Remember the boastful, unambiguous contents of the December 2010 National Trust mailing to numerous customers of their Castle Ward Caravan Park?
'As a result of a number of site updates Castle Ward is delighted to have received a Northern Ireland Tourist Board 4 Star Caravan Park Rating.
New site updates include the following: Improvement of shower facilities (now separate female cubicles), New laundry facilities (token operated washer and tumble dryers), New indoor hot water washroom facilities, A small onsite shop, A new wide entrance with one way system for easy access, A new drive-on drainage post for camper vans, All year opening from 1 March 2011.'
After complaints were made to the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, the nice people at the National Trust Northern Ireland then sent a further mailing to customers on 19th January 2011, stating with equal clarity:
'I am writing to follow up my recent letter and to provide you with further clarification in relation to the Castle Ward Caravan Park. In my earlier letter I indicated that we had received four star rating for the Caravan Park, but I did not make clear that this is subject to completing specific works.
Due to the very inclement weather conditions during December, work on the planned upgrade to bring the facilities fully up to four star rating was unavoidably delayed. I am pleased to say, however, that construction work is now well underway and on track for our opening date of 1 March 2011. We expect to achieve our new star rating from NITB following the completion of these works.
We look forward to welcoming you back to the site again soon.'
Following on from the revelations of that second mailing, a Freedom of Information request to Department of the Environment (Northern Ireland) eventually prompted the following response from the Divisional Planning Office, Rathkeltair House, Market Street, Downpatrick, BT30 6EA: 'Planning Service is currently considering an application, received on 3 February 2011, for a proposed washing block on the site. The issue of compliance with current Building Regulations and relevant Health and Safety Regulations is a matter for Down Council to consider.'
The foregoing response from the Divisional Planning Office was dated the 7th April 2011 which in itself raises further disturbing issues, for it was back in December 2010 that the National Trust first boasted of the new facilities, and again on the 19th January 2011 when they claimed 'construction work is now well underway and on track for our opening date of 1 March 2011.
Altogether very strange statements from the charitable Northern Ireland National Trust, especially when at those points in time, not only had planning permission not been granted for their new facilities, the National Trust hadn't even bothered to make a planning application! So does this mean the National Trust then constructed the new facilities without any planning permission from Department of the Environment (Northern Ireland)?
How could the new facilities be ready for the opening of the Castle Ward caravan park on 1st March 2011 when more than a month later (7th April 2011) the Planning Service were still only considering the planning application? Furthermore, if the National Trust did indeed construct the building without legally required planning approval, is the building fit for purpose, is it a safe environment for customers, and in particular for children? Should the National Trust be asked if they have Public Liability Insurance which actually covers patrons of the Castle Ward caravan site?
Is this the same National Trust that is campaigning to stop planning permission being granted for a new golfing complex in the North West of Northern Ireland? Perhaps we should state that the developers of the proposed golfing complex have allegedly applied for planning permission, something the National Trust obviously decided they were exempt from.
Who or what does the Northern Ireland National Trust actually think they are? A hugely warped version of the Ku Klux Klan perhaps. There are members out there who have encountered an alleged culture of arrogance, incompetence, lying, evasiveness and secrecy. Secret dubious investigations are conducted, the outcome of which are also kept secret, even from those members they have implicated. Therefore we ask if the National Trust in Northern Ireland is unfit for purpose? Some people certainly believe the Northern Ireland National Trust is a corrupt organisation, so the question is, are those people correct?
Sunday, 22 January 2012
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
New Year Same Old National disTrust
Happy New Year to one and all, unless you happen to be a Northern Ireland National disTrust Director or Manager and let us not forget the one that allegedly flew the coop to pastures elsewhere. Thank God for small mercies, no matter how small. Now if only the rest of them would do us all a favour.
Is it only here in Northern Ireland or is it a more widespread phenomenon? The number of arrogant incompetents some have encountered over the past months, and continue to encounter, really is simply staggering. Who do these people think they are? Really! Who'd have thought it?
Over the next few weeks we will be publishing extracts from the most interesting of communications relating to our much loved National disTrust, letters from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. Letters relating to planning permission, or more to the point, letters relating to no planning permission , and asking the several million Ballykaziyermaun Rubles question regarding why the National disTrust is up in arms about a trifling little thing like planning permission for a new golfing complex. After all, who needs planning permission? Allegedly not you know who.
