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Billy Armstrong, Ulster Unionist Assembly Member has commented on the suggestion that there could be a possible investment of approximately £700m in Ulster by the Republic of Ireland to be announced in January 2007,

“I welcome any investment that may come to Northern Ireland, wherever it may originate from.  Northern Ireland is in much need of re-investment due to numerous reasons, not least the troubles of the past thirty-odd years resulting in economic instability, lack of tourism opportunities and a general lack of interest in Northern Ireland.

However, I believe this money is really going to be an investment for the Republic of Ireland, as the border counties of Northern Ireland, which are part of Ulster, will really benefit.  Investments will be for the upgrading of the 90-mile Londonderry to Aughnacloy Road to motorway standard, for two electricity interconnectors and also radiotherapy facilities at Altnagelvin hospital in Londonderry.

“It is rather fitting that our neighbouring country should invest is our infrastructure and healthcare as the people from the parts of Ulster within the Republic of Ireland will benefit greatly from these improvements.

Ulster Unionist Assembly member for Mid- Ulster, Billy Armstrong MLA has praised the initiatives being launched by Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service to make householders aware of the dangers of fire and offering to carry out a free fire safety check in your home.

Billy said: “The incidents of fire in the home traditionally increase in the autumn and winter months, so the launch of Fire Safety Week provides an opportunity to drive home the importance of fire awareness and how to combat it in your own home.

A number of events are being launched in this the fifth year of the scheme and the introduction of free home Safety checks , in addition to high profile television and poster advertising campaigns to highlight the importance of having a working smoke alarm and reminding people of the main causes of fire in their homes.

Uniformed fire-fighters will carry out the Home safety checks and will help with any actions to avoid fire. Most importantly they will check that a smoke detector is working or if necessary they will fit one for free. A safety check can be arranged by calling the Fire and Rescue Service on 028 9260 0477. This is a marvellous opportunity to get expert advice from professionals on fire prevention and is especially beneficial to the elderly and most vulnerable in our community.”

Billy said: “I would encourage everyone to request a free home fire safety check.
I would, also take this opportunity to urge young people to act responsibly with fireworks over the Halloween period and refrain from terrorising homeowners and animals, as these are a major cause of fires at this time of year”.

Ulster Unionist Party Officer responsible for Youth Development, and Newry & Armagh Young Unionists Representative, Kenny Donaldson, has voiced concerns following a series of reports stating that many paramilitary organisations are continuing to recruit young people from within our community.

In a statement, Kenny said: “I am deeply concerned that terror organisations are continuing to recruit young, impressionable men and women.

“In the past, hundreds of young men and women were lured into terror organisations and brainwashed. Young people whether growing up in “republican” or “loyalist” communities need to realise that to follow a pathway of terror and crime will lead them nowhere but to jail or the grave.

“Paramilitary organisations have sucked the lifeblood out of two generations of our people, and I for one do not want a third generation tormented and destroyed.

“Young people need to realise that there is a better future for them. Northern Ireland is at a critical point in its history, there is a real prospect and opportunity for peace and political stability.

“The young people of our society must stand together and face down paramilitary organisations whose principle objective is to exploit the vulnerable for their own self-serving ends,” he concluded.

The Ulster Young Unionist Council has today presented a £1,000 cheque to the Women’s Section of the Royal British Legion at the launch of the Poppy Appeal at the City Hall, Belfast.

Young Unionist Chairman Cllr Mark Dunn, and Young Unionists Michael Shilliday, Jennifer Dunn, Rebecca Black and Rodney Corrigan attended the event.

The money was raised at an auction held at a dinner in the Europa Hotel to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. Amongst the prizes were a Northern Ireland football shirt signed by David Healy and an Ulster rugby shirt signed by all of the Ulster rugby team kindly donated by Cllr Tyrone Howe.

Young Unionist Chairman and Deputy Mayor of Larne Borough Council Mark Dunn said:

“The Royal British Legion Women’s Section provides an invaluable support network for women throughout the community. Most particularly the charitable and fundraising work which this organisation undertakes throughout the year delivers real benefits and assistance for many. Young Unionists strongly support the aims and values of Royal British Legion Women’s Section and are pleased that we are able to make some contribution to their ongoing work.”

He added: “As the youth of today it is our duty to respect and pay homage to the thousands of young Ulster and Irish men who answered the call of King and country and laid down their lives to safeguard our future and values.

“I was honored to have the opportunity to travel to the Somme on July 1st to attend, on behalf of Larne Borough Council, commemorative services at the Ulster Tower and Thiepval Monument. We also laid a wreath at the Thiepval Monument on behalf of the Ulster Young Unionist Council.”

Ulster Unionist MLA and former Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister Michael McGimpsey today outlined the UUP’s concerns at the provisions made for the Irish language in the St Andrews Agreement.

In a statement Mr McGimpsey said,

According to the St Andrews Agreement that Dr Paisley has given his backing to, the Government will introduce an Irish Language Act based on the experience of Wales and the Republic of Ireland. It will be a Westminster Act. In other words it is to be a diktat. If it is passed in Westminster it would be impossible to alter it as a cross-community vote would be required in the Assembly.

