Archive for May, 2007
Speaking after being appointed Chair of the Human Rights and Professional Standards Committee on the Policing Board today, UUP MLA Basil McCrea said,
“I am very aware of the heavy responsibility that has been placed on me as the chair of the Human Rights and Professional Standards Committee. I firmly believe that the Police Service of Northern Ireland is a model of best practice with regards to its commitment to human rights and I look forward to working with the Service to build on this reputation. I also believe that policing is integral to securing the rights of the community against the criminals. For too long, the language of rights has been used to undermine policing when, in fact, policing protects and preserves the rights of law-abiding individuals, families and communities across Northern Ireland.
Every citizen throughout the United Kingdom rightly expects the police to abide by human rights standards - and every police officer also has a legitimate expectation that his or her rights will also be recognised and protected. I trust that with all political parties now stating their support for the PSNI and the rule of law, the Policing Board, PSNI, elected representatives and the entire community can move forward on the basis of respect for the vital role played by the police in protecting the rights of all.”
Continue Reading E-mail May 31st, 2007
Basil McCrea MLA
Ulster Unionist Newry & Armagh MLA, and Chair of the Committee of the Centre, Danny Kennedy, has described recent comments by OFMDFM Junior Minister Ian Paisley Jnr to Hot Press Magazine as “ill-judged and unwise”.
He emphasised that great care should be taken when personal views are being expressed, given the responsibilities of public office and service to the entire community.
Mr Kennedy said: “It is highly regrettable that one of the Junior Ministers in OFMDFM has spoken in a manner which undermines the dignity of his Office and appears to suggest that he is less than committed to treating all citizens equally and fairly. The reported comments would not be acceptable anywhere in mainstream British political life.”
He continued: “All of us in public office have a right to hold views on the basis of conscience and religious convictions, but we also have a duty to promote equality and fairness for all. The Junior Minister should urgently rectify the situation and in future ensure that he speaks in a manner which does not discredit his Office, the devolved institutions or Northern Ireland.”
Continue Reading E-mail May 31st, 2007
Danny Kennedy MLA
The Northern Ireland Assembly has backed a UUP motion calling on the Social Development Minister to review the fuel poverty strategy – with a special emphasis on pensioner households and households with children.
Following the Assembly debate on the motion, Ulster Unionist Fermanagh & South Tyrone assembly member, Tom Elliott, has said: “Fuel poverty continues to blight far too many homes across Northern Ireland. As a society, we all lose out because of fuel poverty – not least because of the costs associated with the poorer health brought on by fuel poverty.
“With 20% of pensioners living in fuel poverty, DSD’s strategy must be reviewed to ensure that strategy’s goal of eradicating fuel poverty by 2016 does not become yet another missed target.”
He went on to praise the work of fuel poverty advocacy group National Energy Action, and called for a more robust approach by DSD.
“Both in Scotland and England, innovative schemes are in place that must be examined DSD as possible options for Northern Ireland. We cannot be complacent about the 2016 target for eradication of fuel poverty and were lessons are to be learnt from other UK regions, they should be learnt,” he said.
The UUP MLA added: “It is estimated that 25,000 children in Northern Ireland lives in homes that are not adequately heated. In a fair and just society, the lives of children should not be blighted by cold and damp homes. A review of DSD’s strategy must ensure that families with children are lifted out of fuel poverty.”
Continue Reading E-mail May 31st, 2007
Tom Elliott MLA
Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson has warned today that the mushroom industry in Northern Ireland is going to disappear unless urgent action is taken to secure a long-term future for the once flourishing industry.
Mr Nicholson led representatives from the mushroom sector in Northern Ireland to meet with the agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew recently where the Minister heard about the serious pressures facing the industry.
Speaking after the meeting Mr Nicholson said,
“The mushroom industry stands at a cross roads in Northern Ireland. Unless urgent action is taken to address the short and long-term problems facing the industry it will simply disappear and end up going the same way as our shipyards and textile industries did. It is not in the interest of Northern Ireland PLC for this to happen.
“I have been shown startling statistics by those in the industry, which prove that in 5 years the industry has declined at an alarming rate. In the past 5 years there has been an 80% drop in the production of mushroom compost in Northern Ireland meaning less mushroom producers, less output and job losses. All of which has a devastating knock on effect on the rest of the economy. In 2002 there were 226 mushroom producers in Northern Ireland whereas now there are only around 40.
