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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.”

Ulster Unionist North Down councillor Marion Smith has welcomed the publication by the British Medical Assocation of a report on domestic abuse and violence. The report is the work in the BMA’s Board of Science and is evidence of the seriousness with which the medical professions view the health and social impacts of domestic violence.

Mrs. Smith said, “the BMA’s report is an important contribution to the ongoing challenge facing our society to confront the reality of domestic violence. The report makes for sobering reading. Alongside the fear and threats endured by women because of violence in the home, the report estimates that domestic violence costs our society and economy over £30billion every year. There is also the tragic figure of 750,00 children who witness domestic abuse - and approximately half of these children are themselves also victims of abuse. The dangerous lie that domestic violence is a private matter cannot stand in light of such statistics.

“The report’s calls for doctors and other medical professionals should receive training on identifying and enquiring about domestic abuse, urges a multi-agency approach to addressing domestic violence, and shows that victims of domestic abuse want doctors to be able to refer them to specialist services. It also importantly calls for strategies to identify and reduce the impact made by domestic abuse on the lives of women and children.

“In recent Assembly debate on domestic violence, Health Minister Michael McGimpsey demonstrated his commitment to tackling the issue and giving resources to support women facing violence at home. The BMA’s report shows the need for such action - and for continued action by the Executive to address an issue that scars the lives of too many families across Northern Ireland”.

The report can be read at http://www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/AttachmentsByTitle/PDFdomesticabuse/$FILE/DomesticAbuse.pdf

UUP Assembly candidate for North Down, Cllr Marion Smith, has made an impassioned plea for people to turn out on polling day on Wednesday 7th March.

Only by doing so, and voting for those candidates who are willing to make every effort to get the local political process up and running, can real practical progress be made on the range of issues affecting the Province, she said.

Ms Smith said that there had been a definite appetite for progress during her door-to-door canvassing.

“I am getting the clear impression that many people are increasingly frustrated that for so long we have had what they see as a completely non-functional Assembly. People in North Down want to see local politicians doing their real job of sorting out the range of problems which we face in Northern Ireland,” she said.

“Some are also confused by the ambiguity about the future emerging from some quarters. They do not see how we can make progress if the new Assembly is dominated by the DUP and Sinn Fein.

“I personally see little point in having a new Assembly if it is not prepared to take real responsibility for areas such as education, health, business promotion, the economy, the environment, planning and local rates.

“There will doubtless be difficult decisions to take but we really do need to start taking responsibility for our own affairs. People who want to see progress must get out and vote on the day.”

The Ulster Unionist Party has today welcomed the launch of NIPPA’S 2007 Manifesto for Early Years.

Speaking after the launch Cllr Marion Smith, the UUP candidate for North Down, said: “The vision of NIPPA to guarantee a good start in life to all our children is vital to producing healthy and content children who can live happily and unthreatened in their communities.

“We need to ensure that every child is given the very best start in life, which means ridding our society of poverty, supporting parents and providing a first-class education system accessible to all.

“We want communities in which our children can be nurtured to achieve their full potential and live without fear or worry. Northern Ireland needs a peaceful and inclusive society that facilitates the growth of happy and healthy in children who see difference as something to celebrate, not to fear.”

South Belfast candidate Dr Esmond Birnie went on to say: “The Ulster Unionist Party is committed to making sure that all children are well looked after in their early years.

“Our recently published manifesto for the 2007 Assembly Election outlines how we intend to achieve this. We want to ensure that progress towards a target of 70 Sure Start Centres by 2012 is achieved, as we know that an investment in early years leads to increased educational outcomes in later years.

“In addition we want to extend the Workplace Nurseries Initiative and the transformation Fund for the childcare workforce in Northern Ireland ensuring that our childcare workforce have the best opportunities available and to ensure that our children get the highest level of care possible.

“Furthermore we are committed to guaranteeing that every child in Northern Ireland is entitled to a full 20 hours of preschool education a week, providing all our children while a good educational foundation.

