McCrossan signs in as MLA for West Tyrone

Daniel McCrossan has signed the Assembly register today to become SDLP MLA for West Tyrone. Mr McCrossan was selected by SDLP party members to replace Joe Byrne who retired at the end of 2015.

Mr McCrossan said: “I am honoured to be signing in as one of two new MLAs for the SDLP alongside Gerard Diver. In Joe Byrne the people of West Tyrone had a representative who worked tirelessly in their interest with dignity, integrity and expertise. We cannot thank him enough for all he has accomplished for our people and I will strive to follow his example.

“In the Assembly I will pursue those issues that have been consistently neglected by other parties; the repeated failure to deliver the A5, the crisis facing our dairy and lamb farmers and our chronic shortage of housing and jobs. It is time parties in government make good on their promises to the people of West Tyrone. The SDLP will work to change that.

“The coming months will be critical for the SDLP, West Tyrone and all of Northern Ireland. Devolution must be more than what we have had over the last 10 years. I am confident that our Leader Colum Eastwood, with a strong Assembly team at his back, will show the public that that their interests are better served by a party committed partnership and not point scoring. It is time for change.”

Joe Byrne said: “Daniel McCrossan has all the qualities that will make him the outstanding representative for West Tyrone. His constituents can be assured that in him that they have an MLA who will fight for them with passion and confidence. I wish him all the best as he works in the Assembly over the next couple of months and contests the election in May.”