uuptoday.org

UUP MEP Jim Nicholson told an audience at a NICVA conference this morning on how Northern Ireland can make the Most of the European Union that politicians at Stormont must be prepared to deal with the Brussels context and be equipped with the right tools to help maximise and enhance the Assembly’s relationship with Europe.

In the course of Mr Nicholson’s remarks he said,

“One of the complaints I would have made over the years against Direct Rule Ministers was that we as MEPs were rarely consulted on the Government’s priorities for Northern Ireland and if we were it was normally far too late to do anything. So you can imagine my consternation when MEPs were not included in the recent visit by Commission President Barroso

“I can only assume that we were deliberately sidelined and if we were this was an extremely bad policy on behalf of the First and Deputy First minister. Not only has there been no contact from the new Executive to ask us how we can best link in with them there is a deafening silence on what they intend to do. I would have expected better of them.”

Mr Nicholson also added that despite, “how noble the founding intentions of the EU were, they are not enough to inspire the type of change and reform the EU and its institutions require if it is to be fit for purpose in another fifty years.

“You do not have to support the single currency or a European constitution with a legal mind of its own to be a proud European and a supporter of nation states in Europe cooperating in areas where we are stronger working together than we are working apart”, he said.”

Esmond Birnie UUP spokesman on Finance and UUP south Belfast candidate

“Now most of the Party manifestos are in it is notable how some of them are calling for what is euphemistically termed ‘tax varying powers’.

“In practice this would mean tax increasing powers, particularly of income tax. Given that Northern Ireland has a lower employment base than the rest of the UK allied to higher demands on social spending, it is hard to see how a devolved government could avoid being forced to raise income tax.

“Sinn Fein and APNI should be honest about how far they want to raise the basic and higher rates of taxation, and at what levels of income these new super Northern Ireland taxes would begin to bite.

“Such proposals are especially ironic in light of the fact that there is no doubt that the economic renaissance in the UK since about 1980, and in the Republic since about 1990, owes at least something to reductions in rates of income tax.”

“In the UK in 2005, 24 children aged under 10 years were killed while travelling in cars and a further 226 were admitted to hospital. When used properly, child passenger restraints reduce injury by 90-95% for rear facing restraints and 60 % for forward facing.

“All parents should be aware that from the end of February there will be a legal requirement to provide correct child restraint for all children in your car (under the new law all children up to 135 cm (4 ft 5 ins) in height or up to 12 years of age (whichever occurs first) must comply and the driver is held responsible for any child up to the age of 14 using the correct belt/restraint).

· Perhaps the government (i.e. DOE) should do more to publicise these legal requirements.

· Parents need to act now to ensure they are not breaking the law

· By all means shop around regarding any purchase of baby/child/booster seats because there is great variation in prices.

It is of course regrettable that many already hard-pressed families are about to be hit by yet another demand for cash. At the same time, what price a child’s life?”

“There has recently and rightly been a lot of attention on the suitability of certain foods especially for children (e.g. the question of food ads during children’s TV, better labels etc.).

South Belfast constituents have raised with me the particular concern of the impact on some children of the so-called energy drinks— especially the brand “Kick” marketed by Tesco. It is true that Tesco do label this drink as “Not suitable for diabetics, children or persons sensitive to caffeine”. Nevertheless, it does seem to be sold at their stores to children.

Further information on the container indicates that 250 ml of Kick contains 29 g of sugar (the daily recommended amount is 90 g). Despite this Kick is sold in one litre bottles and can be got at the price of 92 pence for one or £ 1.50 for two bottles!

Since this marketing policy does seem to be encouraging the consumption of extraordinary amounts of sugar and caffeine by vulnerable children I have written (a week ago) to Tesco to ask them to explain their policy and I am waiting for a reply”.

“The decline of Balmoral High School has now become notorious as a case study in poor planning by government departments; it was built after 2000 using PFI to house 500 pupils. Current numbers are only 154 and dropping. Sadly, the BELB is proposing closure in August 2008. This decision will have some adverse “equality impacts” (particularly from the point of view of the already disadvantaged community in the Greater Village). This is why former MLA Esmond Birnie has made the following comments to the Board’s consultation exercise:

“Additional comments on BELB Equality Consultation Questionnaire— Proposed closure of Balmoral High School 31 August 2008

The closure is, obviously, deeply regrettable. Most of all, from the point of view of the staff and pupils involved. Additionally because of the financial context; given that the school was rebuilt in the early 2000s using PFI, the public purse will continue to pay for this now unused building for decades to come (this raises questions for another occasion as to how the projected demand for a 500 pupil school was estimated and what decisions were made by DE, BELB and perhaps other Boards which resulted in such a large diversion of potential pupils away from Balmoral).

