It was interesting to read Councillor Allan Bresland MLA’s response to my recent criticism of his speech in the debate on the futureof the St Lucia and Lisanelly sites in Omagh.  He clearly did not understand the content and I will try again to clariy the situation for him.

In response to the education village proposal - I again repeat I sit on the Board of Governors of Omagh High School - it was made quite clear that this was ’ the only show in town’.  If we wanted a new school it was going to be Lisanelly or nothing.  I expressed reservations at the time (this is a matter of public record and I am sure the minutes of the specific meeting can be accessed) but if Councillor Bresland were to visit Omagh High School - and I am sure this can be arranged -he would clearly see - and very quickly - that a nw build is the only option.  Can he identify any other site in Omagh town?  It was made crystal clear that the ethos of the school, pupil security and the need for 21st Century facilities were paramount.  Addditionally another Governor and I were concerned that the infrastructure required within the roads network to service such a school.  Suggestions including ’busing’ all pupils were made by officials.

Omagh District Council has within our Lisanelly Working Group looked at the future of the military sites and naturally that of our own Headquarters, situated at the Grange - perhaps if Councillor Bresland were to speak to his colleague Councillor Buchanan MLA who also sits on the group he might get a clearer in sight.  I do not think that the Department of Education  would be keen to see us considering the future of the WELB Headquarters as this is clearly outside the remit of the Lisanelly Lands Working Group.  However I as an individual would hope that the Department of Education would retain a high presence in Omagh and the existing buildings at the Hospital Road could be extended if the High School site were to become available - I am sure that Councillor Bresland knows that these two sites lie side by side.

I am delighted that members of my party are discussing education with Councillor Bresland, perhaps he can provide us with details of his solution to the problems of providing a 21st Century education for the children of West Tyrone and Omagh particularly that attend controlled schools, and where he would build the schools or will he wait until Omagh High School collapses before making a decision.

Finally I note Councillor Bresland omitted to comment on his lack of support for my call for the military sites to be used as a new training centre for the emergency services and the complete failure of the DUP to achieve anything in relations to military sites during ’St Andrews’ talks.  Perhaps Ian Paisley jr did not get the call from Allan seeking support.

Ross Hussey