Opinion

Peace walls

I WOULD like to respond to William Scholes column (December 22).

There is a continuing number of misconceptions and issues of confusion relating to the removal of peace walls and barriers. There seems to be an accepted public narrative that more peace walls have been built since the Good Friday Agreement than before. In fact, the total number of barriers has increased only slightly but the rate of construction has decreased markedly, especially since 2007.

The facts are that there have been no new walls constructed since I took office in April 2010. Indeed we have been able to remove seven structures since the devolution of justice functions. The overall number of barriers that my department has responsibility for has reduced from 59 to 52. DAVID FORD MLA

Minister for Justice, Stormont