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Councillor Marion Smith has spoken at her anger at the delay in establishing local ‘Crimewatch’ schemes.

“As a member of the local DPP I raised the issue at this month’s meeting and asked what was holding up the introduction of at least 9 schemes throughout the Borough. The scheme is aimed at warding off crime with a facilitator in each area being appointed as a means of contact for local residents. Furthermore signs will be erected to let people know they are in a ‘Crimewatch’ zone. I also reminded the DPP I had raised the same query the month before, with little success.

I know of schemes submitted at the beginning of the year, which were requested by local residents who were full of enthusiasm to begin such a simple and excellent scheme. Why four months done the line is nothing happening? Why has there been such a silence. I am glad to say that every effort is now being made to get the schemes up and running as quickly as possible. But here is yet another case of bureaucracy gone mad creating unnecessary delays.”

Ulster Unionist Assembly Member for Fermanagh & South Tyrone, Tom Elliott MLA has again raised the issue of what happens when persons are found keeping illegal dogs. This follows the discovery by USPCA on Friday 19 May 2006 when two pitbulls were found at outbuildings of premises at Frenchman’s Lane, Castlecaulfield, Dungannon.

Tom said: “This is the second time these two dogs have appeared in the area and I am deeply concerned that there are persons in the Dungannon area who are heavily involved in this barbaric sport. It is believed that the two dogs went missing from the home of a well-known GAA star after a raid on his home on 20 April 2006.

The public and I wish to know what action is being taken by the relevant authority on those persons who are found to be in possession of these animals last month and also against those persons who have been housing these animals for the past month, after their mysterious disappearance.

This is a most vile and cruel sport and anyone who is found to be in possession of these dangerous animals should be brought before the courts and face the maximum fine of £5000 and/or six months prison.

I like others will wait with interest to see how long it takes to bring those responsible before the courts and see what penalties will be imposed. I would suggest that if no punitative penalties are conferred, this barbaric sport will continue in our district. Animal lovers and the public will await with interest to see what action will be taken and are not prepared to let the matter drop.”

Twenty-five years later Republicans commemorate the Hunger Strikers, hailing them as heroes for the Republican cause. However, Ulster Unionist Assembly Member for Mid-Ulster, Billy Armstrong asks is this just a cover act for Sinn Fein’s guilt trip in forfeiting the lives of republican bigots in order to gain a seat of power in Stormont under British Rule?

“This certainly seems to be the case as early republican activists accuse Sinn Fein of ‘moving its party away from its roots’. Barney McFadden, a former republican prisoner, whose four brothers were all in jail and whose father was interned recently asked of the PROVO leadership: ‘Did we go through all that to make Sinn Fein a good political party? Where is the United Ireland?’

Billy Armstrong MLA asks: “Were the lives of those hunger strikers lost to convince the British Government of their commitment to a democratic process, to tactfully get rid of extreme bigots within the Republican Movement? Was all of this enacted to enable Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness to move into a Stormont Assembly, to provide accountable government for the people of Northern Ireland through a British administration?

For all the bluster from anti-Agreement Unionism, there is no question that the Belfast Agreement represented a defeat for physical force republicanism, and their so-called “armed struggle.

The Provisional IRA was established in the early 1970s with the stated aim of destroying Northern Ireland. One of their chief slogans was: “No return to Stormont”. Yet Sinn Fein’s General Secretary, Mitchel McLaughlin when defending present Sinn Fein policy insists that ‘there was no question of the party moving away from its roots’!

Look at the situation now. The people who set out to end partition, destroy the Union and bring down Stormont are now determined to get into Stormont to partake in the administration of British Rule in Northern Ireland! In fact, on Monday we heard the President of Sinn Fein actually propose Dr Ian Paisley, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party to be First Minister along with Martin McGuinness as Deputy First Minister.

There is also a cruel irony in the fact that the movement who murdered Sir Norman Stronge – a former Speaker in the Old Stormont Parliament – have now, in the form of Sinn Fein’s Francie Molloy, accepted nomination as Deputy Speaker from the British Minister, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Peter Hain!

Is this why the Provos set out on their campaign of sectarian murder over 30 years ago? Is this why over 3,000 people lost their lives? Is this why our economy was all but destroyed? Did Bobby Sands really die just so Martin McGuinness could sit in Stormont as a Minister of the British Crown?

