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Ahead of today’s publication of the Report of the Bill of Rights Forum, Dermot Nesbitt, the Ulster Unionist Party’s Rights and Equality Spokesperson, has urged the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission not to ignore the lack of cross-community support evident in the Forum’s Report.

Mr Nesbitt, a member of the Forum,, stated: “The Ulster Unionist Party participated in good faith in the Bill of Rights Forum, and I wish to thank the Chair - Professor Chris Sidoti - and his staff, for all their hard work.

“For nearly a decade, the issue of a bill of rights has been allowed to drift precisely because some key players had little or no interest in securing cross-community support for any proposals. Today, with the report’s publication, we can see in the most categorical and explicit terms that there is no cross-community support for a bill of rights which, instead of addressing the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland, has become a wish-list for some well-meaning and some not so well-meaning causes and agendas.

“Like every other part of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland already has a bill of rights in the Human Rights Act 1998. The Human Rights Act protects the fundamental rights and liberties of all people in the UK. According to the Belfast Agreement, we were meant to consider the scope for supplementary rights addressing some of the historic divisions in Northern Ireland - issues surrounding culture, identity, and equality.

“That is why we proposed a general equality and non-discrimination provision; urged the implementation of the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities; and supported clauses to secure the interests of the innocent victims of terrorism.

“The lack of cross-community support, however, for the vast majority of recommendations discussed in the Forum is quite simply staggering. Now it is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to carefully reflect on this fact and ensure that its proposals to the Secretary of State have the confidence of all parts of our community and political opinion in Northern Ireland”.

Paula Bradshaw, who also represented the Ulster Unionist Party on the Forum, said: “The UUP was concerned throughout the entire process that the grandiose claims made by some about socio-economic rights ignored hard realities. To claim that a bill of rights would solve issues such as housing or child poverty is disingenuous nonsense. The UUP strongly believes that these and other issues should be addressed through legislation, government programmes and targeted intervention. To do otherwise would undermine parliamentary democracy.

Politicians are elected by, and have a mandate from, the people of Northern Ireland to make hard decisions for society in relation to the use and allocation of resources – it is not for the courts to decide how tax-payers’ money should be spent. In the UK constitution, it is the role of judges and the courts to interpret and apply the law - not to make the law.

“In relation to some of the contentious issues mentioned in the media in recent months, the UUP opposes the raising of the age of criminal responsibility to 18; opposes proposed changes in relation to the age of recruitment into the armed forces; and, opposes calls for court-imposed changes to abortion law - as with many of the issues discussed in the Forum, this should be a matter for the elected representatives of the people of Northern Ireland in our Assembly.”

The European Parliament today debated the current situation in Tibet. UUP MEP Jim Nicholson took part in the special plenary session and in a statement said the Chinese Government should stop any acts of violence against Tibetan demonstrators or else face compromising the Olympic Games.

In his statement Mr Nicholson said,

“The Chinese Government must stop using violence against Tibetan demonstrators and respect their rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular freedom of expression, assembly and religion. Violence will only further worsen the situation in the region and increase disruption ahead of the Olympic Games .

The European Union must do its utmost to influence a peaceful solution to the current situation in Tibet and get involved as much as possible in facilitating dialogue. Failure to do so will result in China continuing to lose the support of the international community and could compromise the Olympic Games themselves.”

Rev Dr Robert Coulter, the Ulster Unionist Party Assembly member for North Antrim and UUP Stormont Commissioner, has said security teams must be introduced into all hospitals where nurses and doctors from the constituency work.
Assemblyman Dr Coulter made his call as he welcomed the announcement from fellow UUP MLA and Health Minister Michael McGimpsey that a security team was being introduced into Coleraine’s Causeway Hospital because of recent attacks on medical staff.
Dr Coulter has been to the fore in pushing for hard-hitting legislation to be passed by the Assembly calling for very stiff penalties for people convicted in the courts of attacking doctors, nurses and other medical staff.
He added: “While I warmly welcome Minister McGimpsey’s announcement of a security team for the Causeway Hospital, it is also a sad indictment on today’s society that we have to introduce such measures to protect medical staff in the first place.
“However, we must show zero tolerance towards the yob culture in our society and those who perpetrate such heinous attacks on medical staff must be left in no doubt that if convicted by the courts, they will face exceptionally tough sentences.
“Attacks on medical staff, whether that be a nurse in an Accident and Emergency unit, or a doctor on call are totally unacceptable.
“People from North Antrim who work in the frontline of medical care and Accident and Emergency need to be assured of their personal safety when they are on duty.
“Likewise, responsible visitors and patients at Accident and Emergency units as well as to medical centres also need to feel safe in those environments from the thugs or yobs.
“The introduction of these highly trained security teams is only the first step in implementing this zero tolerance towards the yob culture.
“Ultimately, I want to see legislation introduced in the Assembly whereby it will be a severe criminal offence for anyone convicted by the courts of attacking not just nurses, doctors and other medical staff, but also paramedics and ambulance staff as well as members of the Fire Service doing their duties.
“Minister McGimpsey has clearly demonstrated that the time for tough rhetoric is over and now is the time for constructive action against these unacceptable attacks on our medical staff,” said Assemblyman Dr Coulter.

