uuptoday.org

Ulster Unionist Party Leader Sir Reg Empey has said that the time for devolution is now – and that five minutes spent at polling stations will ensure the greatest possible chance for progress to be made.

In a statement, Sir Reg said: “This is now the third successive election to the restored Stormont, the Northern Ireland Assembly. Despite all the difficulties, despite the disappointments, despite the setbacks, we have again an opportunity to elect a local Assembly and a regional government for this part of the United Kingdom.

“The Ulster Unionist Party has given its pledge to the electorate that we will take our seats in government on 26th March - delivering accountable government for Northern Ireland. We will stand by that pledge. While others seek to cover-up party divisions through strenuously avoiding the devolution question, Ulster Unionism is united in its conviction that Northern Ireland needs devolution.

“The challenges facing Northern Ireland - water charges, domestic and business rates, education reform, economic growth, environmental protection - need to be addressed through Ministers and Assembly Members accountable to the people of Northern Ireland.

“Government through remote, unaccountable Direct Rule Ministers cannot deliver the progress our society needs and deserves. And without devolution, unaccountable Direct Rule Ministers will be joined by Dublin Ministers, equally unaccountable to the people of Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland, as part of the United Kingdom, needs devolution now - not at some indeterminate, undefined future date.

“If we are to move towards normal politics in Northern Ireland - if we are to be governed as are our fellow-citizens in Scotland and Wales - if we are to have enduring stability in our society, we need devolution.

“I urge the people of Northern Ireland to exercise their democratic franchise tomorrow, to vote Ulster Unionist, to support those who promise a Stormont that will work for Northern Ireland rather than deliver the stalemate of ‘a battle a day’. The time for being spectators in our own country is past. It is now time to ensure that Stormont works for all of us.”

Mr Robin Swann, the North Antrim Ulster Unionist Assembly candidate, has said a future legislative Assembly should get its Department of Health to launch a healthy living campaign to identify food and drink products which are free of harmful colourings, or have been treated with large amounts of pesticides.

Mr Swann said he was concerned there appeared to be an emphasis on getting children to eat a healthier diet, but there needed to be a greater focus on the many adults who were also worried about food and drink contents.

“We need the Department of Health to examine exactly what is being sprayed on crops. We specially need to ensure that the Department encourages the spraying of new forms of weed and pest controls which are organically safe.

“The existing Health Department, boards and trusts are certainly to be commended on their very pro-active campaigns warning of the various forms of cancer and the importance of early detection.

“However, in campaigning against the prevention of diseases, I would also call for an equally strong focus on adopting a healthy living campaign. The public has the right to know about potentially harmful substances within food and drink products.

“It’s all very well the various health bodies encouraging constituents to have a good programme of exercise, but they also need to clearly emphasise a balanced diet of food and drink products which is free of treatment by many modern pesticides.”

Mr Swann, who has served as a member of the executive committee of the Ulster Farmers’ Union and a past president of the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster, added: “I would also call on the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to grant aid those farmers in North Antrim who are engaged in the development of the production of organic foods.”