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Ulster Unionist MLA, Tom Elliott, has commended the work of PSNI officers over the weekend as they made several successful raids seizing thousands of pounds worth of counterfeit goods.

In a statement the UUP assemblyman said: “The counterfeit goods market is highly lucrative and makes criminal gangs large amounts of money every year helping to fund all manner of illegal activity, I believe that the operations over the weekend show that such activity will not be tolerated.

“The PSNI are to be commended for seizing this haul of goods from markets and private residences I particularly welcome that a number of these raids took place in my own constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone.

“I trust that these PSNI raids send a clear message to anyone tempted to get involved in any aspect of the counterfeiting industry, you will be caught and brought to task.”

In conclusion Tom added: “These goods are of low quality, they represent a loss to the exchequer and damage reputable, bona fide businesses in the area.

“I would therefore ask the public to stop making this aspect of the black market profitable by ceasing to support traders who are obviously involved in counterfeiting, hitting them where it hurts, namely in the pocket, will help to make the supply of fake goods less attractive.”

Rev Dr Robert Coulter, the Ulster Unionist Party Assembly member for North Antrim and UUP Stormont Commissioner, has welcomed the latest efforts to try and re-establish the Ballycastle to Campbeltown ferry, adding that the service would bring “enormous benefits” for the constituency’s economy and tourism trade.

Assemblyman Dr Coulter made his remarks following a top level meeting of the British Irish Council at Stormont when the much-needed ferry service was discussed.

He said the re-introduction of the Ballycastle to Campbeltown ferry service had the potential to open “a tremendous economic gateway” for the whole North Antrim region.

Assemblyman Dr Coulter said the roads and motorway infrastructure had placed Ballymena, Ballymoney and Ballycastle not just at the heart of County Antrim as major shopping anf tourist facilites, but also boosted the towns’ reputations across the whole of Northern Ireland.

“Whilst the constituency benefits exceptionally well from the gateway to North Antrim from the port of Larne, equally there can be no doubting the great advantages for our local economy which can be gained from the re-start of the ferry service from Ballycastle.

Assemblyman Coulter said the campaign to get the ferry service re-instated had been spearheaded by the Moyle District Council, and he praised the ‘sterling effort’ of his fellow Ulster Unionists on the council over the years.

Rev Dr Coulter added: “This is a fine example of how one council area can get a new facility which can be maximised for all the constituents in North Antrim.

“One of the major marketing points which can help ensure the ferry service is re-instated for the first sailings is to emphasise the great tourism boost which it will bring to the Glens area of North Antrim.

“There have always been very close historical, sporting and family ties between the constituency and Scotland and the ferry service will enable these bonds to be developed economically, culturally and socially.”

Assemblyman Dr Coulter also praised the role of the Scottish Executive in trying to re-start the much-needed ferry service. “As the Ulster Unionist MLA for North Antrim, I would invite my counterparts in the Scottish Parliament to the constituency so they can see at first hand the great potential which can be achieved with the ferry service’s re-introduction.

“I would emphasise that the early success of the project will depend on the speed with which the service can be re-launched. If the re-instated ferry service can increase the number of visitors coming to North Antrim, that could also provide another welcome springboard to provide more jobs in local shops and stores in the region,” said Assemblyman Dr Coulter.

Plans by Prime Minister Gordon Brown to reduce the minimum wage for Northern Ireland and other UK regions will be totally opposed by the Ulster Unionist Party, according to the Party’s Social Justice spokesperson, Fred Cobain MLA. According to senior Labour Party sources quoted in the national media, Prime Minister Brown is seeking to reduce the present minimum wage of £5.35 an hour to £4.84 in Wales, £4.80 in Northern Ireland and £4.78 in the North-East.

Mr. Cobain said, “the minimum wage was introduced as New Labour’s flagship policy. In 2005, when Tony Blair raised the minimum wage he declared, ‘this will benefit 1.4 million people … and it is a powerful symbol of how this country is changing for the good’. Now his successor is seeking to undo this by penalising those in low-wage jobs outside of London. The minimum wage is a powerful way of making sure work pays - of sending out the signal that our society supports those who take the decision to work. Gordon Brown’s plans to reduce the minimum wage will hit hard-working individuals and families throughout the regions of the United Kingdom.

