On Wednesday (June 18) I travelled from Omagh to Sligo for a meeting of the Irish Central Border Area Network (Icban) -- a voluntary partnership of 10 local authorities – five district councils from north of the border and five county councils from the south.

This body, established in 1995, had as its main objective the promotion of cross-border cooperation as a means of developing the central border region as a whole.

Councillor Seamus Shields has expressed concerns that DRD Roads Service does not appear to be prepared to respond appropriately to his call for replacement of the Leap Bridge on the Omagh-Beragh road.

Councillor Seamus Shields has described last Thursday’s meeting between Omagh Councillors and the NI Assembly’s Health Committee as being little more than a dress rehearsal.

 
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Shields calls on DRD to replace Leap Bridge
 
 
SDLP Councillor Seamus Shields...

Mid-Tyrone SDLP Councillor Seamus Shields has expressed his dismay at the announcement that the...

SDLP Councillor Seamus Shields has welcomed the decision by the Minister for Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie to make funding available under the Neighbourhood Renewal scheme to improve educational achievement in those parts of Omagh that fall within the scope of the programme.

Funding of £14,944 is to be provided for a programme to improve educational attainment in the Omagh Neighbourhood Renewal Area which includes O’Kane Park, Gallows Hill, Johnston Park, Campsie, Mullaghmore and Strathroy. A pilot project will provide additional tuition for children at Primary School aged 8 to 12 years old while a support programme will be provided for the families of Year 11 children preparing for GCSEs.

Commenting on the education project the Minister said: “I recognise that if we are to tackle the long term spiral of deprivation we must improve the life chances of those living in