Archive for April 26th, 2007
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.”
Continue Reading E-mail April 26th, 2007
Billy Armstrong MLA
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.”
Continue Reading E-mail April 26th, 2007
Jim Nicholson MEP
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.”
Continue Reading E-mail April 26th, 2007
David McClarty MLA
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.”
Continue Reading E-mail April 26th, 2007
Tom Elliott MLA
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.”
Continue Reading E-mail April 26th, 2007
Sam Gardiner MLA