“We all know that Northern Ireland - like some other UK regions - has unacceptably high levels of economic inactivity. In other words, we need to be getting people into work. Just how are we meant to be doing this when the Prime Minister is planning to ensure that work doesn’t pay? Getting people off welfare and into employment is good for them, good for local communities and good for our economy. It beggars belief, then, that Gordon Brown should be considering doing the exact opposite by penalising work”.

Roy Beggs MLA has added his voice to those condemning the recent so-called “loyalist” violence in which a police officer was shot in the back.

Roy Beggs who recently shadowed police officers during a late night shift in Carrickfergus said,
“It is horrifying to learn that one of our local officers could have been murdered. I recently observed the diligent yet tolerant manner in which local police officers protected the public during a late night, weekend shift. We all must have the greatest respect for our officers who put themselves at risk as they try to protect the public.

“I am pleased to learn of the most recent reports which indicate that the bullet has been successfully removed from the officer and he is expected to be released from hospital shortly. I hope and pray that he will have a full and speedy recovery.

“On Saturday another local servant of the Queen, Lance Corporal Timothy Flowers, from Londonderry was killed in Iraq when a mortar hit the Army’s Basra Palace base. Yet within a few hours in Carrickfergus we had so-called “loyalists” attempting to murder a local police officer by shooting him in the back as he attempted to keep the peace. This is yet another incidence which highlights that the UDA needs to examine itself, and to end the thuggery and illegal activity that it has been involved in. I would also urge anyone who may wish to serve, defend and protect their community to consider joining the PSNI or the British army and to avoid groups that attacks those whose job it is to protect the community.

“I would call on anyone who has any information about the violence in Carrickfergus to contact the local police directly or via the confidential crime stoppers number 0800 555 111”

Ulster Unionist MLA Billy Armstrong has welcomed the launch of Polish Cultural Week in Northern Ireland, which runs from 23-29 July.

Mr Armstrong, the UUP MLA for Mid-Ulster said,

“In recent years increasing number of people have come to live and work in Northern Ireland, and the Mid Ulster area has been no exception. Many have come from Eastern Europe, and a significant number of those have come from Poland.

This week sees Polish Cultural Week, whose aim is to share Polish Cultural heritage with the local community, and to help the Polish community to integrate.

Polish Cultural week is organised and co-ordinated by the Polish Association NI and the Glosik magazine, and is supported by the Polish Consulate in Edinburgh.

I have no hesitation in giving this venture my full support, as I believe that only positive benefits can result from people gaining a better understanding of each others culture, customs and way of life.”

Ulster Unionist Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Tom Elliott today said that preventing the maze site turning into a republican shrine lay in the gift of DUP Minister for the Environment Arlene Foster.

Mr Elliott said the sticking point lay in the fact that part of the site was a listed building and were the Minister to de-list the site, a shrine would not be an option.

In a statement Mr Elliott said,

“The talk of a shrine at the Maze has provoked much debate, not least within the DUP. The general concensus is that a shrine is abhorrent to most and particularly insulting to the victims of terrorist violence.

As far as many can see the only reason that this issue is still on the table or up for political debate is because the building is listed, preventing any other development on the site.

Mrs Foster, as DOE Minister has control over listing and indeed delisting. It is time that the DUP put their money where their mouth is on this issue and settled it once and for all by Mrs Foster de-listing the site.”

UUP MEP Jim Nicholson is set to meet with the First and Deputy First Minister tomorrow where he will tell them that they must redouble their efforts to secure a financial package for Northern Ireland.

Mr Nicholson requested the meeting with the First Minister after MEPs were excluded from the meeting Dr Paisley and his deputy Martin McGuiness had with the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barosso when he visited in May.

Speaking ahead of the meeting Mr Nicholson said,

“Securing a financial package for a restored Executive is absolutely essential for Northern Ireland’s future social and economic progress. I will tell Dr Paisley tomorrow that he must put his money where his mouth on this issue and deliver for the people of Northern Ireland.

“My fear is that this whole issue is being conveniently brushed under the carpet, despite the huff and puff from the DUP and Sinn Fein during the Assembly election that a financial package was a make or break precondition for entering a devolved Executive.

“Of course I will asked to be briefed on the recent visit of the European Commission President and would like to know what financial requests, if any, the First Minister has made to the European Commission in Brussels. I will also be discussing the recent visit of Commissioner Hubner and the proposed taskforce being set up in Brussels to assist Northern Ireland in accessing other areas of European funding.