“Producers and processors, as in many other sectors face increasing competition from suppliers in Eastern Europe and rising transport and energy costs. For an industry that was once heavily export led, it is now restricted largely to supplying the domestic market and I am deeply concerned over its future.
“Quite clearly something should have been done earlier to address the demise of this once flourishing industry but now it is on the agenda and I hope the Minister will stick to her word and look at ways of securing a future for our mushroom industry.”
(Jim Nicholson MEP leads representatives from the Mushroom Industry to meet with the Agriculture Minister (From L-R: Seán McArdle, Thomas McHugh, Michelle Gildernew MP MLA and UUP MEP Jim Nicholson)
Continue Reading E-mail May 31st, 2007
Jim Nicholson MEP
Ulster Unionist Police Board Member and Lagan Valley MLA Basil McCrea, speaking ahead of the first meeting of the new Policing Board today, said that Sinn Fein’s attitude and approach within the Board, coupled with the security briefings provided at meetings, should be the key deciders in whether or not the devolution of Policing and Justice can happen.
In a statement Mr McCrea said,
“Only if Sinn Fein engages fully with the PSNI and other members of the Policing board both in public and private can the devolution of policing and justice be considered. The decision by Sinn Fein to nominate representatives with a terrorist background is a calculated move, the significance of which will not be lost on Sinn Fein’s grass roots. However, it is seen by the Unionist community as a provocative action, reinforcing the fear that the agreement between Sinn Fein and the DUP is merely a marriage of convenience, a change in tactics but not a change in attitudes. It is apparent that despite the devolution of many issues to Stormont, the key questions regarding the future of Northern Ireland remain unanswered. Will Sinn Fein and the people it represents, unambiguously support the PSNI?
From a Unionist perspective, the attitude and approach of Sinn Fein within the policing board, along with the security information provided at such meetings will be the key factors in deciding whether our society is ready to accept the devolution of policing and justice powers. Others will not doubt seek to assure themselves of the impartiality of the PSNI and the effectiveness of the oversight arrangements. The board should consider these matters for the benefit of all the citizens of Northern Ireland but on no account will the Board permit the operational independence of the PSNI to be brought into question.
The devolution of policing and justice can only be considered if and when public opinion supports such a move. The attitude and effectiveness of the Policing Board will play a pivotal role in any such decision. Any suggestion that additional information provided under “Privy Council” terms would enhance the decision making process would not only run contrary to the openness and transparency required to secure public confidence, but would actually destroy the basis for devolution of such powers.”
Continue Reading E-mail May 30th, 2007
Basil McCrea MLA
Ulster Unionists have today put a motion down in the Assembly Chamber calling on the Social Development Minister to review the fuel poverty strategy – with a special emphasis on pensioner households and households with children.
Speaking after participating in the Assembly debate, Ulster Unionist Social Development Spokesperson Fred Cobain MLA said: “Fuel poverty continues to blight far too many homes across Northern Ireland. As a society, we all lose out because of fuel poverty – not least because of the costs associated with the poorer health brought on by fuel poverty. With 20% of pensioners living in fuel poverty, DSD’s strategy must be reviewed to ensure that strategy’s goal of eradicating fuel poverty by 2016 does not become yet another missed target.”
Roy Beggs MLA, the Ulster Unionist Spokesperson for Children and Families, praising the work of fuel poverty advocacy group National Energy Action, called for a more robust approach by DSD.
He said: “Both in Scotland and England, innovative schemes are in place that must be examined as possible options for Northern Ireland. We cannot be complacent about the 2016 target for eradication of fuel poverty and where lessons are to be learnt from other UK regions, they should be learnt”.
Mr Beggs also drew attention to the needs of families with children
“It is estimated that 25,000 children in Northern Ireland lives in homes that are not adequately heated,” he said.
“In a fair and just society, the lives of children should not blighted by cold and damp homes. A review of DSD’s strategy must ensure that families with children are lifted out of fuel poverty.”
Continue Reading E-mail May 30th, 2007
Fred Cobain MLA
Ulster Unionist East Londonderry MLA David McClarty has today welcomed the Health Minister’s commitment to work towards the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Group on Domestic Violence and to give this issue the priority it deserves.
Speaking following the motion on domestic violence which was discussed in the Assembly chamber today, Mr McClarty said: “I welcome the Minister’s vow to give this issue high priority within the department.
