Stop talking and start investing in libraries - Alliance

12.47.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 28th Jul 2006

Alliance Castlereagh Councillor, Sara Duncan

Alliance Party Castlereagh Councillor, Sara Duncan, has condemned the Minister, Maria Eagle, for her hypocrisy on the issue of libraries. Maria Eagle recently stated that libraries should be accessible to all and should open at the right times; however, Sara Duncan believes that the Minister has not provided enough funding to help these criteria be met.

Cllr Duncan, who has campaigned tirelessly to save libraries in Castlereagh, said: "Maria Eagle's statement on libraries illustrates that she says one thing and does another.

"The Minister must put her money where her mouth is and back local library services.

"For Direct Rule Ministers talk is cheap, and they should back up what they say with action.

"Libraries provide an important service to all of the community and Alliance has worked tirelessly to save SEELB libraries which have been threatened with closure.

"Over 1,000 people signed my petition against the possible closure of Newtownbreda Library, which I sent to the SEELB.

"The SEELB is facing serious cutbacks in vital library services, therefore I call on Maria Eagle to help prevent further library closures by providing more funding for this sector."

ENDS