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Roy Beggs, Ulster Unionist Candidate in East Antrim has claimed that electricity consumers have been badly served by Labour and Conservative direct rule Ministers and called for the Chancellor to pick up the tab for the escalating £35 million + Kilroot Flue Gas Desulphurisation project.

Roy Beggs said: “NI electricity consumers should not be paying for this major capital project when the generation contract is due to expire within the next few years. We have already paid over the odds for this expensive generation contract through higher electricity prices. This was a result of the Conservative Governments generous privatisation contracts - for which the Treasury received inflated prices.”

“As a result of new EU environmental rules and the terms of the original privatisation contract, AES Kilroot will be passing the cost of this flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) project to NIE and then on to consumers.

“Over three years ago, Ian Pearson MP, the then New Labour DETI minister, promised £30m a year from the NI block grant to compensate NI Electricity users. This never materialised. Ministers advised that EU rules prevented this support and the unspent budget would have been part of the unspent budget that was returned to the treasury.”

He added: “NI electricity consumers have been badly serviced by direct rule ministers whether Conservative or Labour. We have already paid dearly and it would be a further injustice if consumers were to be asked to foot an additional 5% or 6% in our electricity bills just to pay for this project alone.

“Clearly this is a case where the Chancellor should be stepping in and paying for the past failings. Electricity consumers have already suffered inflation busting increases in regional rates and will receive new Water bill commencing in April. We should not having to pay a second time for NIO mistakes.”

“There has recently and rightly been a lot of attention on the suitability of certain foods especially for children (e.g. the question of food ads during children’s TV, better labels etc.).

South Belfast constituents have raised with me the particular concern of the impact on some children of the so-called energy drinks— especially the brand “Kick” marketed by Tesco. It is true that Tesco do label this drink as “Not suitable for diabetics, children or persons sensitive to caffeine”. Nevertheless, it does seem to be sold at their stores to children.

Further information on the container indicates that 250 ml of Kick contains 29 g of sugar (the daily recommended amount is 90 g). Despite this Kick is sold in one litre bottles and can be got at the price of 92 pence for one or £ 1.50 for two bottles!

Since this marketing policy does seem to be encouraging the consumption of extraordinary amounts of sugar and caffeine by vulnerable children I have written (a week ago) to Tesco to ask them to explain their policy and I am waiting for a reply”.

Ulster Unionist South Down candidate John McCallister has highlighted the lack of affordable housing within the constituency, saying that “young people and first-time buyers are finding it impossible to get on the property ladder”.

In a statement, Mr McCallister said: “Over recent years huge amounts of council housing have been sold off under the right-to-buy scheme- while this is in itself a good thing problems have been created as this housing stock has not been replaced.

“Northern Ireland in 2006 saw a 35% increase in property value – this is the highest increase in Europe – and in some areas the rise has been over 50%. Combine these increases with the fact that Northern Ireland has the lowest average wage in the UK and you have the perfect recipe to accelerate the brain drain either to Great Britain or the Republic.”

He added: “With the current restrictions on planning permission in rural areas many young people are being forced further and further from their roots, mainly because new developments in small villages are being bought up by investors, forcing local buyers out of the market.

“I will be campaigning for a balanced rural planning policy – protecting the countryside from random development while allowing for sustainable development of rural communities.”

West Tyrone Ulster Unionist Assembly candidate, Derek Hussey, has welcomed a positive response to the Health section of the UUP’s published Manifesto by Mary Hinds, NI Director of the Royal College of Nursing.

Mary Hinds sits on a Press Association panel of specialists who are reviewing each party’s manifesto and, in her assessment of the Health section of the Ulster Unionist Party’s Manifesto, she stated “This is a
comprehensive and innovative agenda for the improvement of health and social care in Northern Ireland. I’m pleased to note the strong emphasis upon public health measures, which will build upon the achievements of the previous executive in relation to Investing for Health.”

The NI Director of the Royal College of Nursing continued “I am also pleased to note the party’s commitments to training the right numbers of nurses and supporting childcare provision for student nurses. It is good to see the references to enhancing mental health services and healthy living centres. Again this reflects the Royal College of Nursings’ own campaign priorities, particularly in promoting the mental health of children and young people and of older people, and addressing alcohol dependence and obesity.

“Violence against nurses and other health staff is a major concern and we are pleased the UUP has continued to highlight this issue. In concluding her remarks, Mary Hinds said “It is also very welcome to see the party’s commitments on the implementation of NHS Direct in Northern Ireland, support for nurses in policy making, care management networks and the enhancement of prescribing by nurses.

“These will all help to enhance standards for care for patients. That, after all, is what really matters.”

The West Tyrone UUP candidate, Mr Hussey, said “I welcome this extremely positive assessment of the Health proposals contained in our Party Manifesto. It is all the more pleasing to receive such an endorsement of these proposals given that it comes from one who is representative of those working on the front line of our Health Service.

“Undoubtedly, our proposals will help rural communities and can be an important element on the way to providing proper health provision notwithstanding the need for acute services in an Omagh based hospital. Whilst not questioning their training and professionalism, care must also be taken to ensure that nurses are not pressurised into roles that should be Doctor-led.

