BYRNE CALLS EMERGENCY MEETING ON FARMING CRISIS!

Vice Chair of the Agriculture Committee Joe Byrne has this morning called for an emergency meeting of the agriculture and rural development committee to discuss the ongoing lack of coordination on the collective responce needed to the farming crisis.

SDLP: Unemployment Figures Point To Failed Strategies

SDLP MLA Joe Byrne  has expressed concern that new unemployment figures show efforts made by the economic ministries in the Executive are not working, and has called for Ministers to 'get real' on job creation.

Wed 20th March

Mr Byrne said:

“The news today that 1,923  people are currently in receipt of unemployment benefit in the Strabane area is a worrying upward trend, and should serve as a wakeup call to Executive Ministers that their attempts to revive the economy are not working. Almost 65,000 people across the North are now out of work, a large - and growing proportion of those are young people. I have long called for the Department of Employment and Learning in particular to get serious about the impact joblessness is having on the next generation, and for too long they have offered piecemeal platitudes and PR stunts.

All our economic departments must realise that until we can tackle unemployment head on by creating sustainable jobs and attracting long term investment, we are condemning those we serve to a bleak future, and the SDLP has not and will not stand silent and allow the responsible Ministers and their departments to continue to fail and the economy flounders.

BYRNE ADDRESSES EU AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES CONFERENCE IN DUBLIN CASTLE

 

SDLP Agricultural spokesperson and Vice Chair of the Assembly Agricultural Committee, Joe Byrne has spoken at the meeting of Chairpersons of the Agricultural and Fisheries Committees of the EU in Dublin.

Main speakers at the conference included Mr Declan Ciolos, EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms Maria Damanaki, EU Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries as well as Minister Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine in Ireland. 

Mr Byrne said:

“I welcomed the opportunity to participate in this conference with a number of distinguished speakers including the Minister of Agriculture Simon Coveney TD who is leading the CAP reform proposals as the current president of the EU Council on Agriculture.

This is an important opportunity for Ireland, who currently holds the Presidency of the EU to discuss crucial issues around our Agricultural and Marine sectors.

The conference meeting had 3 main themes; CAP and its future, Young Farmers and the Reform of the CFP.

Minister Simon Coveney TD is keen to have CAP linked to not only land acreage but to productivity and compliance.

I contributed to the debate on young farmers supporting special grant aid support for them on entering the industry.

In relation to the Common Fisheries Policy I welcomed the recent ending of fish discards and supported innovation and change initiatives for new fishing gear. I also raised the issue concerning Northern Ireland fisherman relating to fish quota criteria alongside ‘days at sea’ restrictions.

This was a major EU conference which I was privileged to attend and participate in as Vice Chair of the Assembly DARD Committee.’

Byrne hails ‘positive’ meeting with Taoiseach

SDLP Chairman and MLA Joe Byrne has spoken of the need for the Dublin Government to fulfil its role as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement and lend its full backing to the PSNI, Parades Commission, a meaningful reconciliation process and off course the A5..

‘’Strabane, as a regional town sitting on the border, needs to see some significant Government investment support over the next year in order to redress the economic neglect and curse of unemployment. As an SDLP MLA for West Tyrone, I will continue to highlight the neglect of Strabane over recent decades since partition.

The people of Strabane, particularly the young, need to see evidence that the Stormont Executive and its Ministers are listening and willing to deliver investment and job opportunities for the people of Strabane and district.

Strabane is a regional town and, along with Lifford in Co Donegal, needs to benefit from joint Government action with a major cross-border project which heralds a new beginning for North-South Cooperation at a local and practical level. 

The Three Rivers Project is in effect a Golden Opportunity for the Strabane and Lifford catchment area. In addition to the retail proposals the promoters have stated its job creation potential regarding incorporating a purpose built, State-Of-The-Art Employment Park.

It is crucial at this time that the Government authorities invest in the Riverine Project, and thus trigger the private sector investment being proposed for the three rivers initiative. Given that the Three Rivers is essentially an edge of town cross border North South Project it needs support from central and local Government agencies, including DOE planning.

This type of project can greatly facilitate an opportunity for decentralisation of a Government Office, and provide a strong example of having balanced regional level across the North, particularly to a western Town like Strabane that needs a strong positive signal by Government authorities on both sides of the border.

The Special EU Programmes body which has signalled grant aid support for the riverine project must be welcomed and endorsed as the trigger mechanism to bring about the necessary private sector investment which is required in this area.

