uuptoday.org

Ken Robinson MLA, Ulster Unionist Assembly Member for East Antrim, has called for a comprehensive review to be undertaken by the Department of Regional Development into the province-wide establishment of 20 mph zones in built up areas.

“I recently asked the Minister for Regional Development if his department had the power under current legislation to introduce 20 mph speed limits in towns, villages, cities and built-up areas, particularly near schools. He has now confirmed to me that his department already has the power to do this.”

“Now that he has confirmed to me that he has the power to do it, I am calling on the Minister to act. To begin with, he should set up a province-wide review of potential 20 mph zones in our most heavily populated areas. Speed kills and only a 20 mph limit enforced across the entire province in what might be called black spots in heavily built up areas will get the message across.”

“A survey by the Transport Research Laboratory of 20mph zones across the UK and in other European countries found child road accidents fell by 67%, cyclist accidents by 29% and traffic flow by 27%. It has also been shown that a driver travelling at 20mph is able to come to a sudden stop in about half the time of one driving at 30mph.”

“This is Road Safety week and it would be a good time for the Minister to act or at least declare his intention to act. It would help increase the profile of the decision and it would show that the Executive cared about this issue, given our appalling road safety record.”

Rev Dr Robert Coulter, the Ulster Unionist Party Assembly member for North Antrim and UUP Stormont Commissioner, has warned the community could suffer because not enough money has been earmarked for health in the recently unveiled Programme for Government spending proposals.

Assemblyman Dr Coulter, who is also UUP Health Spokesman, made his remarks after chairing a health discussion panel at this year’s party conference in Belfast.

He added: “At first reading the full Programme for Government package runs to some £5.6 billion on schools, roads and hospitals – but the contribution for the health department is lower than the other departments in needs terms.

“The Ulster Unionist Party is disappointed with the proposed spending on health. It needed to be much higher given the fact people in Northern Ireland are living much longer.

“We required a radical budget for health; one which had quality as a central theme. Instead, the people of the Province have been allocated a budget which won’t do what those people require.

“The health budget for Northern Ireland is being seriously underfunded. We are between 25 per cent and 30 per cent lower than our counterparts in Great Britain.

“In practical terms, the draft budget will do nothing to drive down the waiting lists. Some £450 million has been allocated to health, when in reality, around £750 million is required because people live longer.

“The cash allocated to health in the Programme for Government is only dabbling with the health service. Being behind in health spending is one of the great injustices of Northern Ireland politics and makes our people second class citizens within the United Kingdom.

“As people live longer, we need to recognise that older people would like to be cared for at home – not in hospitals.

“The Programme for Government also needs to recognise that Northern Ireland will not be able to look after the most vulnerable groups in our society, especially the elderly, by cutting back on nurses.

“At one time, Northern Ireland had some of the worst waiting times in Western Europe. The Programme for Government budget should have addressed the urgent issue of investing in health. You can’t have wealth without health,” said Assemblyman Dr Coulter.

UUP MLA Billy Armstrong today extended his condolences to the family of Conor Devlin, the Randalstown teenager who was killed in a road accident near Bellaghy last Saturday.

The Mid-Ulster representative said;

“I was shocked to learn that yet another life has been lost on our roads and I wish to extend my condolences to the family of Conor Devlin.

The toll of death and destruction on our roads is horrific, and I urge all road users, particularly drivers, to heed the warnings from the DoE Road Safety unit and the PSNI Traffic Branch.

Tragically, this young man was the 80th victim of our roads this year. One death is one too many, and we must all do more to reduce the casualty rate on our roads in order to spare other families the heartbreak and anguish caused by the loss of a loved one.

The Police have appealed for witnesses to the accident to come forward, and I would re-iterate that appeal.”

Ulster Unionist Regional Development spokesman Fred Cobain today raised his objections to Minister Conor Murphy’s proposals on water charges. The North Belfast MLA said he could not support any moves which saw every household in Northern Ireland paying, in some shape or other, for water.

In a statement Mr Cobain said,

“Thousands of the poorest and most vulnerable pensioners, working poor and near benefit-level families will all be worse off after today’s statement and will feel cheated that the right noises that Sinn Fein and others were making before the election with regards to water charges have been brushed under the carpet.

The DUP promised a financial package that would offset water charges, their leader pledged and committed himself to securing a financial package and indeed sought and secured a mandate to do so. They didn’t deliver and now in cahoots with Sinn Fein Minister Murphy we are now seeing water charges being brought up for discussion with a view to eventual implementation.

I cannot and will not support water charges that will hit the most vulnerable and needy in society.”

Sam Gardiner MLA, the Ulster Unionist Assemblyman for Upper Bann, spoke today of his delight at the news that Ulster Unionist Health Minister Michael McGimpsey had announced a £15.2 million investment for Craigavon Area Hospital.

“This is the sort of financial injection which makes a real difference, “said Mr Gardiner, “and I am delighted that it was an Ulster Unionist Health Minister who was able to deliver for the people of Craigavon and Upper Bann in general.”

“This money will provide a new Trauma and Orthopaedics unit costing £9.4 million and this will include two new theatres and a total of 33 beds.”

