Stormont Snippets

Delivering Accountability

The Maze - Another Corporate DUP Rollover April 2013 Issue 18 made by both Sinn Fein “As once and a former IRA prisoner warned: that Republican inmates of the prison will be able “However it is dressed up, to tell their “story” on site. whatever spin is de- It is blindingly obvious ployed, the preserva- that the Maze site will tion of a section of the Responding to the latest, become a place of H-Blocks — including the but sadly not surprising Republican pilgrimage, an hospital wing — would u-turn on the Maze by the IRA Mecca in the heart of become a shrine to the DUP, TUV Leader Jim an overwhelmingly terrorists who committed Allister MLA commented: Unionist constituency.” suicide in the Maze in the 1980s. That would be “Confirmation that the Jim Allister continued: obnoxious to the vast ma- DUP have corporately jority of people and is rolled over to Republican “The boast of IRA prison something unionist people demands on the Maze will leader Raymond cannot accept.” outrage many within the McCartney has proved to Unionist community, be true: “The listed and “Now the DUP are particularly victims of IRA retained buildings will be engaged in the very spin violence. open to the public. There which their own deputy will be the opportunity for leader warned about!” “While the many stories of the Inside this issue: claimed that those gaol to be told.” Only a The IRA Terror Shrine at opposed to the plan are fool would not recognise the Maze was, is and will PSNI Target 2 engaged in nothing but that such is Provo speak continue to be opposed Peaceful Protestors scaremongering it was for the glorification of their by TUV. telling that he did not terrorists. challenge the assertion The Myth of IRA 2 Decommissioning TUV Hold Meeting with Chief Constable over Flag Protests

Sinn Fein Exposed 2 Commenting on a recent Frazer, with no record, he has driven loyalist/ meeting with Matt Baggot, appeared on petty PSNI relations to a new Jim Allister MLA stated: sessions charges. In low and act now by particular, I challenged desisting from such a New TUV Councillor 3 “I had a straight-talking how in a democracy the biased approach to bail for Ballymena meeting with the Chief PSNI could have the and parades, where Constable and ACC Kerr. audacity to frame a bail policing tactics seem to European Day for 3 objection on the basis that be dictated by the political “I warned that the present the accused, if released, connotations.” Victims of Terrorism partiality in policing is might talk to the press! I risking an irreversible enquired if the Chief Jim Allister concluded: Provo Murderer 3 disconnect between the Constable would like to “I do not condone, rather I Promoted to MLA PSNI and a significant arrest me on that basis? section of the unionist abhor violence and community. “I‟m afraid the answers accept law breakers on Corporation Tax 4 were few and far an even-handed basis I focused strongly on the between, but at least the should be pursued, but police approach to bail, Chief Constable was left what we‟ve seen in recent contrasting the „no in no doubt about the times is political policing objection‟ stance when anger over the reality – of a most destabilising Sean Hughes appeared not the mere perception – nature. As we head into on terrorist charges and of partiality in policing. the difficult summer the strenuous objection, months the Chief Consta- on ludicrous grounds, “The Chief Constable ble has much ground to when IRA victim, William needs to face up to how recover.” “Monstrous and Unwarranted Invasion of Privacy in Broughshane” North Antrim MLA Jim Allis- was only briefly blocked, with Supt Sean Wright, who ter has condemned the PSNI the consent of the senior heads this investigation, publication of photographs of PSNI officer present and to needs to catch himself on.” Broughshane flag protestors. whom I spoke in this regard. “The most rousing There was no violence, Concluding, Jim Allister said: orator on the night was Jim Allister explained: threats or intimidation, rather TUV leader Jim Allister” a dignified protest was held, "I will be again protesting to "The decision by the PSNI to which I addressed. the Chief Constable about Ulster Herald on release photographs of this matter, particularly after Castderg Flag Protest peaceful protestors, from an Jim Allister continued: a weekend when we've seen event in Broughshane on 15 a gunman fire shots at a December 2012, is a "I am therefore outraged that republican demonstration, monstrous and unwarranted a second batch of children dressed up as invasion of their privacy. photographs of participants terrorists and several have been released in a unnotified parades. I see or "This was a wholly peaceful press release which speaks hear of no police action protest, which I attended, of investigating serious about these matters. Clearly, and which was conducted offending and disorder. the law abiding citizens of throughout with the assent of There was no such disorder Broughshane are seen as an the police present. The road in Broughshane. Detective easier touch."

