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'.