A delegation including Sinn Féin representatives Cathal Mallaghan MP and Dáire Hughes MP have today met British Secretary of State Hilary Benn urging him to release funding for the Mid South West Growth Deal.

A number of councillors including ABC Council Mayor Sarah Duffy, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Mayor Ciarán McQuillan, Mid Ulster Council Chair Eugene McConnell and chair of the growth deal’s governance group Kevin Savage were also in attendance.

Speaking after, Cathal Mallaghan said:

“The Mid South West Growth Deal has huge potential to drive investment into our region to create good-quality jobs, boost tourism and continue with the positive transformation of our communities.

“Today, we made the case directly to British Secretary of State Hilary Benn that his government’s disgraceful decision to pause growth deal funding must be reversed.

“People across our region have worked tirelessly to deliver the huge benefits of this growth deal, this must not be jeopardised by a continuation of British government austerity.

“Sinn Féin will continue to make the case for this investment to be released to unlock our economic potential and create game-changing outcomes for regeneration.”