Turascáil Bulletin SinnAn Fómhar 2014 Féin Upper Bann Sinn Féin Sinn Féin Uachtar na Banna www.upperbannsf.com MINISTER JOHN O’DOWD MLA - ONWARDS AND UPWARDS - PULLING EDUCATION FORWARD P10 MARTINA ANDERSON MEP TOPS EURO POLL P6/7

SUPPORTING THE PEOPLE OF GAZA - SAOIRSE DON PHALAISTÍN P12 1ST EVER SF DEPUTY MAYORS

PIC: Cllr Catherine Seeley, Deputy Mayor Craigavon, Cllr Pól Ó Gribín, Vice-Chairman Banbridge, Cllr Darren McNally, Vice-Chair of the new Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon Council Sinn Féin take top posts as old Councils end History Makers ing and new Councils, Sinn Banbridge District Council be elected as Chair of the new Féin took significant numbers and in the new ABC (Armagh, Council within the next number The summer months have been of Committee Chairs, as well Banbridge & Craigavon of years. huge months for the develop- as Council Mayors and Dept Council). Also over the last month, and ment of Sinn Féin across Ireland. Mayors; many of which for the The recently elected ABC in the final year of Banbridge and A ‘watershed’ result across first time, having been deliber- Council (name to be official- Craigavon Councils, Cllr Pól Ó Ireland was followed up by ately excluded for decades. ly confirmed) elected a DUP Gribín and Cllr Catherine Seeley unprecedented appointments These monumental changes Council Chair and Sinn Féin have been elected as Vice-Chair to local Government positions, were no more prevalent than Dept Chair, with the D’Hondt and Dept Mayor respectively. north and south. In the exist- in Craigavon Borough Council, system guaranteeing that SF will Continued on P4 2 www.upperbannsf.com An Fómhar 2014 Sinn Féin Thanks to Voters There is no doubt that Sinn Féin magh, Banbridge & Craigavon ning seats for the sake of winning Clár Ábhair/ have made another huge step for- Council. All their efforts have seats. We are about winning seats ward in terms of national support contributed to the advancement to maximise change and to build Contents following the recent local govern- of equality and the progression of towards our objective of achiev- ment and European elections change in this area. Go raibh céad ing and winning a ‘Yes’ vote at a P3 - Ireland’s Largest maith agaibh. Border Poll. Party Thanks to your support and vote, Sinn Féin now have representa- Tá Sinn Féin an-bhuíoch as bhur Over the next number of years P4 - SF Meet Health tives in every county in Ireland; 4 gcuid tacaíochta agus as bhur Sinn Féin plans to develop fur- MEPs representing every constit- vótaí ar ár son. Níl amhras ar ther, north and south. Your sup- Trust Management uency in Ireland; 259 Councillors bith ach go bhfuil athrú i ndiaidh port and vote is crucial to this de- along with 29 MLAs and 14 TDs. teacht ar chúrsaí polaitíochta in velopment. Help us make change, P5 - New Youtube Éirinn mar gheall ar thoradh na register to vote now and ensure The Sinn Féin organisation and dtoghchán áitiúil agus Eorpach, ó that the strongest possible voice is Channel Launched leadership would like to thank thuaidh agus ó dheas. always returned to represent you. you for taking the time to go out P6 - SF in Europe - and vote, and for making this Cuidígí linn an fhorbairt seo den possible. pholaitíocht a chothú is a chosaint Anderson Euro Poll agus muna bhfuil sibh cláraithe Topper We also pay tribute to those go fóill, cláraigí bhur vóta anois. elected representatives who have worked hard for Sinn Féin and Without your support the change P7 - SF Meets Portug- the people of this constituency we want to deliver for the ben- ese Consul for a long period of time but are efit of people’s lives is not pos- not continuing on to the new Ar- sible, but we are not about win- P8 - Ag téamh Theach O’Connor Praises Palestine Activists an Fhuachta Sinn Féin Cllr Tommy who have supported these events PIC O’Connor has paid tribute to all highlighting the plight of Pales- P9 - Stop Tory CUTS those active in the recent Pales- t i n e .” tinian solidarity campaign. “They have successfully raised Activists and members of the the profile of these issues in the P10 - Education communtiy have organised a area, especially the need for an number of events in recent times effective Boycott of Israeli prod- P11 - News in Brief to highlight events in Gaza. ucts.” Cllr O’Connor said, “Great Cllr O’Connor continued, “I credit and respect must be paid encourage everyone - Stand With P12 - Free Palestine to the organisers and to those Gaza.” More on P12

Upperbannsf Upperbannsinnfein @upperbannsf An Fómhar 2014 www.upperbannsf.com 3 LARGEST PARTY IN IRELAND Best Election result for national basis. SF since 1918 General Speaking in the aftermath of the election success Sinn Féin Election President TD When the dust settled on the thanked all those who voted for recent Council and European Sinn Féin and pledged to use the Elections, few in the establish- electoral mandate wisely, ment parties north or south “I want to thank all those who would have enjoyed the reading. voted for the party and all those

