Byrne: Banks Must Give Urgent Help To Farmers

During a debate in Stormont on Tuesday 21st May relating to Farm Incomes; Joe Byrne, MLA for West Tyrone and Vice-Chair of the Assembly Agricultural Committee, called on the local Banks in Northern Ireland to show more flexibility and outlined the need for extended credit facilities to many farm businesses that are in dire need of help at this time.

During the debate Mr Byrne emphasised the need for banks to recognise the current difficulties that many farmers face due to the weather related problems and the shortage of fodder.

The motion on falling farm incomes proposed by Joanne Dobson MLA (UUP) was amended by Mr Byrne in relation to Bank credit facilities. In reference to the Agri-food strategy report published last week, Mr Byrne called on Minister O’Neill to declare the Executive’s position on the need for £ 400 million pounds of government support over the next 3 to 4 years to kick start the Agri-Strategy for the following 10 years.

Speaking after the debate Mr Byrne stated:

“I put down the amendment relating to bank credit facilities because many farmers are in a precarious position financially, whereby many of them are operating at their credit limit but need further short term credit facilities to deal with fodder and feed shortages.

“My fear is that some banks will not be sensible and sensitive to some farmer’s problems and unfortunately, some farm businesses may go bankrupt.

“I was pleased that it was a mature debate which demonstrated the concern of many MLAs about the current farming situation. We all want to see a farming industry and Agri-Food sector growing and developing over the next 10 years, but we recognise the short term difficulties that we must address to ensure that these farm businesses survive.”

Byrne: Great Show cannot mask Crisis in Farming

Irelands largest Agricultural and Food Show and one of the main events in the farming calendar, The Balmoral Show, celebrated its 145^th anniversary and this year West-Tyrone SDLP MLA Joe Byrne took part in a special meet and greet.

Mr Byrne was delighted to have the opportunity to meet the shows patrons and discuss their views. While doing so Mr Byrne, who is Vice-Chair of the Stormont Agricultural Committee, was approached by many disgruntled farmers who expressed their views on the farming industry.

Among many topics, Mr Byrne readily discussed at length the current ‘Fodder Crisis’ that is currently gripping the Agricultural Community. Mr Byrne said “Of all the issues that were raised to me, top of the agenda among many farmers was the on-going Fodder Crisis. Many farmers, due to weather conditions, have been left without any feed for their animals”.

“Among those in attendance I met a number of farmers from Fermanagh who have also been struggling to make ends meet, due to the unfavourable weather conditions. Like many they try to remain positive in these testing times for farmers.”

“I have continuously raised the strife that farmers are currently enduring to DARD, Unfortunately DARD are so aloof from reality, they don’t recognise what is going on.”

On a more positive note Mr Byrne and his young SDLP team in attendance, commended the work done by all to make a great show possible. “I have been visiting the Balmoral Agricultural Show since I was a student in Queens in the mid Seventies and have always enjoyed the colour and atmosphere when country people attend this large show annually.”

“The RUAS are to be congratulated on this major development to the new Maze site and hopefully they will be able to enjoy another 100 years of progress and advancement of the farming sector in our economy”. 

Byrne questions Finance Minister over Economic Merit of Decentralisation

This week West-Tyrone SDLP MLA Joe Byrne has questioned the Minister of Finance and Personnel, Sammy Wilson, regarding the economic merit of Government Departments decentralising to various areas of Northern Ireland.

Mr Byrne said “In the Chamber during Question Time I asked the Minister for Finance and Personnel, Sammy Wilson, does the Minister still favour the economic merit of Northern Ireland having some decentralisation.”

“In response to my question The Minister said it was up to individual Ministers to decide what their Departments most needs and what opportunities are available. If there is to be a relocation or dispersal of jobs, this is usually best done when a new function comes on to the books rather than looking at existing functions. However, there may well be occasions when existing functions can be relocated. As far as the Minister is concerned, that is a responsibility not for The Department of Finance and Personnel, or the Executive, but for individual Ministers.”

