Archive for October 10th, 2007
Ulster Unionist Assembly member for Fermanagh & South Tyrone , Tom Elliott MLA has suggested perhaps we should now consider advertising for a new First & Deputy First Ministers after yet another debacle when Ian Paisley and Martin McGuiness failure to appoint a new Victims Commissioner .
Tom said: “We seem to be witnessing a new image being displayed by the two Ministers and an apparent coming to an end of the honeymoon period between Sinn Fein and DUP. The previously well staged media events of all smiles and handshakes seem to have disappeared and we must conclude that they were unable to reach agreement on the shortlist for the post. The statements from both Ministers are a sad indictment that even after 5 months it took them to decide the selection process could be better? It does not instil much confidence in the whole process or their office.
Perhaps, the portrayed image of a workable partnership between Sinn Fein and DUP is disintegrating before any major hard decisions have been reached. The proposed Irish Language Act, academic selection, reform of public administration and the siteing of a new stadium will prove even more difficult than deciding on the selection of a new Victims Commissioner. The biggest problem is the lack of money and Pre Budget report by the Chancellor this week that the amount will be less than previously received and no additional money as the DUP had promised .The Office of OFM/DFM were able to allocate an additional £6m over three years to pay for even more special advisers perhaps Peter Robinson will now reallocate this money to a genuine area of need.
The decision does not help the many victims who are still not getting the help they deserve after almost 40 years. It is time that Paisley and McGuiness showed more respect to all the other political parties and stop doing shady and shabby deals behind closed doors. The present NI Executive has already had 5 months to bed in and it is now time to deliver tangible results to the people of Northern Ireland.”
Continue Reading E-mail October 10th, 2007
Tom Elliott MLA
Rev Dr Robert Coulter, the Ulster Unionist Party Assembly member for North Antrim and UUP Stormont Commissioner, has called on parents throughout the constituency to show responsibility with their children regarding fireworks and bonfires in the run-up to, and during the Hallowe’en holidays.
The UUP Health Spokesman added: “Whilst many people enjoy properly supervised fireworks displays and bonfires during the Hallowe’en season, each year in our Province we learn of horrific stories where such incidents have gone badly wrong.
“Fireworks, especially, are potential lethal weapons and can kill or maim if not handled sensibly. I would, therefore, ask parents throughout the constituency to be responsible and supervise their children at all times when fireworks are being used.
“I would also urge parents to help stamp out the Banger Menace, where young people let off very loud banger fireworks. This can be exceptionally dangerous anti-social behaviour, as well as become a tiresome nusiance to many neighbours.
“It can put a terrible strain on the nerves of people, particularly the elderly, as well as scaring pets, to have these loud bangs continously going off, often into the early hours.
“I would urge the community to give the police whatever assistance they can to stamp out this banger scourge.
“I especially commend the police and emergency services for their sound advice already to people using fireworks or bonfires.
“And I would also encourage the community to equally give their full support to the police and emergency services at this potentially dangerous time of year,” said Assemblyman Dr Coulter.
Continue Reading E-mail October 10th, 2007
Rev. Dr. Robert Coulter MLA
Rev Dr Robert Coulter, the Ulster Unionist Party Assembly member for North Antrim and UUP Stormont Commissioner, has called on the community to “throw their full weight” behind this year’s Anti-Bullying Week.
Assemblyman Dr Coulter, who is also UUP Health Spokesman, added: “In calling for the community to give its total backing to this very necessary initiative, I would also thank the schools and the police in the constituency for all their efforts in stamping out the scourge of bullying – and I certainly pledge my full support for this worthy campaign.
“Bullying has become one of the great social evils of this new millennium and must be combated head-on in every forum. School bullying especially can never be justified under any circumstances.
“The hard reality is that if bullying is not properly stamped out, it can leave lasting emotional, mental and even physical scars on the victims right through their adult lives.
“Bullies themselves must be left in no doubt they could face the full rigours of the law if they do not desist from their heinous actions. I would particularly call on all responsible parents to support Anti-Bullying Week, which runs from 19th to 23rd November.
“If they find their child is the victim of bullying, it is their moral duty to seek as much assistance as possible in helping the child.
“Likewise, if they discover their child is involved in bullying, such parents have an equal moral imperative to take responsibility and prevent their child from further bullying activities.
“I would also urge the parents and relatives of victims of bullying to work closely with the schools and the police and not be tempted to take the law into their own hands,” said Assemblyman Dr Coulter.
Continue Reading E-mail October 10th, 2007
Rev. Dr. Robert Coulter MLA
Ulster Unionist Children’s issues spokesman Roy Beggs, speaking today as the Assembly debated child protection regulations and the registration of sexual offenders across the Island of Ireland, said in a statement
“Sex offenders do not recognise international borders, they try to exploit them. The management of sex offenders is a North/South, East/West, European and indeed an International issue.
Any approach based solely on an All-Island approach would fail. Narrow political ideology should not come before children’s safety.
In Northern Ireland we have access to a Central database of criminal records, which are kept indefinitely. Those working in regulated positions with children have to be vetted. The Criminal Records office carries out vetting checks. Overseas workers are checked through the Serious Organised Crime Office. Our system is thorough but far from perfect.
I welcome news today of a Sexual Offences Order following on from the Sexual Offences Act of 2003 and I also welcome the proposal of electronic tagging which has the potential of improving monitoring of the offender.
The weakness in the system lies in the Republic of Ireland. Their checks and balances are not up to ours. In NI list 99 and the Protection of Children’s Act list records that will be maintained for those cases where concern has been registered but not successfully prosecuted.
There are no such equivalent lists in the Republic of Ireland. Someone living in the Republic of Ireland who had been drawn to the attention of statutory agencies, but not successfully prosecuted, may not therefore be notified when attempting to gain employment with children in the Republic of Ireland or in the Northern Ireland.
Furthermore the management of risk associated with sexual offenders released back into the community is not at the same level. Vetting is not at the same level.
As I said, The Republic’s weakness is our weakness. Any approach based solely on an All-Island approach and incorporating the Republic’s current practice, would fail.”
Continue Reading E-mail October 10th, 2007
Roy Beggs MLA