The SDLP have always supported practical North/South Cooperation, and we see this project as a possible flagship project for Strabane and district. The potential of this development must be realised and welcomed, particularly when the construction industry is in need of capital projects to get started.

BYRNE: EMERGENCY ACTION AND AID REQUIRED FOR FARMERS

 

SDLP Agricultural Spokesperson Joe Byrne has said the Minister for Agriculture Michelle O’Neill has serious questions to ask about how she has and will handle the current crisis in farming as a result of the bad weather.

Mr. Byrne said:

“Since the heavy snowfall on Thursday and Friday we have seen our farming community thrown into turmoil and a crisis erupting over how we prevent any further loss of livestock.

“The severe weather has meant that lambing sheds have collapsed due to the snowfall and animals are dying due to the difficulty in getting food to them. This cannot and should not be acceptable given that it is now four days since the snowfall.

“Today I visited James McHenry in Cushendall to witness the devastation caused by the poor weather first hand. During an inspection of the farm I saw the damage to buildings and a number of lamb casualties.

“I am calling on the Minister to bring about immediate help and aid to farmers who are so badly effect by the severe weather conditions and the effects on their farms.

“The Minister must mobilise all resources possible to assist the farming community, be that helicopters or additional assistance from the southern authorities.

“Urgent action is required to prevent any further loss of animal life or damage to farming buildings and equipment. I believe that if necessary the Agricultural Committee of which I am Vice Chair should be recalled so that we can work to prevent this crisis escalating further.”

STEWART: COUNCIL NEED TO ACT ON VANDALISM!

Sh. SDLP Councillor Liam Stewart has hit out at thugs following another spate of vandalism to Castle place at Strabane town centre last night. (Monday)

"As a forum member, as an SDLP Representative, the clean up of our town centre has been at the top of the agenda for many months. The town forum, town traders and business owners will not tolerate any vandalism to our town and will continue to promote the many good things our town has to offer both residents and tourists alike"

To damage our town centre at this difficult economic time is quite simply reckless and selfish.

"I have discussed this matter with various business owners this afternoon and many shared in my disgust of this unjustifiable act of destruction. One shop owner explained how they have been subjected to ongoing torture by large groups of young people almost every night of he week. The police have been monitoring the area but little damage or problems are. Avoided. The tree which was only planted a number of weeks ago had been broken off at the stump and used to beat shutters along the town centre premises an then left outside a local chemist? It's time these vandals took pride in their town instead of trying to destroy the progress being made."

"Have these vandals no respect for their town, for their identity? If these inconsiderate individuals cannot leave the small insignificant things alone, such as tree planting, seating or shrubbery, then how can we deliver the bigger picture for our town and people."

Byrne welcomes improvements to Doneyloop Road in Clady

Byrne welcomes improvements to Doneyloop Road in Clady

This week West-Tyrone SDLP MLA Joe Byrne has welcomed the on-going improvements to the Tullymoan Road between Clady and Doneyloop.

Mr Byrne said “I am very pleased to see the work being carried out on this stretch of road between Clady and Doneyloop. In the last number of months The SDLP Team in Strabane has been contacted on a number of occasions by various Clady residents, looking for repair works to be carried out as the road was littered with potholes.”

“The potholes were a concern for residents who were worried at the damage being to their cars when using the road. The Doneyloop Road can be extremely busy on occasions, especially during Mass times at the local St. Columba’s Church. I am also pleased to welcome the placement of footpaths on the road to accommodate pedestrians walking between Clady and Doneyloop, and again for any one walking to the local church.”

“The Strabane SDLP team has been lobbying both Strabane District Council and Donegal County Council for work like this to be carried out. The work is on-going and due to be completed within the next six weeks”.  

JOHN HUME GALA BALL..

SDLP welcome repair work planned for footpath in Victoria Bridge

This week the SDLP in Strabane has welcomed the planned repair works for a footpath on the Fyfin Road in Victoria Bridge.

SDLP representative Mary McCrossan has welcomed the planned repair works and said “The footpath in question has been in need of repair for quite some time. Our office on Butcher Street and our representatives on the ground have been contacted on numerous occasions by residents, regarding the state of the footpath and the dangers it currently poses. The footpath is very well used by residents both young and old.”

“The footpath is cracked and is starting to break up around the edges. This poses quite a serious health and safety hazard for anyone using the footpath.”  