Sinn Féin emerged from the “The huge vote for PIC: SF Party President Gerry Adams TD 22/23 May polling days electing torate.” is clear that increasing numbers 4 MEPs () Sinn Féin marks a He continued, “Sinn Féin is in- of citizens are seeking a new kind and 259 Councillors; adding to profound change in volved in an historically unprec- of politics. the strong national team of 29 edented effort to build genuine “Some combination of Fine MLAs in the Assembly and 14 the Political Land- republican politics in both states Gael, Labour and Fianna Fáil has TDs already in the Dáil. scape” - Gerry Adams on this island. Building capacity been in government since the Many, including joint First and resources and membership, foundation of the southern state. Minister SF’s Martin McGuiness, who stood for Sinn Fein through- is a big task for us and we will The old way of doing politics, have called the election result a out the island, North and South continue to grow. as practiced by these parties has ‘watershed election’ with Sinn and all our party workers. I also “The island-wide election failed. People want change. Féin returning their strongest want to thank the families of all result is also an endorsement of “The Government dismisses number of 1st Preference votes our candidates.” Sinn Fein’s message of the need this as a protest vote or, as the since the 1918 General Election “Sinn Fein’s newly elected to reinvigorate the Peace Process Taoiseach claims, a sign of frus- and the establishment of the 1st MEPs will stand up for Ireland. and for an agreed, united Ire- tration by the electorate. This is Dáil. Our councillors will fight for l an d .” wrong. Returning elected represen- genuine community interests Referring particularly to the “The Government has been tatives for every province and which put the needs of citizens swell of support for the party in sent a very clear message. They county in Ireland, Sinn Féin are first. Sinn Féin will use the man- the 26 Counties Mr Adams said, do not have public support for now the largest party on the is- date that people have given to us “The huge vote for Sinn Fein the damaging policies they are land, as well as the only party to wisely. “We will keep the com- marks a profound change in the implementing.” organise and fight elections on a mitments we made to the elec- political landscape of this state. It News in Brief sion to this consultation and we would en- Welcome for Consultation workers covered by zero hour contracts are courage other interested individuals and trapped in low paid jobs with poor working groups to do likewise.” on Zero Hour Contracts conditions and this must be addressed.” Sinn Féin Councillor Mark O Dowd has welcomed the announcement of a public He continued, consultation into the use of zero hour con- tracts. His comments come after Employ- “All employees should be guaranteed a mini- ment and Learning Minister Stephen Farry mum number of hours or else paid an on- made the announcement to the Assembly. call retainer and not prohibited from taking up employment opportunities elsewhere as is Cllr O’Dowd said, often the case at present.”

