Stormont Snippets Delivering Accountability

Allister Defends RUC Athletic Association “It is evident that those who Chief Constable Kerr to come supported stripping the last clean and tell us something he March 2012 trace of the RUC from the failed to address in his letter Issue 8 PSNI found that members of covered in today‟s News Letter the Royal Ulster Constabulary – where did the threat to the who faced down terrorists are RUCAA‟s funding come from? not easily threatened. Those TUV has welcomed the who supported change – as “In his letter of 6th March he decision to withdraw a this morning‟s News Letter claimed that: “In blunt terms, a perceived unwillingness on controversial proposal to makes clear – were fully in- rename the RUC Athletic tending to push ahead with the part of the Association to Association. their plans. change to the more generic “Police Athletic Association Earlier this month, Assistant “The RUC served with Northern Ireland” may result Chief Constable Will Kerr, who distinction throughout the in a failure to secure the is also chairman of the terrorist campaign of the grants on which this association, wrote to Troubles and many of its Association is financially members, claiming that members sacrificed their lives dependent”. keeping RUC in the title "may for Northern Ireland. The result in the failure to secure stripping of the RUC‟s name “Yet no threat seems ever to have existed. the grants on which this and badge was an issue which association is financially caused huge hurt to the men “And while ACC Kerr can write dependent". and women who served in its letters to the press he has yet ranks. This attempt to erase TUV leader Jim Allister said he to answer a letter which I sent the last remnants of its name was pleased that the to him three weeks ago asking from the PSNI‟s structures, preposterous proposition had him to spell out why he wrote therefore, understandably been rejected. to RUCAA members in such a provoked anger among many threating way. members, some of whom Inside this issue: “The decision of those behind moves to change the name of contacted me. “Others within the PSNI who the Royal Ulster Constabulary claimed that a failure to “From what I am told there Athletics Association to change the name could result Allister Demands a 2 were a lot of questions from withdraw their motion is in the loss of an RUC Fair Deal on Ferry the floor which could not be testament to the fact that memorial window also need to Prices answered by the proposers of members of the RUC are still apologise for their blatant the motion but it is now attends at emotional Allister comments 2 courageous individuals who incumbent upon Assistant blackmail.” on Moy Park job refuse to be bullied. losses in Ballymena European Day For Victims of Terrorism Allister challenges 2 Mervyn Storey and TUV leader Jim Allister MLA who travelled from all over the people. North Antrim DUP has hosted the first event in Province to attend, some Northern Ireland to mark the coming a great distance. “Terrorism never was and Executive's 3 European Day designated to never can be justified. Nor £400,000 Contract remember of victims of “From the comments after the should there be any attempt for Photos Terrorism. event it was clear to me that to rewrite history so as to they felt the event was suggest that there is some A5 could go millions 3 Speaking after the event worthwhile. parallel between victims and over budget which was held in the senate victim makers.” chamber at Stormont Jim “I am especially grateful to the Allister stated: three victims who told their Jim Allister MLA has further explained that he hopes to Executive Spends 3 stories – Stephen Gault, Mark “It was an honour to host the mark the European Day for Kelly and Sammy Heenan. £4.5 Million on first event to be held in Victims of Terrorism in future Parliament Buildings marking Hearing the voice of innocent Wining and Dining years. the European Day for Victims victims is essential and of Terrorism. I am especially reminds us of the horrendous grateful to the many victims cost of terrorism to ordinary Allister Disappointed by DETI Disinterest in Fair Deal on Ferry Prices

