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UUP Chief Whip David McNarry today urged the other main Political parties not to forget their commitment to provide £20 Million to fund special needs, as agreed in the Programme For Government talks.

Mr McNarry issued his reminder after newspaper reports indicated that £400,000 had been spent by Education Boards on legal advice to prevent distraught parents with special needs children from making their cases heard.

In a statement Mr McNarry said,

“I, like many others, am appalled at the sums spent by Education Boards on legal advice to silence parents with special needs children. This only serves to reinforce the urgent need to properly address and fund the special needs sector.

I would remind the other main parties that in the recent Programme For Government talks, we collectively agreed on an Ulster Unionist Party proposal that I tabled, for £20 Million to be earmarked and provided specifically to deal with the deficit in special needs provision.

My understanding is that this £20 Million was to be part of the overall financial package that was negotiated with Gordon Brown. This £20 million, which is on the Hansard record, should not be forgotten about by other parties.”

Speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg UUP MEP Jim Nicholson has called for EU sanctions in place against Robert Mugabe’s violent and brutal regime in Zimbabwe to be reinforced, strengthened and taken to the next level.

Speaking in the Parliament Mr Nicholson said,

“I welcome the joint motion that seeks strongly to uphold sanctions against a ruthless and violent regime that is plaguing Zimbabwe in the worst possible way. I thank those of you who have worked hard on this resolution and I am pleased with the result.

“Isolating Mugabe and other members of his regime is of the utmost importance in order to demonstrate to both the international community and the other African nations that EU Member States will not tolerate the blatant abuses of human rights and dignity that have been committed in Zimbabwe.

“We have consistently opposed this brutal menace and will continue to do so together. Mugabe should remember his promise to step down and do so now. This is the only action he could take that would benefit Zimbabwe. EU sanctions that are in place put real pressure on Mugabe’s brutal regime and as such they need to be reinforced, strengthened and taken to the next level.

“As regard the next level, it is well known that Mugabe is seeking financial backing and support from countries such as China that are not always as firm on issues of freedom and democracy as I and many others would like. From within this joint declaration we can see the Parliament’s firm resolution to take this issue to the UN Security Council. I welcome that.

“Furthermore, I strongly support making sure any money the EU and the international community sends to Zimbabwe for humanitarian purposes, whether private funds or public funds does not fall into the wrong hands. It is clear that the people of Northern Ireland and across the EU give very generously in aid to the Zimbabwean people – this generosity should not be abused by the Mugabe dictatorship. We need to make sure that the money we give is used in the most efficient and transparent way and does not go to the coffers of the Mugabe regime.”

Ulster Unionist Mid Ulster MLA Billy Armstrong has said that government must act to ensure chewing gum no longer messes up our streets and public spaces.

Following on from chewing gum tax proposals put forward by Labour MP David Crausby in Commons this week, Mr Armstrong said: “This is an issue which I have been interested in for some time. In December 2002 and again in March 2003 I wrote to government Ministers detailing proposals for a chewing gum tax to be introduced in the United Kingdom.

“The cost of cleaning chewing gum from our streets is absolutely enormous. Recently it was reported that UK local authorities pay out £150 million a year to clean it up.

“We shouldn’t have to put up with seeing our pavements covered in gum. The clean-up process is laborious and it is somewhat disheartening to see pavements quickly fouled up again.”

He added: “The concept of biodegradable chewing gum has also been circulating for some time now. I would like to see companies innovate and deliver on a biodegradable product.

“In the meantime, people should change their behaviour and dispose of chewing gum properly. If they do not, then a tax on the product to fund clean up costs may be the only way of resolving the situation.

“The bottomline is that carelessly disposing of chewing gum may seem to be only a minor indiscretion but it incurs huge expense that the ratepayer could well do without.

“I renew my call for Government to seriously consider introducing a chewing gum tax from which revenues should be reinvested into the whole issue of waste management.”

Ulster Unionist Member of the European Parliament Jim Nicholson MEP has added his name today to a written declaration in the Parliament today calling for the creation of an EU – wide, multi – lingual, free of charge telephone helpline for people who are victims of human trafficking.

Mr Nicholson described the creation of a telephone helpline as “an essential tool in the fight against human trafficking” and said that victims of human trafficking in Northern Ireland could benefit from the availability of such a service.