“The use of Zero Hour Contracts needs to Cllr O’Dowd concluded, be governed and regulated in a way that sup- ports the rights of working people. The pres- “As part of the consultation Minister Farry ent use of Zero Hour Contracts has a nega- will contact 500 local employers so that we tive impact not only on the workers involved, get a picture of the situation across the North. but also on the wider economy. Thousands of Sinn Féin will be making a detailed submis- 4 www.upperbannsf.com An Fómhar2014 1st Ever Sinn Féin Vice-Chair of Banbridge Council Continued from P1 tribute positions across all parties so that as we move into the new super council every- “Cllr Curran also called for one can feel an equal part of it,” a call that was Craigavon Council to adopt a fulfilled just a week later when Cllr Catherine Seeley was elected as the first ever republican similar approach - Dept Mayor in Craigavon. a called that was fulfilled just Sinn Féin Council Group Leader in 1 week later” Craigavon Gemma McKenna congratulated her colleague and pointed to how power- Speaking of Pól Ó Gribín’s election as the sharing can work for all in local Government, first ever SF Dept Chair of Banbridge Coun- “I congratulate Catherine Seeley on her ap- cil, party colleague Cllr Brendan Curran said, pointment as Deputy Mayor of Craigavon “Councillor Pól Ó Gribín has created history Council as this is the first time a member of (tonight) by being elected to serve as Vice- Sinn Féin has held one of the two top posi- Chair in the final year of the old Banbridge tions.” Council.” “She is an excellent choice who will repre- “Pól who represents the Leitrim ward sent the entire Council area during her ten- will no doubt represent all the people of the ure as Deputy Mayor.” Council area in a fair and equal manner.” She said, “I welcome the fact that we are He added, “Banbridge Council was a tra- now beginning to see a more mature politic ditionally Unionist controlled Council so it beginning to emerge in Craigavon Council, PIC: Cllr Pól Ó Gribín, is good to see attitudes changing and senior but there is still more work to be done before Vice-Chair of Banbridge Council roles within Council being distributed on a we have proper power sharing. in local gov- Council and with SF being guaranteed a full fairer manner.” ernment.” Chairship in the next few years, it is time for Mr Curran also called for “Craigavon “With Cllr Darren McNally (from Keady) everyone to embrace a new era of equality for Council to adopt a similar position and dis- now the new Vice-Chair of the new ABC local government.” SF Delegation Meet Health Service Management time to meet with trust manage- of domiciliary care services. I ment and discuss our concerns advised the Trust that elderly and that of our constituents. constituents were telling me they While recognising the Trust does preferred Trust staff as there was not commission GP in Hours regular carer and that some dis- services we wanted to establish liked the idea of a new person what action was being taken in calling as was the case sometimes regards Out of Hours services. with the private sector. “It is clearly a complex picture Cllr Seeley concluded by say- with no quick fix solution how- ing, “While not directly the re- ever we impressed the need for sponsibility of the Southern both short term and long term Trust we also took the opportu- measures to be taken to ease the nity to seek an update on Paedi- PIC: SF Delegation meets Southern Health Trust pressure on primary care and atric Cardiac Services currently informative meeting in relation Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd therefore acute care. based in Belfast. to a number of issues including along with party colleagues Cllr Mr O’ Dowd added, “We in- “A number of our constituents Paediatric Cardiology and Out of Catherine Seeley (Deputy May- tend to meet with the Senior have been lobbying for retention Hours GP services. or) and Cllr Tommy O’Connor Management at the highest lev- of the service and the Trust com- “As a party we have grow- met with senior officials in the els of the Health Service in the mitted to provide us with an up- ing concerns about the number Southern Health & Social Care North to discuss our constituents date on the work of the Review of complaints we are receiving Trust this morning. The meet- concerns about waiting times for team brought in by the Health about the amount of time people ing discussed a number of issues GP services across Upper Bann.” Minister. have to wait on a GP appoint- including Out of Hours GP ser- Cllr O’Connor used the op- “We appreciate the work of all ment. Reports suggest patients vices, as well as Paediatric Car- portunity to obtain an update on Health and Social Services staff can wait between 1 week and 3 diology. Upper Bann MLA John Domiciliary care services. Cllr in this area; who do a tireless and weeks for an appointment. O’Dowd said, O’ Connor said, “I have previ- dedicated job despite often diffi- “Added to that the recent “I welcome the opportunity to ously met the Trust along with cult and stretching circumstanc- leaked critical