“The row (RUCAA) Jim Allister MLA recently wrote around £200. the Minister for Enterprise, became public earlier to the Consumer Council Trade and Investment Arlene this month after expressing my concerns about “While the markets in England Foster has not so much as and the Continent are much members of the the high price of traveling by discussed the issue with her association contacted ferry between Northern Ireland larger than those in Northern Scottish counterparts and both the News Letter and and Great Britain. Ireland and Scotland this huge seems totally disinterested in TUV leader Jim Allister. difference is simply seeking to obtain a fair deal Mr Robinson’s Mr Allister explained: unacceptable. for ferry passengers. intervention has echoes “I was advised that the “In a report published last year of his move to block the “Ferry travel is essential for Consumer Council had traced the Consumer Council removal of the Royal Northern Ireland consumers the cost of travel on ferry recommended that the insignia from the and industry. It plays a vital Northern Ireland Prison services from Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Executive in role in supporting the Northern Service last year, after and that during July, August conjunction with the Scottish Ireland economy by facilitating the issue was highlighted and September 2011 the Executive and the Department trade and tourism – both of by Mr Allister.” average fare for a family of of Transport should examine which are key concerns for four travelling with a car the potential for reducing the Mrs Foster‟s department. In- Sam McBride, between Northern Ireland and cost to consumers of Irish Sea deed according to DRD Newsletter Scotland with Stena Line was ferry services. Transport Statistics 2.2 million £261.06 and with P&O was “I am therefore surprised and passengers travelled from £268.58. By comparison the Northern Ireland on Irish Sea” average cost of travel between disappointed to learn by way of an Assembly answer that services in 2010. Dover and Dunkirk with DFDS ““How are you going to was £67.57 – a difference of emulate the opposition of Jim Allister who single Allister comments on Moy Park job losses in Ballymena handedly is puncturing the It has emerged that Moy Park O'Kane plant in Ballymena is a operation, I am assured that First and deputy First may shed a number of major blow. This represents this is a one off realignment. I Ministers’ Office almost manager posts later this year something of the order of a trust it will indeed not lead to weekly, dragging, forcing, from the company‟s 15% cut in staff jobs, which is further job losses. forensically challenging and Ballymena factory. substantial by any standard. "At the time of the Moy Park delivering crucial pieces of In a statement by North Antrim "I can understand seasonal takeover of O'Kanes there information? How are you TUV MLA Jim Allister swings in this industry at the were assurances of job going to emulate? Where’s expressed his shock and factory floor level, as demand security and continuity. So, to the power block or brain disappointment following the ebbs and flows, but an end to now find 19 senior staff being within your party to do revelation: 19 long established staff jobs made redundant is a most that?” is a worrying sign. Having unwelcome development in "Today's announcement of 19 spoken today to senior respect of one of our major job losses at management/ management in the Ballymena employers in North Antrim." Eamonn Mallie talking to staff level in the former the UUP’s John McAllister Allister challenges Mervyn Storey and North Antrim DUP on GAA

Ballymoney DUP Mayor and honour the 'Soldier's "I know the progressive trend recently declared his support Song' on his further mission to in the DUP's embracing of all for the Loughgiel Hurling Club. support Loughgiel hurlers, the things gaelic - to the point question now is whether DUP where they can now stand for The Mayors declaration members in North Antrim, who the Soldier's Song - is causing follows a decision earlier this have been muttering disap- unease at grassroots level. It's “Sinn Fein says it’s nothing year by DUP leader Peter provingly of the Mayor's ac- time the party's elected repre- to do with any pressure. Robinson to attend a GAA tions, will publicly say what sentatives in the constituency But Jim Allister has a game. they are saying privately. declared themselves. member’s bill that would In a statement Jim Allister has have been retrospective” asked if DUP MLA Mervyn "I challenge local MLA Mervyn "The lyrics of the 'Soldier's Songs' make its espousal of Storey will be supporting any Storey to say where he stands on this issue. Is he with Cllr violence against the British Ann Travers, future GAA games:- Stevenson - if so, maybe he'll very clear. It glorifies rebellion. Belfast Telegraph "With Cllr Ian Stevenson taking even go with him - or is he If Cllr Stevenson and the DUP the DUP's engagement with against such political are now comfortable to honour gaelic games to a new level, posturing and pandering? it, then it says all one needs to by now declaring he will stand know about 'Nua DUP'. Allister Expresses Shock at Executive's £400,000 Contract for Photos

Jim Allister MLA has revealed services” on 26th January this something of substance for that the Executive has spent a year. the community was recently massive £400,000 on con- demonstrated on the floor of “So while Ministers float the tracts for photographs. the Assembly when the DETI idea of stripping pensioners of Minister responded to my Statement by TUV leader Jim their bus passes to save probing about the exclusion of Allister: money they can find the best the 12th and Scarva from a part of half a million pounds to Northern Ireland Tourist Board “Peter Robinson recently get photographs taken of showcase by telling me that lamented Stormont‟s lack of themselves! her photograph was in a Royal control of the media in spite of TUV Leader Jim Allister Black Institution calendar. the fact that the Executive “It is testament to the colossal welcomes victims to Stormont to mark the spends almost five million a scale of Stormont‟s failures “The next time members of ‘European Day for Victims‘ year on press officers. that such amounts have to be the public see a Minister for lavished on PR in order to photo ops beaming out of the “Today we learn that Stormont make it appear as if they are paper at them they will no awarded an “estimated” actually doing something. The doubt remember that they £400,000 contract split fact that Ministers equate paid handsomely for the between six firms for the getting their photograph taken privilege.” “provision of photography with actually delivering

