McGuinness anger over DUP attack on centre
Stormont Education Minister Martin McGuinness today defended a new cross-border autism centre against claims it was the latest step towards a united Ireland.
The DUP's Sammy Wilson hit out at what he saw as a spiralling number of all-Ireland education initiatives.
Mr McGuinness described the setting up of a centre of excellence for Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Co Armagh as the most exciting announcement to emerge from his work on the North-South Ministerial Council.
But Mr Wilson launched an attack on him in the Assembly, claiming the report confirmed the Minister was determined to create an united Ireland ‘‘by stealth’’.
In a sideswipe at UUP Environment Minister Dermot Nesbitt, he accused him of being complicit in moves to advance the north-south agenda.
‘‘Can he confirm to us that all of this marrying together of the two education departments was agreed by the Ulster Unionist Minister who accompanied him on this trip?
‘‘Or was he asleep while these proposals were being put in place?’’
But Mr McGuinness dismissed his attack, insisting his responsibility was to ensure the best possible education for all children.
‘‘How does a parent who’s child is autistic feel when they hear this rubbish?,’’ he said.
‘‘This centre of excellence hasn’t been set up for the nationalist children of this island.
‘‘It hasn’t been set up for the republican children of this island, it has been set up for all of the children, including the unionist and the loyalist children.
‘‘Let’s get rid of the nonsense here. Let’s recognise that there’s no threat to anyone in moving forward to bring about an enhanced education system.’’
