Press Releases21 Oct 14

Church leaders meet Minister Storey to discuss welfare reform

Leaders of Ireland’s churches met with the Minister for Social Development, Mervyn Storey MLA yesterday afternoon (Monday 20th October 2014).

Following representation by the Church leaders on behalf of those who face a negative impact by the proposed welfare reforms, the leaders were pleased that the Social Development Minister, Mervyn Storey MLA invited them to meet him to discuss the topic. This meeting took place today at Stormont.

The meeting was constructive and involved a full exchange of views, where both sides of the welfare reform argument were put to the Minister.

The Church leaders asked the Minister that the details of Welfare Reform be brought into the public domain so that the fears of those who will affected will be allayed.

Minister Storey agreed to this request and invited the Church Leaders to return for a further meeting.
 
Those Present:

The Most Revd Eamon Martin, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh

The Rt Revd Dr Michael Barry, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

The Revd Peter Murray, President of the Methodist Church in Ireland

The Ven. George Davison, Archdeacon of Belfast (Representing the Most Revd Richard Clarke, Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh)

Mr Mervyn McCullagh, Executive Officer, Irish Council of Churches (Representing, the Revd Dr Donald Watts, President of the Irish Council of Churches)