Kelly Calls for Strabane Enterprise Zone

SDLP Strabane Councillor Patsy Kelly, in welcoming the enterprise zone announced in Coleraine, said the initiative should be opened up and rolled out in other areas of the north.

Cllr Kelly said Strabane Council was broadly in agreement on the matter and would be writing to the Northern Ireland Office asking if a similar project could be set up in Strabane.

He said: “The council is in broad agreement that an enterprise zone in Strabane would be extremely beneficial for the town and indeed the wider northwest area.

“This is an area that has suffered years of chronic under-investment and is crying out for enterprise initiatives that seek to attract inward investment.

“Over the next number of years we need to be seriously looking at how the North West competes with other areas and other regions. If you look across the water in the UK, the Chancellor has been keen to create regional development hotspots throughout England.

“There is no reason why multiple enterprise zones cannot be set up here in the north.”

Stewart welcomes possibility of Housing Executive re-opening fires to provide a second heat source

This week Sperrin Area SDLP Candidate Liam Stewart has welcomed the possibility of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive re-opening fires to allow for a second source of heating with many being unable to afford the current price of oil.

Speaking on the matter Mr Stewart said “The possibility of re-opening fires has been an issue that has needed looked at for quite some time. The SDLP in Strabane has been contacted on numerous occasions by residents asking for us to investigate whether they could get their fire re-opened as they struggle to afford oil to heat their homes.”

“We have lobbied the Housing Executive on numerous occasions to get, those who most need it, their fire places re-opened to help heat their homes. Yet we are constantly told this is not allowed. Now finally Nelson McCausland has woken up and realised that something needs to be done and help those most vulnerable in our society.”

“I would encourage the Housing Executive to allow those who are most in need to re-open their fires to help alleviate fuel poverty. I will be following this matter closely and I will be lobbying for a positive conclusion.”

Derg Area Candidate Marie Ash praises Super Saturday Castlederg Canvass.

This Week SDLP Derg Area Derry and Strabane Council Candidate Marie Ash has praised the positive response that was received from residents during the SDLP’s canvass of Castlederg Town and its surrounding areas.

Commenting on the response from the canvass Mrs Ash said “I was overwhelmed by the positive response I and my team received from residents when we canvassed Castlederg and its surrounding areas over the weekend.”

“We decided to take a Saturday and really make a big effort to visit as many areas as possible. We used this as an opportunity to discover what the real issues that affect residents are and what they believe needs to be done to improve their area.”

“These are the issues I will be lobbying for with my campaign as I believe Castlederg and its rural areas have real potential to be a better place to live for its residents with the right leadership.”

“If we have not been to your area yet, don’t worry, as we are out every week and continue to visit residents and hear their views.”

Kelly: Plea to parents after ‘worrying’ incident in Strabane

SDLP Councillor Patsy Kelly has urgently appealed to parents to make sure they know the whereabouts of their children after what he described as a “worrying” incident in Strabane last night.

Cllr Kelly made the plea after a number of teenagers were hospitalised after they were found unconscious at a party in Strabane.

Cllr Kelly said: “This was an extremely worrying incident where a number of teenagers from as far away as Letterkenny attended an open air party close to Strabane Golf Club.

“From what the PSNI have told me, crowds of up to 50 were drinking at this party, which had reportedly been organised through social media.

“We could have been looking at a very different scenario today so, again, I appeal to parents to know where their children are when they go out.

“The incident last night involved several resources involving police, the Ambulance Service and local search and rescue services. Thankfully no one was seriously injured, or worse, but parents must learn from this.

“Parents must take responsibility for their children at all times and they should know exactly where they are and who they are with. For parents, the safety of their children should be of paramount concern.”   

Byrne discusses Agri-Policy with Ulster Farmers Union delegation

This week West Tyrone SDLP MLA and Vice-Chairperson of the Stormont Agriculture Committee, Joe Byrne met with a delegation from the Ulster Farmers Union to discuss Agri-Policy and CAP Reform.