Mr Nicholson’s call comes as a BBC investigation revealed the extent to which people trafficking and the systematic exploitation and underpayment of migrant workers is taking place in Britain.

Speaking today from Strasbourg Mr Nicholson said,

“Victims of human trafficking are amongst some of the most vulnerable people in society and deserve the right to talk to someone impartial who will listen to their situation, offer practical advice and assistance, without fearing judgement by the authorities or their family.

“You only have to look at the success of services provided by charities such as the Samaritans to see how effective a free telephone helpline can be in helping victims.

“People trafficking is one of the world’s fastest growing criminal activities and to combat it requires international and domestic action.  According to the most recent research, most victims are under the age of 24 and come from poor backgrounds with little or no education. I am more than happy to sign this written declaration if it will result in action being taken to provide proper protection to the weak and defenceless.”

People with physical disabilities are not being afforded adequate transport to suit their needs, an MLA is claiming.

East Londonderry Assembly member David McClarty is writing to the new Health Minister about the situation which he describes as “grossly inadequate” in some circumstances.

Mr. McClarty says he has been made aware of one particular case where an adult in the Northern Board area was put through a traumatic experience because a bus used to transport people with physical disabilities was not up to standard.

He adds: “It is imperative that this so-called specialised form of transport is fit for purpose.

“In this case passengers being picked up had to negotiate steps to get into the vehicle. For one wheelchair user who was unable to use them, it meant enduring a shuddering tailgate lift at the rear of the bus.

“This turned out to be a frightening ordeal as the lift was obviously in need of servicing.

“I fail to see how buses in service for people with specific needs are not fully serviced. Even newly designed buses seem to incorporate steps which is not ideal in many cases.”

Mr. McClarty also raised another issue that arises: “Health authorities are also using taxis to transport adults with physical disabilities who cannot use buses. This is a waste of valuable resources simply because buses are not adaptable enough to be used for the very purpose for which they are supposed to be designed.

“Surely there is a major discrepancy here? By their very nature buses for transporting people with physical disability should be specifically designed to do so and ultra safely because of the needs of those who are using them.”

Mr. McClarty intends to take the issue up with incoming Health Minister Michael McGimpsey and is also writing to the Health Board, calling for immediate moves to replace buses currently in service and introduce vehicles that can provide safe and suitable transport.

“This is an issue of high priority considering the number of people using specialised transport across the Province.

“It is imperative that those using these services are not put at risk or under needless stress.”

Ulster Unionist Assembly member for Fermanagh & South Tyrone, Tom Elliott MLA has demanded that the Department of Regional Development reveal how all the money that is raised annually through vehicle excise duty and fuel duties is spent on the improvement of our roads.

Tom said: “Recent figures reveal that the number of vehicles on our roads over the past 5 years has increased dramatically and the vehicle tax has been increased again in the recent budget. The number of vehicles on our roads has increased from 730, 730 in 2000 to 917,399 in 2005 and this equates to £135 million (vehicle excise duty) but at the same time, money spent on road maintenance and repairs had been reduced to £45m initially but later increased to £65 m in January 2007. This still falls far short of the recommended minimum spending of £75 m on repairs every year for the next ten years.

This will not have a major impact on addressing the many years of under investment in our roads infrastructure and only represents about half of the money raised through vehicle excise duty each year. We have now approached the point of an average of £1 per litre for petrol and the fact that 73% of the pump price on petrol is tax. Surely this illustrates that the motorist is not receiving a fair deal. Where does this money go?

A dynamic economy requires an efficient, accessible and modern transport system that is fit for the 21st century. It also needs to address the infrastructure deficits across Northern Ireland, particularly in the West of the Province. People in rural areas do not have rail links or the necessary bus networks to travel to work and hence the use of the car is a necessity. It should also be remembered that Northern Ireland is loosing approx £380m per year due to fuel smuggling and this will continue while there are disparities between Northern Ireland and the Republic. This figure could help build and improve many roads.”

Ulster Unionist Environment Spokesman, Sam Gardiner MLA, today claimed that the incident on Hare Island in Strangford Lough when there was a mass felling of conifers, damaging the habitat of species like long eared owls, showed that there was a desperate need for an independent Environmental Agency.

“When the Environment and Heritage Service eventually explained itself and told us that the plan was to plant native deciduous trees to replace the conifers many of which were wind damaged anyway, the tree felling - which at first seemed horrendous - began to make some sense. The problem was that there was a total lack of communication and people did not know what was going on.”