Rev Dr Robert Coulter, the Ulster Unionist Party Assembly member for North Antrim and UUP Stormont Commissioner, has warned that C-diff and other dangerous hospital acquired infections should not become a political football.
Assemblyman Dr Coulter, a member of the Stormont Health Committee, said that given the increasing number of deaths in the north Antrim region from Clostridium Difficile, commonly known as C-diff, it was necessary that any future probe or inquiry put patients first, rather than be used to score petty party points.
Dr Coulter, in a major health statement on hospital bugs, emphasized that he and his party colleague and fellow Assembly member Minister of Health Michael McGimpsey were certainly not opposed to any preventative action on C-difficile and all hospital borne infections.
Dr Coulter added: “In fact, Minister McGimpsey has been a very active Minister who has put it on record that he is not opposed to a public enquiry.
Committees of this Assembly should be used to develop public policy in tandem with the relevant Minister and not as a stick with which to beat the Minister.
“In the very serious battle to combat C-diff and other infections, fair-minded Assembly members should not be side tracked from this important battle by any hysterical attacks on Minister McGimpsey.
“Quite apart from this issue being far too serious for this kind of juvenile and pathetic debating society point scoring, Minister McGimpsey has made it plain that he is not opposed to a public enquiry, so there should be no real or justifiable gripe with the Minister.
“Assembly members should also not be side tracked away from their primary battle in defeating C-diff and other such infections by any cheap political stunts designed, I believe, to divert public attention away from problems and difficulties in other political parties.
“Minister McGimpsey has, in fact, shown himself to be proactive throughout this hospital acquired infection crisis in just the same way that he was proactive on assuming office in sorting out the junior doctors’ crisis at the outset of his tenure.
“In appointing a review team comprising experts in infection control nominated by the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority, Minister McGimpsey has added to the actions he has already taken in response to this crisis.
“These include the introduction of a dress code for healthcare staff; and a consultation on a hospital visiting policy for all trusts. The Minister said he was confident that this team, which has considerable knowledge and the necessary expertise in infections such as C difficile, will thoroughly investigate the current outbreak and report back any learning the system needs to incorporate in its daily practices quickly.
“The Minister has made it clear that, until the current outbreak in the Northern Trust is fully contained, the review team will focus on urgently examining infection control measures being taken across the other health trusts.
“The Minister has announced a consultation on hospital visiting policies, he has set out the key principles on visiting policy which include firm restrictions on visiting hours, limits on the numbers of visitors per patient and requiring staff to ensure visitors comply with infection control policies.
“The Minister has launched a regional dress code policy for healthcare staff and recommendations for staff changing facilities. Staff wearing uniforms outside of hospitals has been an area of concern for the public, particularly the perception that this practice increases the risk of infection.
“The Minister has said health trusts are also being asked to carry out a review of existing facilities which do not have adequate changing facilities. New buildings which include staff changing facilities will be required to fully implement the recommendations of this policy.
“So we have here a picture of Ministerial action and not of inaction. The public must also give him credit where it is due and not to fall into the trap of being duped by any politically motivated spin of low cunning and disreputable intent which has little or nothing to do with the real war against hospital acquired infections which the Minister is already dedicatedly fighting,” said Assemblyman Dr Coulter.

