EDUCATION minister Peter Weir made a visit to his party leader's home constituency - with his department knowing little about it.
Mr Weir and DUP leader Arlene Foster were at Enniskillen Royal Grammar School this week to view "progress" on a new build.
Unlike other ministerial visits, there was no advance notice, no press release or official photographs on the day, no department officials were even invited and no social media coverage.
It was only a day after the event took place that the Department of Education issued a release. It included a ministerial statement almost identical to one published in a local newspaper the previous day.
It was also the first time since becoming minister that Mr Weir welcomed progress on a building project that has not yet broken ground. Up until now, he has only issued statements through his department press office after visiting sites where actual building work has started.
The proposed new building for the school, an amalgamation between Portora Royal and Collegiate Grammar, was announced in 2013. The department has now completed technical feasibility work on site options. This suggests that the former Portora Royal site will be the preferred location.
Mr Weir described this as a "further milestone". It will be confirmed once the business case is complete, which is expected within months.
"While it is not possible to be definitive about timescales at this early stage, my officials and the school are working to progress to the construction phase of the project as soon as possible," he said.
Former Portora Royal principal Neill Morton said it was "most gratifying that Mrs Foster should find time while period preparing for elections to show her support for the newly amalgamated Royal school in Enniskillen".
"I must applaud her willingness to look to the future. Portora Hill is a wonderful site for the new school," he said.
"It sits at the site of an ancient ford and overlooks the town. It has done so since 1779. This announcement will ensure that the Royal School will be sustained on its site for another 400 years."