report into out of meet with the Health Trust and party colleagues to express our es. We look forward to meeting hours GP services we felt it was Chief Executive. We had a very concern about the privatisation with the Trust again.” An Fómhar2014 www.upperbannsf.com 5 Pay-Day Loans enough to have no other source EU Funding - supported and funded” of lending. “Similarly, there is no refer- should be Capped “There will also be a cap on Must be Accesible ence to An Ghaeilge at all in this default charges, which is likely to The rules for the next round of latest draft. Irish is an impor- be set at £15. European funding for the north tant cultural symbol of identity “For the increasing numbers and the border region must make to many here, but in addition, of people feeling that they have it accessible to the most margin- work ongoing in places like East no other resource and struggle to alised sections in society, said Belfast show that it can be a pow- repay these loans, this will pro- Sinn Féin Cllr Paul Duffy. erful tool for cross community vide some degree of protection. Cllr Duffy’s comments come sharing and building mutual un- “These lenders are literally following Sinn Féin’s submis- derstanding - the exact values cashing in on the dire econom- sion to a consultation on the new these EU funding programmes ic straits that many people find Peace IV and Interreg V, Europe- are about”. themselves in, in the present eco- an Funding programmes. The re- Cllr Duffy concluded, “We nomic climate. port said that the party welcomed will continue to raise these issues, Sinn Féin Councillor ,Mairead “When these companies ad- proposals to simplify and speed and we look forward to working O’ Dowd commenting on the vertise loans to make ends meet up the processes of application, with local groups in applying for, proposal by the Financial Con- until the next pay day most of- and funding. However some se- and hopefully accessing, much duct Authority (FCA) that Pay- ten they are targeting people on rious concerns awere also raised. needed funds.” day loan rates should be capped benefits who are not fortunate Cllr Duffy said, “We are con- at 0.8% a day of the amount bor- enough to have a next ‘Pay Day’. cerned that in the case of former rowed, said that although over- Most of them are waiting on their political prisoners’ groups, for due it is a welcome development. next benefit cheque. example, who have carried out Cllr O’ Dowd said: said, “The “This is a form of exploitation sterling work funded by these proposal that combined interest of some of the most vulnerable programmes in the past, that - rates and other charges should in our society. At interest rates unlike in Peace III they are not not exceed the total amount bor- at times over 200% it is nothing named as a target group this time rowed and that rates should be short of loan sharking.” around. The important work of capped a 0.8% a day will be wel- these groups must continue to be come news for those unfortunate UpperBannSF Youtube Channel Launch Upper Bann SF have re- The new channel has local and national politi- channel said, the work and issues that cently launched a new already gathered its first 2, cians. “Social media is now people like John O’Dowd Youtube Channel to be 000 + views and plans are SF Republican Youth a vital part of our media MLA or Martina Ander- found at already in place to feature activist Cormac O’Hagan world. So much informa- son MEP are engaged in, Youtube.com/uppper- interest pieces and in- who has contributed to tion is now being circu- using the visual media bannsf. terviews with prominent the launch of the new lated and consumed on- as our tool. We hope the line, and we hope public participate, share that building on and enjoy the material as the success of our we continue to build our Twitter and Face- media output.” book accounts, and those of our The Upperbannsf Chan- activists and nel can be found by elected reps, we searching Youtube.com can now add to or by following our Face- the Video world book and Twitter ac- of social media.” counts. He continued, “We hope to pro- vide an insight in to some of 6 www.upperbannsf.com An Fómhar 2014 SF’s Anderson Tops Euro Poll - Now Takes Central Euro Role on Gaza Poll Topper - Martina Anderson MEP to be appointed as Chair of European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Palestinian Legislative Authority Sinn Féin is now in the joint- two-state solution. largest Irish parliamentary group Mrs Anderson has also re- PIC: Euro Election Poll Topper Martina Anderson MEP in the European Parliament. cently written to the heads of the Its emergence as the larg- European institutions calling on News in Brief est party of the Left in Ireland is them to urge Israel to end its of- £5.4m seen as highly significant within fensive in Gaza. the EU’s institutions. Other anti- A letter sent to the President Portadown Park austerity parties (particularly in of the European Parliament, Development Begins Greece, Spain and Portugal) have Martin Schulz, the President of Ms Mc Kenna continued, also made electoral advances. the European Commission, Jose