Byrne quizzes minister on investment for Strabane

SDLP West Tyrone MLA Joe Byrne has spoken during an adjournment debate at Stormont on Invest NI’s strategy for Strabane and said that “until the people of Strabane see jobs in the 40-acre park, they will not feel that they have been listened to”.

The assemblyman stated: “Strabane is an area t

hat has suffered from high unemployment for decades, and anything that can help to improve employment opportunities for the area needs to be addressed. The Business Park will be welcomed, but only if it can be used to attract investment to the area.”

“We have the North West College facility in Strabane, and other local training organisations like CRAFT,” said Mr. Byrne. “We have the facilities locally to skill potential employees, but Strabane needs inward investment to address the historical unemployment issue

.  People need job opportunities.”

Mr Byrne praised local companies that employed local people and paid tribute to employers that “have invested heavily in the area including organisations such as O'Neill sportswear, which more than 400 people; Frylite, which employs more than 120 people; McColgan's foods; and Allstate insurance, with over 500 employees”.

Mr. Byrne concluded: “Strabane is a border town that has suffered government neglect for a long time.  It has been famous for the wrong reasons. I hope that the Executive and the Assembly can do something positive and invest in the young people of Strabane.”

LEONARD TO SUCCEED CONWAY AS NEW SDLP PARK CANDIDATE

The SDLP have today announced that long serving SDLP Councillor for Park, Thomas Conway will not contest the upcoming Strabane/Derry super election on May 22nd but will remain as an SDLP Councillor until 2015. Mr Patrick Leonard has been selected to replace Councillor Conway as the successful candidate for the election in three weeks' time with the full endorsement of Thomas as his selected candidate.

Speaking on his selection Mr Leonard said: "It is a great honour to be selected as the SDLP candidate to succeed Cllr Thomas Conway in the upcoming Strabane/Derry super council elections. Cllr Conway has been a dedicated public representative with a strong record of outstanding public service and commitment to the people of Park and the SDLP since his election in 2001.  His shoes will be hard to fill, but with his support I will do my absolute best to continue to offer a strong voice to the people of Park, delivering on the issues which matter most. Thomas has been a pillar within the local community delivering for all local people and will be sorely missed when he leaves the council chamber for the last time in 2015."

Speaking on Mr Leonards selection Cllr Conway said: "I am delighted to endorse and fully support Patrick Leonard as the new SDLP candidate for Park. Patrick is very much a man of strong family values, married with two children to Grainne Hume, daughter, the niece of former SDLP leader John Hume.  I know Patrick will do all in his power to deliver locally for the people of Park and serve them wholeheartedly with professional courage, dedication and commitment. I will do all in my power to ensure his election as an SDLP Councillor on May 22nd for the people of Park and ask that you support Patrick now and in the weeks ahead."

"I have had an incredible time representing the people of Park since 2001, but the time has come to try something new. I will of course be with Patrick Leonard every step of the way, offering support and advice when needed."

 "I wish the new council well for the future and urge a solid commitment to ensure a healthy, democratic local government for all our people."

LEONARD TO SUCCEED CONWAY AS NEW SDLP PARK CANDIDATE

The SDLP have announced that long serving SDLP Councillor for Park, Thomas Conway will not contest the upcoming Strabane/Derry super election on May 22nd but will remain as an SDLP Councillor until 2015. Mr Patrick Leonard has been selected to replace Councillor Conway as the successful candidate for the election in three weeks' time with the full endorsement of Thomas as his selected candidate.

Speaking on his selection Mr Leonard said: "It is a great honour to be selected as the SDLP candidate to succeed Cllr Thomas Conway in the upcoming Strabane/Derry super council elections. Cllr Conway has been a dedicated public representative with a strong record of outstanding public service and commitment to the people of Park and the SDLP since his election in 2001.  His shoes will be hard to fill, but with his support I will do my absolute best to continue to offer a strong voice to the people of Park, delivering on the issues which matter most. Thomas has been a pillar within the local community delivering for all local people and will be sorely missed when he leaves the council chamber for the last time in 2015."

Speaking on Mr Leonards selection Cllr Conway said: "I am delighted to endorse and fully support Patrick Leonard as the new SDLP candidate for Park. Patrick is very much a man of strong family values, married with two children to Grainne Hume, daughter, the niece of former SDLP leader John Hume.  I know Patrick will do all in his power to deliver locally for the people of Park and serve them wholeheartedly with professional courage, dedication and commitment. I will do all in my power to ensure his election as an SDLP Councillor on May 22^nd for the people of Park and ask that you support Patrick now and in the weeks ahead."

"I have had an incredible time representing the people of Park since 2001, but the time has come to try something new. I will of course be with Patrick Leonard every step of the way, offering support and advice when needed."

 "I wish the new council well for the future and urge a solid commitment to ensure a healthy, democratic local government for all our people."

SDLP supports call for 20mph urban speed limit

SDLP Strabane candidates has supported the Go 20 campaign by the road safety charity Brake and Allianz Insurance to make 20mph the default urban speed limit - and joins eight in 10 people (78%) across the UK who believe 20mph should be the norm around schools, on residential streets, and in village, town and city centres.

