uuptoday.org

Ulster Unionist Party Leader Sir Reg Empey today called on the First and Deputy First Ministers to convene a meeting of Party Leaders to discuss the critical issues of the forthcoming economic conference, the Budget/Programme for government, and operation of the Executive. Sir Reg said only a united front would maximise potential investment. In a statement Sir Reg said,

“Northern Ireland has a window of opportunity lasting for the next six months, to secure meaningful investment from US based companies. After the Economic Conference in May 2008, US attention will switch to the Presidential election next November and the economic consequences for the US domestic economy. The Ulster Unionist Party wants the economic conference to succeed and deliver real and tangible investment. My own Department of Employment and Learning will be central to help deliver the skilled personnel investors will need, so I have every reason to work for a successful outcome.

This atmosphere will not come about naturally however, as recent events have demonstrated. The Executive must be a real coalition between parties and not just a collection of individuals there as of right. If some parties resort to riding roughshod over other parties then it is not a proper coalition in any meaningful sense of the word. Leaving aside the row over Margaret Ritchie’s decisions on the CTI money, the developments of last week, when Sinn Fein decided to ignore the Executive and press ahead with a statement on education from Caitriona Ruane, illustrates the double standard that the Ulster Unionist Party and the SDLP were referring to in October. There is clearly one law within the Executive for Sinn Fein and another for the SDLP.

The next few months may well be the last chance for Northern Ireland to achieve the economic kick start that we so obviously need, given that the so called economic package from London has failed to materialise. While we await the outcome of the Varney Report and the outworking of the EU taskforce on Northern Ireland, it seems to me that the spring economic conference takes on even more importance.

I repeat my call to the First and Deputy First Ministers to start a process of consolidating the Assembly by convening a meeting of the Party Leaders to discuss the critical issues of the economic conference, the Budget/Programme for government, and operation of the Executive.

The presentation of a ‘united front’ by the Assembly next spring would be an excellent background against which to attract and persuade potential investors that Northern Ireland really does have the skills and business friendly environment to maximise their investment.”

Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson has today called for the creation of a framework that would promote a fair relationship between producers, processors and the supermarket chains.

Mr Nicholson was speaking after it was revealed that Sainsbury’s, ASDA and a number of diary processors have been fined a total of £116 million by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) after being found guilty of fixing the prices of milk, butter and cheese.

In a statement Mr Nicholson said,

“For a long time there has been an undeniable need for the producer to receive a fairer reward for his produce and I believe that a way of doing this is to create a regulatory framework that would promote a fair relationship between producers, processors and the supermarket chains.

“I see something inherently wrong with a market that repeatedly shows falling returns to farmers but consistently shows rising returns to processors and retailers. I am glad to see these types of practices are now being highlighted. Price fixing benefits no – one except the giant supermarket chains. Both the consumer and the farmer lose out.”

Commenting on the Education Minister’s proposals, Mr Burnside said :

“Suggesting a selection age of 14 when the vast majority of schools are organised on an 11-19 basis shows that this Minister is out of touch with reality. What is she telling us ? Does she mean that she will create new middle schools catering for the 11-14 age group ? Does she mean that pupils will continue in Primary Schools until they are 14 ? Either route would be a massive undertaking and would take anything up to 10 years to realise. Yet the Education Minister says the 11 Plus will be gone by 2009 to be replaced by selection at 14 in 2009.”

“The only place in Northern Ireland which has selection at 14 is North Armagh with its local Dickson Plan. It may be appropriate in that area but if the Minister does try to roll out something like the Dickson Plan across the Province, she will be ignoring the fact that the Dickson Plan actually still contains an element of selection. The only difference is that it happens at 14 instead of 11.”

“This sort of stuff, like the Minister herself, belongs in the Celtic mist. It is the sort of un-costed clap-trap which takes no account of the harsh financial realities facing this Executive. We need to get a dose of realism into this equation at the earliest opportunity.”

“We should be tacking the real educational issues such as literacy, numeracy, creating a skilled and employable workforce, sorting out the problems of under achievement and celebrating and building on the enormous academic success which our Grammar Schools have been.”

