Stormont snippets

“Welcome to the first issue of „Stormont Snippets‟ a monthly publication that will keep you up-to-date with my work as an MLA.

I want to begin this first issue by thanking all our candidates and workers for their sterling efforts on behalf of TUV in the Assembly May/June 2011 election. To each and every person who stuck by their principles and Issue 1 voted TUV I say a big thank you.

Right is still right and therefore within the Assembly I will strive to ensure the voice of Traditional Unionism is heard loud and clear.”

The Voice of Conscience at Stormont After his first day in the DUP MLAs are so wedded to At least this Assembly will Assembly Jim Allister QC, MLA power, any power, that they will be different from the last observed that: pay any price to keep Sinn Fein because there will be a happy. voice to challenge and re- “Nua DUP is in total hock to buke the constant roll-over IRA/Sinn Fein. William Hay‟s The Assembly is constructed on to the Sinn Fein agenda.” temporary return as Speaker rules designed to suppress was a grace and favour democracy. Where appointment by Sinn Fein. The else but Stormont first instalment of the sordid could Joint First deal soon emerged with the Ministers be elected news that while Mr Hay keeps with a prohibition on the seat warm for Molloy he both debate and a will bask in the contrived title vote on the of „Principal Deputy Speaker‟. proposition? Clearly Inside this issue: the powers that be Though shame-faced and Honouring Our 2 fear debate. discomfited by my presence as Heroes their abandoned conscience,

TUV Call to upgrade 2 Allister forces response on McArdle A26 Jim Allister was the only MLA to McLaughlin said that the killing “Such Republican propaganda North Antrim’s 2 raise the appointment of a of Jean McConville was wrong - spouted in a Ministerial reply is Nursery Needs convicted murderer as a wrong but not a crime? truly scandalous. It is an Special Adviser to the Culture indictment of all those who “Ni Chuilin quickly passes over Secret Society? 3 Minister during Ministerial endorse the so-called peace the murder to talk about the Question time. Unfortunately process that someone of his comments were not “state forces” and McArdle‟s ilk could be said to Mystery of the Miss- 3 addressed by the Minister on “governments”. Exactly how have made an “invaluable” ing Millions the floor of the House but in a many people did “state forces” contribution to it. murder as they left a place of written answer to another The fact that the Assembly has 394 abortions in NI 3 question tabled by Mr Allister. worship? still not found time to debate a since 2006, WHY? Ni Chuilin displayed her utter The Minister‟s utter contempt motion on this issue – despite disregard for the feelings of the for the Travers family becomes one being tabled two weeks ago Kingsmill Report 4 Travers family. clear in the final two illustrates that the pro- Welcomed Commenting Mr Allister said: paragraphs where she says: agreement consensus at Stormont is content to let this Douglas flying flag “Republicans have made an 4 “She does not employ the word appointment pass with the invaluable contribution to the of Justice used in my question – murder. minimum of fuss.” And what does she mean when construction of the peace Milk Cup Funding 4 she says it was “wrong”? Was it process. Without their Following Jim Allister‟s Fiasco “wrong” in the sense that it contribution we would not have intervention Anne Travers wasn‟t the father who was a peace process. I am therefore publicly thanked him for striving killed rather than his daughter? happy for Mary McArdle to to raise the matter in the Was it “wrong” in the same continue in her position as my Assembly and claimed that he sense in which Mitchell Special Adviser.” was the only one who had done anything about the issue.

1 Honouring Our Heroes

“At least this Jim Allister took the but tonight Ballymena and Stormont after plans for a opportunity to attend the district can stand proud with homecoming parade in our Assembly will be Welcome Home Parade for the the RIR. While we celebrate capital city fell through. different from the last RIR in Ballymena during May. with the local families, we remember, of course, the Jim Allister explained; because there will be Jim Allister described the three Northern Ireland soldiers a voice to challenge event as, “a marvellous “Stormont, in light of its who laid down their lives on opportunity for the town and history, is a prestigious venue and rebuke the this tour in Afghanistan. I also its people to show their where a fitting tribute could be constant roll-over to think of those seriously gratitude for the selfless paid to those who have fought injured, like Ranger Gillespie the Sinn Fein courage of our young soldiers, to bring democracy and from Galgorm, and rejoice in so many of whom come from freedom to Afghanistan and agenda.” his significant recovery. Their the towns and villages of Iraq. sacrifice reminds us all of how North Antrim.” much we owe our armed Given that DUP Minister He Continued: services.” - Jim Allister MLA Sammy Wilson has remit over the grounds I can think of no “It seems a long time since Jim Allister has also called for Roy Gillespie first suggested it, a parade to be hosted at reason why such an event could not take place.” Allister Makes the Case for A26