“I fully endorse Mary Hinds final comment in that what really matters for all of us is enhanced standards of care for patients.”

UUP Foyle Assembly candidate for Foyle, Peter Munce has launched a campaign today to have Derry’s walls placed on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites recognizing its cultural significance and tourism potential.

Joined by the Young Unionists on Saturday and party leader Sir Reg Empey on Friday, Mr Munce said it was time to maximize fully the tourism potential of Derry’s walls by campaigning for World Heritage Status.

Speaking today Mr Munce said,

“The Northern Ireland tourist board has recently completed some good work on marketing the tourism potential of Londonderry but we must seek new and innovative ways of taking this work forward. Campaigning for UNESCO World heritage status is one way of doing this.

“However, It is quite clear that for a variety of reasons, Londonderry and the wider Foyle area has not maximized its tourism potential over the years. Recently plans were unveiled for a new, 160 ft statue of Saint Columba to stand in the river foyle. It was envisaged that this would cost around 15million pounds. However, would a more cost effective way not be to invest more money in promoting Derry’s walls?

“At present there are 27 sites in the United Kingdom on UNESCO’s list and only 1, the Giants Causeway, in Northern Ireland. Imagine if Derry’s walls were placed on the world heritage list? Londonderry would have world wide international status as a must see destination and it would significantly enhance the areas tourism marketability.

“Inscription as a world heritage site is the highest commendation a place can receive – a real recognition of global significance, which brings with it international prestige.

“World heritage status, as has been proven elsewhere, would bring significant economic benefits to the area. But of course we can also measure the benefits of world heritage list status in social terms too as we search for a way to build a new future in this city and a shared sense of identity and pride. After all, this city won’t be a good place for any of us to live in until it’s a good place of all of us to live in.”

Ulster Unionist candidate for Mid Ulster, Billy Armstrong has attended a briefing session organised by LMC on Wednesday 21 February 2007 at the Ramada Hotel, Belfast, fully supports the work already completed by the Task Force and looks forward to the strategy being implemented for the Northern Ireland, red meat industry.

Billy said: “The importance to the Northern Ireland economy of agri- food and red meat sectors was again underlined (20% of the private sector economy) and employs 23,000 people with an annual turnover of £1.4 billion. The industry is at a crossroads: the decoupling of CAP support from farm production has led to major changes. It is now essential that a workable strategy is developed and that will allow the industry to establish a long-term viability for beef and sheep production in Northern Ireland

Despite all the figures about farm incomes, showing a slight increase, you cannot escape the hard facts that farming is in the red and current farm incomes do not cover total production costs . The average price received per Kg is £1.80 but the cost to produce that Kg of beef, if farmer charges nothing for his own labour, is £1.89.

No one should be expected to work for nothing and what the farmer would need to receive, if he charged for his own labour would be £2.60 which is 80p per kg more. At present farm gate losses on beef and sheep meat production is estimated to be over £150 million.

The provision of farm figures is a grim reminder of the financial problems which blight the industry and this total lack of profitability is unsustainable. Fresh thinking and radical solutions are required and determine which models might be most suitable for the achievement of profitable farm enterprises over the next 5-10 years.

It is vital that the amount of Red Tape in the industry is drastically reduced as highlighted by UFU and also focus must be placed on the flows in world trade and the quality of produce from low production cost regions, like Brazil. The Task Force must work with all the stakeholders and introduce a strategy on how best to adapt existing support to the industry and ensure that we have a vibrant and profitable Agri-food industry in Northern Ireland.”

West Tyrone UUP Candidate Councillor Derek Hussey has welcomed the success of Hospital Campaigners in Scotland who have managed to reverse a decision of the Department of Health to close their A&E Unit and have managed to have acute services retained in the hospital which is located in Greenock.

Mr. Hussey said: “Newspaper reports highlight the fact that the unit was saved ‘thanks to a massive public protest’. The hospital concerned is 19 miles from the nearest hospital in Paisley and the closure would have effected 37,000 people.”

“Does the story not sound familiar?” asks Mr Hussey.

“This particular case exactly mirrors the situation in Omagh, however we have to realise that the 19 miles from Greenock to Paisley can be covered in a reasonable time because of the much better road facilities that exist in that area.

“Why does the Government in Scotland listen to the public when the Administration in Northern Ireland clearly does not. We had a situation recently when Cabinet Ministers took to the streets to support their local hospital, in this case former Secretary of State for NI Dr John Reid supported his local hospital and they have won their campaign.

“This shows that the Department of Health can be forced to reconsider. The Northern Ireland Assembly will have to seriously consider all Health options when it resumes its control of Northern Ireland affairs. We cannot allow a situation to arise where we will dither again and again as to the establishment of an Executive. If that means two acute hospitals in the South West - one in Tyrone and one in Fermanagh - so be it!

“I would also at this point urge all groups and interested parties to submit a response to the Governments Public Consultation on the recommendations of the review of pathology services in Northern Ireland.

