Stormont Snippets

Delivering Accountability Closure at Causeway will lead to Crisis

Jan 2012 he is driving a programme of Mr. Allister explained: Issue 6 closure which will force the Board's hand. When I asked “At a meeting I called for the Trust to fight tenaciously to him if he anticipated an acute hospital in Coleraine in 5 retain full acute services at years time, he failed to Coleraine, I expressed the fear that services were being run answer. down as a prelude to TUV leader Jim Allister MLA "I detect a plan to shut down downgrading. In particular, I has expressed the view that a challenged why so many acute services in Coleraine. In plan is afoot to downgrade the unfilled consultant posts Causeway Hospital and rob it part it will be done by a programme of run-down and existed at the Causeway, with of its acute status, something huge reliance on locums, all failing to appoint staff to key which he said would be of which is suggestive of disastrous for the North Coast posts, all designed to induce non-viability. Two years ago I undermining long term and much of North Antrim. commitment to retention of it warned the Department was as a major acute hospital. In a statement Mr. Allister planning to close the A & E department. It was denied said: "I left the Chief Executive in no then, but under this Review the roadmap to robbing North doubt that such would be "The Compton Report, which unacceptable and that this Inside this issue: Antrim and East Londonderry Minister Poots endorses, large swathe of the north of anticipates reducing the of vital services is much clearer. the Province must not be de- Delivery Demanded 2 number of acute hospitals to nuded of acute services. at Castle Tower as low as 5. With one, probably two, inevitably in "I was disappointed that the School "I will be observing with inter- Belfast, another in East Londonderry MP, Gregory Campbell, though present in est just how proactive the Londonderry and one in the Northern Trust is in retaining the Assembly when the Fix Finvoy Park 2 west, how is the rest of the this vital service. The DUP Province going to be catered Compton review was debated, did not speak up in defence of Minister may wish to rob for, especially the north of the Ballymoney, Coleraine and the acute services in Coleraine." Province? north coast of its present level

Coastguard 2 Mr. Allister has also met with of hospital service, but the "When I asked the minister the Chief Executive of the local people, I believe, are Concerns about the closure of A&E Northern Trust regarding the equally determined that he services at Coleraine he tried future of the Causeway will not succeed." to cop out of saying it was a hospital. InvestNI spending 3 matter for the Board to scrutinized decide, but the reality is that Remembering the Teebane Massacre

How Hain Tamed 3 January marked the 20th accountable for this episode democrats to add their names the DUP lion commemoration of the of mass murder. Families still to the motion. Teebane massacre in which 8 grieve. It would, I thought, Protestant workmen were have been fitting for the "The motion reads: This murdered by the IRA . Jim Stormont Assembly to mark Assembly, noting the 20th Allister raises 3 Allister had sought to raise the the occasion and empathise commemoration of the IRA Boston Tapes at issue as a „matter for the day‟ with the huge loss of the massacre at Teebane, Stormont in the Assembly chamber but families. conveys support to the the Speaker refused his grieving families; expresses request. "Having failed to secure deep disappointment and consideration under SO 24, I dissatisfaction that no Nua-DUP and the 4 then tabled the motion so convictions have resulted Commenting Jim Allister said, GAA that at least it stands on the from this atrocity and calls on "Teebane was among the record, even if the DUP/Sinn the public, including any most dastardly of many IRA Fein Business Committee member of this House, with attacks on innocent civilians. never permit it to be debated. relevant information to No one has ever been made I would encourage other provide it to the police." Allister Demands Delivery at Castle Tower School