Also there might well be other news items, perhaps even rumours, allegations, the occasional joke and quiz. Have you heard the one about Trading Standards and the National disTrust? Wow! Stay tuned, it's a cracker! And who can spot the subtle difference between the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Trust that allegedly preserves historic places. Answers on a postcard to the usual place.
Next posting coming sooner than sooner you might think which will include late breaking news. The long awaited overdue report of the much vaunted infamous Castle Ward investigation. No, not the cows, the other one, and it's straight from the mouth of the mythical fantasimo creature itself or whatever.
National disTrust of Ballykaziyermaun.
Is it only here in Northern Ireland or is it a more widespread phenomenon? The number of arrogant incompetents some have encountered over the past months, and continue to encounter, really is simply staggering. Who do these people think they are? Really! Who'd have thought it?
Over the next few weeks we will be publishing extracts from the most interesting of communications relating to our much loved National disTrust, letters from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. Letters relating to planning permission, or more to the point, letters relating to no planning permission , and asking the several million Ballykaziyermaun Rubles question regarding why the National disTrust is up in arms about a trifling little thing like planning permission for a new golfing complex. After all, who needs planning permission? Allegedly not you know who.
Also there might well be other news items, perhaps even rumours, allegations, the occasional joke and quiz. Have you heard the one about Trading Standards and the National disTrust? Wow! Stay tuned, it's a cracker! And who can spot the subtle difference between the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Trust that allegedly preserves historic places. Answers on a postcard to the usual place.
Next posting coming sooner than sooner you might think which will include late breaking news. The long awaited overdue report of the much vaunted infamous Castle Ward investigation. No, not the cows, the other one, and it's straight from the mouth of the mythical fantasimo creature itself or whatever.
National disTrust of Ballykaziyermaun.
Sunday, 20 February 2011
A National disTrust Conglomeration of Misfits - NdTNI
The National disTrust of Northern Ireland - NdTNI
A conglomeration of misfits some might say, but a conglomeration nonetheless of the most ordinary of concerned citizens, all of whom at one time or another have been caused suffering and misery by the actions of a totalitarian regime. The aggrieved tourists concerned at the increasingly excessive charges being levied upon access to the countryside, the aggrieved tourists being charged humungous prices for alleged slum dwelling vacations, the landowners being allegedly deprived of their lands, and their livelihoods, the entrepreneurs allegedly being trampled upon by an alleged out of control greed fuelled monstrous totalitarian regime.
Thanks to each and every one of the ever swelling conglomerate for their individual talents, their expertise, knowledge, time, their possessions, and all of those who have passed on numerous official documents, information, and suggestions, no matter how absurd some have been. Apart from the at times unexpected results, all contributions have been invaluable, even the temporary use of personal web domains, despite the confusion they've caused, the end result will no doubt be fruitful.
Finally for now the allegations of a culture of lies, secrecy, intimidation, threats, subversive interference, all to be examined, and the allegations of the use of alleged cohort Governmental departments and officials, a more than serious issue currently being addressed in the updated 'About the NdTNI'. Confusion is rumoured to be good for the soul.
In a democratic society, not that Northern Ireland has the most democratic of Governments, every individual citizen has the right to peaceful protest, every individual citizen has the right to question the Government, and every individual citizen has the right to freedom of speech and expression which are extremely important rights; in the United Kingdom we have the right to express ourselves without persecution from others.
Disclaimer: The National disTrust of Northern Ireland is not in anyway associated with any other organisation, charity, or Limited Company within the current secondary Universe, or with any other organisation, charity, or Limited Company possessing the remotest of similar secondary names, although Senior Management members of the non-existent National disTrust staff may at times claim to be in the employ of other non-related organisations of the planet Mars, all such claims should be regarded as mere fictional fairy stories from a twisted secondary warped speed mindset.
Membership of the National disTrust of Ballykaziyermaun and its alleged illegitimate offspring the alleged National disTrust of Northern Ireland is strictly restricted to official residents of the planet Ballykaziyermaun, and all illegal immigrants from the aforementioned planet Ballykaziyermaun now holidaying in an unspecified alien Spacecraft Park in Northern Ireland which in turn is allegedly awaiting official Northern Ireland Tourist Plank 4 Star Spacecraft Park Declassification.