“We have been in contact with DRD Roads Service over the last number of weeks, and they have ensured our office that the work will begin within the next six weeks. We hope that when this work is completed it will ensure the safety of residents for the foreseeable future.”  

Byrne: Mapping System Flaws Must Finally Be Resolved

SDLP Agricultural spokesperson Joe Byrne has called for an investigation to be launched as to why the mapping system has failed farmers so badly.

This comes after an SDLP motion criticising the current mapping system was brought by Councillor Thomas Conway before Derry City Council last Tuesday evening received unanimous support.

Mr Byrne said:

“I am encouraged that all parties in Derry City Council have lent their full support to the SDLP motion calling for an inquiry into the mapping system for farmers which is failing.

“The SDLP are deeply concerned that over £20 million of public money has been spent on administering a fundamentally flawed system. Following the third attempt by the Department to get this right people’s patience will naturally be running out.

“The Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development must urgently deal with this debacle and ensure that Farming families are in no-way penalised by DARD’s mistakes. Computer glitches can happen but there must be action to ensure mapping errors are prevented in the future.

“Farmers need to know that the system represents value for money given the exorbitant amounts the mapping system is costing the tax payer. The Minister must be proactive rather than reactive and ensure that finally her department get this mapping system right.

“The SDLP are also calling for an investigation to restore confidence in DARD’s administration, otherwise this matter may have to be referred to the Northern Ireland Audit Office and indeed the Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee. The new mapping system must meet the Single Farm Payment EU requirements and be value for money.”

Byrne urges U-turn on ‘bedroom tax’

SDLP West Tyrone MLA Joe Byrne has warned Minister Nelson McCausland of the potentially devastating impacts of the so-called “bedroom tax,” and has urged him to reverse his decision.

Mr Byrne said:

“In a recent question to the Minister of Social Development, he revealed that thousands of people across the North would be at risk of financial penalty with the introduction of a “bedroom tax.”

“This could be potentially devastating for many families who are already struggling as a result of the economic downturn, and will undoubtedly push many into financial hardship, or force them from their homes. The flawed policy takes no account of individual circumstances, such as single parent families who may not have their children living with them on a permanent basis.

“It also fails to consider ill or disabled people, many of whom rely on overnight carers or the need for extra bedrooms by foster parents who provide a much needed home for vulnerable young people.

“I have no confidence in the “discretionary payments” that the Minister is promising, and this is a completely unacceptable attempt to plug the hole in this flawed policy. Further to this, the fact that the Minister saw fit to return £15 million to the Finance Minister in the past two months demonstrates a failure on his part to adequately allocate his budget. It is a slap in the face to those who he is taking more money from, and shows his complete incompetence and strategic oversight in relation to financial management.

“The figures released by the Minister suggest that there will be tens of thousands of people penalised by the introduction of the “bedroom tax” across the North. The SDLP will do everything we can to prevent implementation of this unfair and illogical tax on the vulnerable.”

Byrne welcomes planning approval for new radiotherapy unit

SDLP West Tyrone MLA Joe Byrne has welcomed the announcement by the Environment Minister Alex Attwood confirming planning approval for the new radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry.

Mr Byrne said: “I welcome the Minister’s announcement which now means the dates and budgetary timelines for the building of the new Radiotherapy Unit can proceed according to plan.

“This new unit will not only serve patients in the greater North West on both sides of the border but also guarantee the coping capacity and performance standards of the Regional Cancer Centre at Belfast’s City Hospital into the future.

“I will be pressing for regular progress reports on the new unit so that there is no slippage on this project which is a regional priority, not just for people in the North West but right across the North.”

 

SDLP express concerns over vandalism

This week the SDLP has voiced their concerns over the recent outbreak of graffiti vandalism in the Strabane Area.

Town Forum member and party member Liam Stewart said “The graffiti was discovered early last week on a wooden barricade, on the town centre side of the Mourne Bridge. The graffiti consists of three large painted letters representing a group. Vandalism of this nature is totally unacceptable, and is being carried out by a very small group of individuals who have no respect for our town or how it looks to the outside world.”

“The SDLP in Strabane has been lobbying constantly for clean the streets, repair derelict buildings and help businesses by welcoming a scheme to revamp shop fronts. Now for a small group of people to actively deface our town is an attack on residents who work and shop in Strabane, and businesses who are struggling to maintain custom and employment in these difficult financial times.”