“Our children are the promise of a better future for Northern Ireland. We need to ensure that they have every opportunity to achieve this destiny.”

Cllr Marion Smith has welcomed the launch of a new Northern Ireland Rural Women’s Network by David Cairns. In a statement, Cllr Smith said:This is indeed another step forward in the recognition of the vast amount of import and necessary work carried on by those women who live and work within our rural community. It is only but right that the rural and urban network of woman come together and pool their resources. The new grouping has within it’s title - Network and that is exactly what it will be, a network.

I know from experience that through such a system a partnership will develop and from that there can only be gain. There is also the important process of confidence building and the sharing of talent. I welcome Minister Cairns announcement and the funding granted to make possible and develop the N.I. Rural Women’s Network.”

Cllr Marion Smith has welcomed the launch of a new Northern Ireland Rural Women’s Network by David Cairns. In a statement, Cllr Smith said:

This is indeed another step forward in the recognition of the vast amount of import and necessary work carried on by those women who live and work within our rural community.  It is only but right that the rural and urban network of woman come together and pool their resources.  The new grouping has within it’s title - Network and that is exactly what it will be, a network.

I know from experience that through such a system a partnership will develop and from that there  can only be gain.  There is also the important process of confidence building and the sharing of talent.  I welcome Minister Cairns announcement and the funding granted to make possible and  develop the N.I. Rural Women’s Network.”

In March 2005 I led the fight against the proposed water and sewerage charges by asking local people to sign a petition to protest against this ill thought out ‘tap tax’.

In North Down along with my colleagues we gathered some 12,000 signatures from residents who said NO to water charges. It was interesting to listen to some of the comments from folk who signed the petition and it is a pity the then Minister John Speller MP could not hear them.

However, as the leading Ulster Unionist keeping up the pressure on the government over the controversial proposed water and sewerage charges, which are due to be introduced next April. I am encouraging everyone to support the public letter writing campaign which North Down proposed some months ago. I understand that the Minister, we now have, David Cairns, has been heard to comment, - ‘Not another letter from North Down’. And I would suggest, why not indeed.

I would encourage every council area to take up the challenge, spend a few pence on a stamp and let your opposition be known.

I reject the Minister’s case that the Treasury could not be expected to pay for the massive expenditure necessary to bring a worn out and leaking infrastructure up to date. What has the Treasury done with 30 years of money we have been paying into; it certainly was not the water system.

One final thought, have you ever sat behind a Water Service van and read the slogan on the back, please make a point of reading their slogan. It is nothing but a sorry joke and when you do find out what it says, you won’t even need three guesses as to who is the biggest wasters of water are?

Whose system leaks the most? Would it be the Water Service?

I raised the following at North Down Borough Council and it was accepted as
part of the Council’s response to The Bamford Review of Mental Health is a
draft report which sets out it’s vision of the services and supports that
are needed for older people with mental health difficulties and/or dementia
in Northern Ireland for the next 15 - 20 years. It has been endorsed by a
steering committee which has taken into account over two years work by the
Dementia and Mental Issues of Older People Expert Working Group Working
Committee convened by Praxis Care Group.

The Minister for Health in Northern Ireland Paul Goggins, has indicated
that the Bamford Review of Mental Health would be a catalyst for change.

In my mind the mental health service in Northern Ireland has been starved
of funds for years and all during this period Trusts have worked valiantly
to do the very best they could while, to put it simply being short changed.

It is a fact that people in Northern Ireland with mental health
difficulties have the lowest employment rate of all disabled people. Also
more than a third of Incapacity Benefit claimants have a mental or
behavioural disorder. There is a prevalence of mental health problems which
is 24% among women and 17% among men; this is 20% higher than the rates for
England and Scotland.

The Bamford Review of Mental Health must be welcomed, as it will carry out
an independent review of law, policy and service provision. It will make
recommendations regarding the future policy, strategy, service priorities
and legislation, to reflect the needs of users and carers. For example, the
need for collaborative working among all relevant stakeholders both within
and beyond the health and personal social services sector, to name but one
issue, must be taken into account.

