uuptoday.org

North Down MLA and UUP Regional Development spokesperson Leslie Cree has backed a new campaign by the Department of Environment aiming to reduce the carnage on Northern Ireland’s roads at weekends.

The campaign follows shocking statistics which reveal that nearly twice as many people are killed on the roads during weekends than in midweek. An advertisement will be repeated during key weekends throughout the year in a bid to reduce deaths and serious injuries.

Mr Cree said:
“It is vital that this important message gets across as lives are being lost unnecessarily. The Department of Environment should be applauded for this initiative and I hope that drivers pay attention.

“North Down has embarked on a number of various initiatives to reduce the deaths on our roads. The DPP in particular aims to raise awareness with young people in the Borough about the impact of unsafe driving through educational workshops which highlight the range of preventative measures that can be used to reduce driving related injuries and fatalities.

“As Chairman of North Down’s District Policing Partnership (DPP) I recently visited Bangor Grammar School to support a safety road show entitled ‘It could be you’. The show is aimed at 16-18 year olds and portrays the dangers of speeding and careless driving on our roads and how a night out can end in tragedy and often-permanent disability.

“I cannot stress enough the importance of staying safe on the roads by driving within the speed limit, wearing a seatbelt, paying attention to what is going on around you and never drink or take drugs when driving.”

Speaking after a meeting of the Bureau last night, the Governing body of the European Parliament, Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson has called for “a full and open investigation” into the revelations unveiled this week that the Strasbourg Local Authority has been overcharging the European Parliament up to 2.7 million Euros a year in rent for as long as 25 years.

Speaking from Brussels Mr Nicholson said,

“I attended a meeting of the Bureau last night to discuss this problem where I demanded a full and open investigation into the matter and insisted that nothing be suppressed. We are all looking for answers. This whole affair has left a very bad taste in the mouth of all MEPs in the Parliament.

“I will be meeting with representatives from the UK Government next week to discuss the matter further.”

Every month for a week the Parliament sits in Strasbourg with all 732 MEPs, their staff and other European officials relocating from Brussels to Strasbourg. Strasbourg’s position as one of the official seats of the European Parliament has been enshrined in the EU Treaty since 1992, with any changes needing the consent of all 25 member states.

Mr Nicholson continued,

“It is bad enough that the Parliament has to pay millions every year to move to Strasbourg once a month but these revelations that the city has been making enormous sums of money at the taxpayers expense by adding top ups to the real rental price of the Strasbourg parliamentary buildings are even worse.”

North Down politician Leslie Cree has launched his new web site called ‘Politics Matters’.

As the name suggests ’Politics Matters’ is a communication medium that concentrates on political matters ranging from issues of a local perspective through to broader Northern Ireland affairs, which reflect his role as DRD spokesman for the Ulster Unionist Party.

“My objective in developing the site was to introduce a modern effective way to communicate to people.  Almost everyone has access to computers whether at home or in schools and colleges therefore it seemed sensible to provide a website that would be specifically designed around political issues.  I hope that I can also encourage younger people to become interested in what is happening in their Borough and help them to gain an understanding of how local politics works.”

‘Politics Matters’ provides useful background information on local issues such as planning, the environment, economic development, sports and leisure, education, policing, health and review of public administration.  On a broader scale there are details about the Department for Regional Development and Infrastructure and Investment.

“In today’s highly technologically advanced society I feel that it is important to adopt an effective way of communicating to those that I represent and at the same time send a positive message about North Down and Northern Ireland all over the world.  In fact the timing of my launch is opportune, as it has been revealed by communications watchdog Ofcom that Northern Ireland people are some of the biggest spenders on computing and mobile phone technology in the UK.  This can only confirm that Northern Ireland people are innovative and on trend in terms of take up and usage of internet services and ultimately in global affairs.”

“I hope that people will use this web site in a positive way as an interactive platform where they can take the opportunity to share their views and opinions about things that are happening in their Borough and which directly affect them or their family or by commenting on broader issues such as water rates that affect the lives of all of us across Northern Ireland.”

www.lesliecreemla.co.uk

Following the attacks on two pensioners in Belfast City centre last night, one of whom died in hospital, East Belfast UUP MLA Michael Copeland today demanded an explanation from the PSNI as to why Part-Time Officers hours have been drastically cut. The part-time officers principal role is walking the beat.

It has also emerged that City Centre business’ contributed somewhere in the region of £50,000 to the police for more presence on the streets. Mr Copeland today also asked the police how this £50,000 was spent.

In a statement Mr Copeland said,

“One of the most common public complaints I come across is the lack of visibility of the police on the ground. Many feel that the presence of the police on the beat is both re-assuring and a deterrent to criminals or those who seek to engage in anti-social behaviour.

The attack on the two pensioners in the City Centre is symptomatic of the problem of part-time officers who are having their hours dramatically cut.

The community are crying out for more police on the beat and business’ in the city centre have dug into their pockets to have more of a police presence.

I am demanding an explanation for the drastic cuts in part-time hours. As far as I can see, and in particularly light of these latest attacks, there is no justification for cutting part-time officers hours whatsoever.”

Following the publication of the latest IMC report, UUP Leader Sir Reg Empey said today,

“The latest report continues to represent progress. However the dog that didn’t bark is the IRA authorised Northern Bank robbery and the failure of republicans to return the money. The UUP calls for an immediate return of these funds.

We continue to be concerned at the slow pace of the loyalist organisations towards exclusively peaceful means.

With regard to weapons, few members of the public would be surprised at the retention of some weapons by some paramilitaries. The purpose of decommissioning was always to establish the intent. The reluctance of loyalists to begin this process remains a cause for concern.”

We further call on General de Chastelain to publish a full inventory of weapons decommissioned to date in order to boost public confidence.

We look forward to the early completion of decommissioning so that all weapons are removed from the equation.”