ONE LOCAL Sinn Fein councillor has suggested that a bomb should be placed under the headquarters of the Housing Executive due to their ‘abysmal record of traveller accommodation in the county’ – ‘metaphorically speaking of course’.
The comments came from Stephen Huggett at Monday’s meeting of Fermanagh District Council. They were in response to the announcement that the SDLP’s Frank Britton is now a member of the Housing Executive Board.
Speaking about the Executive Mr Britton recognised the ‘truly exceptional service’ given to the whole community throughout Fermanagh over the past 43 years.
“I want to ensure that the people of Fermanagh can continue to enjoy and continue to have the housing that people need.”
He expressed his belief that the Housing Executive remain as a single landlord within the public sector and his wish that responsibility be given back to the executive from housing associations for building new homes, which would involve giving the organisation the funding back to deal directly with the issue.
“The current system is not working sufficiently well through housing associations. They do build good houses, there is no question about that, but the amount of homes is far short of what’s needed.”
Reacting to Mr Britton’s new role , Sinn Fein councillor Stephen Huggett commented: “ I hope he’s going to put a bomb under the Housing Executive due to their abysmal record of traveller’s accommodation in county.”
“Metaphorically speaking?” asked council chairman Alex Baird.
“Yes metaphorically speaking,” replied Mr Huggett.
Mr Britton said he ‘knew nothing about incendiary devices’, but advised Mr Hugget to contact his party colleague in Omagh, who was also on the board.
Speaking yesterday to the Herald about his new role Mr Britton spoke of the ‘honour and privilege’ to be on the board of such an important organisation.
“Its history is very much in line with the history of Northern Ireland. The whole housing issue was a catalyst for civil rights and was like a catalyst for change. I’m honoured to be involved in a very important part of our history.”
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