SDLP Foyle MLA, Colum Eastwood, has reiterated the proposition that the Irish government should be asked to forward L'Derry's application to become a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Mr Eastwood was speaking during an Assembly debate which marked the 400th anniversary of the commissioning of Derry’s walls.

The bid by L'Derry City Council to gain access to the proposed UK list of applications was rejected over 2 years ago. The UK list will not be reopened for a possible 8 years.

Mr Eastwood has called on the NI Executive to aid Derry City Council in exploring the possibility that L'Derry's application could be forwarded by the Dublin government as part of their membership of UNESCO. The L'Derry application was formulated around the basis that Derry had a unique narrative to articulate in terms of its journey from Plantation to Peace. Robben Island, the prison in which Nelson Mandela was incarcerated, is a similar venue of political importance which has achieved UNESCO's World Heritage Status.

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He said: "The target to achieve World Heritage status would bring huge advantage to this city and its people. The award would bestow untold reward and recognition. It is therefore a no brainer that every avenue that can be pursued should be pursued.

"Derry City is soaked in a rich and layered history. The UNESCO bid would argue that this city, its heritage and history is a succinct microcosm of the broader Anglo-Irish relationship, giving articulation to the experience of Plantation, Peace and Partition. It is this narrative which would hopefully act to fulfil UNESCO's criteria of 'Outstanding Universal Value'.

"It is this proposed context within the bid which makes it in many ways more appropriate that the application should be made by the Irish government on behalf of the city of Derry. Any potential impediment to the application due to technicalities surrounding 'national boundaries' are illogical, particularly given the historical context and ethos of the application. Every effort should be made to find a method around any such potential difficulties.

"It is crucially important that this city embeds its attraction as a cultural centre of historical significance. The City of Culture will play a major part in this endeavour. There should, however, be a collective clarity that 2013 is ultimately only a spring board to provide lasting legacies and opportunities for our tourism and cultural sectors. The achievement of World Heritage status would be a continuous stimulus in creating the jobs and investment which we require.

"If processed and submitted by the Irish government, Derry's application could be fast tracked.

"On this, the 400th anniversary of these historic walls, I would strongly urge the Executive and the Assembly to support efforts in an attempt to achieve this designation."

(CD)