A conglomeration of misfits some might say, but a conglomeration nonetheless of the most ordinary of concerned citizens, all of whom at one time or another have been caused suffering and misery by the actions of a totalitarian regime. The aggrieved tourists concerned at the increasingly excessive charges being levied upon access to the countryside, the aggrieved tourists being charged humungous prices for alleged slum dwelling vacations, the landowners being allegedly deprived of their lands, and their livelihoods, the entrepreneurs allegedly being trampled upon by an alleged out of control greed fuelled monstrous totalitarian regime.
Thanks to each and every one of the ever swelling conglomerate for their individual talents, their expertise, knowledge, time, their possessions, and all of those who have passed on numerous official documents, information, and suggestions, no matter how absurd some have been. Apart from the at times unexpected results, all contributions have been invaluable, even the temporary use of personal web domains, despite the confusion they've caused, the end result will no doubt be fruitful.
Finally for now the allegations of a culture of lies, secrecy, intimidation, threats, subversive interference, all to be examined, and the allegations of the use of alleged cohort Governmental departments and officials, a more than serious issue currently being addressed in the updated 'About the NdTNI'. Confusion is rumoured to be good for the soul.
In a democratic society, not that Northern Ireland has the most democratic of Governments, every individual citizen has the right to peaceful protest, every individual citizen has the right to question the Government, and every individual citizen has the right to freedom of speech and expression which are extremely important rights; in the United Kingdom we have the right to express ourselves without persecution from others.
Disclaimer: The National disTrust of Northern Ireland is not in anyway associated with any other organisation, charity, or Limited Company within the current secondary Universe, or with any other organisation, charity, or Limited Company possessing the remotest of similar secondary names, although Senior Management members of the non-existent National disTrust staff may at times claim to be in the employ of other non-related organisations of the planet Mars, all such claims should be regarded as mere fictional fairy stories from a twisted secondary warped speed mindset.
Membership of the National disTrust of Ballykaziyermaun and its alleged illegitimate offspring the alleged National disTrust of Northern Ireland is strictly restricted to official residents of the planet Ballykaziyermaun, and all illegal immigrants from the aforementioned planet Ballykaziyermaun now holidaying in an unspecified alien Spacecraft Park in Northern Ireland which in turn is allegedly awaiting official Northern Ireland Tourist Plank 4 Star Spacecraft Park Declassification.
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Castle Ward Caravan Park Still Claiming 4Star NITB Status
NdTNI - National disTrust of National Trust Northern Ireland Policy
Over at whatdotheyknow.com, what seems to have been a perfectly legitimate Freedom of Information request was asked of the NITB, which was why the Northern Ireland Tourist Board was condoning the serious misrepresentation actions of the National Trust Castle Ward Caravan Park?
To be fair, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board responded by saying: 'NITB does not condone ‘serious misrepresentation actions’ by any organisation and have not condoned the issue of a letter by Castleward Caravan Park claiming they had received their four star rating.'
The Northern Ireland Tourist Board then went on to say: 'NITB’s standard procedure and protocol, in relation to any tourist accommodation claiming they have a star rating which they don’t have, is to initially instruct the premises by telephone to remove all reference to this. If appropriate, NITB will follow this up in writing giving a deadline by which this must be done. If the premises refuses to do so, NITB will issue a final written warning and liaise with its legal team to discuss legal action. As soon as NITB was made aware that Castleward Caravan Park had issued a letter referring to a grading which they did not have, we investigated this matter by contacting both the independent assessor and Castleward Caravan Park directly. Castleward Caravan Park advised us that the letter they issued was incorrect and confirmed that this should not have contained any reference to the grading which they hope to achieve later this year. In this instance, NITB has determined that no further action is required at this time. However, as mentioned previously, NITB will monitor the situation and take appropriate action when necessary.'
The National Trust have just begun advertising for a 'Caravan and Accommodations Supervisor' for Castle Ward, and online under 'DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE' it would appear that amongst other duties, the successful applicant will be accountable for: 'Castle Ward caravan/ campsite (NITB 4 star) Castle Ward Base Camp, Castle Ward Holiday Cottages (Potters Cottage NITB 4 star, Downpatrick Gate Lodge NITB 3 star, Murlough Cottage, Murlough Gate Lodge)'
'However, as mentioned previously, NITB will monitor the situation and take appropriate action when necessary.'