Rev Dr Robert Coulter, the Ulster Unionist Party Assembly member for North Antrim and UUP Stormont Commissioner, has supported a Stormont call for a special Bill bringing in more powers to protect health service workers.

Assemblyman Dr Coulter, who is also UUP Health Spokesman, added: “I have supported the motion that this Assembly endorses the principle of the extension to Northern Ireland of the provisions of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill dealing with nuisance or disturbance on Health and Social Services premises which are contained in clause 107 of, and schedule 18 to, that Bill as introduced in the House of Commons.

“This issue has occupied my attention for some time, and I have campaigned long and hard. It is completely unsustainable for any democratic society to allow attacks on health workers, especially in the accident and emergency departments.

“I am glad that there are specific definitive statements set aside to pinpoint the areas in which a criminal charge can be brought against someone who indulges himself or herself — under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or for whatever reason — on those who are trying to assist them to regain their health.

“However, we have to look beyond the hospitals and the accident and emergency departments. In these days when the health system is developing and evolving and many health workers are out in the community, we constantly hear stories of those who have gone to homes to help people and who have been abused verbally and physically by those whom they have gone to help, or by members of their family.

“The Bill should reflect all these things and cover all emergencies in that way. We are also appalled when we read of attacks on ambulance workers or on any aspect of the emergency services. The powers must be there to deal with those who think that it is entertainment to attack ambulance workers or their vehicles.

“I trust that the Bill will not be delayed, and that it will go forward quickly so that healthcare workers can be encouraged and motivated in the knowledge that the Assembly supports them in the defence of their principles and their safety,” said Assemblyman Dr Coulter.

Ulster Unionist MLA for Fermanagh South Tyrone, Tom Elliott, has hit out at remarks made by DUP MP and Chair of the Assembly Health Committee, Iris Robinson, during a meeting of the Committee earlier today in which it has been suggested that she questioned the siting of the new acute hospital for the South West.

In a statement Mr Elliott said: “I think I speak for a lot of people when I say how tiresome it has been of late to listen to Iris Robinson using health as a political football. As Chair of the Health Committee, Mrs Robinson is meant to represent all interests and it is appalling that she has attempted to score cheap points against the Health Minister and the Ulster Unionist Party instead of putting the interests of the Health Service first.

“It really beggars belief if Mrs Robinson has now chosen to even question why the South West needs a new acute hospital. This major investment in Enniskillen, which amounts to over £250m, has been roundly welcomed by my constituents.

“I appreciate that it may be easy for Mrs Robinson to make cheap comments sitting in leafy Strangford with four acute hospitals on her doorstep but the entire community in Co Fermanagh are united in their belief that the new Hospital should be in Enniskillen.

“Many people within Fermanagh have worked tirelessly for many years to secure acute hospital services for the population of the County and indeed the entire south-west of the province, we are not going to allow this hard work to be squandered at this stage. It would be interesting to know if Iris Robinson is supported in this stance by her DUP colleagues Arlene Foster and Maurice Morrow.”

“Indeed upon assuming office in May, Michael McGimpsey affirmed the decision that the new acute hospital for the South West would be situated in Enniskillen and that a new enhanced local hospital would be sited in Omagh.

“I am only grateful that in response to these naive comments the Minister for Health has clearly reaffirmed the position that the new acute hospital for the South West will be built in Enniskillen”.

Tom continued: “Remarks such as those made today by Mrs Robinson are nothing but counterproductive and if they are allowed to continue unchecked I fear they will ultimately be to the detriment of the Health Service in Northern Ireland.”

Rev Dr Robert Coulter, the Ulster Unionist Party Assembly member for North Antrim and UUP Stormont Commissioner, has called on the Regional Development Minister to implement traffic measures which will boost tourism in the Glens villages of Waterfoot, Cushendall and Cushendun.