Alongside Sinn Féin, these Manuel Barroso, the President of “It has been a long journey get- parties have swelled the GUE/ the European Council Herman ting the project to this point. NGL (European United Left - Van Rompuy, and the High Rep- This investment is neededNordic Green Left) group in the resentative of the Commission’s and is an opportunity for us all European Parliament. Union for Foreign Affairs, Cath- to create a shared space that Next month, GUE/NGL will erine Ashton, called for an end everyone in Portadown and send a delegation to visit Pales- to offensive action and for a halt indeed within the new coun- tine. Martina Anderson will rep- to the expansion of illegal setlle- cil area of ABC can enjoy.” resent Sinn Féin. ments. It has been politically agreed MEP Anderson said, “A hu- She concluded, that Martina will be appointed manitarian disaster in Gaza has Sinn Féin Cllr Gemma Mc as Chair of the European Parlia- been unfurling before the eyes of Kenna has welcomed the “Praise must be given to all those ment’s Delegation for relations the world. The EU cannot remain commencement and ongo- councillors, officers and the com- with the Palestinian Legislative inactive.” ing redevelopment work at the munity at large who have sup- Council. “I and a group of MEPs from People’s Park in Portadown. ported the project from its incep- A humanitarian disaster across Europe have written the tion and have worked tirelessly heads of the European institu- Cllr Mc Kenna commented, in Gaza has been unfurl- to ensure it would be delivered.” tions calling on them to do ev- ing before our eyes. The erything they can to secure an “SF have lobbied along with resi- “The newly redeveloped Park will EU cannot remain inac- immediate end to the violence in dents, statutory agencies and the include a range of facilities, a new Gaza.” council for the redevelopment tive play area, outdoor gym, a MUGA She continued, ““We are call- of the Park for many years. The and 3G pitch. It will also have an This hugely significant ap- ing on the heads of these institu- investment of £5.4 million from amphitheatre and nature trails pointment will be a major dip- tions to take action to demand SEUPB (European funding) for ensuring the young, the sporty, lomatic opportunity to build on that Israel ends all actions which the SPACE project will have both senior citizens and families Irish solidarity with the victims threaten a two-state solution.” social and economic benefits.” can all enjoy the People’s Park.” of Israel’s siege against Gaza and Continued on P7 to support implementation of the An Fómhar 2014 www.upperbannsf.com 7 Continued from P6 Sinn Féin - In Europe 4 MEPs Representing All of Ireland Since their election, Sinn Fé- in’s MEPs have been guided by a political strategy aimed at maxi- mising support for the Peace Process and Irish unity; accruing maximum benefit from the EU institutions for all Irish citizens; opposing austerity; supporting equality; and promoting demo- cratic reform, accountability and transparency. PIC: IRELAND’s TEAM in Europe - MEP, MEP, Martina Anderson MEP, They have secured positions Liadh Ní Riada MEP on all ten committees prioritised 4 MEPs - Sinn Féin are the only Political Party in Ireland by Sinn Féin, including Civil Liberties; Agriculture & Rural to have elected representation across the entire country. Development; Fisheries; Em- the European Globalisation Ad- the institutions on the Northern The Sinn Féin team has also ployment & Social Affairs; and justment Fund, while Liadh Ní political process. Martin Mc- commenced work with other Regional Development. Riadh will be the Budget Com- Guinness will consolidate that in MEPs to address banking debt. Martina Anderson will be mittee’s rapporteur on that fund. October when he visits the Par- Other plans are being devel- overall rapporteur on Civil Lib- The British Government doesn’t liament to brief key officials and oped to highlight the needs of erties for a series of future reports apply for these funds and has MEPs. Last year, a collusion cam- Leader groups, and to seek an on ‘Legal Highs’. Matt Carthy made it impossible for the North- paign delegation visited Brussels. all-Ireland review of fishing quo- will sit on both the Agriculture ern Executive to do so, whilst the The Sinn Féin team will bring a tas. & Rural Affairs and Economic & Irish Government has been in- renewed focus to Britain’s role Sinn Féin MEPs have started Monetary Affairs Committees. competent in its approach. in collusion and state-sponsored to make an impact in the Euro- Lynn Boylan will sit on the Already the MEPs have pro- killings in this forthcoming par- pean Parliament – there is much Parliament’s working group on vided extensive briefings within liamentary term. more to come. A delegação do Sinn Féin irá reunir com o Cônsul-Geral de Portugal para discutir assuntos relativos à emissão de documentação da Comunidade Portuguesa local Os representantes eleitos do Manchester para renovar os seus por ano para resolver assuntos Sinn Féin, incluindo a deputada passaportes e tratar de outros como estes dos portugueses, do Parlamento