“I have been an advocate for decentralisation for many years, and I believe it is time Central Government began to invest in areas outside of Belfast. Many areas, especially in West-Tyrone, have long suffered from discrimination of investment by Central Government since partition.”

“This answer also reveals to me that the decision to send 800 DARD jobs to Ballykelly, despite Strabane topping a poll of where these jobs were most needed, was a political decision made solely by Sinn Fein and the DARD Minister Michelle O’Neill without even a business case being created. The people of Strabane deserve a proper, transparent answer to why this decision has been made.”

VANDALS WILL NOT TO BE TOLERATED!

An issue has been brought to our attention regarding the graffiti which has been daubed across the hoarding at a main entry to Strabane town. This is one of three locations where these large letterings have been identified. The SDLP office in Strabane has received a number of complaints regarding this issue from a number of constituents, business owners and various town centre regeneration groups. There have been considerable attempts made over the last number of months to clean up the Strabane town centre and make our town presentable, welcoming and attractive to investors and visitors.

We would hope that the Chairman of the RNU following his statement in last weeks paper, will agree that we as Strabane residents need to promote this town at this extremely challenging economic time. Strabane has suffered significant levels unemployment, deprivation and neglect for decades. The people of Strabane must come together and work in the interests of this area and the interests of local people especially our young people, many of which see no future here now.

We in the SDLP are extremely concerned for the future of our young generations and feel it is our duty alongside many others to do our upmost, in fighting to ensure some stability for the people of Strabane. We note that the RNU have intentions of standing in future elections. We also note that Mr Bonner and others in the RNU have been representing various residents in your area in recent times; referenced in the recent statement to the Strabane Chronicle. It is anybody’s right in a democratic process to stand election and represent those in need. We in the SDLP will never stand in the way of democracy and the right to representation. We in the SDLP have not singled out the RNU in recent weeks, or in the past. We in the SDLP have no personal issue with Mr Bonner or other members of the RNU. We have little concern with the practices or representations made by the RNU and have no intention of getting involved in tit for tat political point scoring with them.

We in the SDLP are here for the betterment of local people and it is our intention to provide the people of this district with the representation they have been starved from. It is this party’s intention, as a new SDLP to provide a strong voice for Strabane and its people. We believe little has been done for local people and we also believe more can and will be done in the future for the betterment of local people. This is quite simply about the futures of our children across this district and about providing and fighting for the opportunities Strabane deserves.

What we do take issue with is anyone, or any organisation going out of their way to deliberately and intentionally place graffiti on any area in Strabane. We in the SDLP have condemned any vandalism or abuse of our town centre in the past. The SDLP did not only condemn the recent vandalism by RNU. We have been active in cleaning up the town centre for a long number of months alongside the Strabane Chamber of Commerce, the District council and the town forum.  This is about Strabane and its people; it’s about providing opportunity and delivering much needed change. This is something we would hope the RNU would agree with.

In the RNU’s article to this paper last week the group seemed offended that we in the SDLP, amongst many Strabane residents have described these recent illustrations as vandalism or graffiti.

For the interests of the RNU Vandalism may be defined as:

Action involving deliberate destruction of or damage to public or private property.

Graffiti may be defined as:

Writing or drawings scribbled, scratched, or sprayed illicitly on a wall or other surface in a public place:

Following these definitions and considering the recent acts on the three locations, we as representatives of the Strabane district and Strabane people stand by our comments as placed in the local media a few short weeks ago regarding the wrongful vandalism by the RNU. The writing which appeared clearly on private property is by all accounts an act of vandalism and graffiti; not to mention a criminal offence. It appears unwelcoming and intimidating to residents and visitors alike and portrays a poor image for our town centre.

We have no issue with the RNU expressing themselves or representing people as stated earlier. However, we must ask what benefit painting these letters on busy locations in the town centre will have? It simply causes annoyance and damages the overall image for Strabane. I refer to all vandalism by any individual or organisation, and not just the RNU. 

If the RNU are intending on representing and defending the people of this town, we would urge them to reconsider their advertising procedures. If they are intending on representing local people and acting as role models for local people this is a very poor example to be setting.

