Northern Ireland

British government to appoint Castlereagh Foundation advisory committee

Brandon Lewis said the appointment of panel to help establish the Castlereagh Foundation was an 'important milestone'. Picture by Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Brandon Lewis said the appointment of panel to help establish the Castlereagh Foundation was an 'important milestone'. Picture by Brian Lawless/PA Wire Brandon Lewis said the appointment of panel to help establish the Castlereagh Foundation was an 'important milestone'. Picture by Brian Lawless/PA Wire

THE BRITISH government has signalled its intention to appoint an advisory committee for the establishment of the Castlereagh Foundation.

Flagged in last year's New Decade, New Approach agreement, the foundation's role will be to support research by universities and other organisations exploring identity and shifting patterns of social identity in Northern Ireland.

Secretary of State Brandon Lewis said the panel will identify appropriate partners to help establish the Castlereagh Foundation.

He said the panel's appointment represented an "important milestone".

“In this centenary year, we have an important opportunity to reflect on Northern Ireland’s history and explore the diverse perspectives and identities that make Northern Ireland a fantastic place to live, work and do business," he said.

First Minister Arlene Foster welcomed the announcement.

She described Robert Stewart Viscount Castlereagh as "one of the United Kingdom’s greatest ever statesmen".

"In many ways, it is a foundation which should have been established many years ago," she said.

"Enabling young people who have ideas about the future of Northern Ireland, to explore those thoughts is critical as we seek to build a Northern Ireland for the next 100 years."