21/10/2016
Commission meets with Newry, Mourne and Down Councillors in relation to the naming of McCreesh park.
The Chief Commissioner and Chief Executive of the Equality Commission met Newry, Mourne and Down Councillors on 20 October 2016 to set out why the Commission rescinded an earlier decision on the naming of McCreesh Park in Newry.
“We welcomed the opportunity to engage with the Councillors directly on this matter,” Dr. Michael Wardlow, Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission, said, “and to explain that, after considering the matters and arguments raised in the Judicial Review application, the Commission concluded that the Council had not fully complied with its original recommendations.
We have recommended to Councillors that, to ensure transparency, the Council debate and vote on this issue should be conducted in public and properly recorded and that Councillors should be provided with a qualitative analysis of the consultation responses prior to that debate and vote.”
“We also expressed disappointment that the opportunity had not been taken to find a name for the play park that would have more positive resonances with all those in the Council area and that would be more conducive to good relations between the communities.”