(slink img=robertcoulter-large.jpg]Rev Dr Robert Coulter, the Ulster Unionist Party Assembly member for North Antrim and UUP Stormont Commissioner, has called on the Northern Health Trust and Health Minister Michael McGimpsey to fund a full-time, permanent nurse for Rathlin Island .
Assemblyman Dr Coulter, who is a member of the Stormont Health Committee, said the present nursing cover was only part-time and that residents, tourists and visitors needed “a full-time nursing presence”.
He added: “The people on Rathlin do not enjoy the same medical luxury as the North Antrim mainland when it comes to getting to a casualty facility. While we can mostly drive to an area hospital, the folk on Rathlin – whether residents or visitors – must embark on a boat journey, and that also depends on favourable weather conditions.
“In calling for full-time, permanent nursing cover, I am responding to a situation highlighted in the aftermath of the well-publicised incident involving a lifeboat.
“I will be taking the matter up with both the Northern Health Trust and our Health Minister Michael McGimpsey in the hope that funding can be made available to provide the much-needed full-time nursing cover for the islanders.
“As we near the first anniversary of the return of legislative, devolved government to Northern Ireland , already there is evidence that more people – especially young people – are visiting Rathlin, which is gaining a very credible reputation as one of the constituency’s leading tourist spots.
“With the increase in people comes the responsibility on our local administration to provide the necessary medical care.
“I hope it will not be too long before it can be formally announced that Rathlin will be treated like any other part of the North Antrim constituency, enjoying permanent access to full-time nursing cover,” said Assemblyman Dr Coulter.

The Ulster Young Unionist Council have become the first Unionist group to organise at the University of Ulster Coleraine. The well attended inaugural meeting was carried out without any problems and a full officer team for the forthcoming year was elected.

Speaking after the meeting, newly elected branch chair, Alasdair O’Hara, commented “I’m extremely pleased with how the meeting turned out. It was encouraging to see such a good breath of knowledge and capabilities coming through within the young people in the Unionist community. Hopefully this association will be something that young Unionist students at Coleraine will relate to.”

The Young Unionist branch at has been officially recognized by the UYUC; the youth wing of the Ulster Unionist Party. This gives it full constitutional rights within the organisation.

Addressing the members Mr O’Hara laid out his vision of a positive future for Young Unionists at the University. He remarked that “whatever certain politicians, such as Alistair Ross, try to claim there remains considerable interest in the Ulster Unionist Party within the student population. I am convinced that many of those duped in recent years are becoming increasingly agitated at the way they were told lie after lie by the DUP. Once power was within their reach the DUP ran for it dropping all principles along the way.”

Mr O’Hara however was realistic enough to admit that there were tough times ahead. “The so called ‘political protocol’ which the University of Ulster has in place is extremely prohibiting and makes the life of any political organisation difficult. Although I recognize certain restrictions should be in place to monitor the activities of students, I feel a blanket ban on anything political goes too far.”

The Ulster Young Unionist Council was first formed back in 1946 and is seen by many as a training ground for future generations of UUP politicians. Many of the current assembly team are past members including leader Sir Reg Empey and Chief Whip David McNarry.

Tom Elliott Ulster Unionist MLA for South Tyrone has welcomed the fact that his party colleagues the Ulster Unionist Ministers Sir Reg Empey and Michael McGimpsey have pushed the issue of the classification of ‘victim’ onto the Executive’s Agenda. Under the current Victims and Survivors (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 a victim can mean anyone who has been affected physically or psychologically as a result of a conflict-related incident. This leaves the door open for former terrorists to claim that they are ‘victims’ of the Troubles. The opportunity to change the definition has arisen due to the need to introduce legislation that will accommodate four Victims’ Commissioners. In light of this opportunity Sir Reg and Michael McGimpsey wrote to the Executive calling for the legislation to be amended. The Executive decided that the issue should be dealt with by the Ulster Unionists tabling an amendment to the Order and debating it on the floor of the Assembly. The Ulster Unionists are now seeking the support of the DUP and others on this issue.

In a statement Mr. Elliott said,

“Under the current definition a perpetrator of acts of terrorism is given the same legal status and potential compensation as an innocent victim of an act of terrorism; as I have stated this is clearly wrong and I am confident that most people agree that it should be changed. That is why I am very pleased that Sir Reg and Michael McGimpsey have pushed this matter onto the Executive agenda and we will now be bringing forward amendments to the long title of the Order and to the definition of ‘victim and survivors’ to ensure that provisions do not apply to those injured or killed while undertaking criminal acts or those who have received terrorist related convictions.

