Culture Arts and Leisure Committee Expresses Strong Support for Armagh Observatory
Press Release follows:
BRADLEY DISTURBED AT SERIOUS RISK TO SURVIVAL OF ARMAGH OBSERVATORY SDLP Newry and Armagh Assembly Member Dominic Bradley has expressed his dismay that there is currently a very serious risk to the survival of the Armagh Observatory due to a lack of core funding. Mr. Bradley, a member of the Assembly's Culture Leisure Committee was speaking as the committee visited Armagh. Mr. Bradley said, "Having received a presentation from Professor Mark Bailey from the Armagh Observatory at our meeting in the Market Place Theatre, I was shocked to learn that the Armagh Observatory's future is under threat from a lack funding. The Observatory has world wide status and is a central element of the history and heritage of Armagh and it is disturbing to learn that the current funding situation is presenting a risk to its survival. "In this the 300th Anniversary year of the Observatory's foundation it would indeed be ironic if this were to materialize. It is unacceptable that this prestigious facility has to scrape around to get enough funding to survive. The Observatory carries out valuable research into such topics as the current threat of climate change it also engages with young people and helps encourage young people to consider physics, mathematics and science.' In conclusion Mr. Bradley said, "The Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee were very impressed by all the facilities we visited, including the Market Place Theatre, the Planetarium and the Armagh Observatory. We have asked officials to relay our concerns to the Minister Edwin Poots about the current funding crises and we are seeking assurances for the future of the Observatory."
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