Assemblyman Dr Coulter added: “It is important we have the opportunity to air these important points in the presence of the Regional Development Minister and he needs to visit the area to see the situation for himself.
“There are three areas that should be considered. First, there is tourism. As representatives for North Antrim, we are doing our level best to encourage tourists to visit that beautiful area. It is almost impossible, especially during the summer, for traffic to get through some of these villages.

“Considering the coaches that are now being used, and the number of people who arrive to see the beauty of that lovely route along the coast, it is important to take this issue seriously and to ensure that there is a free flow of traffic through those villages during the summer.

“It is not simply a question of traffic management; it is important to provide areas in which people can park their cars. If we are to increase tourism, this issue must be taken seriously, progressed and examined in its entirety to ensure that those who are breaking the traffic laws are brought to book.

“Secondly, the economics of the area must be considered. People who drive along that route to see the beauty of the road may wish to stop for a meal at one of the hotels. However, because of the traffic problems and congestion, they may turn off to the left to find somewhere else where they can enjoy their meal without worrying about the traffic.

“In connection with the economic issue, people who own shops and businesses, and especially the farming community — who come to the area for the market and to exchange their goods — must also be considered. How on earth are those people supposed to conduct their business if illegal parking on both sides of the road is allowed to continue?

“Thirdly, this problem should not be considered only from the point of view of the three villages to which reference has been made. The issue needs to be addressed with reference to the road from Belfast right through to Ballycastle. When that is taken into account, it will be seen in the context of something far greater.

“I ask the Minister for Regional Development to take on board the fact that regulations have been put in place, but that no follow-up action has been taken, which has led to the continuation of old bad habits.

“I am sure that if the issue is taken seriously, those habits will eventually be broken, because when people are hit in their pockets, they are hit in the most tender part,” said Assemblyman Dr Coulter.

Mr Robin Swann, the Ulster Unionist Party’s Spokesman on Social Economy, Energy and Consumer Affairs, has called on the Stormont Assembly to grant the same rights to Northern Ireland ’s credit unions as enjoyed in the rest of the United Kingdom .

Mr Swann, who is also a senior member of the North Antrim UUP management committee, has joined the call made by the Consumer Council to allow credit unions in Northern Ireland the same UK rights.

He said: “Current legislation prohibits parents in Northern Ireland opening a ‘Child Trust Fund’ in their local credit union.

“The Child Trust Fund is a Government supported fund which provides £250 minimum to all eligible children born on or after 1 September 2002; £500 to children in families with income of/below £14,155 and a further £250 or £500 for children upon reaching seven years old.

“ Northern Ireland has currently the lowest take-up rate of the ‘Child Trust Fund’ option at only 63.3% of those eligible, so this is money which is not being accessed by everyone who is eligible.

“I want to see parents being allowed to invest this money in an institution which they are familiar with, and I trust this could increase the uptake, currently more than 350,000 people in Northern Ireland who are members of a credit union.

“I also support the call to allow the option to have benefit payments made direct into credit union account.

“And I would applaud the work undertaken by the volunteers and staff who operate credit unions across the Province.

“Having been a voluntary teller myself in the past, the dedication of these individuals to our communities should not go unrecognised and deserves all the support we can give,” said Mr Swann.

Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Tom Elliott has said that the Draft budget allocation to the Department of Agriculture is going to make 2008 a very hard year for the industry.

The deputy-chair of the agricultural committee said: “Following discussions concerning the amount of money needed to finance the Department of Agriculture, a bid was tabled with the Department of Finance and Personnel for approximately 32 million pounds for resource funding in the coming year. What the department have been allocated is 14.6 million pounds, 17.3 million pounds or almost 60% less than bid for. This fact means that 2008 is not looking great for the agricultural industry and that we have to work extra hard to try and promote our sector because of the lack of funding.”

Figures released showing the bids by the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Finance and Personnel for the next 3 years note that while 2008 is set to be a lean year in terms of funding for the sector, the following years in 2009 and 2010 the situation should improve. Draft proposals indicate that in 2009 the proposed amount given to the industry for resource funding will increase to 25 million pounds and in 2010 rise once again to 37.7 million pounds. However, while Mr Elliott looks forward to these increases he is keeping his mind firmly concentrated on the current situation.

