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."

Byrne meets Special Olympics athlete from Strabane at Stormont event

SDLP MLA for West Tyrone Joe Byrne today met with Special Olympics participants at Stormont, including an athlete from Strabane.   

The MLA attended the Ulster Special Olympics Athletes awareness and information event where he met two local people - Mr Billy Mc Intyre and his step-son Julian.

Mr Byrne said Julian will be competing at the All Ireland Special Olympics finals in Limerick in June.

The MLA said: “It was great to see the energy and enthusiasm of the Special Olympian Athletes who attended the event.

“Special Olympics Ireland is a fantastic organisation that is providing great encouragement and support to these special people who are so keen to partake in athletics and other sports.”

Byrne: Cap money for rural development still in doubt

Joe Byrne, SDLP MLA and Vice Chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee, says the CAP money for Rural Development is still in doubt since the High Court action between the two Executive ministers in December.

Speaking after the Rural Development debate in the Assembly on Monday Joe Byrne said: ‘’The debate on Rural Development in relation to Pillar 1 to Pillar 11 transfers has gleaned no further progress from the DARD Minister or from the Executive as a whole. The turf war squabble between Minister O Neill and Minister Hamilton is still on-going, and no sign of a resolution in sight.

“The conclusion of the debate whereby the DUP and Sinn Fein jointly defeated the substantive debate adds further fuel to the debate they are both more interested in potential squabbling for electoral purposes.

“Unfortunately, the real interest of farmers and the rural community, in general, has not yet been tackled by Minister O’Neill with her colleague Minister Hamilton. Both Ministers, and both the DUP and Sinn Fein seem intent on prolonging the squabble and milking it for pure political gamesmanship.’’

KELLY: Single Farm Payment delays leaving farmers under pressure

SDLP Strabane councillor Patsy Kelly says delays in Single Farm Payments are leaving some farmers under pressure and struggling to pay bills.

Cllr Kelly says concern is mounting as some farmers have revealed they are facing pressure to pay their autumn bills.

Mr Kelly said: “The picture is really only starting to emerge. Farmers who have contacted the SDLP say they were expecting to receive their Single Farm Payment two to three weeks ago. They’re saying they would use that payment to pay suppliers for a variety of items, such as meal and fuel bills and, in some cases, the banks.

“Now, they’re saying they've been told their land is to be inspected and they’ll have to just wait. Farmers are saying they should have been forewarned that payment would be delayed because at least they would have had time to make alternative arrangements to pay off suppliers and keep them happy, and in other cases, negotiate with the bank.

“What we’re seeing is serious pressure being placed on the finances of some farmers, and their cash flow. In some cases there is already enough pressure, so they don’t need this.

“I will be raising the matter with our Agriculture spokesperson, West Tyrone MLA Joe Byrne, who is vice-chairperson of the Assembly Agriculture Committee, to ensure the concerns of farmers are heard at the Assembly."

Kelly: Dereliction funding a welcome boost for Strabane

SDLP councillor Patsy Kelly says £200,000 of dereliction funding allocated to Strabane District will give a welcome boost to the areas where the money will be spent.

The funding allocated last summer by the Department of Environment is to address dereliction in Strabane town centre, Castlederg, Newtownstewart and Dunamanagh.

Cllr Kelly said: “Work has started on tidying up derelict areas in Strabane town centre, and I think this will really make a visual difference to the area. There are a lot of traders in Strabane District who take real pride in their frontages and take a lot of effort to make their businesses look inviting but, in the nearby vicinity there are run down, dilapidated buildings that bring them down.  

“This funding means the environment can be improved and, in turn, that will hopefully encourage more people to visit them. This funding will be used to make Strabane District a more attractive place to work and visit, and encourage new businesses to trade.”

SDLP: The People's A5 Must be Delivered

West Tyrone SDLP MLA Joe Byrne has this week called on the Department of Regional Development to make the completion of the new A5 Western Transport Corridor a priority following tragic start to New Year.

Speaking on the matter Mr Byrne said "It is unfortunate that last year we lost a number of lives on this road and that in 2014 we have had to start the New Year with further carnage and loss of life on the current sub-standard A5. The SDLP in West Tyrone have been fully committed to delivering the A5 for the people of the North West. I have personally been lobbying for this road since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.  Unfortunately the Minister and his Department are constantly blocking the roads completion, hiding behind legal red tape. These excuses are wearing very thin. I fully believe that the construction of the new A5 road would greatly improve safety for drivers and reduce fatalities suffered on our roads following 56 fatalities across the North in 2013."

"The new A5 would bring a raft of advantages to the North West. Not only in terms of safety but also economic advantages. Areas like Strabane have been constantly disadvantaged due to poor infrastructure. This ultimately puts off potential investors and any potential jobs prospect. I see the New A5 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."

"This road is not only essential at present, but is essential for our future and the future of our children and grandchildren. This road will bring jobs to an area that has seen very little effort made by central government to reduce unemployment. It is time the A5 is brought back to the forefront of the political picture. We in the SDLP will not allow this issue to slide off Ministers desk or fall below the radar as certain political parties would hope. We will make it very clear, both locally and in Stormont, the People of the West deserve better and will not accept any further excuses. This is about saving lives and building a sustainable future in the Northwest."