Europeu Martina documentos. nem toda a gente que necessita Anderson, a deputada Mi- consegue obter marcação pela chelle Gildernew e a vereadora Têm também de faltar ao trabal- grande procura que existe. GUE/NGL Gemma McKenna reunirão com ho ou à escola e pagar um preço o Dr. Carlos de Sousa Amaro, caro pelos voos, etc., quando ob- Outras embaixadas permitem Logo Cônsul-Geral de Portugal, em viamente, se pudessem deslocar- que os seus cidadãos viajem até Portadown, no dia 7 de Maio de se à Embaixada de Portugal em Dublin para renovar documen- 2014 para discutir assuntos que Dublin isso seria mais prático e tos, pelo que não há razão para dizem respeito aos Portugueses económico. que a Embaixada Portuguesa ali residentes. O Sr. Cônsul-Ger- não possa fazer o mesmo. A al é o responsável pelo Consula- Há ainda um outro problema nossa representação de alto nível do Geral de Portugal com sede que se levanta quando o docu- pretende debater estes assun- em Manchester. mento está caducado, causando tos com o Sr. Cônsul-Geral e, dificuldades em conseguir viajar espera-se, obter uma solução A vereadora McKenna disse, para Manchester. que permita aos cidadãos portu- gueses manter os seus documen- “Presentemente, os portugueses Embora o Cônsul Geral de Por- tos em dia de uma forma mais da região têm que fazer uma tugal em Manchester se deslo- conveniente e económica.” PIC: Martina in EU Parliament deslocação longa e cara até que para cá uma ou duas vezes 8 www.upperbannsf.com An Fómhar 2014 Ag téamh Theach an Fhuachta - 3 Leas-Mhéara SF nach raibh riamh ag poblachtán- Ní chuirfeadh an seasamh Simpson. aigh. Ach is é gníomh deireanach seo iontas ar go leor daoine. Is An bhfuil na suansiúlaithe an dráma an chuid is suntasaí cruthúnas é den tuiscint a bhí anois ina suí? Beidh le feiceáil ar den scéal, dar liom. ag an phobal náisiúnach le fada ndóigh. I ndiaidh na gceapachán i an lá ná go ndéanfadh an DUP Mar gheall ar na heachtraí gCreag Abhann agus i nDroi- i gCreag Abhann gach rud seo uilig, is é bun barr an scéil chead na Banna, rinne an grúpa ab’fhéidir leo chun Sinn Féin a ná go bhfuil SF i ndiaidh píosa DUP i gCreag Abhann scéal mór choinneáil amach ó na postanna tábhachtach staire a dhéanamh i leis an Fhoghlaimeoir Shíoraí d’fhealltacht an UUP agus an is uachtaraí, fiú dá mba bhliain gComhairlí nach raibh aithean- náire a thug a gcomhairleoirí ar dheireanach na comhairle í. Ná tas cuí ar an pháirtí leis na gcian- Lucht déanta na Staire, athrú an cheantar agus ar a muintir déanaimis dearmad chomh mai- ta. Ainneoin na n-iarrachtaí inár ábhalmhór, bua den scoith, for- féin, de bhrí gur ceapadh Colin th ná go raibh an UUP páirteach éadan, thiocfadh le SF táispeáint bairt den pholaitaíocht nua, tuar McCusker (UUP) ina Mhéara le sna hiarrachtaí sin thar na blian- gurbh fhéidir agus gur cheart dóchais…. tacaíocht ó Shinn Féin (mar aon ta. Ach i ndeireadh na dála, theip roinnt na cumhacta a chur i bh- Ní hiad seo ach cúpla frása a le tacaíocht a thug an UUP do glan orthu uilig. feidhm in earnáil na gcomhairlí bhí in úsáid ar na mallaibh agus Catherine Seeley mar iarrthóir Tá pointe suimiúil eile ag áitiúla. cur síos á dhéanamh ag tráchtairí SF). baint leis an scéal nach bhfuil á ‘Cold House for Nationalists’ polaitiúla ar cheapadh Catherine Cúpla lá ina dhiaidh sin rinne rá os ard ag an DUP ach atá ag a tugadh ar Chomhairle Chreag Seeley, Phóil Uí Ghríbín agus siad díreach an rud céanna i ndi- imirt tionchar mór orthu mar sin Abhann uair amháin, ach i mbli- Darren McNally ina leas-Mhé- aidh gur ceapadh comhairleoir féin. Is é sin ná an cath le suío- ain dheireanach na seanchom- araí ar Chomhairle Chreag Ab- dá gcuid féin, Darren Causby chán Uachtar na Banna a bhaint hairlí, tá poblachtánaigh ag té- hann, ar Chomhairle Dhroichead (DUP), ina chathaoirleach agus i dtoghcháin Westminster ar an amh Theach an Fhauchta. na Banna agus ar an Chomhairle an Chomhairleoir Darren Mc- bhliain seo chugainn. Nua ABC (Armagh, Banbridge, Nally (SF) ina Leas-Chathao- Is léir go bhfuil an DUP ar Craigavon) faoi seach. irleach ar an Chomhairle Nua buile fá dtaobh de na Leas-Mhé- Agus tchítear dom nach béal ABC. araí nua ach tá sé soiléir fosta goi bán, bréag ná áibhéil atá ann. Níl Cé air a mbeadh an locht an bhfuil a gcúiseanna féin ag an dabht ar bith ach go bhfuil áthrú iarraidh seo, áfach? Shílfeá go UUP. Tá an chuma ar an scéal suntasach, agus tábhachtach, i raibh dearmad déanta acu go bh- go bhfuil an UUP ar tí feachtas ndiaidh teacht ar chúrsaí po- fuil Martin McGuiness agus Pe- a sheoladh, nó b’fhéidir go bh- laitaíochta in Uachtar na Banna. ter Robinson ag feidhmiú le ché- fuil siad i mbun feachtais cheana, Ba taobh istigh de 6 lá a tharla ile in Oifig an Chéad Aire agus chun an suíochán Wesminster a an dráma mar a ceapadh an triúr an Leas Chéad Aire. bhaint den DUP agus de David ionadaithe ina bpost; postanna Cúinne na bhFoghlaimeoirí AnCúinne Páirtí naAontachtach bhfoghlaimeoirí Daonlathach - Beatha teanga i a labhairt DUP (The Democratic Unionist Party) The life of a language is to speak it Páirtí Aontachtach Uladh - UUP (The Ulster Unionist Party) (a living language is a spoken one)

