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The head of an independent governance framework expressed hope that a political agreement can be reached to unlock the economic prospects of the former Maze criminal in Northern Ireland.
Brett Hannam, chief executive of the Strategic Investment Board (SIB), told MPs that there is a well-developed plan for economic progress from closing Lisburn.
SiB advises ministries on infrastructure issues.
In 2013, former Stormont Prime Minister Peter Robinson blocked efforts to build a peace centre as part of reshaping the vast grounds that once housed the high-security building and were presented to the Northern Ireland executive through the British government.
The prison housed paramilitary prisoners during the riots and was the scene of Republican hunger movements in 1981 in which 10 died, to which Bobby Sands joins.
Trade unionists expressed their fear at the symbolism of building a peace centre there.
Board committee members learned Wednesday that little progress has been made in progressing the site.
The committee’s chairwoman, Sinead McLaughlin, said members had expressed fear about the “lack of progress. “
Hannam said SIB has been running the assignment since 2006 and passed into the hands of Maze Long Kesh Development Corporation in 2012.
He added: “During the era between 2009 and 2013, SIB assisted in the progression of proposals for a conflict resolution and peacebuilding centre.
“Since the end of 2013, and in the absence of a ministerial agreement on the procedure to be followed for the site, the contribution of the sib has been more limited.
“I am sure that we all hope that, in due course, a way will be discovered to unlock the enormous prospect of economic progress from this and exploit it completely.
“If ministers have that the council deserves to have more leeway, then it has a well-developed plan to advance the economic progression of the site.
“In the absence of such a ministerial agreement, it is to move beyond the strict limits that have been set. “
Speaking after the committee made a presentation on the site, independent MP Trevor Lunn said: ‘The explanation for why the presentation is brief is that there is so little to talk about because of the deadlock we all know, and that’s a shame.
“My involvement in this in the early 2000s. Very little has complex in 18 years, I hope it will not be 18 years before seeing something concrete.
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