DEL Minister believes in using ‘Derry’ title in city
EMPLOYMENT and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry believes there are no particular issues with naming the city but that in practice ‘Derry’ can be used for most speeches, especially those delivered in Londonderry.
An internal departmental email from the Minister’s Private Secretary in June outlined Dr Farry’s views on the matter. The memo - released by the Department of Employment and Learning (DEL) - states: “The Minister’s Private Secretary issued an e-mail on June 2 outlining the Minister’s thoughts on this issue in the context of Ministerial speeches: ‘There are no particular issues with Derry/Londonderry, but it is best to alternate rather than say Derry/Londonderry and in practice, ‘Derry’ can be used for most speeches, especiallly those delviered in that city.’”
DEL’s Information Management Unit advised it was the only information held electronically where the Minister has advised officials on the title for the city.