“Commitments to create an Inter-Departmental Group on Domestic Violence, to approach the Executive to ensure that this issue is given the funding priority it deserves, and to put more procedures in place around maternity care for early identification of women at risk are particularly welcome.”
He added: “According to police statistics for 2005/06, over 23,059 incidents were reported to the police compared to just under 21,000 in the previous year. On average, every 22 minutes of every day of the year police respond to a domestic incident. And research has shown that 30% of domestic violence starts during pregnancy. The nature and scale of this type abuse is truly horrifying – and every effort must be made to put far-reaching prevention measures in place to address this.
“Domestic violence is unacceptable in any form. The Northern Ireland administration must now deliver and speak up for all those who suffer in silence.”
Continue Reading E-mail May 30th, 2007
David McClarty MLA
Ulster Unionist Strabane District Councillor and member of Strabane DPP, Derek Hussey, has rounded angrily on statements issued through the Strabane Chronicle by a Mr Willie Gallagher on behalf of the ’so called’ IRSP representing the INLA in the area.
Mr Hussey said “Surely to God we have had enough of this type of rhetoric over the past 40 years.
“Citizens want peace of mind and normality within our community, throughout our District area and indeed the whole of Northern Ireland.
“Last week we witnessed the IRSP calling on citizens to reject those within our community who want to contribute to normality and just want to get on with living, of whatever creed. To once again place them in threat of removal of the most basic of human rights - the right to life - is surely tantamount to incitement to terror!.
“Mr Gallagher stated ‘There are armed groups within our community who are willing to take action against spies or informers’.
“It is because of the continued existence of such people in our community that the Police Service must take every precaution in dealing with these types of situations. They haven’t gone away yet but it is time that they did!
“I call on the elected majority within the Nationalist/republican community to refute ‘without reservation’ these threats to their fellow citizens in the Strabane area and beyond.”
Continue Reading E-mail May 29th, 2007
Derek Hussey
This week has marked the eighth anniversary of the Omagh bomb - one of the most horrific days in the history of Northern Ireland.
The geography of Northern Ireland bears witness to the depth and extent of conflict. Names that ought simply to map out locality instead catalogue atrocity – places like Omagh; Enniskillen; Darkley; Greysteel.
Communities have experienced tragedy throughout Northern Ireland. Many of these communities still experience a collective legacy of pain and suffering which society must deal with.
This is a vast challenge which must be faced up to. However, government policy on victims’ issues has been allowed to drift.
Commissioners, reports, investigations and consultations have all come and gone in the past number of years – yet we still lack a clear strategy, or even, understanding on how to deal collectively with the events of the past 35 years.”
Continue Reading E-mail May 29th, 2007
Derek Hussey
Ulster Unionist Stormont Health Committee Members, Rev Robert Coulter and John McCallister, have today welcomed the Health Minister’s roadmap towards making free personal care a reality.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey today said that the department would:
- look to exclude the family home from the financial assessment
- explore the possibilities of increasing thresholds above which people must pay for their care
- explore the possibilities of increasing the minimum personal expenses allowance
- reach early conclusions on the steps I may be able to take within the existing legislative framework
- work to the timeline for implementation of Free Personal Care of April 1 2010.
Ulster Unionist Health Spokesperson Robert Coulter described today as an “historic and momentous step towards securing fairness for older people and their families”.
Rev Coulter said: “This has been a good day for families across Northern Ireland. The injustice of hardworking families being cruelly penalised in old age will become a thing of the past.
“The Minister has given the Assembly a clear timetable for the implementation of free personal care. It is now up to the Executive to back the Health Minister and ensure that he is given the tools to deliver.”
The North Antrim MLA added: “The UUP wants to ensure that the Health Department and the entire Executive secure sustainable funding for free personal care. Some of the other parties would have settled for an unstable, unfunded approach to free personal care. The people of Northern Ireland deserve better, which is why the Ulster Unionist Party will work to ensure that the Executive delivers the proper level of funding.”
South Down MLA John McCallister added: “While the Assembly and Executive moves towards the implementation of free personal care, the Minister’s commitment to seek ways to remove the family-home from the means-test sends a signal that the worst injustices of the present system will be removed quickly.”
Continue Reading E-mail May 29th, 2007
Rev. Dr. Robert Coulter MLA
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