Perhaps therefore, being aware of the repeated false claim of the National Trust, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board would now care to comment on this further act of blatant misrepresentaion by the National Trust or is it the case that the previous blog posting 'Why Do We Need The Northern Ireland Tourist Board When We Have The National Trust?' really does say it all? Who does need the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, certainly not the National Trust Tourist Board!
No, we are not going to raise the subject of the aforementioned Potters Cottage NITB 4 Star Rating, or the Downpatrick Gate Lodge NITB 3 Star Rating, preferring to assume, rightly or wrongly, that even the National Trust Senior Management are not that stupid.
To be fair, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board responded by saying: 'NITB does not condone ‘serious misrepresentation actions’ by any organisation and have not condoned the issue of a letter by Castleward Caravan Park claiming they had received their four star rating.'
The Northern Ireland Tourist Board then went on to say: 'NITB’s standard procedure and protocol, in relation to any tourist accommodation claiming they have a star rating which they don’t have, is to initially instruct the premises by telephone to remove all reference to this. If appropriate, NITB will follow this up in writing giving a deadline by which this must be done. If the premises refuses to do so, NITB will issue a final written warning and liaise with its legal team to discuss legal action. As soon as NITB was made aware that Castleward Caravan Park had issued a letter referring to a grading which they did not have, we investigated this matter by contacting both the independent assessor and Castleward Caravan Park directly. Castleward Caravan Park advised us that the letter they issued was incorrect and confirmed that this should not have contained any reference to the grading which they hope to achieve later this year. In this instance, NITB has determined that no further action is required at this time. However, as mentioned previously, NITB will monitor the situation and take appropriate action when necessary.'
The National Trust have just begun advertising for a 'Caravan and Accommodations Supervisor' for Castle Ward, and online under 'DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE' it would appear that amongst other duties, the successful applicant will be accountable for: 'Castle Ward caravan/ campsite (NITB 4 star) Castle Ward Base Camp, Castle Ward Holiday Cottages (Potters Cottage NITB 4 star, Downpatrick Gate Lodge NITB 3 star, Murlough Cottage, Murlough Gate Lodge)'
'However, as mentioned previously, NITB will monitor the situation and take appropriate action when necessary.'
Perhaps therefore, being aware of the repeated false claim of the National Trust, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board would now care to comment on this further act of blatant misrepresentaion by the National Trust or is it the case that the previous blog posting 'Why Do We Need The Northern Ireland Tourist Board When We Have The National Trust?' really does say it all? Who does need the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, certainly not the National Trust Tourist Board!
No, we are not going to raise the subject of the aforementioned Potters Cottage NITB 4 Star Rating, or the Downpatrick Gate Lodge NITB 3 Star Rating, preferring to assume, rightly or wrongly, that even the National Trust Senior Management are not that stupid.
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
The Building of a National Trust Empire
NdTNI - National disTrust of National Trust Northern Ireland Policy
The building of an Empire has been defined as being the act of increasing the size and scope of an organization's power and influence. Throughout the recent Labour Government fuelled Boom years which ended with a most spectacular Bang, property developers throughout the North of Ireland, and elsewhere, participated in the Empire building game with a heart and a half, and other people’s money. The rules of the Empire building game were simple, there weren't any, it was trample on whosoever dared stand in the way of 'progress', it was dog eat dog, on the way to the top rung of the ladder, somewhere up there in cloud cuckoo land.
Empire building has also been said to be unhealthy for a corporation, any corporation, as senior managers become more concerned with acquiring greater resource control than with optimally allocating resources, and any corporate controls imposed by a company's board and senior management are supposed to prevent empire building within a corporation's ranks, which in theory probably sounds good to somebody.
Luckily, or eventually it might be, for the 'peasants', the Empire building property developers ignored all the non-existent rules, and the Bank of the Golden Goose not only stopped laying it's Golden Eggs, it demanded they be returned, with interest, and why was this? Simple, the greed infested arrogant bankers had also been Empire building, and they also had chosen to ignore the non-existent rules. It's also been stated that failure to screen out empire builders can lead to corporate actions that do not necessarily provide the best growth opportunities for a corporation and its members, such as acquisitions made to boost the control of senior management.