Following a visit to Castle 268 pupils and staff scattered ities in which they have to Tower School in Ballymena, over 3 sites, Loughan, “It’s good in any context operate are so deficient that local MLA Jim Allister has Beechgrove and Dunfane, is to have somebody who their replacement should be a called for delivery of the long wholly impracticable, with the goes against the grain. If priority for the Department of outstanding promise of situation compounded by the Education. I will be pressing you disagree or even if provision of a new build which deficiencies of these aged the department accordingly. you are the object of his would combine the present sites, especially Loughan attack it forces you to three scattered sites onto the where even on site profoundly "Frankly, when I think of the examine what you are one site at Trostan Avenue. disabled children have to be squander of resources which I moved outside through the saying”. witness at Stormont - like an Speaking after the visit, Jim elements to get from one part 18% increase this year alone Jude Collins Allister said: of the building to another. by OFMDFM on its own admin- (Guardian) istration and £100m being "You could not visit this school "The present facilities are pa- wasted over this budgetary and not be impressed by the tently not fit for purpose, as period on useless north/south immense dedication of the amply demonstrated in the bodies, and unspent millions staff, who do marvellous work Inspector's report. These are by Invest NI - it makes me with such a range of special young people who are getting angry that real and deserving needs young people, and the the absolute best of care and need such as exists at Castle urgent need for adequate and attention from their teachers Tower is not being met." modern facilities. Having the and support staff, but the facil- “He is constantly Interrogating and TUV: Time to Fix Finvoy Park demanding and he annoys everyone but you Cllr William Blair has urged explaining that their local play The through-road and the play need annoyance, you Ballymoney Borough Council park presented a risk to any park are severely neglected need him on their case…. to prioritise the neglected child that played in it. and the Council must act Finvoy Play Park and to Residents complained that the In the absence of an urgently to ensure that the address safety and equipment in the play park park is refurbished and the opposition you need Jim accessibility concerns. was rusted and that the through-road appropriately to be asking these awk- ground is surfaced with coarse serviced.” The children‟s Park at Finvoy ward questions”. stones could cause an injury if has fallen into a state of a child was to fall. Cllr Blair has also revealed disrepair and when Cllr Blair that TUV Leader Jim Allister visited the site he discovered On a visit to the site last Friday MLA has already written to the Fionola Meredith that it was inaccessible via the I discovered that the access Council regarding the Finvoy through-road which was road to the park was flooded. (Speaking on Radio Park and has explained that flooded. Not only would the flooding he hopes to avail of an Ulster) present a risk to any child opportunity to discuss the Cllr Blair stated: attempting to access the park matter at a meeting of the “I was recently contacted by but it also impacting on an Council. residents from Finvoy adjacent property. TUV raise concern about Coastguard closure

“His contribution is Moyle Councillor Sharon Ballycastle after discovering operators, regardless of where McKillop (TUV) has sought that the Clyde station is used they are based, will connect to invaluable at reassurances that the safety when the Belfast Coastguard these data centres and be Stormont”. of people relying on the station needs to communicate able to use whichever radio Ballycastle Coastguard Rescue with resources in the resources they require at that Hugh Jordan Team will not be compromised Ballycastle area. time. by the imminent closure of a The Coastguard at Ballycastle coastguard station at Clyde. Owing to the geography the Ballycastle station sometimes and throughout Northern Commenting Cllr McKillop communicates via the Clyde. Ireland performs a vital role stated; and I therefore trust that the The Coastguard Agency have new infrastructure will be in “The closure of the Clyde sta- now assured me that future place before the closure of the tion was announced in architecture will mean that all Clyde station to maintain a December and since then I the remote radio sites such as quality service in Ballycastle have investigated any Ballycastle will be connected and Northern Ireland.” implications the closure may into two main data have upon operations in centres. Coastguard Allister Challenges InvestNI on £39 Million Underspend and £200 a Plate Function

Jim Allister MLA has followed by a Van Morrison To ask the Minister of discovered through questions concert which cost £200 a Enterprise, Trade and to Arlene Foster, Minister for head stuck me a grossly Investment what has been the Enterprise that InvestNI excessive. total spend on hospitality by recently spent taxpayers InvestNI in each of the last five “Of course there is a place for money on a champagne years. hospitality but it is vital – in a dinner costing £200 per time of economic downturn – Invest NI supports and hosts a person. that taxpayers see their money number of marketing and Commenting on the lavish is not being squandered. promotional events each year expenses MLA Jim Allister that form a very important “This lavish use of public stated: element of Invest NI‟s agreed funds is unacceptable and in sales strategy. The provision “A few weeks ago I an age of austerity restraint In January Jim Allister of hospitality at such events clashed with DEL Min- commented on the fact that must be reflected across forms part of this and provides ister over plans to publically funded bodies – InvestNI spent over £4,000 on an essential means of Merge Stranmillis with including InvestNI.” a single event for 14 interacting with key global St. Mary's representatives. The five Mr Allister‟s question and the decision makers in order to course meal preceded by a answer received were as attract new investment. champagne reception and follows:

Hain Reveals Tactics Used to Tame the DUP Lion

Former Secretary of State lion. the Belfast Agreement – Peter Hain has revealed the something which Hain claims tactics deployed by the “Mr Hain makes it obvious Peter Robinson told him was that he identified a series of Labour Party to secure the St. causing consternation within Andrews agreement. weak links in the party. the DUP Assembly group and According to Hain the ego of the party‟s officials and Commenting on the tactics Ian Paisley senior was fed by support staff. which included offering Peter way of flattery while Ian Pais- Robinson and Jeffery Don- ley Jnr‟s hunger for power was “Any impartial observer will aldson Chelsea Football tick- also indulged. Additionally, a hardly regard what the former In January Peter Hain revealed how he tamed ets Jim Allister stated: key part of Hain‟s plan to Secretary of State has to say the DUP Lion persuade the DUP to accept as a glowing list of compelling “Press reports of the contents mandatory coalition with the reasons for public of Peter Hain‟s memoirs pro- IRA‟s political wing was a representatives to cut a deal vide a telling insight into just threat to stop paying MLAs for the good of the electorate! how the Blair Government unless they agreed to operate St Andrews had a great deal to went about taming the DUP Allister Raises Boston College Tapes at Stormont