“The loss of 24-hour coverage of for any hospital will mean that it is unsafe for this hospital to be classed as a Level 3 Acute Hospital.

Government proposals could mean that Altnagelvin could be stripped of its Level 3 status and if that is the case there is absolutely no chance of a Level 3 hospital in Tyrone or Fermanagh.

“We need to have 24-hour pathology cover for all the hospitals in Northern Ireland, full stop. Stripping this service from local hospitals and centralising it in Belfast cannot be allowed to happen.”

Rev Dr Robert Coulter, the North Antrim Ulster Unionist Assembly candidate, has called for the health department to release more individual community care packages for the constituency which would in turn ease the pressure on acute beds in both the Antrim Area and Causeway hospitals.

Rev Dr Coulter, who is also Ulster Unionist Health Spokesman and has served for several years on the Assembly’s Health Committee, said that ultimately one of the practical ways to tackle the waiting list crisis in the health service was to introduce more individual care in the community packages.

The North Antrim UUP candidate added: “More of these individual care packages are needed for North Antrim to relieve the pressure on acute beds in Antrim and the Causeway hospitals.

“The individual care packages work by assessing the specific needs which a patient would require after receiving their operation or treatment in an acute hospital. The care packages can be designed so that these needs are met by the person being cared for in their own home, or in a nearby nursing home. The cost would be paid for by the health service.

“Practically, it means that people can get back into their own communities and be cared for in those communities rather than occupying hospital beds over a number of weeks. By caring for people in the community itself, leads to much-needed acute hospital beds being made available for future patients, especially those on the waiting lists.

“I would call on the Health Minister to speed up the process of delivery of these individual packages to North Antrim, thereby reducing the waiting lists in the constituency. 2007 could well be ‘make or break’ year for our health service in realistically getting to grips with the spiralling waiting lists and the equally worrying situation of bed blocking.

“It is no use emptying millions of pounds into the health service if there is no specific direction for that funding. Cash must be clearly earmarked for certain sectors of the health service. Individual care packages also mean that relatives and friends can be nearby to visit their loved ones in the community rather than having to travel long distances in many cases to the acute hospitals.

“The health department needs to adopt the motto of ‘patients first’ in 2007 otherwise the waiting list and bed blocking crisis will reach such a peak that it will be totally irreversible.

“It is also equally essential that those now charged with governing our health service under Direct Rule do not create a situation which cannot be fixed when hopefully devolved powers are eventually returned to our Northern Ireland Assembly,” said Rev Dr Coulter.

UUP East Belfast Candidate Michael Copeland said despite DUP triumphalist rhetoric they are completely unable to offer the people of Northern Ireland the political leadership required to make government work.

Mr Copeland was responding to comments made by Iris Robinson which claimed the UUP was a failed party.

In a statement Mr Copeland said,

“I’m positive that most people are incredibly bored with the DUPs one sided analysis and their list of ‘achievements’. Of course it would be easy to forensically pick apart each of their claims but this would simply be a welcome distraction for Mrs Robinson.

What she and her colleagues are doing by resorting to their fundamentally dishonest and frankly laughable triumphalist rhetoric is avoid the most pertinent question on the lips of the vast majority of the people of Northern Ireland? Will there be a much needed devolved government on March 26th?

DUP attempts to try and drag the UUP into facile arguments and chest beating will not work, nor do we have the inclination to indulge this kind of political immaturity.

What we are about is making government work for the people of Northern Ireland. The people want their concerns dealt with and are not concerned by the needs and requirements of the DUP which are more about keeping a lid on splits and divisions than what is in Northern Ireland’s best interests. Does Iris really think that her party pretensions are more important to people than water charges, higher rates bills, swingeing cuts in education and an ailing national health service? If so she is massively out of touch with mainstream public opinion.

The Ulster Unionist Party is the only unionist party that is telling it straight. We will take our seats in government and govern for the good of Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom.

On the 7th March the people of Northern Ireland have an opportunity of moving beyond the stale, scaremongering and failed politics of the past as exemplified by the DUP and Sinn Fein and of getting the government that we all deserve”.

Mr Robin Swann, the North Antrim Ulster Unionist Assembly candidate, has said any new legislative Assembly must “urgently review the costs of imposing the so-called Irish Language Bill on Northern Ireland Government departments”.

Mr Swann said an economic appraisal to estimate the costs of the Bill should be carried out as soon as possible by any future Executive to firmly establish if there was any genuine need for such a measure.

“The core question which any new Assembly must address is could the cash saved by axing the Irish Language Bill be diverted into cutting the hospital waiting lists and improving school buildings?” he said.

“There is considerable suspicion among the Unionist family that the Irish Language Bill, envisaged in the St Andrews Agreement, is merely an expensive sop to hardline republicans in exchange for their support for policing.

“If this is the case, then the Irish Language Bill is not about protecting the rights of a minority language, but is being used as a senseless political football which will waste taxpayers’ money when that budget could be usefully diverted elsewhere, especially to health and education,” said Mr Swann.