Durkan sees potential in shut down army bases

Closed down army bases could be used to help economic regeneration in Northern Ireland, Deputy First Minister Mark Durkan suggested tonight.

He said: ‘‘A number of military bases are in key locations and I believe that if they can be handed over, they can become a major economic regeneration force in our community.’’

Mr Durkan highlighted the potential of the bases during an address to a civic dinner hosted by Antrim Borough Council.

He said: ‘‘It is possible to devise enlightened public private partnerships, which can stimulate economic development in tune with the community.

‘‘It is possible to come up with innovative funding packages to support a range of possible uses for the sites.’’

They offered great prospects of helping Northern Ireland move from ‘‘the negatives of conflict to a positive peace.’’

During his keynote address the minister said that by working together local government and the devolved administration could make a real difference to the lives of every citizen in the province.

Commenting on the Review of Public Administration announced recently, he said local government had not changed greatly in the past 30 years and it was timely that the Executive would soon launch the review.

He said he hoped any proposals coming from the review would build on the successes of devolution and provide ‘‘the level and quality of service that our people deserve’’.