In Ireland the Irish language has primacy first. In Wales the Welsh language has equality. The Scottish model is aspirational: where it is considered appropriate the language can flourish.

With regards to the Welsh Act: It is mandatory upon public bodies to recognise Welsh if notified to do so. The act then defines what it means by a public body – this includes Councils, Boards, Public Authorities, the Fire Brigade, Health Authorities and most importantly Boards of Schools.

Each notified public body has to draw up a scheme for the promotion and enhancement of welsh. The costs of this are enormous.

The UUP had settled the language issue through the Belfast Agreement. Language is currently carried through the North/South language body which comprises of the Board of Ulster Scots and the Irish Bord na Gaelige. In this set up we had an Ulster Unionist Minister having a veto over all business. This was truly accountable.

The DUPs ‘tough negotiators’ have now opened all of this up again with an Irish Language Act contained within the St. Andrews Agreement that gives Irish equality with English. They may not like criticism but they cannot be Teflon coated from their glaring mistakes.

Like the all-island economy study which appeared yesterday there are lessons to be learned for the DUP. They may well believe that they have a ‘fair deal’ but the more we look at St. Andrews the more the DUPs tinkering around the Agreement has created messes that need to be cleaned up.”

Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson today called for a ‘step change’ in East – West relations within the UK urging the Government to focus more on the potential benefits of greater economic, social and cultural cooperation between Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the regions of England.

The UUP MEP has written to the Secretary of State Peter Hain urging him to ‘actively pursue and identify areas of potential cooperation and collaboration’ given the similar socio – economic problems faced by Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the North of England.

In a statement Mr Nicholson said,

“People get caught up very easily in the debate over closer North/South cooperation as yesterday’s hype over the Irish Government’s document demonstrated and forget about the obvious economic benefits that could flow from greater economic, social and environmental cooperation with Scotland – particularly as Scotland, Wales and some regions in the North of England face the same socio – economic problems as Northern Ireland.

“While most Unionists generally support and are in favour of North/South cooperation, in areas where it is mutually beneficial, we believe that a more natural framework of cooperation should encompass the entire British Isles – hence the provision, back in 1998 of a framework for East – West cooperation in Strand 3 of the Belfast Agreement, which to date has been underplayed and underrated.

“Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic are already looking at a programme of cooperation under new rules for EU territorial cooperation funding and there is no reason why, even without EU funding, that the Government shouldn’t be looking at how regions of the UK can further cooperate further.

“Potential for collaboration could exist in areas such as:

·         Promoting a sustainable approach to development in key sectors such fisheries, minerals, renewable energy and tourism.

·         Developing community participation in the management of the environment.

·         Develop projects which develop the capacity of renewable energy, which if realised can contribute significantly to economic growth and environmental sustainability.

·         Employment activities to reduce the out-migration of young people from the rural area.

·         Support services for rural communities, encouraging entrepreneurship and taking account of equal opportunities and social exclusion.

·         Identification and support for care needs in respect of the elderly, childcare and dependents.

·         Identification and support for re-skilling in rural areas.

·         Improving the competitiveness of SMEs and social economy businesses, for example by building links between business development agencies, trade organisations (e.g. Trade associations, Chambers of Commerce) and local authorities.

·         Joint marketing of cultural tourism opportunities. Developing links between the business sector and the Further and Higher education sector (Third level institutions) and research bodies.

“Increased cooperation between Northern Ireland and other regions of the UK can have a lasting impact capable of building stronger communities in both areas with greater economic prosperity and more social cohesion.”

Ulster Unionist East Belfast councillor, and former Lord Mayor of Belfast, Jim Rodgers, has warmly welcomed plans that will see around 100 new social housing units built in the heart of East Belfast.

Mr Rodgers learned of the decision during a meeting with the Housing Executive yesterday. Local Presbyterian Ministers, Rev Colin Hall-Thompson and Rev Colin Berkcombe, and Mersey Street Presbyterian Church youth leader John McCandless, completed the deputation which met with officials.

In a statement, Mr Rodgers said: “Alongside a number of partners, I have been campaigning strongly for social housing redevelopment in the Mersey Street area of East Belfast for the past three years.

“There were major question marks over the proportion of social housing to be delivered and the impact of the airport safety zone proposals. Thankfully both these issues have now been successfully resolved.

“Initially development was to be a mix of 80% social and 20% private housing. But I am pleased to say that final plans provide for around 100 new units – all of which will be earmarked for the social housing sector.

“When David Cairns rolled out his airport safety zones consultation earlier this month there were fears that the Mersey Street development would not go ahead. The fact that these plans are unaffected by Mr Cairns’s proposals is welcome and is a massive boost for the local community.

“In this part of inner city East Belfast, waiting lists for housing are among the highest in the whole of Northern Ireland. This is a community which suffers high levels of social deprivation and severe housing stress. Therefore news that work will begin on this development in the next financial year is to be greatly welcomed.”