One of the cardinal issues that Executive, and that legacy now not obstructive as some have “I would like to thank has afflicted the North Antrim falls to the current Minister to been elsewhere. We arrived at Jim Allister for posing constituency is the state of the address. a scheme that is viable and A26. The road is one of the tolerable for all concerned. this question. He is main arteries in Northern The issue is, in effect, about However, an inevitable developing the economy of the only person who Ireland, has one of the highest consequence is that their land North Antrim, because there is has done anything daily vehicle usage figures, is now blighted by that and has a tragic death rate. an inextricable link between planned expansion. about this issue” So, it is necessary that the good road access and economic development. It is In the scale of things, £50 inadequacy of the road is addressed. no coincidence that million is not a huge amount - Ann Travers Ballymena, to which we have of money; in the scale of the Speaking during an Assembly good road links, has seen extravagance of the A5, it is debate Jim Allister argued industrial growth. Yet, if you but nothing. I urge upon the that, “it is probably a reflection drive the further miles to Minister the necessity of giving of the significance of roads Ballymoney, you will see a it all the priority that it most issues and the inadequacy of dearth and a loss of industrial certainly deserves. some roads that we have growth. probably debated the issue of At present we have the worst roads more than anything else The stalling of the scheme is of all worlds: a promise not just a frustration; it blights unfulfilled, a blight on the “I suggested to the PM in the House since the start of this mandate. That in itself those whose lands are landowners and yet no that for him, as an in- points to underinvestment, affected. Farmers were co- product. We need product on operative in the process and this matter.” ternational salesman which is a legacy of the last for these basic tenets across the world, it North Antrim’s Nursery Needs should be embarrass- Jim Allister has raised the Speaking in the Assembly Jim sustainable basis. We can talk issue of Nursery provision in about the application of the ing that in this part of Allister argued that, North Antrim. policy, but, if the places are not his and our United “In the provision of nursery there in a particular He explained to the Assembly kingdom these rights places, we have got out of geographical location in the that despite a 20-year kilter in the prioritising of social first place, it does not matter were denied.” campaign for a nursery unit by need. If we are going to provide what the policy is. the board of governors at what we ought to, namely a Moorfields Primary School the The essential prerequisite is - Jim Allister MLA statutory right to a nursery parents of the largely rural place for every child, we planning that will provide area between Ballymena and certainly need to make sure nursery units. When I come Larne remain un-served and that the places that are back to that rural hinterland, I that the Department have available are provided on a find that there is not just failed to address the issue. more equitable and underprovision but no provision.”

2 Secret Society?

TUV Leader Jim Allister MLA establishing that there have particularly where it is a facility has established, through been four „super injunctions‟ which in practical terms is only questions to the Justice in Northern Ireland contributes likely to be available to those Minister, that since 2007 four in a small way to redressing who can afford it. “super injunctions” have been the balance of secrecy. issued by the High Court in n Northern Ireland there has The growth of „super not been the level of debate Belfast. injunctions‟ is a product of the necessary in a democracy Commenting on the revelation courts being persuaded to about these issues and, Jim Allister said; prioritise privacy rights over therefore, I trust the release of freedom of expression and this limited information may “The mystery and secrecy press rights within the Human stimulate some necessary Jim Allister Celebrates his surrounding injunctive relief is Rights Act. I am far from debate.” election to the Northern generally not healthy, nor does convinced that this balance is Ireland Assembly it sit comfortably with the weighted in the right direction, transparency expectations of a modern society. Thus,

Mystery of the Missing Millions

In these hard economic times money on external between bureaucracy costs when ordinary families are consultants. Despite this huge and money actually paid out. facing serious financial outlay the department has Jim Allister will continue to pressures it is more important continually failed to do scrutinise how much than ever that they know the anything to solve the selection departments are wasting. powers that be are being crisis which has caused so prudent when it comes to tax much heartache across Commenting on the consultant payer‟s money. Northern Ireland. Bill accumulated by OFMDFM and the Education department However Jim Allister has been Enraged by the huge Jim Allister stated: dismayed by the amount of expenditure on consultants The DUP attempt to silence money spent on consultants at and administration, Jim Allister “I have already asked a their „abandoned conscience‟ the Assembly. raised the roll-out of Axis 3 of number of other government following the first sitting of the Rural Development departments how much they the new Assembly in May The Office of the Joint First Programme and, in particular, have spent on external Ministers has spent a the amount of money spent on consultants since the shocking £16,036,000 on administration, rather than on restoration of devolution and consultants over the past four delivery during the first will be challenging all of them years. question to the Minister for in due course to reveal how The Department of Education Agriculture. much public money has been has spent in excess of However the Minister was used in such a fashion.” £2,000000 of tax payer‟s unable to give the breakdown

394 abortions in NI since 2006, WHY?