While we all cheered as news broke of the next greed fuelled arrogant land grabbing developer to tumble from on high, the downside was as usual the innocent victims, the families left without incomes, without their homes, left to beg for Government handouts. May each and every corrupt greedy Empire builder rot in Hell, the innocent victims might rightly ask of their God.
Now, about those other Empire builders, using not money from the Bank of High Street, rather the alleged Bank of Us Peasants, their alleged arrogance defies belief, their wings require clipping, never though by those they control, those queuing for the riches to be had from the new Golden Goose, a National Park after the next election anyone!
The building of an Empire has been defined as being the act of increasing the size and scope of an organization's power and influence. Throughout the recent Labour Government fuelled Boom years which ended with a most spectacular Bang, property developers throughout the North of Ireland, and elsewhere, participated in the Empire building game with a heart and a half, and other people’s money. The rules of the Empire building game were simple, there weren't any, it was trample on whosoever dared stand in the way of 'progress', it was dog eat dog, on the way to the top rung of the ladder, somewhere up there in cloud cuckoo land.
Empire building has also been said to be unhealthy for a corporation, any corporation, as senior managers become more concerned with acquiring greater resource control than with optimally allocating resources, and any corporate controls imposed by a company's board and senior management are supposed to prevent empire building within a corporation's ranks, which in theory probably sounds good to somebody.
Luckily, or eventually it might be, for the 'peasants', the Empire building property developers ignored all the non-existent rules, and the Bank of the Golden Goose not only stopped laying it's Golden Eggs, it demanded they be returned, with interest, and why was this? Simple, the greed infested arrogant bankers had also been Empire building, and they also had chosen to ignore the non-existent rules. It's also been stated that failure to screen out empire builders can lead to corporate actions that do not necessarily provide the best growth opportunities for a corporation and its members, such as acquisitions made to boost the control of senior management.
While we all cheered as news broke of the next greed fuelled arrogant land grabbing developer to tumble from on high, the downside was as usual the innocent victims, the families left without incomes, without their homes, left to beg for Government handouts. May each and every corrupt greedy Empire builder rot in Hell, the innocent victims might rightly ask of their God.
Now, about those other Empire builders, using not money from the Bank of High Street, rather the alleged Bank of Us Peasants, their alleged arrogance defies belief, their wings require clipping, never though by those they control, those queuing for the riches to be had from the new Golden Goose, a National Park after the next election anyone!
Sunday, 13 February 2011
The National disTrust, NdTNI, HMRC and Moral Status
NdTNI - National disTrust of National Trust Northern Ireland Policy
Without morals, Charity begins with a Limited Company, it's all perfectly legal of course, being a Registered Charity and a Limited Company, and being both allegedly comes with fringe benefits. As a Charity it would probably be allegedly possible for the National disTrust of Northern Ireland (NdTNI) to apply for and receive eye watering Government handouts, even if the alleged National disTrust of Northern Ireland Limited had a healthy yearly turnover and several £Million stashed way in the bank, or that could even be plural, as in banks.
With the foregoing scenario one might rightly ask why the unCharitable - National disTrust of Northern Ireland (NdTNI) - would require a sizeable Government handout, and rightly so. The answer can be complex, or simple. Simple though is nothing more than an opt out for the simple minded, nonetheless the simple answer is simple: If the Government of the day is full of alleged simpleton puppets, why not? And besides, there is always the question of who has their hands on those all important puppet strings, therefore I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you, and many riches will be yours, even if you waste them on the barren lands of Norn Iron, the new Empire.
A more complex answer would be to lay the blame, the whole blame and nothing but the blame at the door of HMRC a subject about which it would undoubtedly be possible to speak eloquently for many hours. Hours of utter drivel of course, but it is they and they alone, the HMRC, who is responsible for all of the ills suffered by the unCharitable - National disTrust of Northern Ireland (NdTNI). The HMRC has the authority to enforce huge fee increases upon the all new Declassified but deRatified 4 Star Spacecraft Park. HMRC without any known rhyme or reason use their absolute power on a yearly basis to further ensure the NdTNI operates at a sizeable financial loss, year on year, though not the National disTrust on Planet Ballykaziyermaun you understand, merely the NdTNI in Northern Ireland, so says leastways some eejit in the unemploy of the NdTNI.