SDLP Strabane Branch Chairperson and Sh. Councillor Jim McIntyre has also condemned this vandalism and said “The graffiti is situated at the entrance to Main Street in Strabane Town Centre, the worst possible area for vandalism like this to be carried out. This graffiti is very intimidating for shoppers and visitors to our town. Tourism is vital to Strabane’s economy, yet this graffiti will have a detrimental effect on Strabane’s ability to attract people to our town.”

“With Derry named as UK City of Culture for 2013, it is hoped that Strabane will benefit from the influx of visitors to the North-West and give businesses a much needed boost over the next number of months. We need Strabane to be looking its best not only for the run up to the City of Culture, but to attract tourism throughout the year. This sort of behaviour cannot be allowed and I would call on the relevant authorities to remove this graffiti as soon as possible.”

SDLP: McCausland must listen to reason and learn from mistakes

SDLP MLA Joe Byrne has responded to news that the Welfare Secretary Iain Duncan Smith has instructed officials to “look again” at how the bedroom tax will affect disabled people.

Fri 25nd February

The West Tyrone MLA said:

“The fact that Iain Duncan Smith is asking his officials to look at the viability of bedroom tax again is deeply worrying. It further demonstrates the flawed logic of the Minister for Social Development, Nelson McCausland deciding to proceed to implement policies which are clearly failing.

“These proposals are already failing and will have a high impact on people living in the North where we have higher rates of disability, less suitable accommodation and segregated social housing. The policies being pursued by the Minister will have a much more severe impact on people and should be revisited.

“The SDLP are on record for calling for exemptions from the bedroom tax for those with disabilities, caring responsibilities as well as foster parents. To ignore the needs of those groups is unacceptable and will ultimately prove unworkable as it is doing across the water.”

Byrne: Raising literacy and numeracy standards essential

SDLP MLA Joe Byrne has said the Department of Education must champion the literacy and numeracy skills of young people in order to raise standards.

The West Tyrone MLA was responding to the Northern Ireland Audit Office report (NIAO) ‘Improving Literacy and Numeracy Achievement in Schools’ published last week;

Mr Byrne said:

“I welcome the publication of the NIAO report which focuses on the challenges that we face in improving the literacy and numeracy skills of our young people.

“There needs to be a focus at three levels early years, pre and post-primary school on instilling good principles in respect of literacy and numeracy skills. Parents play an intrinsic role in their children’s development with 80% of their learning taking place outside of the classroom.

“In particular early years is a key stage to confront deficits in numeracy and literacy coupled with parental involvement. Programmes like SureStart and Barnardo’s do fantastic work to support communities and families as do many other organisations which enrich family life.

“If we are to raise standards we need to de-clutter our Primary Curriculum and put a firm focus on improving the teaching of literacy and numeracy within schools. Teachers must not be over-loaded with programmes that detract from implementing good standards of teaching and leadership.

“Large class sizes are an issue which effects learning with many classrooms having over 30 children at Key Stage 2. How can we attain higher standards when teaching time between pupil and teacher is squeezed to the limits?

“At post-primary level a clear intervention strategy is required to address the current deficits. When a teenager tells you they struggle to read or that they ‘hate maths’ then there is a pressing need for specialist support. Critical gaps still exist in both religious background and geographical location and this must also be tackled.

“The Education Minister must make raising literacy and numeracy levels his top priority. In 2010-11 a disturbing 9,000 pupils left full-time education after failing to reach the required standard in literacy and numeracy. That is an appalling situation.

“If we build the right educational foundations for our children then we will finally raise standards in literacy and numeracy and this will have knock-on benefits for their lifelong health and wellbeing.”

SDLP: Banks must ensure vacant properties are secured

SDLP has urged banks to take responsibility for securing vacant properties in their possession to prevent them from being damaged or vandalised.

Party Spokesperson Patrick Leonard said;

“In recent weeks we in the SDLP have received considerable reports from constituents regarding the vandalism and forced entry of repossessed properties across the district, I personally visited a series of properties on the Urney road area where extensive damage and theft had been carried out, leaving the house in a brutal state. This not only destroys the house but can often endanger neighbouring properties and residents with risk of fire etc.

“Banks have a responsibility to ensure that these buildings are secured. It is a sad sign of the times that so many of homes have been repossessed by the banks, but the banks still have duty to ensure that these homes are protected and are not allowed to fall into disrepair or to serve as an invite to opportunistic vandals.

“This problem is prevalent across the North, and so I am calling on the banks to step up to the mark and to ensure that these properties are adequately secured to prevent this problem from getting out of control.”