Some rural communities in Fermanagh and South Tyrone are in danger of losing one of their biggest assets – their local Post Offices, warns UUP Assembly member Tom Elliott.

He was speaking after attending a meeting with members of the National Federation of Sub Postmasters at Stormont where the situation facing 600 sub postmasters across the Province was outlined.

Mr. Elliott said: “In the this area we have already seen the loss of several rural Post Offices and I am aware of the deep impact these had on local communities.

“Not only do Post Offices provide essential services for people who do not live near large towns but they are also vital meeting places, focal points of community life.

“I am concerned that the card account which enables the withdrawal of pensions and benefits is being withdrawn and we have already seen the loss of other services with more planned.

“The Federation is not against change if it is sensibly managed to enable Post Offices to remain viable and offering a high level of service to the public.

“However, the Government seems intent on cutting the pay of Sub Postmasters and ending their support grant by 2008 which does not bode well for the future of Post Offices across the region.”

Mr. Elliott said he fully endorsed an Age Concern report that found that 99% of older people in rural areas consider their local Post Office to be “a lifeline” and more than half of over-60s in the countryside fear that Post Office closures would leave them more isolated.

“This survey proves the concern that exists among the elderly about the future of rural Post Offices. It found that 76% of older people are worried about losing essential services if their post office is forced to close and that 73% feel that they wouldn’t be able to access similar services in their local area.”

Mr. Elliott added: “I agree entirely that urgent action is needed to develop a positive, coherent and sustainable rural strategy, including a continuation of the rural subsidy.

“Post Office card account should not be abolished unless there is a simple alternative that is equally or more acceptable to current holders.”

Responding to the publication by the British and Irish Government of a Comprehensive Study on the all-island economy, UUP Deputy Leader Danny Kennedy said it was an attempt to transform Northern Ireland into an economic colony of the Irish Republic. In a statement Mr Kennedy said,

“This document looks like it was written by a Sinn Fein policy officer and passed under the nose of an Irish Department of Foreign Affairs civil servant.

The UUP is all in favour of mutual economic co-operation and trade between the two states. However this document is a different proposition entirely. It seeks to create a Northern Ireland that is a region or an economic colony of the Republic as opposed to a Northern Ireland that is a trading partner with the Republic but which forms part of the United Kingdom’s economic bloc. As such, while some of the infrastructure proposals have merit, we would reject the proposal as a whole as it runs against the very ideal of a vibrant, confident Northern Ireland within the Union.

The language in this document is atrocious. One suspects it may well have been fashioned in this way to try and put the frighteners on people as to what plan B could look like in the absence of a power sharing deal on November 24th.

Among the proposed ‘areas for collaboration’ is an improved regulatory environment (including fiscal measures). This is shorthand for enshrining in law many of these proposals. In addition the document proposes the harmonisation on trade missions of Invest Northern Ireland with its Irish counterpart. This means that Northern Ireland cannot make its own case without considering the all-island dimension.

The Secretary of State said today of the proposals: ‘I look forward to further development and implementation of the goals and actions contained in the Study both in the weeks to come and as part of the agenda of the restored institutions.’ There you have it. This study clearly forms part of the agenda following the St. Andrews Agreement.

In 1998 the UUP faced down many of these ‘nationalist’ proposals. Now, by tinkering around the edges of the Agreement the DUP have opened up a pandora’s box and allowed the nationalist genie out of the bottle again.

It is imperative that we work quickly towards the re-establishment of the Assembly and Executive where Ulster Unionist Ministers would be rigorously vetoing proposals like this.”

Ulster Unionist Peer Lord Trimble of Lisnagarvey has voiced his concerns that, under proposals being considered by government, robbing the DoE of its fair say in relation to electricity consent applications “significantly lowers environmental protection” and substantially reduces transparency and public scrutiny.

The Electricity Consents Order, which was considered in Parliament yesterday, replaces the existing separate DoE & DETI procedures with a combined application for both consent and planning permission which will be made to DETI.

Such a move would remove vital checks and balances necessary to ensure environmental protection, said Lord Trimble – adding that “the Minister’s reply makes clear that existing environmental concerns may now take second place to DETI’s objective of increasing electricity generation.”

Speaking in the House of Lords yesterday, Lord Trimble said: “The Minister says that the Order will streamline the procedures and that, instead of applications to two departments, there will be an application to one department and the consent would be given by one department. That gives me great concern.

“The Government are bound to say that the normal environmental safeguards will be followed, in that the normal consideration will be undertaken within the Department, but who takes the decision at the end of the day?

“Will people in the Department of the Environment take decisions on environmental matters or will those decisions now be in the hands of DETI?

“The question of which department makes the decision potentially opens up a tremendous problem. If the final say goes to DETI on matters that are highly controversial in environmental terms, even when the procedures for the environment are followed through, there could be a significant lowering of environmental protection and of the extent to which the public can have their voice heard.”

In reply, Northern Ireland Minister Lord Rooker said that the decision would be taken by DETI, but that the Planning, Environment and Heritage services would be involved as statutory consultees.