Jim Allister MLA has urged the “No one would seriously argue the release of the archive to Justice Minister to support the that the interviews should the PSNI so that it can be used PSNI in their pursuit for the remain locked away because in the tackling of unsolved „Boston Tapes‟. of assurances given to the terrorist crimes. criminals. In a Statement Jim Allister “We hear much talk about explained: “I believe that it is incumbent Sinn Fein/IRA‟s supposed upon the Justice Minister to do Damascus Road conversion to “The on-going saga all he can to assist and support for justice and the rule surrounding tapes of support the police in their of law. Will the Business Com- interviews conducted with In January Jim Allister efforts to recover these tapes. mittee allow this motion to terrorists has rightly outraged urged Justice Minister Yet he has yet to so much as reach the floor of the House so many innocent victims. to support release of declare his support for the that all of Northern Ireland can Imagine if these had been Boston tapes to the release of the entire archive to see if they support the PSNI interviews conducted with PSNI the PSNI. when it comes to solving some Nazis who talked candidly of the countless cases where about their role in the mass “I have tabled a motion which their colleagues until now murder of Jews, saying things would enable the Assembly to literally got away with which incriminated both demonstrate its support for murder?” themselves and others.

Nua-DUP and the GAA

Nelson McCausland likewise in Armagh the called after them in south lavished £60m on the GAA Michael McVerry cup Londonderry, where terrorist as Sports Minister last year honours a terrorist shot Francis Hughes has a trophy and now Peter Robinson while bombing Keady Police named after him. happily sits under the Station; the Gerard and “Once these things tricolour to watch two Martin Harte Memorial cup mattered – indeed at one teams play whose county celebrates in Tyrone IRA time Nelson McCausland Jim Allister MLA has claimed officials boycotted the brothers shot by the SAS; made an empty threat to that Nationalists, never mind Queen‟s visit to Croke Park! the Loughgall bombers are withdraw GAA funding Unionists, could be forgiven celebrated with the Paddy because of these calculated for wondering what the DUP‟s “Moreover the GAA from Kelly cup played for in insults to innocent victims – real position is on the Counties Tyrone and Dungannon; the GAA Park in but now his leader can sit politically driven GAA. Londonderry, and Armagh Dromintee, south Armagh is oblivious to all this to cheer where the match was named after IRA members Commenting on Peter on teams from counties played, are among the most Jim Lochrie and Sean Robinsons visit to a GAA which epitomise the ease ardent in glorying dead Campbell who were killed match Jim Allister explained: with which the GAA terrorists – the hurling club when a land mine exploded celebrates IRA terror. “A few weeks ago Ian McCrea in Dungiven is named after prematurely; IRA members, MLA rejoiced in defeat for hunger striker Kevin Lynch; Bateson, Sheridan, and Lee, “Where will the leader of Tyrone, Gregory Campbell another hunger striker, who blew themselves up as Nua DUP go next? Is a Gay regularly, and properly, Martin Hurson, is they primed a bomb, Pride parade on the objects to multiple GAA celebrated every year in intended for the centre of agenda?” grounds being named in Tyrone through a memorial Magherafelt in the early 70s, honour of IRA terrorists, but cup named in his honour; have a yearly GAA event

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Allister Thanks Respondents to Special Adviser Consultation

The TUV have been will show support for the consultation on the public who have so overwhelmed by the public Travers family who have Cohesion, Sharing and Inte- magnificantly played their support offered to Jim suffered so much as a result gration Strategy resulted in part, now, shortly it will be Allister‟s private members of Sinn Fein/IRA‟s heartless just 285 replies. over to the MLAs. It is bill on SPADs appointment.” incumbent upon all “Response were received democrats to see to it that In a statement TUV leader “I am delighted to say that from organisations, includ- these proposals make it on and North Antrim MLA Jim the response has been ing some political parties but to the statute book so that a Allister expressed his overwhelming. In total, 818 the vast majority came from great wrong can be righted." gratitude: responses were received. Of ordinary members of the those, over 98% supported public who were disgusted “Last October, accompanied the vast majority of my by the appointment of by Ann Travers, I launched proposals. convicted murderer Mary the consultation process as McArdle to such a post. the first stage of a Bill to ban “To receive 818 responses people convicted of serious to a consultation on a pro- "The next stage in the offences from holding the posed private members bill process is to consult further position of Special Adviser. really is remarkable. HM with the Assembly's Bill At the time I said: “I would Government‟s national Office on some finer details appeal to people across consultation on the devolu- before seeking the authority Northern Ireland to respond tion of corporation tax to of the Speaker's Office for to the consultation on the Stormont attracted “over the Bill to be formally Bill. Every response which is 700” responses according drafted. received in support of these to the Treasury‟s website proposals – be it from an while OFMdFM‟s high profile “I am very grateful to the organisation or individual –