NO MORE EXCUSES - WE WANT ACTION ON THE PEOPLES A5 - LEONARD

SDLP Sperrin Representative Patrick Leonard addressed the SDLP conference last week and demanded that his party make the A5 a priority at the Executive table. 

Conference reaffirms its support for the proposed A5 dual carriageway that will bring a much needed economic boost to employment black spots in the North West such as Strabane and Derry. The A5 will also vastly improve the safety for commuters and help lower the number of fatal collisions on our roads. Furthermore conference calls on all our elected representatives to actively seek assurances from the Executive of their commitment to the completion of this project.

Mr Leonard had this to say:

"I would like to reiterate the importance of the delivery of this infrastructure project to an area like Strabane and Omagh and indeed the entire Northwest.  It is noteworthy to point out that subsequent to the St Andrews agreement this major flagship peace dividend project was earmarked as a national primary route for joint Government support and action."

"The people of my Home town of Strabane and those from Donegal, Derry and the wider West Tyrone constituency considered this project as evidence of a firm commitment to peace and moving forward from our difficult and divisive past. It is therefore extremely disappointing that the Executive seems to have lost sight on previous commitment to what is an essential project and one which potentially could ignite a prosperity process to an abandoned Strabane people."

"Joe Byrne and our growing West Tyrone team are dedicated entirely to the delivery of the A5 transfer corridor, and the many benefits it will bring to the people of the Northwest. Not only will this project deliver major economic benefits and opportunities, it is also important in terms of safety. I know personally of many families who have sadly lost loved ones on this road over the years, such a difficult loss can never be measured, especially when it’s a mother and father losing a son or daughter.  Such tragic loss is devastating for any family to endure. I fully believe that the construction of the new A5 road would greatly improve safety for drivers and reduce the fatalities suffered on our roads."

"As a native of the Northwest speaking on behalf of the Strabane people, we are not prepared to suffer any further disappointment from Government, especially on this project which was promised on the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. I see this project as the greatest opportunity to bring the North West of Ireland to an equal footing in terms of economic investment, with the rest of the province. The people of Strabane are now of the firm belief that we and other towns in the North West have been discriminated against in terms of investment since partition, I say to conference, this MUST happen NO MORE end this trend of neglect."

"I urge our party to lobby the Executive to deliver this vital project, a project which is essential for the betterment of our lives, to save lives and to open the links across this island which in turn will help provide a brighter future for our children and grandchildren here at home."

"The one beacon of light in an ever darkening future must not be extinguished by the dark arts of Government."

The Executive Must Deliver Jobs for Strabane - McIntyre

SDLP Strabane Chairman and Sperrin Representative Jim McIntyre presented the following motion on behalf of the good people of Strabane at this years SDLP conference help last weekend. 

Conference notes that Strabane was, and continues to be an economic black spot in terms of investment and job creation by Central Government. Conference calls on the Northern Ireland Executive to deliver a major public jobs initiative to the Strabane district area in order to tackle the legacy of unemployment in that part of the Northwest.

Mr McIntyre Said:

The current state of the Northern Ireland Economy is so fragile that 2015 will continue to spell disaster and desperate struggle for the survival of many small to medium sized businesses particularly in retailing, construction and the service sector.

Across 2014 we have witnessed the end of many such businesses who simply could not sustain themselves in such harsh economic times. As months pass we continue to witness the end of many large construction companies as they struggle to survive, and more retail business ceasing trading in town centres such as my home town of Strabane. This devastating recession of depression has unfortunately driven well established businesses, in families for generations into administration or bankruptcy.

This devastating economic struggle is being endured by many businesses at this time, continually leading to further bankruptcies, increased unemployment and a growing deprivation throughout our struggling communities communities.

The austerity measures in terms of increased charges for public services and less public sector capital projects being initiated means that the downward spiral of the local economy is only adding to the already very high levels of unemployment and reduced economic activity locally. This will not be helped by the DUP/SF agreed austerity budget which is bad for people and bad for politics.

The big challenge now is for the Northern Ireland Executive to manage its financial resources more effectively in order to focus on some regeneration and targeted capital works programmes to create a local stimulus, particularly for the construction industry. The test now for the Executive is to see if regional Government decision making can be pursued more vigorously in order to get better economic performance.

