The Ulster Unionist Party has secured the Portfolios of Health and Employment and Learning in today’s meeting of Party Leaders at Stormont.
A spokesman for the Ulster Unionist Party said,
“The NHS makes a real difference to all our lives and contributes in vital ways to the quality of life we experience as individuals, in our families and in our communities. The UUP is committed to this vital public service. Our Minister will ensure that the investments made in our health service will secure access to quality healthcare and advice for all of us. The UUP believes that accountability and real partnership between a devolved executive, health professionals and patients can renew our Health Service.
In Education and Learning the UUP believes that Northern Ireland requires a competitive, dynamic, knowledge based economy that enables all –not just some- to have the skills to contribute to the success of Northern Ireland PLC. It will be a challenge. Our Minister is committed to equipping everyone with the skills and training to meet that challenge. A knowledge based economy needs sustained investment in quality training and learning.
The actual appointment of Ministers to these portfolios will take place in the coming days.”
Continue Reading E-mail April 2nd, 2007
Sir Reg Empey MLA
Kenny Donaldson, an Ulster Unionist Party Officer and resident of Crossmaglen has paid tribute to the soldiers of the Scottish Black Watch Regiment who were withdrawn from the Border Village on Saturday last. The soldiers of the Black Watch were the last British Army presence in the area.
In a statement, Kenny said: “Saturday last has been seen as a ‘historic day’ in the area but there is now an onus on the republican movement and the local community at large to work with and support policing in all of its forms.
“I would pay tribute to the brave service that the men and women of the security forces gave to the South Armagh area; their story must be remembered and not written out of history.
“A large number of British soldiers, other Security Service personnel, civilians and indeed republican insurrectionists died in the South Armagh area over the last 30 odd years. There cannot and will not ever be any justification for the terror campaign of the Provisional Republican Movement.
“In the volatile situation which pervaded South Armagh over 30 plus years of republican insurrectionism, law-abiding people did suffer and relationships between the Army and local inhabitants were strained. As we enter a new political dispensation, it is my hope that our Police Service of Northern Ireland will be given the full support and co-operation of local people in the South Armagh area.”
Continue Reading E-mail April 2nd, 2007
Kenny Donaldson
