First public consultation on Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration takes place

The first public consultation event on the Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration took place on this week in Derry/Londonderry.

The event was held in the City Hotel on Wednesday and marked the beginning of a round of public meetings that will be held at various locations throughout the month of September.

The First Minister Peter Robinson said: "We are at the beginning of a very important process and we want to hear the views of people throughout our society on how we can build a better future for everyone. We want to make a positive difference to the lives of individuals and communities and this consultation is a vital opportunity to shape how we do that. The public meetings are designed to provide the space for people to share their views and we very much look forward to hearing them.

"There will be common concerns for many people and we expect to hear these throughout the consultation, but other issues will be unique to some towns and areas. That is why the public meetings are so important. We want to hear the views of people where they are.”

Commenting on the consultation, the deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said: "We want this consultation exercise to be as accessible, open and transparent as possible and we want everyone to get involved – either by attending a public meeting in their area or by providing a written response. It is important that all sections of our society use the consultation as a platform to have their say on the issues that impact most on good relations."

He went on: "The meeting in Derry marked the beginning of our engagement with the public and we want the quality of debate to continue through the remaining meetings. There will be meetings next week in Belfast, Newry and Cookstown, and we would encourage as many people as possible to attend and give their views."

The public consultation period on the document will run until 29 October 2010.

Notes to editors:

1. The public consultation was launched on Tuesday 27 July 2010 and will run until 29 October 2010.

2. The document is available in the Have your say  - Current Consultations section on nidirect.

3. Public meetings will take place at a range of locations throughout September. Details of the events are as follows:

Monday 6 September, Belfast
Tuesday 7 September, Newry
Thursday 9 September, Cookstown
Monday 13 September, Ballymena
Wednesday 15 September, Enniskillen
Tuesday 21 September, Newtownards
Wednesday 22 September, Portadown
Monday 27 September, Armagh
Wednesday 29 September, Omagh

4. Written responses to the consultation can be provided using the following contact details:

Cohesion, Sharing and Integration Project Team
Fax: 028 9052 3272
Text phone: 028 9052 2526

Email: csi@ofmdfmni.gov.uk

Or visit our website the OFMDFM website.

5. All media enquiries to OFMDFM Press Office on 028 9037 8082. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.