“At the time I was extremely disappointed that the First Minister did not follow established protocol for the visit of a European Commissioner and invite MEPs to meet with Mr Barosso. It took the First Minister sometime to confirm that he would agree to meet with me to discuss these issues but as always I look forward to exploring ways in which the European Parliament can assist the Northern Ireland Executive in furthering progress in Northern Ireland.”

Ulster Unionist MLA and Fermanagh County Grand Master, Tom Elliott, has welcomed this year’s “predominantly peaceful” Twelfth of July celebrations across the Province but expressed regret that a minority of “concerning incidents” still took place.

Mr. Elliott was referring to several attacks on Orange Halls and reports of stones being thrown at buses carrying bands in Armagh. In particular Tom referred to a series of incidents in Enniskillen, whereby the Union Flag was torn from the Flagpole at Enniskillen District Hall, the removal of bunting from the town and the erection of Irish Tricolours during the Eleventh night.

In a statement Tom said: “I am glad that in the vast majority of cases the Twelfth was enjoyed by all ages and sections of the community, in particular there appeared to be a high degree of interest from tourists in this year’s parades. Sadly in a small number of cases there were reminders of how some are still intent on causing damage to property and stirring up trouble at this time of year.

“This year’s relative peace is also attributable in no small part to the hierarchy of Sinn Fein calling for reduction of trouble from their supporters during the marching season. There is no doubting that this is a positive development, however this also begs the question why they didn’t do more to turn off the tap of violence years ago as it appears to have been in their power to do so all along.”

In conclusion Tom added: “Sinn Fein’s strategy with regards parading was to use it as a tool to ratchet up community tensions in so-called flashpoint areas with a view to furthering their own political ambitions. I assume that these republicans have moved into a new phase of their ‘struggle’ whereby it is obvious they can turn the violence tap on and off when they want to.”

Ulster Unionist Member of the European Parliament Jim Nicholson MEP today accused the European Commission of being in denial about the safety of Brazilian beef imports after it once again refused to ban imports of Brazilian beef into the EU.

Mr Nicholson was speaking as the European Parliament’s agriculture committee heard evidence from the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) and the Irish Farmers’ Journal, which launched a joint investigation into Brazilian beef - reporting virtually no system of traceability, the illegal removing of tags and the use of illegal growth hormones.

Mr Nicholson along with 4 other MEPs will lodge a ‘written declaration’ calling for an import ban on Brazilian beef when the Parliament returns in September.

Speaking after the meeting Mr Nicholson said,

“The European Commission seems to be in denial about the safety of Brazilian beef imports and quite clearly their credibility is at stake here on this issue.

“At present Northern Ireland’s farmers must comply with the high standards laid down by the EU in terms of health, food safety and traceability after outbreaks of Foot and Mouth and BSE in recent years so why shouldn’t imports coming into the EU from other countries do the same? The farming community in Northern Ireland is acutely aware of the impact cheap Brazilian imports have had on the market here.

“The agriculture committee was not satisfied with the answers being supplied by the European Commission and has called a special meeting after the recess where the agriculture and health Commissioners will be both invited.”

Ulster Unionist Parades Spokesman Michael Copeland today reflected on the recent twelfth celebrations and welcomed the fact that while a number of initiatives designed to cut down on the ‘blue bag brigade’ had worked there was still much more to be done to cut down on excessive and often underage drinking at parades.

In a statement Mr Copeland said,

“The Twelfth celebrations seem to be going from strength to strength year after year and it is encouraging to see many more families and foreign visitors enjoying the spectacle and fun that the Twelfth of July celebrations offer.

However there are still far too many reports of people’s days being spoilt by a few young people off their heads on alcohol drunkenly following the parades. Children as young as ten were seen swigging from bottles. This is not what anyone wants or needs to see.

While a number of initiatives to cut down on the ‘blue bag brigade’ have been successful across the Province much more work needs to be done. I believe that the efforts of Ms Hutton and her group in East Belfast, who handed out flyers and posters highlighting that excessive drinking spoiled the parade and is disrespectful to the people being commemorated, are the benchmark and the way forward.

Equally the efforts of Grand Lodge are to be congratulated for making the twelfth more accessible to everyone.

I will be suggesting to Grand Lodge and other interested parties that work begins now on awareness building with young people that the twelfth is to be celebrated for all the right reasons and not just as an excuse to get blind drunk.”