“This lack of communication is what I find most disturbing about our civil servants. It comes from over thirty years of unaccountable direct rule. Basically the civil servants  don’t seem to understand that it is the public that pays their wages and that the public has the right to know what is going on. There is a huge cultural problem with the civil service.”

“A new independent Environmental Protection Agency is needed so that we can have a culture change in a new independent non-governmental organization. People care deeply about the environment and they don’t want this top-down, keep them in the dark approach.”

“I am deeply concerned that the DUP, which is the largest unionist party, is equivocal about an independent Environmental Protection Agency. I fear that the new Environment Minister will not want to see a whole lot of the functions of her new Department hived off into an independent agency. The DUP need to remember that it is distinctly un-British not to have an independent Environmental Protection Agency. Everywhere else in the UK has one.”

Ulster Unionist Party Officer Kenny Donaldson has today congratulated local men Joe Swail and Mark Allen for their efforts in pulling off upsets at the World Snooker Championships and in-so-doing now advance to the second round.

The Northern Ireland men each fought off stiff competition to keep alive their dreams of lifting the coveted World Title.

In a statement Kenny said: “Mark Allen who is a mere 21 years old should be commended for his highly impressive win over Dublin-based, former World Champion, Ken Doherty. Mark had to endure the torrid qualification rounds before securing his place in the World Title main event but he has proven through his victory over Ken that he is a top class player who has the game to go far in the Sport.

“Meanwhile, the evergreen and Crucible favourite Joe Swail pulled off a gritty performance against another former World Champion, Wales’ Mark Williams. Joe’s victory via a final frame decider was a further demonstration of the doggedness and determination which he has carried with him throughout his Snooker career.

“Mark and Joe have done themselves and their Country proud. Their dream of winning the World Snooker crown remains alive. I, along with many other Northern Ireland Snooker enthusiasts pray that we have a future World Champion within our midst who will emulate the Snooker success of Alex Higgins.”

UUP Deputy Leader Danny Kennedy today said the DUP position about Martina Anderson being on the Policing Board was stomach churning.

Mr Kennedy said with Ian Paisley having a former IRA commander as his Deputy First Minister and having to nominate and sign papers to enable Brighton bomber Gerry Kelly to be a Junior Minister in his department, the cries of foul over Martina Anderson were ludicrous.

In a statement Mr Kennedy said,

DUP outrage at Martina Anderson’s appointment to the Policing Board is stomach churning. The fundamental weakness in their opposition to these appointments is that in just over 2 weeks time Ian Paisley will have a former IRA Commander as his Deputy First Minister and will have to sign and appoint Gerry Kelly as a Junior Minister in his own Department.

You can’t have it both ways by playing to the gallery and feigning mock outrage at Sinn Fein appointments to the Policing Board or Parades Commission Review Team while accepting Sinn Fein figures with strong IRA connections to Ministerial positions at the heart of government.

We all want to move on and make the Executive and Assembly a success and working for everyone in Northern Ireland, but we can do without this kind of stomach churning hypocrisy from the DUP. It is transparently obvious to everyone that their position on this matter is ludicrous.”

Efforts to deliver better public services will continue to be hampered so long as there is ambiguity over the future configuration of local councils here, according to Ulster Unionist councillor Ald Arnold Hatch.

Mr Hatch, the Ulster Unionist spokesperson on NILGA’s RPA Group, said that vital issues – such how to address anti-social behaviour – are being tied up in bureaucracy.

In a statement, Mr Hatch said: “Regarding RPA proposals, Direct Rule Ministers failed to adopt the consensus view. Ministers ignored the views of four of the five main political parties. The result has been uncertainty and division.

“Now that the Northern Ireland Assembly will be up and running in May it is imperative that RPA issues are resolved as soon as possible so that the groupings of councils can begin to seriously collaborate and modernise.”

He added: “Inefficiencies are frustrating the everyday work of councillors. Antisocial behaviour is a major issue, for example, but too many agencies – like the Community Safety Partnership, the District Policing Partnership, the Education and Library Board’s Youth Service, the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, community groups and social services – are involved.

“What we have is a system that creates logjams. We need a streamlined system that delivers results. Our citizens deserve more than this, and the sooner there is clarity and direction the better.”