“An additional investment of £5.8 million will provide infrastructure improvements at the hospital.”

“Investment in the Trauma and Orthopaedics unit is part of a strategy which aims to cut waiting times for fractures and orthopaedic services.”

“This is a local Ulster Unionist Health Minister delivering for the people. What is more Michael has said that he will expect to see improvements in waiting times by March 2008, including fractures being treated within 48 hours and people who require orthopaedic surgery being treated as an inpatient or day case within 21 weeks.”

Ulster Unionist Victims spokesman Derek Hussey today said that Victims’ groups were suffering needlessly as a result of the hold-up in appointing a Victims’ Commissioner.

In a statement Mr Hussey said,

“I express my concern over the on-going issue of the appointment of a Victims’ Commissioner for Northern Ireland.

Whilst we await an OFMDFM decision on this matter, Victims’ Groups are suffering!

There is no reason why the issue of core funding to Victims’ Groups cannot be addressed NOW within OFMDFM wherein the responsibility, via the Victims’ Unit, lies.

Undoubtedly, we as the UUP, have some concerns in regard to particular items within the past Interim Victims’ Commissioners Report! However, those issues that are common should be addressed.

To give confidence to the Victims’ Sector that they are not abandoned, they need to see work in progress rather than further provarication.

It lies within the remit of OFMDFM to advance those issues that can be immediately addressed.”

Mr Robin Swann, the Ulster Unionist Party’s Spokesman on Social Economy, Energy and Consumer Affairs, has warned the community to be vary of ‘water spin’ simply because a top level report suggested they should not pay any additional water charges until 2009.

And Mr Swann, who is also a senior member of North Antrim Association Management Committee, added that he “at least welcomed the transparency” of the report into water charges produced by Professor Paddy Hillyard and his review group.

“While I would also welcome their suggestion to the Stormont Executive that Northern Ireland households should not pay any additional water charges until 2009, consumers must be vary not to get hooked on this water spin – they need to consider both the immediate and long-term futures.

“It must also be noted the report still wants to base water charges on capital value, which many in the community will regard as profoundly unfair.

“It is imperative that the Assembly urgently considers what the future will hold after 2009. As a community, we still have the original millstone hanging over us of the statement made by Direct Rule Minister John Spellar.

“He said – we estimate the average household charge is likely to be in the region of £315 to £415 per year. This statement has put water charges to the fore of many election manifestoes. MLAs must keep it to the fore for the sake of their constituents. It is essential that any increase after 2009 must be economically proven.

“My warning to the community is blunt – do not get caught up in the spin, as although bills will not be as high as we were told they were going to be, there will still be an additional expense.

“And all this is coming hard on the heels of the recent announcement by Northern Ireland Electricity of further price rises in November.

“We are not getting rapidly to the stage in Northern Ireland where every section of the community is under threat, and unfortunately, it is those who are the most vulnerable who will also suffer the most.

“I would call on the Stormont Executive to ensure it makes future proposals on water charges which are fair and affordable to all.

“Northern Ireland consumers should not have to pay twice, and should definitely not have to pay a penny more than is absolutely necessary. The Assembly needs to hold the Executive to account on this matter because if it doesn’t, the electorate will.

“In the meantime, we must welcome the transparency which the Hillyard report is proposing. The problem in the past has been a lack of openness and transparency from Direct Rule ministers, which damaged public confidence in any suggested changes.

“We need to have the supply of water and treatment of sewerage as a clearly identifiable section on the rates bills as this will remove concerns about openness, transparency and above all, fairness.

“To promote consumer confidence in any future water rates system, the Stormont Executive must also ensure the Water Service operates in a cost effective and efficient manner,” said Mr Swann.

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.

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.

Rev Dr Robert Coulter, the Ulster Unionist Party Assembly member for North Antrim and UUP Stormont Commissioner, has warned of the dangers about internet chat rooms being used by young people with suicidal tendancies.

Dr Coulter said that in his work as a clergyman, he had had “to pastor and counsel those who have suffered trauma in the aftermath of a suicide in the family”.

The MLA, who is also UUP Health Spokersman, added: “I was amazed to learn recently of a chat room that actually promotes suicides. I was horrified when I read that someone who was suicidal said in the chat room that they were going to commit suicide.

“They were actively encouraged to take their own life, which they did. That suicide was photographed as it happened, so that others could take delight in seeing a life being taken.

“It is incumbent on all of us regardless of religion, political beliefs, backgrounds and aspirations to take this problem of suicides to heart, especially among young people.

“It is a great loss to society when young people who have spent years in primary school, high school or grammar school and then, perhaps, further education, suddenly take their lives. Their future is lost not only to them and to their families, but to society.

“Similarly, what is the cost when someone’s life is suddenly cut off after they have been trained to commit their talents to society?

“And it’s not only politicians and health professionals who must contribute to finding a workable blueprint to combat suicides in society. We must have active involvment from the churches, mental health charities, teachers and anyone involved with young people.

“In North Antrim, a young boy was bullied at school and took his own life. The impact of that on the family and on the community was disastrous. The family have never gotten over it and they never will.

“If only teachers had been aware of the bullying, perhaps that young talent could have been saved,” said Assemblyman Dr Coulter.