Ceapachán - An appointment (to job or position)

Méara - Mayor

Iar-Mhéara - Former Mayor .eu Leas-Mhéara - Deputy Mayor

Ard-Mhéara - Lord Mayor Tory Cuts

Tory Cuts

An Fómhar 2014 www.upperbannsf.com 9 DUP Support for Welfare Cuts is anti-Welfare State By SF Chairperson The DUP Claims no alternative exists. That is a bogus position to justify theirS choicetO top embrace a Tory agenda.TORY Tory Cuts ideologically opposed to the ing poor and disadvantaged welfare state and state support from all sections of the com- for its citizens. Welfare cutsu are tmunity here. C Thes DUP should change its British coalitions. fundamentally about rolling When DUP leader and First back the welfare state. decision. Minister Peter Robinson spoke Sinn Féin believes that eco- Sinn Féin chooses to stand last week about economic re- nomic growth depends upon in defence of the welfare state. PIC: Declan Kearney alities, he conveniently forgot thriving business and industry, The trade union movement in According to the right-wing the biggest economic and so- investment, innovation and job the North and across Ireland narrative running alongside cial reality of all – British Tory creation. However, the econo- should now declare unanimous the economic crisis across Eu- cuts are designed to destroy the my must also support workers’ and unambiguous opposition rope, citizens and governments rights and protect the work- to the proposed cuts. should accept the consequences Trade Union activists ing poor and jobless.Enforced Trade union activists should of the crash. This is despite its should join together austerity is not the way to re- join togetherTory with other politi Cuts- cause being the multi-billion balance damaged economies. cal parties and Sinn Féin to de- euro scams between the busi- with other Political There are alternative strategies fend the welfare state. That is a ness and banking elites, and the parties and Sinn Fé- based upon economic stimulus non-sectarian and cross-com- failure of the European Central measures. That is why welfare munity agenda. It is common Bank and governments (such inv to defen the wel- cuts are exactly the opposite of ground for Orange and Green, as the Irish Government) to in- fare state. what is needed here. the churches, business and civic tervene and stop what was hap- welfare state. Now the DUP has Welfare cuts formed no part society. pening. been sucked into that position. of the northern Executive’s Pro- That’s why the British and The welfare state was first gramme for Government. Irish governments are now un- proposed by William Bev- The DUP claims no alterna- questioningly using austerity to eridge’s report in 1942. The tive exists. That is a bogus po- manage budget deficits. British Labour Party then es- sition to justify their choice to The welfare cuts introduced tablished it after World War embrace a Tory agenda and the in Britain and which the Tories Two. Its ethos was, and is, that ‘slash and burn’ economic poli- want to impose in the North are when citizens fall on hard times cies being pursued by British one result of the austerity mod- the state should help them. millionaires in the Conserva- el used by both the Irish and The Tory Government is tive Cabinet against the workTory- Cuts