Rocket Launcher Find Raises Serious Questions Over “Decommissioning”

Commenting on the recent that the IRA originated from. The "The Member continually find of a rocket launcher decommissioned all their preservation of the “peace raises issues knowing fine Jim Allister MLA stated: weapons! process” cannot trump the well it can create many, need for truth and justice. many problems in the “If initial reports that the “Since the supposed Coming hard on the heels Chamber..." rocket launcher found in a decommissioning we have of what looked very like house in west Belfast had discoveries of semtex an IRA punishment William Hay MLA, prove to be correct there and weapons which have shooting it is high time Assembly Speaker. are serious questions been linked to the IRA. that those who partner which demand an answer Today we appear to have Sinn Fein/IRA in about the IRA‟s supposed had an IRA rocket launch- government faced up to decommissioning. er discovered in the Sinn some very uncomfortable Fein/IRA heartland of questions.” “If it was indeed a Russian West Belfast. made RPG7 then it seems reasonable to assume that Jim Allister continued: they were part of those brought to Northern “The security services Ireland by the IRA in need to come clean on shipments from Libya in this issue and tell us the 1980s. Yet we are told exactly where the RPG

Sinn Fein Contempt for all things British Exposed...Again! “The Bill is a test, therefore, of Northern Irish governance, Northern Irish In response to a written the City and indeed aversion to all things British, democracy and the kind of question by Jim Allister MLA, throughout including the vitalisation of values that we, in Northern Sinn Fein have yet again given the iconic status of Londonderry which flowed Ireland, are seen to been found wanting. Londonderry, the heroic from the Royal Charter, has cherish.” defence of the city three dictated that the Stormont Jim Allister MLA explained: quarter of a century later Executive will ignore this Dr Máire Braniff of the having inspired generations pivotal event and its 400th University of Ulster on Jim “This year marks the 400th of Ulster Protestants. anniversary. Allister SPAD Bill anniversary of King James I granting a Charter to “It is shameful therefore that “This is particularly offensive Londonderry which declared Sinn Fein controlled DCAL is given that Londonderry holds "that the city or town of failing to celebrate this the title of UK City of Culture Derry, for ever hereafter be momentous occasion, a fact this year. The fact that this and shall be named and which has been confirmed to coincides with the 400th called the city of me in a written answer from anniversary of the granting of Londonderry." the Minister. the City‟s charter should be cause of major celebration. “This was a pivotal event in Jim Allister continued: Yet it is obvious that Sinn the history of Londonderry Fein bigotry has prevented and is particularly important “Patently Sinn Fein's this from being the case.” to the Unionist community of TUV Congratulates Newly Co-Opted Councillor

Timothy Gaston has been "As a Ballymena Councillor I of Timothy Gaston TUV co-opted to represent the Leader and local MLA Jim will prioritise my work to TUV on Ballymena Council Allister stated: rejuvenate the fledging town

centre. It is evident that Commenting on his selection business rates need to be “Timothy will join Ballymena as the TUV Councillor for Council as the borough‟s urgently reviewed and that Ballymena South Timothy youngest Councillor and as Invest NI need to be held Gaston stated: such will bring a fresh ap- accountable for the lack of

investment offered to the proach to the chamber which “It is an honour and privilege will complement the vast town. to have been selected to experience offered by Coun- represent the TUV in cillor Roy Gillespie. "I pledge to work alongside Timothy Gaston is Ballymena Council. our Party Leader Jim "Ballymena deserves com- welcomed to Ballymena Allister MLA and Cllr Roy "TUV is a principled Party mitted public represent- Council by Jim Allister MLA Gillespie for the betterment committed to democracy and atives who will dedicate and Cllr Roy Gillispie of Ballymena and Northern we believe it is therefore Ireland.” themselves to the improve- essential for that if Northern ment of the borough. I have

Ireland is to work effectively no doubt that Timothy is wor- Commenting on the selection it must benefit from an official thy of that task.” opposition in Stormont.

Second European Day for Victims of Terrorism

On 11th March TUV Leader until last year, this day had “I am very grateful to the two Jim Allister hosted the never been marked at ladies who told their stories second European Day for Stormont. I rectified this very movingly and I know Victims of Terrorism at situation last year by hosting that the event was felt to be Stormont. an event at which victims of worthwhile by those in Republican and self-styled attendance. Describing the event Jim Loyalist terrorism were Allister MLA commented: allowed to tell their stories. A "I am also grateful to Alban similar event took place this Maginness MLA and Mike “This month I hosted the year with over 80 victims of Nesbitt MLA for joining me in second event to take place at terrorism in attendance. sponsoring this worthy Stormont marking the event.” Jim Allister pictured on European Day for Victims of “A moments silence was European Day for victims of Terrorism. observed in memory of those terrorism with Florence who lost their lives before we Graham & Ann Service Every year since the Madrid heard from Florence Graham bombings in 2004 the who lost her brother in an European Union has IRA bombing and dedicated 11th March as a Ann Service whose son was Memorial Day to the victims murdered by “loyalist” of terrorist attacks. Sadly, gunmen.