In the interests of the town and the interests of the town’s image, I am sure as any reasonable man would agree that placing large lettering on main entry points to the town, benefits no one.

Surely it is in the interest of everyone to clean up our town and make it attractive as well as welcoming to investment, and the many opportunities investment brings with it.

If the RNU still feel the need to meet with local SDLP representatives, our public offices are open Monday to Friday and an appointment can be made.

SDLP STRABANE DISTRICT EXECUTIVE

BYRNE: WHY IS FARM AID PAYMENT DELAYED AGAIN?

Reacting today to the fresh news that the Farm-Aid Scheme is still not finalised or agreed by the executive, Joe Byrne SDLP MLA said:

“I have just learned that the weekly Executive meeting is cancelled and the special ARD committee meeting that was to take place afterwards has also been cancelled.

“I have been contacted by some farming representatives who are asking me why the continued delay in the farm aid scheme being allowed to happen without any degree of urgency by DARD.

“The handling of this issue by DARD is now becoming a joke but unfortunately the farmers affected by it do not find it funny. 

“I am now calling on Minister O’Neill to grasp the nettle and get this Farm-Aid Scheme finalised and cash aid payments made to farmers without any further delay. It is unacceptable that suffering farmers have still seen no cash aid payments after seven weeks since the poor weather.”

Successful SDLP West-Tyrone Constituency Meeting held in Mellon Hotel

West-Tyrone SDLP MLA Joe Byrne has highlighted the success of the recent West-Tyrone Constituency meeting held in The Mellon Country Hotel last Thursday night.

Mr Byrne said “The West-Tyrone Constituency Meeting is held once a year and is attended by the Omagh Branch and the Strabane Branches. The meeting is held to discuss what is currently happening at Branch level and what can be done to strengthen all Branches across West-Tyrone.”

“During the meeting we had many contributions from volunteers and members on how they and others have been contributing to their various Branches, while our councillors gave an update on their future strategies at Council level.”

“We were also very pleased to welcome our guest speaker on the night, Fine Gael TD for Donegal North-East Mr Joe McHugh. Mr McHugh has a keen interest in West-Tyrone due to his constituency’s border with our own. Mr McHugh expressed his commitment towards cross border co-operation, especially in terms of health provision with a cross-border Air Ambulance service and tourism. Tourism is vital to both Donegal and Tyrone in terms of generating revenue. A tourist visiting Tyrone will want to visit Donegal and vice versa, so selling the tourist value of both Tyrone and Donegal is vital for business.”

West-Tyrone Constituency Representative Daniel McCrossan added “The Constituency meeting is also a chance for ideas to be put forward that can help make areas like Strabane, a better place to live for residents. I was so pleased to see a full house at the meeting which shows there are a lot of people who feel very passionate about their area. The wide range of attendees from young people to senior citizens and new members to experienced members, all enjoyed the speakers and debates held on the night”. 

SDLP welcomes pay-day loans warning over ‘ Irresponsible lending’

The Strabane SDLP District Executive has strongly welcomed the news that the UK’s 50 biggest pay-day lenders are to be given 12 weeks to clean up their industry or face being shut down.

SDLP Spokesperson Patrick Leonard said; The SDLP strongly welcome this move which is a big victory for all of those who have been campaigning for intervention in the high-cost credit market, which is often uncompetitive and exploitative, and has seen pay-day loan companies charging annual interest rates of up to 4,000 per cent per year.

“This kind of lending – where greedy and unscrupulous loan companies prey on the financially excluded by offering easy credit at extortionate rates – has tipped so many people across the Strabane District and throughout the North into inescapable cycles of debt and poverty.

“Whilst home-credit agencies, moneylenders and loan sharks are not a new phenomenon, in the current economic downturn they have become more prevalent, more pernicious and more profitable.

“SDLP MP’S have sponsored motions at Westminster, spoken during Commons debates and have lent full support to campaigns urging the government to introduce a legal cap on the amount of interest that can be charged by pay-day loan companies.

“People in my district are suffering enough at this difficult time, It is only right that steps are taken to protect some of the poorest borrowers in society, rather than allow them to be exploited, Mr Leonard Said.