Due to incompetent NdTNI staff employment arrangements, all highly over paid members of the NdTNI staff, despite allegedly being ungainfully employed on other interplanetary mediums, most honourably perform any necessary deed, and speak any utter drivel, true or otherwise as is necessary to serve and protect the NdTNI from any and all potential threatening Aliens from wheresoever they might or might not invade the NdTNI, therefore, understandably, none of the foregoing drivel is true, and is for the consumption of only those that know nothing. Also therefore allegedly untrue is the alleged scurrilous rumour suggesting an NdTNI interplanetary spacecraft crash landed on Planet Anus seriously injuring the robotic No. 5 crew members, many of whom have since been allegedly disassembled lest they wreak verbal havoc on aforementioned Planet Anus.
Without morals, Charity begins with a Limited Company, it's all perfectly legal of course, being a Registered Charity and a Limited Company, and being both allegedly comes with fringe benefits. As a Charity it would probably be allegedly possible for the National disTrust of Northern Ireland (NdTNI) to apply for and receive eye watering Government handouts, even if the alleged National disTrust of Northern Ireland Limited had a healthy yearly turnover and several £Million stashed way in the bank, or that could even be plural, as in banks.
With the foregoing scenario one might rightly ask why the unCharitable - National disTrust of Northern Ireland (NdTNI) - would require a sizeable Government handout, and rightly so. The answer can be complex, or simple. Simple though is nothing more than an opt out for the simple minded, nonetheless the simple answer is simple: If the Government of the day is full of alleged simpleton puppets, why not? And besides, there is always the question of who has their hands on those all important puppet strings, therefore I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you, and many riches will be yours, even if you waste them on the barren lands of Norn Iron, the new Empire.
A more complex answer would be to lay the blame, the whole blame and nothing but the blame at the door of HMRC a subject about which it would undoubtedly be possible to speak eloquently for many hours. Hours of utter drivel of course, but it is they and they alone, the HMRC, who is responsible for all of the ills suffered by the unCharitable - National disTrust of Northern Ireland (NdTNI). The HMRC has the authority to enforce huge fee increases upon the all new Declassified but deRatified 4 Star Spacecraft Park. HMRC without any known rhyme or reason use their absolute power on a yearly basis to further ensure the NdTNI operates at a sizeable financial loss, year on year, though not the National disTrust on Planet Ballykaziyermaun you understand, merely the NdTNI in Northern Ireland, so says leastways some eejit in the unemploy of the NdTNI.
Due to incompetent NdTNI staff employment arrangements, all highly over paid members of the NdTNI staff, despite allegedly being ungainfully employed on other interplanetary mediums, most honourably perform any necessary deed, and speak any utter drivel, true or otherwise as is necessary to serve and protect the NdTNI from any and all potential threatening Aliens from wheresoever they might or might not invade the NdTNI, therefore, understandably, none of the foregoing drivel is true, and is for the consumption of only those that know nothing. Also therefore allegedly untrue is the alleged scurrilous rumour suggesting an NdTNI interplanetary spacecraft crash landed on Planet Anus seriously injuring the robotic No. 5 crew members, many of whom have since been allegedly disassembled lest they wreak verbal havoc on aforementioned Planet Anus.
Thursday, 10 February 2011
One Mythical Giant + One Minister + One National Trust = £9.25 Million
NdTNI - National disTrust of National Trust Northern Ireland Policy
An inquisitive Northern Ireland tourist recently asked of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in a Freedom of Information request, if in light of the current rumoured allegedly serious allegations involving the Northern Ireland National Trust, whether or not, the DETI Minister Arlene Foster retained full confidence in the ability of the National Trust to carry out to it's successful conclusion the Giants Causeway project; bearing in mind of course, that £9.25 million of taxpayers money has been reportedly channelled into the aforementioned project?
Following is the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) reply to the aforementioned inquisitive tourist:
'Thank you for your e-mail of 19 January to Arlene Foster MLA, Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment regarding the National Trust and the Giant's Causeway project. The Minister has read your correspondence and has asked me to reply on her behalf.
Work is currently underway on the development of new visitor facilities at the Giants Causeway. Gilbert Ash was successful in the public tender to carry out the main construction works and work on site is progressing well. The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) is confident that the project is on schedule for completion in 2012.