Another Provo Appointed by Sinn Fein / IRA

TUV Leader, Jim Allister the RUC‟s “three most publican terrorism was MLA has again wanted list” and spent justified. This appointment demonstrated the time in jail in the Republic demonstrates, once symbolic relationship before being arrested in again, Sinn Fein‟s utter between Sinn Fein and Lurgan in 1977 and contempt for the victims of their IRA terrorist twin: receiving a life sentence the IRA. It makes a for the murder of a UDR nonsense of McGuinness “The decision of Sinn member. pretending in his weekend Fein/IRA to co-opt speech that he was convicted murderer Ian Jim Allister continued: interested in SF Appoint Murdering Milne to fill Francie understanding Unionists Milne to Assembly Molloy‟s Assembly seat “Rather than attempting to and illustrates that Sinn illustrates yet again how leave terrorism behind Fein/IRA are still in the wedded the party remains appointments by Sinn business of rewarding to terrorism. Fein in recent times have those who, in their shown that the party language, spent time on “Milne once featured on continues to believe Re- "active service".

TUV Position on Unionist Unity Addressing the TUV government would have embraced the Belfast would be the route to West Tyrone Association, no one to vote for if only Agreement there is very go. And, if they need TUV Leader Jim Allister DUP and UUP candi- little in policy terms to any tips my fees are reflected on the future of dates were on offer and distinguish them and so most reasonable! Unionist Unity following in consequence the their fusion would carry the Mid-Ulster By- overall unionist vote a certain logic. But if Jim Allister concluded: Election: would suffer. they do there will still be a need for, indeed a "I am somewhat "It was indisputably right "So inter unionist greater need, for an anti bemused by Mike that there should have cooperation requires terrorists in government Nesbitt's plea for DUP been a single unionist different forms unionist alternative. So, transfers in the candidate in Mid Ulster. according to the nature TUV has no thoughts of European election. Has of the election: in first going away anytime he forgotten it was not However whereas past the post (only soon! DUP transfers that agreed candidates, if Westminster) agreed brought Jim Nicholson attainable, make sense in candidates make sense Jim Allister continued: in as the top unionist in marginal seats in in marginal seats, but in 2009! Hitching his Westminster elections, PR elections multiplicity "Absorption by the DUP wagon to the DUP may there is no read over to of choice, with inter is the inevitable logic of not pay the same PR elections, where the unionist transfers, is the the UUP being DUP lite. dividend. luxury of choice key. If they wanted to inevitably maximises the prosper, then, I would In June 2014 I don't unionist vote and where "Whether the UUP and have thought expect DUP and UUP to the general unionist DUP should merge, that distinguishing be the only unionists on interest is served by inter is a matter for them, themselves from the offer." unionist transfers. though, I would larger party was the comment that in truth obvious way to go and Certainly in any election since the DUP stole in that forging an to Stormont those of us Trimble's clothes and opposition in Stormont who oppose terrorists in

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Corporation Tax was a Major Mis-Calculation Responding to Prime corporation tax should not Welsh budget. Additionally, devolving corporation tax Minister Cameron‟s decision be devolved to the Welsh the report notes a point to the Welsh Government not to lower NI Corporation Assembly should act as a which should resonate with would necessarily be a Tax, Jim Allister MLA warning to Northern Ireland. all Unionists: “ useful policy lever.” commented: “The Welsh Government Many have noted to us that “There is a negative side “While the First Ministers also told the Commission: having a single corporation of devolving corporation would have us believe their “Devolution of corporation tax system makes the tax and the very failure to get corporation tax tax could offer the Welsh United Kingdom an substantial risks involved transferred to Stormont is a Government a powerful tool attractive destination for which have been too long step backwards the reality is to promote economic international investment. ignored by the media and that it is the best decision development, but this is a This would be put at risk by the political establishment for Northern Ireland. While volatile tax which is strongly having different systems in in Stormont. the vested interest of big linked to the economic different parts of the United business rests solely in cycle. There would Kingdom. This point was "For years Stormont has reducing their tax bill the therefore be significant made strongly to us by CBI wasted its energies in corresponding haemorrhage budgetary risks to Wales and True Wales who chasing this moonbeam. In from the block grant which Wales that would need to argued that inward a gross miscalculation they everyone in Northern be mitigated in any investors placed great pursued no other Ireland would suffer through proposal for devolution”. importance on a stable and economic approach and a cut in public services predictable business now it's back to the needs to be considered. “The Silk Commission also environment and that drawing board." notes that because of the corporation tax rates play a “The recommendation by Azores judgment in the key part in this. the Silk Commission in European Court there are November last year that significant risks to the It is therefore not clear that