MLA criticises NI universities

Several people were arrested in March following St Patrick's Day celebrations

Sinn Fein's Alex Maskey has criticised the attitude of Northern Ireland's two universities towards problems involving students in Belfast's Holyland area.

Speaking after attending a meeting on the issue on Wednesday night, Mr Maskey said Queen's and the University of Ulster showed a lack of responsibility.

He said they had not put forward any new proposals to address difficulties.

Queen's and the University of Ulster disciplined 520 students over their behaviour last year.

However, the South Belfast MLA said it was not acceptable for the universities to deal only with student disciplinary matters.

"They are not prepared to take any responsibility for accommodation, for the parking problems created in the area, for the fact that there are thousands of students brought into the area now on a daily basis.

"The universities take no responsibility for any of that, with the exception of dealing with what I would call the symptoms, which is a disciplinary problem, and that's just not enough," he said.

Area plan

He made the comments at a meeting attended by university representatives, local residents, landlords and the Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey.

He added that there were "far, far too many people expected to live in the area" and said the long-term residents were being displaced.

He called for a proper area plan to be produced for the Holylands.

Mr Maskey praised Sir Reg for convening the meeting and said he was the only minister who was taking a "serious look" at the problem.