The Giant's Causeway Visitor Experience (GCVE) is an exemplar of good governance. NITB as a funder for such a large scale strategic project must ensure that it is economically and financially viable offering good value for money. The implementation of the Gateway Process, perceived as best practice will assist in terms of ascertaining the project’s viability and robustness. GCVE to date has progressed successfully through stage 2 and 3 of the Gateway process. NITB is committed to the successful completion of the project and are confident that the new facilities will enhance the visitor experience along Northem lreland’s premier driving route the Causeway Coastal Route (CCR).
Regular meetings take place with National Trust through an established project board.
A recent press release stated that total project costs of £18.5m included taxpayer contribution of £9.25m. In fact the funding mix, managed by NITB, is made up of £3.125m Govemment financial assistance and £6.125m from the European Regional Development Fund under the European Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland. National Trust will provide £6.25m and the Heritage Lottery Fund awarded financial assistance of £3m. NITB and National Trust are dedicated to the project and certain that every effort is being made to ensure the successful completion of the new visitor facilities at the Giant's Causeway.'
Note that rather than declaring the National Trust retained the implicit support of DETI Minister Arlene Foster, the DETI Spin Doctors decided instead to spin a web of utter meaningless drivel, so nothing has changed at the DETI either.
The question; does the DETI Minister Arlene Foster retain full confidence in the National Trust Northern Ireland, has not actually been answered, so what should be read into this omission?
Maybe rightly or wrongly, reading between the lines, it could be assumed the DETI Spin Doctors are actually stating Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) Minister Arlene Foster of the DUP, does not wish to be implicated in anything untoward allegedly rumoured to be involving the National Trust, and that she personally does not Trust the National Trust either!
Perhaps we should now invite the Minister to Join The Club!
NdTNI Northern Ireland Tourists National disTrust National Trust Northern Ireland!
An inquisitive Northern Ireland tourist recently asked of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in a Freedom of Information request, if in light of the current rumoured allegedly serious allegations involving the Northern Ireland National Trust, whether or not, the DETI Minister Arlene Foster retained full confidence in the ability of the National Trust to carry out to it's successful conclusion the Giants Causeway project; bearing in mind of course, that £9.25 million of taxpayers money has been reportedly channelled into the aforementioned project?
Following is the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) reply to the aforementioned inquisitive tourist:
'Thank you for your e-mail of 19 January to Arlene Foster MLA, Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment regarding the National Trust and the Giant's Causeway project. The Minister has read your correspondence and has asked me to reply on her behalf.
Work is currently underway on the development of new visitor facilities at the Giants Causeway. Gilbert Ash was successful in the public tender to carry out the main construction works and work on site is progressing well. The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) is confident that the project is on schedule for completion in 2012.
The Giant's Causeway Visitor Experience (GCVE) is an exemplar of good governance. NITB as a funder for such a large scale strategic project must ensure that it is economically and financially viable offering good value for money. The implementation of the Gateway Process, perceived as best practice will assist in terms of ascertaining the project’s viability and robustness. GCVE to date has progressed successfully through stage 2 and 3 of the Gateway process. NITB is committed to the successful completion of the project and are confident that the new facilities will enhance the visitor experience along Northem lreland’s premier driving route the Causeway Coastal Route (CCR).
Regular meetings take place with National Trust through an established project board.
A recent press release stated that total project costs of £18.5m included taxpayer contribution of £9.25m. In fact the funding mix, managed by NITB, is made up of £3.125m Govemment financial assistance and £6.125m from the European Regional Development Fund under the European Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland. National Trust will provide £6.25m and the Heritage Lottery Fund awarded financial assistance of £3m. NITB and National Trust are dedicated to the project and certain that every effort is being made to ensure the successful completion of the new visitor facilities at the Giant's Causeway.'
Note that rather than declaring the National Trust retained the implicit support of DETI Minister Arlene Foster, the DETI Spin Doctors decided instead to spin a web of utter meaningless drivel, so nothing has changed at the DETI either.
The question; does the DETI Minister Arlene Foster retain full confidence in the National Trust Northern Ireland, has not actually been answered, so what should be read into this omission?
Maybe rightly or wrongly, reading between the lines, it could be assumed the DETI Spin Doctors are actually stating Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) Minister Arlene Foster of the DUP, does not wish to be implicated in anything untoward allegedly rumoured to be involving the National Trust, and that she personally does not Trust the National Trust either!
Perhaps we should now invite the Minister to Join The Club!
NdTNI Northern Ireland Tourists National disTrust National Trust Northern Ireland!
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