Opening Sliabh Dubh - 18 June 2008

Good afternoon,  

First of all, I would like to thank the Chairman for asking me to open Sliabh Dubh and I would like to extend my thanks to the local residents for the warm welcome they have given me today.

Over the past year, I have made it clear that building more social housing is my number one priority.

When I launched my New Housing Agenda I said that over the next 5 years I plan to deliver over 12,000 new social or affordable homes.

It is a challenging target, but I know that all the various members of the housing family in Northern Ireland will work together to meet it just as they have done in previous years.

Fold is a major contributor to the social housing programme and I am sure that Chief Executive John McLean and his team will be at the forefront of the new challenges that lie ahead.

I am delighted to be here today to celebrate your success with this major new development.

There is no doubt that the building of 195 new eco friendly social houses on one site here is a magnificent achievement, especially as the scheme, built on a former brown-field site, was not without its problems.

I know only a little of the work that goes into making these difficult sites work. But the design and construction teams have done an excellent job. You have successfully transformed this former Builders Merchant’s premises into attractive homes and a vibrant community.

And the community has been deeply involved in this project. Local children chose the name Sliabh Dubh, or Black Mountain, and local artist Gerard ‘Mochara’ Kelly worked with young people from the area to design and make the three mosaics at the entrance to the development, which represent aspects of local history and Celtic mythology.

I want to thank the tenants for allowing me to be here today. I know that this development is a major boost for your community and for the whole area and I hope that it is just the beginning. I wish you every happiness in your new homes. Thank you.