Jim Allister has discovered recording and collating the only permissible in cases that there were 394 abortions reason for each abortion and where the life of the mother is performed in Northern issue guidance that such in danger, I am surprised that Ireland‟s hospitals since 2006. should be done. this data is not already In June DUP Speaker Wil- However while the Department recorded. Given the sensitivity liam Hay rejected Jim Allis- of Health holds statistics on It is an ideal time to address of the matter and the ter‟s move to rule that all the number of abortions, the issue as the DHSSPS‟s undeniable public interest in MLA‟s refer only to Northern information on the reason for Guidance on the Termination abortion in Northern Ireland I Ireland when in the House abortion is not collected of Pregnancy is currently at believe that the reason for centrally. consultation stage. each abortion should be Jim Allister will be asking Commenting on his findings recorded in order for there to Minister Poots if he will review Jim Allister stated, “Given that be maximum public the current practice of not abortion in Northern Ireland is confidence that the law is being complied with.”

3 Kingsmill Report Welcomed Douglas Flying Flag of Justice

graphically.

In pointing the figure of blame producing a Union Jack flag in at the IRA the report simply protest against McGlinchey‟s confirms what everyone already appointment. His actions knew but it is welcome in that it caused a media furore and vindicates what the families acted to ensure the victims of have been saying for so many McGlinchey‟s heinous crime years. were not forgotten. TUV Councillor Boyd Jim Allister has welcomed the Sadly the full truth of what Cllr Douglas has been Douglas launched a protest report into the Kingsmill happened that terrible day is inundated with messages of in June following the Massacre. still hidden. Yes it was the IRA support for his protest. which carried out the murders appointment of Sean Jim Allister argued that; but who within that wicked McGlinchey to the position Commenting Cllr Douglas of Mayor in Limavady. stated: “The Kingsmill massacre was organisation? No one has ever McGlinchey planted an IRA one of the most horrific been brought to justice. “Not everyone may agree with bomb in Coleraine which incidents in the Troubles. Few Worse still those who continue the method of my protest, but killed six people in 1973. incidents illustrated the to justify the IRA‟s bloody they thanked me for standing sectarian nature of the IRA‟s sectarian campaign sit at the Cllr Douglas brought two up and expressing the anger murder campaign as heart of our government.” meetings to a standstill by and hurt that is felt.”

38 Henry Street, Parliament Buildings Nothing That is Morally Ballymena Stormont Wrong Can Be BT42 3AH Belfast Politically Right! BT4 3XX

Allister Leads the Calls to Resolve Milk Cup Funding Fiasco

Jim Allister has taken the Cup scored 29 out of 65. Manchester United TV (MUTV) opportunity to question That fact alone is sufficient for example covers the Minister Foster about the to demonstrate just how tournament on a daily basis funding crisis which surrounds preposterous the Tourist and at the end, a one hour the Milk Cup. Board‟s decision is. documentary is shown on their satellite station which, I The Milk Cup‟s application to But it gets worse. The Milk understand, is the football the Northern Ireland Tourist Cup scored 10 out of a club channel with the largest Board was rejected because it possible 20 when it came to number of subscribers “failed to meet the minimum “Brand Northern Ireland”! assessment score required to Personally I would be hard worldwide. merit an award” and after their pressed to think of another During questions to the appeal the organisers were event which does more to Minister for Enterprise, Trade informed that, “The panel felt promote Northern Ireland as and Investment, I pressed Mrs there was not enough a brand. Here is an event Foster on the issue as she has information detailed in the which has been held in our ministerial responsibility for application form to merit an Province annually for the tourism. It is regrettable that award”. best part of three decades. It the Minister has not yet pulled is a major youth sporting Commenting on the funding event which generates the NITB into line.” fiasco Jim Allister stated; considerable interest Jim Allister has pledged to “The Milk Cup has been held overseas. Not only does the continue the funding fight on annually for the past 28 years event bring young sports behalf of the Milk Cup and yet in the NITB‟s “Event people to Northern Ireland has tabled an adjournment and but it is also broadcast Viability and Management debate on the matter. Experience” category the Milk on major TV stations.

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