SDLP Sperrin candidate Liam Stewart said: "I am delighted to support this important campaign - and would urge drivers across the Strabane district and throughout the North to protect people right away, by slowing down to 20mph around homes, schools and shops, even where the limit is still 30mph.

"20mph limits not only help make streets safer and more pleasant for walking and cycling, but also promise to deliver improvements in public health via reductions in congestion, pollution and noise."

Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive, Brake, said: "The GO 20 campaign is about defending everyone's right to walk and cycle freely without being endangered, whether it's to get to work, school, the shops, or just getting out and being active.

SDLP Derg candidate Jim McIntyre said: "We need to tackle the senseless and violent casualties that continue to happen daily on our roads, and we need to enable people to live healthy, active, social lives. It's clear that 20mph limits in communities like Strabane can help bring this about and it's clear this is what people want. That's why so many local authorities are making the switch from 30mph to 20mph. With many people already reaping the benefits of living in 20mph areas, we're reaching a point where it makes no sense to retain 30mph as the default limit in built-up areas. It's time for the government to GO 20 nationally, to save councils money and help create safe, active, happy communities."

BYRNE: STRABANE SDLP CANDIDATES WILL DELIVER A FRESH APPROACH TO LOCAL POLITICS

West Tyrone MLA Joe Byrne has accompanied SDLP candidates lodging nomination papers for the upcoming local council elections to the Strabane District Council offices on Thursday.

Mr Byrne said: "Our Strabane candidates are the only new faces out of all candidates to challenge the local election. This election must be about a new fresh approach to Strabane and the issues which face our people. These candidates have been active within the community on behalf of the SDLP for almost three years now, this proves their dedication to the Strabane people and their willingness to do all they can to give Strabane a powerful voice on the new Strabane/Derry Council.

"I have every faith in their ability and application - and importantly that they will work hard to identify the key issues affecting our local economy and so many of our public services.

"They have all been listening to people's concerns and ideas during the election campaign.

"Unlike others, the SDLP is about delivering for others.  At a time when people are struggling to make ends meet, they want a party that cares about them - not parties who are only obsessed about themselves and their status.  

"Our candidates will reiterate that on health, the economy, poverty, justice and much more besides, great potential exists, waiting to be exploited - not least in terms of a shared future in Strabane and the expansion and development of third level education facilities which would ensure we have a young educated population who can compete with the rest of the world and strong businesses that can compete with the best in the world.

"I wish all of the candidates every success in the upcoming election and have no doubts they will take up the challenges of the present to pursue a better future for all. If you want things to change, vote Team SDLP on May 22nd"

McIntyre hits out at £15 charge to vote

This week Derg SDLP Candidate Jim McIntyre has expressed outrage following a local GP Practice charging £15 to have a postal vote form signed for an elderly resident.

Mr McIntyre spoke of his anger following the resident contacting him and spoke of their frustration as they could not afford to pay the £15 to have the form signed and be able to vote.

Speaking on the matter Mr McIntyre said "I was outraged to hear that an elderly resident from Strabane was quoted £15 from a local GP practice to have their postal vote form filled in by a qualified person. The gentleman in question is unable to go to the polling station on Election Day himself due to problems with his mobility."

"I recommended he fill in an application form for a postal vote as this would allow him to vote without having to go to the polling station. On the back it is required that a qualified medical professional sign the form to confirm they cannot vote in person. He then discovered, after contacting his medical practice, it was £15 per form."  

"This is totally unacceptable. It is a basic human right to be allowed to vote in free democratic elections. £15 to a pensioner is a lot of money that many cannot afford to spend in the current economic climate. Due to this fee he is being denied his right to vote. The SDLP have always strived to ensure that basic human rights for everyone are protected."

"I am calling on all medical centres to provide this service for free to ensure everyone can vote in the forthcoming elections. It is a fundamental human right to vote and the issue of affordability should not affect this right in any way."

Kelly: SDLP offers strength and hope for young people

Newly elected chairperson of Strabane SDLP Youth, Mark Kelly has said that the SDLP is the party that offers young people the greatest strength and hope for their future.

Speaking after his election, Mr Kelly said:

"Young people are facing huge challenges. Youth unemployment is intolerably high and continues to blight the lives of people emerging from our schools and universities. We all know friends or relatives who have had to leave our shores because of the economic climate. The SDLP wants young people to have the opportunity to travel, to broaden their horizons and come home with new skills. No one should be forced to leave their home because of lack of opportunity.

"As Chairperson of Strabane SDLP Youth, I will prioritise the issues that matter most to our young people. Education, employment, equality. I was delighted that at our annual conference strong, vibrant women were elected to every contested position on our Youth Executive.

"As a young person, I understand the experiences and fears of my peer group. We are frustrated that government and Europe is not delivering. That's why we need a robust, Pro-European voice in the European Parliament, fighting for our needs. Alex Attwood will fight for everyone but especially young people and will use Europe as a force for change. As a Minister and a negotiator on policing and the past, he is politician who gets things done. We need strength again in Europe and he will deliver it.

"These are no ordinary elections. Young voters have the power to shape change. I would encourage every young person to stand for what they believe in. I'll be standing with Alex Attwood, standing with our local government candidates and standing with the people of Northern Ireland."