembrance. Last night, I attended the UDR Association act of remembrance in Mountnorris Presbyterian Church, where I joined UDR widows, including my great-aunt, who lost her husband in the Glenanne army barracks explosion many years ago. Most of the victims have experienced much hurt and retraumatisation but no justice. Will the deputy First Minister assure the House that there will be nothing on the site that will hurt victims and survivors of terrorism?

Mrs Little-Pengelly

In the Executive Office, we have many responsibilities that relate to victims and survivors of the Troubles. That means trying to meet their needs. It also means being sensitive to the concerns and issues that they face. Victims and survivors in Northern Ireland have given the most, and we must always be very sensitive to that as we move forward. We must recognise their loss and the legitimacy of their concerns and issues. As I said, it is therefore important that nothing happens on the site that would further any hurt or pain. Anything that happens must be done with full sensitivity to the victims and survivors.

Mr O'Toole

Deputy First Minister, you said that it is important that nothing happens on the site that gives offence to victims. I agree, but the problem is that nothing is happening on the site at all. The saga of the Maze/Long Kesh development has been going on longer than 'The Mousetrap'. It has been sitting there, a wasting asset. If the Executive Office cannot progress it, I suggest that two things happen: one, a simple, poignant memorial is put up for all those who want to remember at that site; two, the rest of it is given over to social housing or some other productive form of economic development, because this farce cannot continue indefinitely.

Mrs Little-Pengelly

I thank the Member for his question. If he wants to tramp over the concerns of victims, that is up to him. I will not engage in that. I will move forward with the consensus of victims and survivors, because anything that we do should not cause any further concern or hurt. Therefore, it is not for me to decide the way forward and to impose it on those who have been associated with that site and have hurt and sensitivities in relation to it. As I said, I want to unlock the potential of the site, but it has to be done in a particular way and with consensus. The Member is also incorrect when he said that nothing is happening on that site. There are some good activities on that site, not least the Balmoral show, which, I understand, he has attended. There are activities at the Eikon Exhibition Centre, and there is the Ulster Aviation Society, an excellent organisation that attracted 7,000 visitors on the European heritage open days weekend. Of course, the Air Ambulance has been based there since 2017, and it has been called out some 4,500 times. Those are some of the activities that take place. Of course I would like to unlock the full potential of the site, but we should recognise the good work that is already happening there.

Mr Gaston

Deputy First Minister, your party colleague, Lord Dodds, is on record as stating:

Will you give a commitment today that you agree with your party colleague and the statement that he made?

Mrs Little-Pengelly

I thank the Member for his question. The Member will be aware that that building was listed, as I understand it, at the request of the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland during a period of direct rule and outside the control or context of either the Northern Ireland Executive or the House. I am clear and reiterate this: nothing will happen on that site as long as I am deputy First Minister that would cause hurt and pain to victims and survivors. That is my promise to victims and survivors. I wish to do nothing to cause any further pain and hurt to those who have suffered the most and given the most to Northern Ireland.