The Bamford Review, will have a new priority in moving forward, it will be
given to promoting positive mental health and making a real and meaningful
difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities or mental
health needs, as well, and this is very important, to their carers and
families.

Unfortunately as with any review, action taken will not happen next week or
next month and the earliest possible date and specific targets for
improvement will probably be from 2007-2008. Whatever the date set, the
Bamford Review must not be lost in the mists of time, for too long Trusts
have struggled with under investment within this area of service and to be
blunt it has been a disgrace the under funding which has taken place. I
would insist that the necessary funding to reform, modernise and deliver
along with a meaningful capital investment programme for future services
must happen.

“I was delighted when I was told by a very kind check out staff member that from 14th August, Tesco would be going green!

Along with the Friends of the Earth North Down and Ards group, I have been campaigning for some time now to reduce if not stop using plastic bags which are given out so freely when shopping.  Tesco are actually using the incentive of financially rewarding their customers in the form of their point’s scheme. Basically their aim is to reward customers for using fewer new bags.

In January of this year I put forward a notice of motion to Council regarding the adverse environmental impact caused by the use of plastic bags in our society.  Council wrote to the then Minister Lord Rooker, asking for a plastic bag tax to be introduced in the very near future.

Since then, the plastic bag mountain continues to grow, we as consumers in the UK are accumulating some 17 billion plastic bags every year.  It has been long recognised that our environment is suffering from the plastic bag blight! They are to be found from one end of the earth to the other, they are hanging from trees, killing livestock, even killing our sea life.

Every year an estimated 4 billion end up as litter, I am told this could circle the earth some 63 times.  The problem is plastic bags don’t wear out, and the period of photodegrade, (which means they break down into smaller and smaller toxic bits) is estimated at some hundreds of years in landfill and 450 years in water.

This scheme while it is to be welcomed, along with stores such as Lidl and Ikea who charge for their bags as a form of reducing the number used. Or, on the other hand there is the PlasTax introduced in Southern Ireland in March 2002 has thought to have scaled down usage by some 90%.

Whatever form we chose to reduce the plastic bag blight, be it points, paying for our plastic bags or a PlasTax, we must realise that plastic bags must not be part of that inheritance.”

The Bamford Review of Mental Health is a draft report which sets out it’s vision of the services and supports that are needed for older people with mental health difficulties and/or dementia in Northern Ireland for the next 15 - 20 years. It has been endorsed by a steering committee which has taken into account over two years work by the Dementia and Mental Issues of Older People Expert Working Group Working Committee convened by Praxis Care Group.

The Minister for Health in Northern Ireland Paul Goggins, has indicated that the Bamford Review of Mental Health would be a catalyst for change.

In my mind the mental health service in Northern Ireland has been starved of funds for years and all during this period Trusts have worked valiantly to do the very best they could while, to put it simply being short changed.

It is a fact that people in Northern Ireland with mental health
difficulties have the lowest employment rate of all disabled people. Also more than a third of Incapacity Benefit claimants have a mental or behavioural disorder. There is a prevalence of mental health problems which is 24% among women and 17% among men; this is 20% higher than the rates for England and Scotland.

The Bamford Review of Mental Health must be welcomed, as it will carry out an independent review of law, policy and service provision. It will make recommendations regarding the future policy, strategy, service priorities and legislation, to reflect the needs of users and carers. For example, the need for collaborative working among all relevant stakeholders both within and beyond the health and personal social services sector, to name but one issue, must be taken into account.

The Bamford Review, will have a new priority in moving forward, it will be given to promoting positive mental health and making a real and meaningful difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities or mental health needs, as well, and this is very important, to their carers and families.

Unfortunately as with any review, action taken will not happen next week or next month and the earliest possible date and specific targets for improvement will probably be from 2007-2008. Whatever the date set, the Bamford Review must not be lost in the mists of time, for too long Trusts have struggled with underinvestment within this area of service and to be blunt it has been a disgrace the under funding which has taken place.