On the 25th anniversary of the death of Hunger striker Bobby Sands, Sinn Fein/IRA’s commemorations are merely acts glorifying terrorism but it should be noted that none of the Sands family attended these events. The commemoration of the Hunger Strike shows that Sinn Fein are determined to continue their campaign to promote division and hatred in this society. While, the Hunger Strikers campaigned for “political status” the reality is that they were not imprisoned for their political belief in obtaining a united Ireland, but for crimes including murder and bombing.

For all the ructions within Unionism in the past eight years, there is a growing realisation within republicanism that their so-called ‘war’ has ended in defeat.

East Antrim Assembly Member, Ken Robinson MLA, said today that more would have to be done to help first time home owners get on to the housing ladder.

“I find it alarming that there has been a 50% rise in Northern Ireland in first time buyers taking out 100% mortgages. This is predicated on sharply rising property prices and, while this seems likely in the short term, I would have fears that if a property downturn did occur then this could plunge people back into the negative equity situation which hit other parts of this country so hard in the early 1990’s.”

“Many young people leave University, for example, burdened with debt and then they have to struggle to get on to the property ladder. The temptation to take out a 100% mortgage must be very great. The price of houses has risen so sharply that the number of houses sold under £100,000 has dropped from 40% of the market to 25% in just a year.”

“100% mortgages are fine for buy to let speculators who could fund mortgage payments from rental income but I am less sure about their advisability for young first time buyers.”

“I know Northern Ireland is well ahead of the rest of the UK with co-ownership which enables young people to get a home through equity sharing. With the massive rise in house prices over the past few years, however, I believe Government still needs to be more pro-active with measures to help young people get on the housing ladder.”

“Some months ago I proposed that North Down should have a Spring Clean week involving as many community groups, schools and  businesses as possible. Throughout the week the event has been described as ’spring clean fever’ with many local people committing time and energy to improve our environment.

We have had school children cleaning beaches, a visit from the Conservation Volunteers and the Green Machine, this is an 8 metre long lorry containing a host of fun resources for everyone to enjoy.

Graffiti was also targeted by a volunteering team.  I have thanked everyone involved with the initiative, there was a lot of fun and enjoyment had and at the end of the week we have a cleaner borough.  This can only be good and I hope that the exercise becomes part of our calendar of events.”

Ulster Unionist Assembly member for Fermanagh & South Tyrone, Tom Elliott MLA fully endorses the aims and objectives of National Noise Week, which runs from 22-26 May 2006 that aims to promote practical solutions to everyday noise problems. But try telling the residents of Cunninghams Lane, Dungannon about Noise Action Week when they have to endure 52 weeks a year of excessive noise and anti social behaviour in their area.

Tom said: “The local residents are so concerned about this serious issue that as a last resort they have organised a meeting on Tuesday 30 May 2006 at 7.00pm in Emmanuel Hall, Dungannon to tackle the problem head on and get some answers. I have indicated that I will be in attendance and offer my support.

The residents are left in despair feeling that their quality of life is non-existent due to actions of a few households involved in anti social behaviour and excessive noise.

The essential focus of the Noise awareness campaign was in communicating to victims –reassuring them that their feelings of despair, anger or isolation are valid and that there is a real solution available. It is the responsibility of the local Councils and it is time that they tackled this problem with those responsible and issue penalties or evict those responsible.

Noise can affect the quality of life of everyone and can cause severe distress and if people complain then decisive action will be taken by the statutory bodies. It is not sufficient to run a campaign for one week and hope that this cures the problem.

I would emphasise that this is not a racial issue or confined to migrant workers but noise complaints are at their highest ever levels in Northern Ireland and is present in every town.”

Sam Gardiner MLA, Ulster Unionist Assembly Member for Upper Bann, said today that he was delighted that Oxford Island near Craigavon had made it on to a shortlist of the ten best family walks in the United Kingdom.

“Research by the Good Dog Campaign has rated Oxford Island as one of the best places for dog owners, as well as those without a pet, to visit. This is the sort of good news which puts Craigavon on the map and helps make it an attractive tourist destination,” said the local MLA.