Tackling the depressing reality of rising unemployment is the biggest challenge ahead for politicians and Government agencies. This is indeed a rising trend in Strabane and has been for decades. Many industries closed its doors and new opportunities of prospects failed to come. Strabane and its people have been abandoned by Government under direct rule and continue that trend under the Assembly.

Last year under the Department of Agriculture’s plans to decentralise 800 jobs from Belfast. The people of Strabane thought delivery had finally come, or so they thought!

In the assessment criteria carried out by DARD, the Strabane district area topped the poll, yes for all the wrong reasons, unemployment, social deprivation, welfare claimants etc. The people of Strabane acknowledged this report as an appreciation by Government of the difficult reality the Strabane people suffer. This report should have meant Strabane was to be the new home to 800 Government jobs, especially considering the area scored a massive 14 points ahead of the Minister preference in Ballykelly with 73 points to 59.

The Sinn Fein Minister decided Ballykelly was the more suitable location yet has failed to explain why in any justifiable way; no business case has been provided after a number of Freedom of information requests.

The people of Strabane are now certain that a dirty deal was struck between the DUP and SF in their continuing efforts to carve up power for party political advantage at the disadvantage of local people.

 My message to SF and the DUP is this, the people of Strabane deserve better and will have better, the days of neglect and being shafted by Government must end and this party, we a party for social justice and equality must act to ensure Strabane gets the delivery it has been starved from and an end to this blatant discrimination. The SDLP can deliver for Strabane and I urge this conference to make that a priority. I urge conference to lobby the Executive to deliver a major jobs boost to Strabane.

The SDLP of Tomorrow - Oilbhea Whorriskey

Since a young age I have always shown an interest in politics. Having my uncle John Hume so heavily involved has meant I have grown up with it. But the fact is, I want to grow up in a society that I would like to see future generations live in. Walking through the doors of the Ramada Plaza last Friday my eyes was opened to a whole new world and experience for me.

This was my first SDLP party conference. There were so many people present in the foyer from the SDLP, some of whom I recognised from the TV. As the day went on I was in and out of the conference room attending many different debates of which I had an interest. It was great hearing many different speakers talk on a wide range of topics, including education and health to name just a few. With this being my first conference, I understood most of what people spoke of and it gave me a better understanding on what actually happens within politics and Stormont.

From the debates I attended, I believed strongly that these people represented my interests and when I get older I feel that things will be better and stronger for us, the youth of today. Seeing all the MP's, MLA's, councillors and representatives of the SDLP was amazing, and to think their ways are exactly what I want. Believing in them in making a better future.

Another great experience to take from the conference was getting my photograph take with different important people. Getting to meet the Lord Mayor of Belfast Nichola Mallon, Fearghal McKinney MLA and Mark H Durkan MLA to name but a few.

This was the first of many conferences for me and I enjoyed it from the start to finish. If I was to take anything from the conference, it would be that everyone has an opinion. But more importantly, the youth's views are vital and with the right representation we can build a better future for everyone

Byrne: Urgent action required from Minister on legal highs

SDLP MLA for West Tyrone Joe Byrne again raised concerns regarding the lack of action being taken by the Department of Justice to tackle legal highs.

Mr Byrne questioned Justice Minister Ford on the proposals his Department have considered to deal effectively with the widespread use of legal highs which are causing havoc in some of our communities.

Mr Byrne said:

“Minister Ford reiterated that this was a non-devolved issue and that he could not see legislation regarding this issue being passed until after the Westminster Election in May 2015. He said he needed to look at a recent report from the Home Office.

“I pressed him on the urgency for legislation. Also I asked on whether he had meet with his counterpart, Minister for Justice and Equality Frances Fitzgerald in the South regarding the issue.

“The emphasis on the Republic’s new regulations focuses on the head shops and dealers, and if these along with the website were made illegal it would go somewhat to alleviating the issue.

‘The approach of a general ban in the South has had a dramatic effect on their availability. We need to benefit from their experience.

“These legal highs are creating havoc in our society. Parents feel powerless. Young people need to be protected.

“The issue of legal highs in the West Tyrone area has been one that has continued to escalate over the last year and there are fears that if action is not taken soon, there will be severe mental and physical health issues for the local health trust to contend with because of these products, if not deaths.

