Well worth reading if only to recognise the anger of Derry people & indeed those outside the Belfast/N.Down area. Politicians and civil servants take note

Damien Michelle O’Neill Simon Harris TD Even better if Simon Harris TD would adopt, as Govt policy the Royal Irish Academy recommendations "“The future development of the greater north-west requires effective cross-border planning of tertiary education with enhanced concurrent and coordinated funding from both jurisdictions."

Question: Does this mean Belfast's City Deal - many, many times larger than ours, and which has already been processed - was fully protected? Despite the fact that Mark Durkan was the first NI MP to seek a City Deal, precisely because Derry has fallen so far behind Belfast?

Excited to announce I’ve signed a publishing deal for my debut novel. Set in Derry, Detachment explores the complex cross-generational bonds of a local family against the backdrop of a referendum on Irish reunification. Coming out next year!

As Universities Minister, Simon Harris TD supported the idea of an independent cross-border university to honour John Hume. It will be very interesting to see if he gets the chance to develop on that theme during his lecture in Derry today.

Foyle MP ⁦Colum Eastwood⁩ has told campaigners he’ll be raising the Magee issue with Taoiseach ⁦Simon Harris TD⁩ when he meets him today. He also told the Derry University Group he backs a HE Scrutiny Commission for the North, as recommended by ⁦Royal Irish Academy⁩

It doesn't make sense that smaller cities on the island have more students than Derry, says Simon Harris TD.

Niall Ó Donnghaile 🇮🇪🇵🇸 Simon Harris TD Rose Conway-Walsh Houses of the Oireachtas - Tithe an Oireachtais Conor Murphy For the record Garrett Hargan has been the catalyst for the seismic change in direction to address many inequalities that exist in Derry & NW. His FoI’s have now detailed the Regional Imbalance not only in University Provision, FDI, Employment etc… #Local #Investigative #TopClass

Derry’s first official visit from An Taoiseach Simon Harris TD is dominated by a Belfast agenda. Our local reps - in politics and the media - need a long chat with their colleagues in ‘the capital’ about regional balance. Well done Amanda Ferguson and Garrett Hargan for your efforts.

Garbhán Downey Simon Harris TD Amanda Ferguson Garrett Hargan Absolutely Garbhán Downey, such a sense of entitlement around Belfast issues, giving precedence to bread and circus issues over the importance of further education in developing an entire region for future prosperity.

Can I just address a point made on 👓Mark Patterson👓 today as I think it was linked to what I said when on the show previously and I'm sure comments from others. It was said that some people believe City Deal funding shouldn't be used to invest in a uni. Allow me to explain...1/

Derry University Group Colum Eastwood Simon Harris TD Royal Irish Academy Finish the work of the last 60 years. It’s time for Derry to have its own independent University. A University would be a catalyst for economic regeneration and investment for both the city and region neglected for so long.

Should point out here, at a press conference in Derry, the most deprived council area in UK: I believe out of 8 questions, 6 were on Casement Park. Amanda asked the only one on Derry. Taoiseach's press office didn't allow me, the Journal or Derry News a question. Cracker!

LEGAL SECRETARY REQUIRED Based in our Limavady Rd office Full time role Competitive Salary Private Health Cover Pension If you want to join a progressive and forward thinking team send your CV and covering letter to [email protected] #hiring #northwestisbest

Great news - though why should we have to use CD money to pay to develop Magee, while other campuses are subsidised by the State? Before anything is handed over to UU, Derry Strabane Cncl, as guarantor, MUST insist on an independent scrutiny commission to protect the investment.

New veterinary school to open in ATU Donegal Letterkenny is going from strength to strength. Under the Royal Irish Academy independent cross-border university model, our new NWU would have both a medical school and a vet school.

View of ⁦StColumb's Cathedral⁩ from the Ráth Mór car park this morning.

Today's The Irish News. For Magee to achieve - and maintain - its target of 10000 students will require an independent oversight commission. UU cannot manage its competing priorities over four campuses. Stormont must set up an oversight commission in its new PfG.