If mistakes were made regarding the provision at Balmoral then these probably only built upon much earlier decisions. Balmoral High School drew most of its intake from the Greater Village area— it was obviously far from ideal that there was a 3 mile gap between the secondary school and its main primary school feeders.

We are where we are, the challenge now is to find the best response to this situation; a situation were an area (the Greater Village) which is already disadvantaged in social and educational terms is “losing” its school. We need an imaginative response. One which might make use of the opportunities existing post –the 2008 reforms and also use some of the spare capacity in the three primary schools in the Greater Village-lower Lisburn Road area to provide some 11-14 education in the heart of that community.”

Ulster Unionist South Belfast assembly candidate Esmond Birnie has said:

“The fire service deserves praise for containing the blaze which started at a prints works on University Road/Ormeau Avenue in the heart of a densely populated residential area.

“The damage which has been done will represent a tragic loss from the point of view of at least one small business in this inner city area.

“Since there are early indications this fire was started deliberately I would ask everyone to help the police in their inquiries.

“This part of Belfast has suffered from far too much anti-social behaviour but this is a very extreme example of such.”

Esmond Birnie UUP candidate South Belfast:

“News of yet another violent assault in South Belfast on a worker in an off licence on Sunday raises yet again the question whether the deterrents against such crime are adequate.

“There is some evidence, both statistical and anecdotal, that Magistrates and Judges in Northern Ireland are less inclined to impose lengthy prison sentences than their English counterparts. One might wonder why this is? It can hardly be that Belfast is so much more law abiding than its GB counterparts because I doubt that we are.

“It is time for this situation to change. There should be an independent review of sentencing policy in Northern Ireland relative to GB. Make the punishment fit the crime.”

Ulster Unionist South Belfast assembly candidate, Esmond Birnie, has expressed grave concern over moves to give prisoners a right to vote, describing it as “unwarranted”.

In a statement, Dr Birnie said: “There’s a cruel irony in the notion that law breakers should have a say in electing law makers – that is, Members of the Legislative Assembly.

“For many years now a majority of people in Northern Ireland have taken a commonsense view of rights and responsibilities. And when the social contract is breached and a crime is committed, there are consequences for the perpetrator.

“Many will be somewhat dismayed by this proposal.”

UUP Finance Spokesperson Esmond Birnie has expressed concern over the impact on pensioners, after it was revealed that Direct Rule rates proposals will see an average increase of 20% in bills faced by Belfast ratepayers.

In a statement, the UUP South Belfast candidate said: “Families across Northern Ireland have a right to expect government to spend our hard-earned money properly and wisely. Through rates the people of Northern Ireland contribute to our public services and infrastructure for the benefit of our entire community. But the rates burden must be fair.

“Under the Direct Rule rates plan, Belfast pensioners now face increases of up to 20% in their rates bills. Many will simply be unable to pay such an increase. Having worked hard all their lives, pensioners deserve to spend their retirement years in dignity and security.

“The Ulster Unionist Party is committed to universal non-means tested rates relief for all pensioner households giving dignity and security to those how have worked hard and saved throughout their lives. Only by restoring devolved government can we counter the government’s ill-thought out rates increases. The people of Northern Ireland need a devolved government of their own.”

Following a panel discussion today held by the Federation of Small Businesses, Ulster Unionist Candidate for South Belfast, Esmond Birnie, has said that devolved Government in Northern Ireland “can act as a catalyst for economic renewal”.

In a statement, Dr Birnie said: “The Ulster Unionist Party is committed to policy that delivers a positive business environment through investments in competitiveness, enterprise and innovation, building long-term success and creating economic opportunities for all of us in Northern Ireland.”

The Ulster Unionist Party manifesto contains commitments toward:

- developing a manufacturing strategy for Northern Ireland

- making the case for a competitive tax environment for businesses

- the implementation of a small business rates relief scheme to reduce the tax burden on local business and to boost competitiveness

- maximizing the opportunities for and the development of Northern Ireland businesses.

The Party also believes that there should also be a review of the workings of Invest NI – with a view to promoting an innovative, proactive and ambitious approach to business start-ups, exports and international investment.

Dr Birnie said: “Ulster Unionists have a vision of a flourishing regional economy in Northern Ireland, built on the strong foundations provided by the UK economy, access to the European single market and political stability in our community. For this vision to become reality, Northern Ireland needs policies capable of facing the challenges of a competitive global marketplace.

“The UUP believe that devolved Government in Northern Ireland can act as a catalyst for economic renewal, with economic growth going hand in hand with social justice. Enabling all to have the skills to contribute to the success of Northern Ireland PLC is necessary both for economic competitiveness and for a just society.”