“People in my constituency are demanding action from their elected representatives and the Department of Justice seem to be placing responsibility on either Westminster or local government environmental health officers. We need leadership from the Department of Justice.

Byrne: Health Service cuts causing havoc

Joe Byrne, SDLP MLA, has reported that the recent cuts by the Western Health Trust affecting the Tyrone County Hospital and the Tyrone and Fermanagh Hospital are cavalier and uncaring to both patients and staff:

“The Western Health Trust appears to be making haphazard decisions in relation to the budget. These decisions are resulting in cuts to front line services and to many nursing and medical staff.

“The most recent announcement regarding a rearrangement of dementia care facilities and the closing of the inpatient challenging behaviour unit is extremely worrying. It is disturbing for specialist staff as well as being totally against the interest of the patients affected.’

“The uncoordinated approach and lack of proper consultation is adding to the anxiety of all concerned. No quality impact assessment is being carried out prior to these decisions.

“I have met today (18th November) at Stormont with other West Tyrone MLA’s and will be working jointly with them on these issues that affect the Omagh community in particular.”

My Week With the Strabane SDLP - Tamika McCrory

I've recently just finished work experience with the Strabane SDLP team. My week there was fantastic and truly worthwhile and life changing experience. I felt right at home the moment I arrived at the Strabane Advice Centre greeted by the team.

My week included a number of tasks like answering phones, making important calls, filing and attending events outside of the SDLP office and dealing with a diverse range of public concerns and public bodies.

With Joe Byrne MLA and Daniel McCrossan, West Tyrone Constituency Representative I attended a number of local events throughout the Strabane area. I especially enjoyed my visit with residents of Greenfield Residential Home during a recent Coffee morning and the premiere of the Strabane food bank film and to witness first-hand the sterling work by this invaluable local resource.

Before my work experience I had a passionate interest in Politics and I am currently studying it at A Level. Following my week with the Strabane SDLP team and the insight into the invaluable contribution they make in helping local and vulnerable people from all backgrounds, my interest in politics has grown. I am now deeply considering taking politics further into a career. My time spent at the SDLP has shown me that politics isn’t just about being someone important. It’s about helping the people, putting the people in your constituency first and letting them know that someone is there to help, that someone cares! Helping the people of Northern Ireland to reconcile and paving a more peaceful road into a stronger much more prosperous future.

Young people should engage more in democracy! If we had more youth interested in politics then things in Northern Ireland could start to improve more. Young people’s opinions and visions are a lot different now than the generation before. Politics need the voices of young people to express their views, to help change the way politics is and too help intrigue even more youth into the world of politics today.

SDLP Question to Minister regarding out-of-hours GP Services in Strabane

To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for an overview of the current provision of out-of-hours GP services in Strabane.

The Health & Social Care Board (HSCB) commissions GP Out of Hours (OOHs) services in the Western Trust area from Western Urgent Care (WUC) which operates5 GP OOHs bases including Strabane.

When a patient in the Strabane area contacts GP OOHs services, the service is structured so that they will be seen in the local centre. However, should the situation arise that when a patient contacts the OOHs service and there is no GP available in that centre at that time, then the patient will be provided with an appointment, at a later time, to see a GP at the Strabane centre. WUC make the necessary arrangements to have a GP travel from either the Altnagelvin or Omagh base to see those patients. Should patients wish to be seen sooner they are offered an appointment at the GP OOHs centre in Altnagelvin.

An analysis of activity in the Strabane area shows that from March 2014 until September 2104 there have been 79 occasions where a GP was not in place for the whole of the evening in Strabane. As previously indicated on each of these evenings all patients were offered an appointment in the Strabane centre.

Patients who need to see a doctor or nurse continue to do so within the Northern Ireland Quality Standards depending on the urgency of the case. Furthermore, any patient in the area who requires a home visit will be offered one. It should be noted that access to the Strabane centre is by appointment only, and patients should always ring for advice before attending the centre.

Given the demand being placed on GP OOHs it is essential that patients understand that the OOHs service is designed to deal with urgent calls only and that patients with non-urgent needs are best dealt with during the day at their local GP surgery, via self-care or accessing their local community pharmacy.