SDLP: Much more work required to grow the green economy

SDLP MLA Joe Byrne has emphasised the need to grow the green economy. He was speaking following an Assembly Debate on the importance of supporting the growth in the Sustainable Energy Sector.

Mr Byrne said:

“The SDLP throughout the North is very encouraged about the potential for growth in the green economy. We welcome the progress and work on renewable energy that the Executive has completed to date, but so much more needs to be done.

“For example, we could be doing more work to help establish a long term vision for renewable energy in this region. My SDLP colleagues and I have been fully engaged in the renewable energy agenda and made significant recommendations to both he Minister and the Executive.

“Most recommendations have been accepted, but it’s the implementation that has been lagging. For instance, there are exciting opportunities for job creation and manufacturing in both renewable energy and efficiency and for us to be at the cutting edge of technological developments-the Committee wants to see action to see this vision realised.

“We need a joined-up approach across government and an end to the delays. The SDLP has called on the Executive to lead by example by backing renewable technologies and utilising the many prospects in this sector.

This SDLP is fully committed to developing the green economy and to raise awareness to grow the sustainable energy sector. In doing so this can help reduce potential for the worse excesses of climate change, create jobs, tackle fuel poverty among older and vulnerable people, and reduce over-crowding in hospitals.

 

SDLP: North riven with scourge of child poverty

SDLP Constituency Representative Daniel McCrossan, has said there is a growing mountain of evidence which should ensure that independent child poverty targets are brought in by the Executive.

Mon 25th February

Mr McCrossan was commenting after a report by the End Child Poverty campaign, which mapped child poverty in UK, confirmed that Strabane had an estimated 3303 children living in poverty in 2012, 32% of children across the Strabane district. The report suggests a worrying 46% of children in Castlederg living in poverty, 53% in Ballycolman, 66% in the East Strabane ward, 30% south and 33% East and West wards.

“This map confirms recent research by both Save the Children and the Institute of Fiscal Studies. It confirms that the North is riven with the scourge of child poverty. It confirms that this an on-going crisis which, if left unmet, will leave fundamental social and economic legacies and will leave a generation of children abandoned.

“For some time now, the SDLP has been calling on OFMDFM to formulate individual child poverty targets for the Assembly. This would be separate from Westminster’s Child Poverty statutory legislation and target, a target which the IFS has deemed unachievable given current government policy.

“Until now the call for independent targets, the call for independent responsibility for child poverty here has fallen on deaf ears.

“The body of evidence, however, continues to grow. This is a current crisis which will have the longest of consequences.

“As demonstrated by the Audit Office report into Education, the poverty suffered by children, acts as the prime restriction to educational development at the earliest ages. This means that children are either left playing catch up with their peers in terms of numeracy or literacy, or left behind altogether. This is perhaps the biggest impediment to any sort of social mobility in our society.

“People will, very rightly, view this as a defining test for Stormont's current leadership'.

“If they remain unwilling to take on full responsibility for an issue so important and relevant to the people of the North, the most serious of questions will need to be asked as to whether they are carrying out the expected role of government at all.”

STRABANE SUPPORTS MCGLONE.....A TRUE VOICE FOR REAL CHANGE!

An invaluable voice for real and meaningful change!

People of Mid Ulster, tomorrow should be an easy decision...

Here are some factors you should consider..

Look at your children and think about their future... Look at the many problems the people of your communities are suffering each and every minute of every day.. Young families, single mothers, the elderly, the unemployed, the graduates without jobs or opportunities...

look at the many SMEs who are struggling to break even and motivated through this challenging and difficult economic climate.

Look at the events of the last few months and how tribal politics has destroyed the reputation of this region which had taken 15 years to build!

Look at how tribal politics has attempted to dismantle the peace process!

Take into consideration how the DUP and SF have acted/not acted on the demanded shared future approach, vital for the future progression of the north and for a stable and prosperous future for my generation and the generations to come!

Other parties have failed in their endeavours to be the voice of reason, hope or betterment for those in need in Mid Ulster now and in the past.. the SDLP will not fail you! Patsy McGlone will not fail you!

This election must not be about the green and orange politics of the past! This election must be about the future of our communities and upcoming generations, a shared future to the benefit of everyone must be the only thought on your mind in 2013!

The answer is clear, your voice, your hope for change is PATSY MCGLONE! Vote for a man of the people, vote Patsy McGlone tomorrow.(7 March)