Mr Byrne said "I have had a meeting with Ulster Farmers Union President Harry Sinclair, CEO Clark Black and Senior Policy Officer Wesley Ashton. During the meeting with we had a wide ranging discussion around the CAP flat rate payments system, transition for the new Cap review in 2014 and 2020, as well as other matters like Single Farm Payment entitlements and Greening."

"I was joined by my SDLP Assembly colleagues and we emphasised the need to achieve fairness and equality in relation to CAP reform going forward so that Agri-Production in Northern Ireland can be sustained and enhanced so rural communities can survive."  

"The SDLP under my direction as Agricultural Spokesperson has been having numerous meetings with farming interests groups in Northern Ireland, concentrating particularly on the CAP Reform Proposals. The SDLP is committed to helping new farmer entrants and young farmer's interests."

SDLP MINISTER DELIVERED DERELICTION FUNDING – MCINTYRE

SDLP Derg Candidate Jim McIntyre has welcomed Cllr Hussey’s endorsement of the SDLP’s welcome of the dereliction funding now being deployed in Castlederg town centre.  Mr McIntyre responding to Cllr Hussey’s confusion welcomed the comments and clarified the SDLP position on the issue of dereliction.

Mr McIntyre said “I agree with Cllr Hussey that these environmental improvements are long overdue and very much welcome at a time when our town centres and small businesses are struggling.  Whilst I congratulate Mr Hussey on his continuing hard work, I must also point out that the SDLP have proactively highlighted the state of these properties and have written to the Minister for the Environment and DSD on several occasions.”

“Joe Byrne MLA and I discussed such issues regarding Castlederg with our SDLP colleague Minister Alex Attwood and his successor Mark H Durkan who then granted the £200,000 funding to Strabane Council to allocate across the district in a bid to tackle derelict eyesores such as these.”

“I would also ask Cllr Hussey to refresh his memory to the summer when Joe Byrne MLA and I escorted Minister Durkan to a number of derelict sites around Castlederg town where he engaged with local business owners and residents.  Whilst I stand to be corrected, I recall Cllr Hussey ‘popping over’ requesting a quick word with the SDLP team on the ground that morning. I also recall a group picture including Cllr Hussey with SDLP representatives and the Minister outside a local business.”

“I struggle to understand how Cllr Hussey has ‘no recollection of SDLP Representatives addressing the issue of dereliction in the Derg area’ when he met with the SDLP group that morning and even found time to pose for a picture which I have provided to refresh his memory.”

Mr McIntyre concluded by adding “I would invite Cllr Hussey to enlighten me further as to when the UUP Minister visited the people of Castlederg and whether he delivered anything of real benefit? The same question can be posed quite strongly to the three Sinn Fein Councillors regarding their many Ministers and whether local people have benefited. The SDLP MLA Joe Byrne and I will continue lobbying on any issues of concern to Castlederg Residents. I would also like to thank my SDLP colleague Alex Attwood for allocating the £200,000 and Mark Durkan for his visit to the Derg.”

SDLP: PLEA OVER DRINKING CRAZE

SDLP MLA for West Tyrone Joe Byrne is appealing to young people to stay away from a dangerous online drinking game in which participants are challenged to down a drink.

Mon 3rd February

Mr Byrne spoke of his concern about the new online trend which he said could lead to young people being placed in vulnerable situations

Mr Byrne said: "The popularity of this reckless craze has become increasingly concerning for parents and families across the North. It is believed to have begun in Australia and spread from there, with many of our young people taking it to extremes, downing large quantities of spirits and other alcoholic and intoxicating mixtures, sometimes with dangerous results.

"I am told that the aim of the ‘neknomination’is to down a pint of alcohol and then nominate someone else to do the same, giving them a window of 24 hours to do so. Most people who take part make a video of themselves carrying it out, and post it on social media platforms such as Facebook or Twitter.

"I have noticed a number of uploads on social media, including Facebook, since last night and would urge those participating in this recklessness trend to consider the dangers this presents and the carnage it has already caused to the families of the two young lives lost.

"This is not a game. It is destroying lives. I would call on people to take these concerns seriously and look after their health and wellbeing by not participating in this 'game', and to protect their friends from the serious risks associated with it by not nominating them to take part."