I would call on the DUP to support this initiative which will be dealt with in the week commencing the 31st March in the Assembly. We believe there is a groundswell of support on our view of the definition of a ‘victim’ and it will now be up to the Assembly to respond to this. I hope we can get a positive response across the political spectrum to ensure the correct outcome for all innocent victims in Northern Ireland.

In essence this process is about ensuring the best outcome for those innocent people who have in many instances had their lives ruined by acts of terrorism. It is also about building trust in our government institutions and the parties within them; ensuring that on this issues the new political dispensation in Northern Ireland does not get dragged into the political machinations of its past therefore the law has to be more categorical on the definition of a ‘victim’ ”.

Trevor Wilson Chairperson of the Ulster Unionist Councillors Association has accused the DUP of losing their bottle in agreeing to a proposal for 11 Councils. Mr Wilson claimed that the DUP have struck an ill thought out deal with Sinn Fein in order to avoid council elections next year.

In a statement Mr. Wilson said,

“The DUP have lost their bottle over Council reform because they fear running elections next year against a resurgent Ulster Unionist Party and the emerging TUV. There is definitely concern within the DUP, brought on by the Dromore by-election and recent events, that they will be squeezed from both sides. However, the outcome of this is that Sinn Fein and the DUP have produced a last minute cobbled together compromise that will be detrimental to unionism in Belfast and the West and the functioning of local councils.

Equally they have lost the plot – the Ulster Unionists have consistently argued for 15 councils which mirror the current parliamentary boundaries. This is a common sense approach that people are familiar and comfortable with. This new proposal for 11 councils will only cause confusion amongst voters. Questions also remain over the nature of and extent of the powers that will be handed down to local councils; we believe in strong local councils, there should not be change merely for change sake. Additional questions remain over the financial implications of this proposal. I believe that the DUP have made a decision based on fear and political expediency rather than what is in the best interests of the people of Northern Ireland”.

This was the message from Carrickfergus Ulster Unionist Councillor Mark Cosgrove in his speech to North Down Ulster Unionists at their AGM held in Groomsport Boat Club.

Speaking to a packed audience including Lady Slyvia Hermon MP and North Down MLA’s Leslie Cree and Alan McFarland, Mr Cosgrove spoke of the current political climate in Northern Ireland and told fellow Unionists,

“We created and sustained Northern Ireland when others ran away. We made the political sacrifices for peace whilst others did it for power and the evidence of this has now been placed before the people.”

Continuing Cllr Cosgrove said “real politics is upon us where we will be judged not on rhetoric but on what we actually do in areas such as the health service, further education, what we do in our constituencies for the people. One of the key challenges facing us all is the future of education.” He added, “simply saying everything is OK simply won’t do. Because it’s not OK, not just because whilst we boast the top results in the UK’s academic league table we often forget to mention we also have the most underperforming students too.”

Enforcing his point Mr Cosgrove stressed “the reality of the status quo is that it does not provide equality of opportunity. Parental time, a child’s education, diet, and income all play a massive role in a child’s opportunity in life.”

“Northern Ireland has had a huge fall in the birth rate which has led to thousands of empty desks. Our grammar schools are taking over 50% of their intake from non-grade A pupils. So, whilst I am in favour of sustaining our excellent academic schools via an agreed form of selection, the real challenge and the real debate is about the other 75% of kids who are failing. We need to promote a society where the vocational route is as respected as the academic one.” he said.

“These are the some of the things that our politicians will be judged upon going forward,” he concluded.

Councillor Cosgrove then presided over the election of new Association Officers for the incoming year.

Ulster Unionist Parades Spokesman Michael Copeland met today with Lord Ashdown and his strategic review of parading body. The meeting was held at the request of Lord Ashdown and was designed to update political parties on the progress of his task.

In a statement Mr Copeland said,

“Lord Ashdown’s review body has been deliberately constructed to include within itself the diverse opinions regarding parades which are evident in wider society. They have thus far managed to operate by consensus and have produced initial findings that reflect that fact. The key to the success or failure of any future proposals will lie with the inclusion and proper consultation evidenced the early stages of this process and the ability of those parties to reflect the goodwill evident in Lord Ashdown’s team.

This must, at this stage, be encouraging as it stands in stark contrast to the dictatorial bunker mentality evidenced by the current and former Parades Commissions. All right thinking people must wish Lord Ashdown and his team well. The proof of the pudding however will be in the eating.”