UUP Items for Discussion with British and Irish Premiers, Thursday 2.20pm, Parliament Buildings, Stormont
The Ulster Unionist delegation, led by Party Leader Sir Reg Empey and including Chief Negotiator Alan McFarland, Dermot Nesbitt and Chief Whip David McClarty, will raise the following items for discussion at Thursday’s meeting with Prime Minister Blair and Irish Premier Ahern.
- The disastrous and disingenuous government policy of trying to threaten political parties with a loss of funding in November as an encouragement for them to reach agreement.
- Government’s submission to the advisory committee of the Council of Europe in regard to the framework convention for the protection of national minorities.
These issues are fundamental to a stable and peaceful society: effective participation by local elected representative; rationale for North-South co-operation; citizens rights and individual choice; and good neighbourly relations between States. There are standards on these matters that both the Irish and UK Governments are obliged to adhere to. To date neither Government is fulfilling its commitments.
- The outstanding funding for the proposed Police training college in Cookstown.