The Ulster Unionist MLA went on to state: “I am happy to see that there will be increases in money made available in the coming years. However, away from the dreams for 2009 and 2010 there is very serious matter arriving over the coming months. The money that has been allocated for 2008 is not even enough to cover the ‘Inescapable Bids’, things that are vital to the maintenance of the sector, and so there will definitely be losses in parts of the industry and a number of families will suffer because of this.

“The amount needed for the ‘Inescapable Bids’ was just over 18 million pounds. The 14.6 million pounds made available comes nowhere close to meeting that. As this is a draft budget I would encourage this Minister for Finance and Personnel, Peter Robinson, to rethink the amount stipulated for the Department of Agriculture this coming year. Agriculture remains one of the largest areas of employment in Northern Ireland and so for it not even to have enough money allocated to maintain a basic standard of upkeep is a recipe for disaster.”

Iris Robinsons recent outburst concerning our much loved, highly respected and extremely hard working health professionals really does provide conclusive proof of just how arrogant she has become. We should all be looking for efficiencies within the management of our NHS infrastructure but to lecture some of the most dedicated vocationalists in our province and tell them that they are inefficient compared to their colleagues in Great Britain is down right insulting and this point has been made to me when I have been out and about in the days since her comments were made.

Does she really dislike her husbands ministerial colleague that much to show such arrogant contempt for the magnificent people that have helped us all over the years of the troubles and beyond without fear or favour regardless of our political or religious beliefs? It was also nice to hear Iris quoting from our recent Party Election Broadcast with regards to our pledge to represent the people of Northern Ireland and form an executive after the election.

This was at the same time that many within Mrs Robinsons party were still conning the electorate with visions of “Over My Dead Body” or the liberal wing saying “When they disband the IRA Army Council”. Once again the UUP led the way and the DUP followed, which we all new they would, they just did not have the nerve to tell the people prior to the election. We will be operating an opposition from within the Executive which as Peter Robinson reminded us during the last period of Devolution is our right when the interests of our people is to do so.

We will be holding Sinn Fein/DUP to account when they short change our Health Service or fail to get the balance right between much needed economic provision and equally important social needs. We have not gone away you know, and for Northern Irelands place in the United Kingdom sake, I hope we never do.

UUP Cllr and Education Team spokesman Marion Smith has expressed her complete frustration at the lack of clarity in Education Minister Catriona Ruane’s latest statement on the transfer procedure.

In a statement she said “This Minister has yet again shown her tendency to talk in generalities and to virtually ignore the practicalities. Her latest statement is full of fairly meaningless rhetoric and completely lacking in any sense of reality. Schools and parents are extremely uncertain about the future and this statement does nothing to clarify things for them.

“In her statement the Minister signals the end of the present transfer test. Few will regret its passing as it is clearly now well past its sell-by date. The problem is that she has still not clearly spelt out what will replace it.

She talks in very general terms about a move to key decisions being taken at the age of 14 rather than 11. However any such change would have major structural implications for schools and there is absolutely no indication of haw this would be achieved of the time scale involved and the cost. Some people have welcomed the suggestion of the change to 14 on the grounds that it is already working well in Craigavon. However in her statement the Minister clearly indicates there will be no selection even at age 14 and that completely undermines the present arrangements in Craigavon where there is selection for grammar schools at age 14.

Cllr Smith went on to suggest that the Minister had lost a golden opportunity to think radically about how the system could be changed for the better. She added, “ most of us do accept that some change is needed. However the way forward must be based on a system which effectively matches the aptitude of children with what particular schools can offer.

In her obsession with political dogma the Minister has completely ignored these more practical possibilities and seems hell bent of wrecking all that is good in our schools. She also appears to be ignoring the need for the legislative changes which will be necessary and how she can get these through the Assembly. Indeed in our wonderful new age one would have thought that a change of such magnitude would be a matter for the whole Executive rather that being decided on the whim of one somewhat detached Minister.”