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Fermanagh and South Tyrone assemblyman, Tom Elliott, has rounded on the Strategic Review of Parading Body for failing to be fully represented during a meeting with representatives from Fermanagh’s Loyal Orders.

Four of the seven member group, not including the panel’s chairman, former Liberal Democrat leader, Lord Ashdown, met with the contingent led by the UUP MLA in Enniskillen on Thursday night to hear about the issues surrounding parading in the county.

In a statement the Ulster Unionist MLA said: “Local members of the Loyal Orders welcomed the opportunity to meet with the Strategic Review of Parading Body, an invitation to meet with us was extended following our recent submission to the team and we were very keen to put forward our views in person. We are grateful to those from the review group who did turn up for the meeting.

“Indeed, such was our interest in meeting with the members of the body that we gladly re-arranged the date of the meeting at their behest, and with little notice, we perhaps naively thought this was to facilitate all members in attending the evening’s discussion. However only four of the seven member team were in attendance for our detailed presentation, and this did not include the chairman, Lord Ashdown. We feel that this is unacceptable and fear that if this is indicative of how the process will operate in the future then the review of parading will prove of little addition. I wonder does this represent the overall interest shown by some members of the group.”

Mr. Elliott also revealed that those present at the presentation and discussion had raised their grave concerns about the Parades Commission and its double standards when dealing with Loyal Order parades and Republican marches. In addition several felt that the makeup of the seven member body was not fully reflective of the Province, with an under representation of people from western parts of Northern Ireland.

Tom continued by addressing the makeup of the body: “There is a need to have such bodies more representative of the entire Province, the gravitational pull from the East of Northern Ireland must not be allowed to dominate the makeup of groups such as this, this will hinder any real chance of success, particularly when it comes to an issue such as parading.”

In conclusion Mr. Elliot added: “I recall that when the body was launched with a flurry of publicity earlier this year there were repeated calls for interested parties to make submissions to assist in the ongoing review of parading. But I feel that for this issue to receive the attention it deserves the entire panel must be fully prepared to engage directly with various groups, particularly when they are so forthcoming with input and accommodating with their own time, the body cannot afford to send the wrong signal to any stakeholder in the parading issue.”

Sam Gardiner MLA, Ulster Unionist Assemblyman for Upper Bann, has called for a review of hospital visiting hours to reduce the spread of infections.

Speaking in the Assembly Mr Gardiner asked Health Minister Michael McGimpsey to look at this issue following meetings he has had with the Chief Executive of Craigavon Area Hospital. Mr Gardiner had previously raised the issue of MRSA related deaths in Craigavon.

Responding, Minister McGimpsey said :

“The report from the second audit of environmental-cleanliness standards will be an important next step in considering areas in which we can ensure that improvements are made. One such area is regulating visiting and the movement of the public in hospitals, which are often like public thoroughfares. A return to some of the old standards regarding visiting hours and ensuring that only those with business in the wards should be there is an important function that must be looked at, and I will certainly do so.”

Mr Gardiner commented :

“Before my intervention in the Assembly, I had already had a very helpful and constructive meeting with the Minister. We must explore ways in which real and practical solutions can be found to the win scourges of MRSA and C difficle. I will be leading a team of Assembly members to a meeting with the Chief Executive of Craigavon Area Hospital in the near future.”

“I will be giving details of our discussions to the press soon afterwards.”

In a speech last night on a debate following the Queen’s speech in the House of Lords, Ulster Unionist Peer Lord Rogan decried the government’s poor compensation for retired injured and currently serving soldiers and was affronted that soldiers were having to seek additional insurance, paid out of their own pockets, to ensure they and their families are properly covered.

Lord Rogan said,

“Our Armed Forces have been and continue to be a source of national pride. They remind us, and society in general, of the enduring importance of character and duty. We owe much to and indeed expect much from the men and women who voluntarily endanger life and limb for the nation’s benefit. Much has been said today about how the Government fail to reciprocate the faith which servicemen place in them, sentiments with which I wholeheartedly agree. It is to our eternal shame that we fail properly to equip, train and support our Armed Forces. Further, for the Government to break the military covenant reflects poorly on our Ministers.

There have been more than a few disturbing instances of troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan being denied the means by which to fulfill their duties effectively. If that was not sufficient dereliction of duty on the Government’s behalf, it has also emerged that not only do troops feel obliged to take out private insurance to top up the meagre compensation offered by the Ministry of Defence in the event of injury or death—or even to cover the loss of kit, an affront in itself—but those insurance premiums are now expected to increase by some 160 per cent. Such fast and loose treatment of those who put themselves forward in the line of fire for our country should burn the conscience of Ministers.

At a time when our military resources are stretched and when uncertainty abounds in various theatres, it is beholden upon the Government to ensure that the Armed Forces have the manpower to undertake all that they lay at their door. This requires practical measures to underpin the service personnel’s confidence that the nation will protect their interests. At present the government is doing little to instill that confidence.”