Archives For richard

Will HET Handling of IRA Cases Be Reviewed?

Admin —  July 3, 2013

Responding to a report into the HET investigations of incidents involving former soldiers TUV leader Jim Allister said:

“I find it very hard to believe that the Historical Enquiries Team have been applying “less rigour” when investigating killings by the security forces than terrorists.

“At the weekend a survivor of the Enniskillen Bomb went public about his dissatisfaction about the HET’s investigation into that incident where there is still no sign of the report years after the investigation supposedly started. I doubt very much if the HET have, for example, questioned Martin McGuinness about his role in the bombing.

“Let’s remember that no later than 2008 a BBC documentary on the Enniskillen Bomb presented by Peter Taylor alleged that McGuinness had prior knowledge of the bombing. At the time I called for McGuinness to be questioned by the PSNI about conspiracy to murder. Continue Reading…

In Justice, Newsroom, Policing and Security , , ,
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Time for DUP to stop ducking and diving on the Maze

Admin —  July 3, 2013

Statement by TUV Leader Jim Allister:

“Playing with words over what won’t or will be within the proposed new Conflict Centre does not address a key issue concerning the Maze.

“What is the plan for the existing prison buildings, the IRA citadel buildings of the hospital and the H block? Sinn fein has been very clear on this issue with Raymond McCartney MLA boasting, “The listed and retained buildings…will be open to the public. There will be the opportunity for the many stories of the gaol to be told” (see http://www.sinnfein.ie/contents/22471). The DUP remains silent on the issue, though Jeffrey Donaldson has insulted the intelligence of us all by saying Bobby Sands name won’t even be mentioned!

“Will the buildings be closed, or open? If open, for what purpose? We need to know the agreed DUP/Sinn Fein position. Continue Reading…

In Featured Story, Newsroom, Terrorism, Victims
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First Trust Bank to Close Ballymoney Branch

Admin —  July 3, 2013

Statement by Jim Allister MLA and Cllr William Blair:

Commenting on the news of the closure of the First Trust Bank’s Ballymoney Branch, Jim Allister stated:

“The announced closure of the Ballymoney Branch of First Trust Bank is yet another in a long line of bank closures that are hitting North Antrim. In recent weeks Ulster Bank, Danske Bank and now First Trust have closed or intend to close branches across the constituency.

“This consolidation of branch networks hits hardest those who live in rural areas who will have to travel further to access branch facilities.

“While I welcome that staff are to be offered redeployment or an option for voluntary severance, there simply is no silver lining for customers.”

Cllr William Blair, TUV Ballymoney added: Continue Reading…

In Terrorism
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No Prospect of Change at Stomont while DUP and SF Rule the Roost

Admin —  July 3, 2013

Below is the speech delivered yesterday by TUV leader Jim Allister during the Stormont debate on the review of d’Hondt, community designation and an opposition.

“Here we have another non-report by the Assembly and Executive Review Committee. It goes through the motions of a few platitudes here and there, presented by a Chairman, who dutifully reads out to us what is being presented and tells us all of the work that the Committee has done. However, when, at the end of that, one evaluates the report, one sees that it does not amount to a row of beans because we have been here so many times before.

“It is proof positive, yet again, that the House will never self-regulate itself into a functioning, recognisable democratic chamber because the vested interest is such that clutching all power by those who are in power is the overriding consideration. Continue Reading…

In Newsroom, NI Politics
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Equal Pay claimants betrayed

Admin —  July 3, 2013

Statement by TUV Leader Jim Allister:-

“£26m had been set aside from Treasury, as part of the policing and justice devolution agreement, to meet Equal Pay claims from Civil Servants who had transferred to work for the PSNI and other agencies.

“Now, this money has been handed back to London as part, I believe, of the funding arrangement over the expensive G8 event. The return of the money has been confirmed in response to AQW 24739/11-15.

“Yet, there are unmet claims by these civil servants. Stormont has let them down. Instead of trying to help, by way of deciding to meet their claims by direct ministerial decisions (ministerial directions), or making payments under the Financial Assistance Act (NI) 2009, the Stormont ministers have turned their backs on them and paid the money back to the Treasury. This is a shameful betrayal of deserving employees.”

In Justice, Newsroom, NI Politics
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Robinson Declines to Condemn Culture Minister’s Protests Against Unionist Culture

Admin —  July 2, 2013

Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:

“I have been contacted by many people in the Unionist community who have expressed their disgust at the fact that the Culture Minister, Carol Cullan, has attended a number of protests against Loyal Order parades in Belfast. Not unreasonably there is an expectation that a Culture Minister would be expected to respect expressions of culture, regardless of what her personal opinion of that culture is.

“I therefore took the opportunity presented by a statement on Building a United Community to invite the First Minister to comment on Cullan’s behaviour.

“I am disappointed but not surprised that Mr Robinson is so beholden to Sinn Fein/IRA that he declined to do so. Continue Reading…

In Newsroom, NI Politics ,
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Allister Highlights £32 million Annual Squander on North Southery

Admin —  July 2, 2013

Below are some of the comments made by TUV leader Jim Allister during yesterday’s debate on North-South institutions:

“Members will note that the amendment does not take issue with practical, pragmatic, mutually beneficial cross-border co-operation. It takes issue with the squander of the elaborate North/South arrangements and challenges whether those are necessary for that practical co-operation and whether they are value for money. On both counts, they fail the pragmatism test.

“We live in a time when all of us are very familiar with the pressures that our constituents live under and the pressures that our economy operates under. In a time of austerity, we are constantly being told of the requirement for savings, and we had more indications of that earlier today. Continue Reading…

In Newsroom, NI Politics ,
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Allister deplores Adoption Ruling

Admin —  June 27, 2013

Statement TUV Leader Jim Allister:-

“Today’s ruling by the Court of Appeal in favour of ‘gay adoption’ is a most retrograde step, which further undermines the proven worth and centrality of the traditional family unit in our society.

“Children benefit the most from the influence of a father and a mother and whereas many single parents do a remarkable job, the promotion and facilitation of children being brought up under a same sex relationship, as if it were the norm, is, in my view, wrong. But, this is where pursuit of a perverse ‘equality agenda’ has led us. Continue Reading…

In Newsroom, NI Politics
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TUV Withdraws from Unionist Forum

Admin —  June 27, 2013
Following a meeting of the party officers on Tuesday night and consultation with grassroots party members TUV has decided to withdraw from the Unionist Forum.
 
In a statement the party said:
 
“TUV was sceptical about the potential of the Forum to achieve anything of substance and made this clear at the outset. We were never interested in something which was merely an expediency for the moment. As the months have progressed the various subgroups of the Forum have rarely if ever met and public cynicism about the Forum and its ability to deliver anything has grown. In fact, most people have probably forgotten about its existence. Continue Reading…
In Newsroom, NI Politics, Terrorism, Victims , , ,
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HRH Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall Visit to North Antrim

Admin —  June 26, 2013

Statement by Jim Allister MLA:

“I am delighted that the HRH Prince of Wales and the Duchess were able to visit my constituency area of Ballymena.

“Their visit to Wrightbus only weeks after the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, reflects the international success as far afield as London and America the company has had in the last year.

“The importance of private sector growth cannot be emphasised enough; in order to improve living standards in the province and attract inward investment, dynamic companies such as Wrightbus and other local businesses need to continue to build on their success. Continue Reading…

In General, Newsroom , , ,
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