St p TORYO Tory Cuts Cuts An Fómhar 2014 www.upperbannsf.com 10 Pulling Education Forward - Investment in Schools across Upper Bann By Cllr Máire Cairns This project is at an advanced experience.” Once again schools lighted when they learnt of a £1.2 stage and will hopefully be on in Upper Bann benefited from million windfall to rebuild their site by the autumn of 2014. The the announcement with a £25m Jervis Street home. The club had third new school announced for investment for a new school at submitted a range of applications the area on that day was Tan- Lismore Comprehensive School, to the Department of Education, naghmore Primary School in in Brownlow, Craigavon. with the demolition and rebuild Lurgan and in June 2014 work The Voluntary Youth Sector top of their wish list. The other commenced on the new £6.1m have also benefited from invest- Youth providers to benefit were 21 classroom school which will ment announced by the Edu- the 4th Portadown (St Mark’s) provide state-of-the-art facilities cation Minster. In November a Scout Group and Goal Line for pupils and staff as well as giv- number of local youth providers Youth Trust, Portadown. ing a boost to the local construc- received welcome news of sig- This further Youth invest- tion industry. The new facilities nificant funding. The announce- ment comes on the back of Mr will deliver a modern, progres- O’ Dowd officially opening St Tens of £Millions of sive learning environment for the Delivery in Mary’s Youth Club in Obin St, Investment. school’s 600-plus children. Portadown which benefited from In January 2013 the delivery Education, both a £880,000 refurbishment project Delivery onsite and for local schools began when in the classroom co-funded with DSD. St John’s in the Classroom. the Minister announced another Scouts Group Portadown has round of new school builds on and in the estate, also benefited from the Depart- Over this last number of years this occasion the amalgamation ment of Education providing there has been significant invest- of St Pauls, St Mary’s and St Mi- that’s the future of funding of £88,000 towards the ment, from the Department of chael’s was given the nod and a new building. Education, in the Upper Bann Education here. new build which will be one of The tens of Millions of pounds constituency. Investment that the biggest new school projects ment of funding which will help of Investment have been deliv- will change for the better both undertaken with an estimated secure a new building for young ered in Upper Bann by the Sinn the education estate and educa- £30m new post primary school people at Clann Éireann Youth Féin Education Minister and it is tional outcomes for many gen- for Lurgan. Club couldn’t have come at a bet- not only a boost to those schools erations to come. Revealing details of the new ter time for the North Lurgan and Youth providers who have On Thursday, 19 June 2014 builds to the Assembly, the Min- club. benefited but it is also a huge Education Minister, John ister also announced that a School The Department of Educa- investment in the construction O’Dowd, cut the first sod on the Enhancement Programme, tion have pledged to part fund industry with hundreds of new site of the new St Teresa’s Prima- aimed at refurbishing or extend- the building of a new fit for pur- jobs being created and secured. ry School, Lurgan. ing existing schools over the pose youth club to the tune of Delivery in Education, both in The school, which was built in next two years and worth up to £850,000. It comes as the club are the classroom and in the estate; the 1960s, was identified as a pri- £4 million per school, was being celebrating the 60th anniversary that’s the future of Education ority for a new build by Minister opened. In October of the same of its youth club. here. O’ Dowd in June 2012. The new year the Minster announced the Portadown YMCA were said seven-class school will be built schools which were successful to be both surprised and de- on the existing site and will pro- in the application also included vide much needed and improved schools from Upper Bann; New- accommodation for the children Bridge Integrated College, Ban- of the area. bridge and two Special needs The £3.9million investment schools, Ceara School, Lurgan will positively impact on both and Donard Special School, Ban- staff and pupils, in addition to bridge. providing a much needed boost In June 2014 despite facing to the construction industry. difficult economic conditions the The June 2012 announcement Sinn Féin Minister pushed ahead by the Sinn Fein Education Min- with more investment for new ister in the Assembly delivered schools, stating “that while we more good news for the Upper live in difficult times we do not Bann Constituency with an an- live in impossible times. I remain nouncement of a new school for resolute in ensuring that my in- St Mary’s Primary School, Ban- vestment plans will focus on PIC: Education Minister John O’Dowd cuts 1st sod at Tannaghmore PS, bridge at a value of £5.1m. providing a first class education Lurgan An Fómhar 2014 www.upperbannsf.com 11 News in Brief Public Must be Kept up to speed on Lough Neagh lic management structure’ that would secure the public interest Council Changes - Cllr Brendan Curran should be Publically in the potential of the Lough. come into being formally until Owned For example, when departments next April, newly elected council- New Armagh Banbridge are asked to dredge the lough or lors are meeting to set up shadow Craigavon Sinn Féin Councillor, open mouths of rivers they say structures in preparation for the Fergal Lennon has responded they can’t do so because they changeover.” to an Assembly working group don’t own the bed of the lough. report on the possible return of “What is to prevent the owner He continued, Lough Neagh into public owner- from selling it to a private com- ship. pany that would exploit it for “There is a degree of uncer- Cllr Lennon said, “It makes purely profitable purposes. Or tainty among the public out there sense that an important natural even worse, considering that about what this will mean and resource such as Lough Neagh the Lough provides over 40% of what powers and responsibilities should be in public ownership. drinking water in the North, sell- the new Council will have. The Loughs and Waterways provide ing it to a water company from Sinn Féin Leader on the new new local authorities have a duty massive economic and tourism Britain or abroad, who would Armagh Banbridge Craigavon to explain the changes to local opportunities, but private owner- then charge the Executive for Council, Cllr Brendan Curran, ratepayers. The new ABC council ship and control of Lough Neagh water.” has called on local authorities covers a significant geographical acts as a barrier to this potential. Cllr Lennon concluded, to keep people informed of the area both urban and rural. While A potential which can benefit ev- “Lough Neagh is of such eco- changes to local government as the new Councillors have to get e r y on e .” nomic and environmental im- part of the Review of Public Ad- know each other we have to en- Responding to the report Mr portance to our society it should ministration. sure the public are kept up to date Lennon said, “While the report not be left the economic interests on our progress, online, through found that ‘it had been unable to of any single person or corpora- Speaking after the initial meet- the media and social media, as identify any tangible benefits to tion to decide on its future!” ings of the new ‘Super-council’ well as through engagement.” the effective management of the Cllr Curran said, lough should it be brought into Information is also available public ownership’, it did go on to “This is the biggest shake up on the Review of Public Admin- call ‘for a more inclusive public of local government for 40 years. istration website at: www.rpani. management structure’ .” While the new councils do not gov.uk He went on to explain some of the current and potential dangers and challenges connected with private ownership of the Lough, “Sinn Féin fail to see how, while remaining in private ownership you can have a ‘pub- Congratulations to to the local community for us- Liam Mackle named lishment.” age. Craigavon Audit Chair “There is a lot of hard work to be St Peter’s GAC Mr McGeown said, “St Peters’ done as we prepare for the end Sinn Féin’s Cllr Liam Mackle has are to be congratulated on pro- of the council and the transfer of said he is ‘delighted’ to have been viding yet more community fa- powers to the new ABC Coun- elected as the Chair of Craigvaon cilities, the club has been to the cil. The Audit team at the council Council’s Audit Committee. fore in promoting not only Gael- are a very professional team and Mackle has been a member of the ic games as a community activity I look forward to working with committee since 2011, and has but also in youth and commu- them, and all parties, through the said he is committed to working nity provision.” last year of Craigavon Council.” with all the parties and council Cllr Keith Haughian added, staff to ensure the final year of “The opening of the new Gen- Craigavon Council is ‘soundly PIC: Cllr Keith Haughiam and eration pitch adds to the impres- scrutinised’. Cllr Noel McGeown sive array of facilities at the club “I am very pleased to have been which are a credit to the commit- Sinn Féin Councillors Noel elected as chair of the Audit tee and the club members”. McGeown and Keith Haugh- Committee. This is another first He said. “St Peter’s have been ian have congratulated St Peters’ for SF having been excluded from dynamic in their persuit, and GAA Club in North Lurgan on the position in the past, despite provision of facilities and should opening of a new All Weather being the primary advocate for be praised highly for their work.” Sports pitch which will be open the committee before its estab- 12 www.upperbannsf.com An Fómhar 2014 Dlúthpháirtíocht - Solidarity

Support the People of Palestine

PICS: People in Levin Rd, Lurgan and on Garvaghy Road Portadown Support the People of Palestine at recent White Line Pickets

PICS: Craigavon Dept Mayor Seeley speaks at Free Palestine Rally in Lurgan