“Oxford Island has a very high amenity rating with birdwatching hides, woodland and meadow walks, picnic areas and wildlife ponds. It also has a paddling pool and play area, information about the site’s history and habitats and the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, a cafe and shop. With Kinnego Marina close by, the whole site is a major asset to the Greater Craigavon area.”

“This recognition which puts Oxford Island right up there with the best walks in the United Kingdom, should make us all realize that we have incredible tourist potential locked up in our area. Sometimes we are so close to things that we just do not see them and take them for granted.”

“I believe that a major re-evaluation of the tourist potential of the Lurgan, Portadown and Banbridge areas along with their surrounding villages needs to get underway. I believe that up to now the family tourism market has not been widely enough exploited by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.”

UUP MEP Jim Nicholson has slammed the UK Government for negotiating a deal which will see a substantial reduction in the amount of rural development money coming to Northern Ireland from the EU between 2007 – 2013.

In a statement Mr Nicholson said,

“Once again the UK Government has a negotiated a bad deal that will impact adversely upon Northern Ireland’s farmers placing us at a serious competitive disadvantage compared to our counterparts in other regions of the EU.

“In addition due to the pressure applied by the Prime Minister at the December 2005 European Council summit, the European Commission published proposals this week that will allow the UK Government to divert up to 20% of income earmarked for farmers, in their single farm payment, into rural development schemes without paying the money back to farmers in match – funding.

“I will do everything I can to prevent this proposal damaging the interests of the Province’s farmers – they have been through quite enough in recent times.

“Of course we know that this current government have no love for our rural communities. It was only this week that the Chancellor Gordon Brown launched a blistering attack on the CAP in a speech in Nigeria stating that Europe must set a timetable to end all forms of agricultural protectionism in a fresh effort to break the deadlock in the WTO talks.

“What is clear is that the agricultural industry can not be asked to accept another round of reforms now. What the farming industry needs is a period of stability, not the prospect of further reform.”

A delegation from the Ulster Unionist Party, led by Party Leader Sir Reg Empey MLA, met with the Ulster Farmers Union this week at their headquarters in Belfast to discuss a range of issues currently affecting the farming industry and rural communities in Northern Ireland.

UUP MEP Jim Nicholson, UUP Agricultural spokesman Tom Elliott MLA and UUP Mid Ulster MLA Billy Armstrong also attended the meeting.

Speaking after the meeting the delegation said,

“We had an extremely constructive meeting where we discussed a range of issues. Concerns over the implementation of the nitrates directive, duplicate fields and rural planning topped the agenda. We look forward to meeting again soon.

“We shared with the UFU our delight at the lifting of the beef ban, after 10 years of hard work, and committed to working with each other to ensure that Northern Ireland beef is once again a market leader within the EU.”

South Belfast UUP MLA Michael McGimpsey today said that the current negotiations were turning into a farce and that government needed to copper-fasten a guarantee on excluding those not committed to exclusively peaceful and democratic means to help unlock the deadlock.

The UUP MLA said that the government was refusing to face up to the quandary they are in.

In a statement Mr McGimpsey said,

“Nobody should be surprised by the events of last Monday. What happened was entirely predictable. No Unionist politician would have dreamt of accepting the Adams proposal. There is the quandary the Governments need to get their heads around – There is no support within Unionism for a power sharing government that includes Sinn Fein for now.

This is the settled view and it has been settled for a number of years. Why is this the case? Unionists have been disappointed by Republicans on three occasions and are not currently prepared to accept another government foisted settlement. They took a chance on the Agreement as a way of testing bona-fides. Unionists on three separate occasions delivered what government wanted which was a devolved executive. On each occasion the IRA moved to destroy the executive and on three occasions the government was not prepared to defend the executive. Tony Blair continually ran away from the IRA

As a result, an entire swathe of public opinion is understandably dis-believing. Unionists are pro-devolution and want to see local control over local affairs, but if this means Sinn Fein in government without safeguards then devolution will be rejected in the short to medium term.

Unionists need a copper fastened guarantee and an unalterable statement by government that if the executive is set up and the IRA move again to destroy it, those who are not committed to exclusively peaceful and democratic means will be excluded from any Executive until they are deemed fit for government. The rest of us could get then get on with the job of making Northern Ireland work and tackling the hard policy choices in front of us. Without the constant stalling of devolution.

This guarantee would also help alleviate genuine grass-roots unionist concerns. The government must focus on Republicans.”