A5 could go millions over budget

TUV Leader Jim Allister has contractors can be held. leaving the £330m looking questioned if the £330m very much like a guess, not an figure announced for the A5 Commenting on the Assembly actual reliable figure. project is accurate. Answer received from the Minister, Jim Allister said, “This is no way to spend public This follows confirmation to money. Such an open cheque “I find it astounding that in the MLA by the DRD Minister approach may suit the that though contractual agree- such huge commitments of contractors, but it is no ments exist with two contrac- public funds there is no comfort for the paying public. Jim Allister MLA reveals protection for the taxpayer in tors, there is no contract price the extent of the included in either. In fact, the form of a fixed and known “The more I see and hear Executive ego as „target costs‟ will be agreed in contract price. At best there about the A5 project, the more will be aspirational targets, £400,000 is spent on advance of construction, but I am appalled with how it is photographers there will be no definitive leaving the taxpayer at the being handled.” contract price to which the mercy of rising costs and

Executive Spends £4.5 Million on Wining and Dining

Jim Allister MLA has dining since 2006. higher. I already know from a discovered that the Executive previous answer that Invest NI has spent £4.5 million on “In one year alone (2008/09) alone, for example, spent £2m hospitality over the past five Northern Ireland taxpayers in just 5 years. years. contributed £1,228,533 to the cost of hospitality by govern- “Yes, there has been a Commenting on the ment departments. That measure of reduction in revelations Mr Allister means that the Northern Ire- spending of late but across explained: land Executive was spending, the departments the squander

on average of over £3,000 a is still far too high. “The public will no doubt be day on hospitality. It is still shocked to learn that over the spending nearly £10,000 per “These figures demonstrate Ian Stevenson past five years four and a half week. once again just how out of declares his support million pounds of their money touch Stormont is with the for Gaelic hurling has been spent by government “It is also noteworthy that needs of ordinary people – departments on hospitality. most departments did not particularly at a time when The worst offender is the Of- include hospitality provided by many are finding themselves fice of the Joint First Ministers their arms-length bodies when out of work or suffering pay which has spent an astonish- responding to my question. So cuts”. ing £826,760 on wining and the overall figure will be much Obituary to Pastor Stewart Dunlop

the reading of Holy Scripture. Cullybackey Elim before the Lord led Stewart to the Stewart was held in the Church of God in highest esteem by all within Ballymoney. the TUV and his warm smile and words of Being a local man, Stewart encouragement will be sadly was asked to head up the missed by all that were formation of the Church and privileged to call him their pioneer the work in the friend. Ballymena area. That was in 1993 and for a time Stewart Stewart was also the continued in his employment founding Pastor of - for many years he had Ballymena‟s Church of God The officers and members of been associated with Nicholl and had only recently retired the TUV regret the passing Bros. and Moore Electrics - after 18 dedicated years of away of our much loved before his ordination to the service to the Church. Chaplain Pastor Stewart Ballymena congregation in A native of Cullybackey, Dunlop. 1999. Stewart gave his life to the Stewart was a loyal member Lord as an 11-year-old boy The officers and members of of the TUV and worked and began preaching when the TUV assure his wife Isa, tirelessly for the Party. he was 15. daughter Sonya and grand- Stewart opened all central children Lauren and Gavin of Later in life, Stewart was for committee meetings in prayer our thoughts and prayers at many years a member of and every Party conference in this time.

38 Henry Street 1 Charles Street Parliament Buildings Ballymena Ballymoney Stormont BT42 3AH BT53 6DZ BT4 3XX

T: 028 25640250 T: 028 27238393 T: 028 90521175 E: [email protected]

TUV Two Tie the Knot

The officers and members of the TUV wish to congratulate two Party officers on their recent weddings.

Party Vice-Chair and Lagan Valley Chairman Keith Harbinson was first to tie the knot in March to Laura Johnston.

Keith was quickly followed by Party Press officer Samuel Morrison who wed Esther Curry on Easter Tuesday.

We wish both couples a happy future together and hope that both Keith and Sammy will still be allowed to attend central committee meetings!