11TH JANUARY DATE FOR 5,000 MISSING WEST TYRONE VOTERS

Sinn Fein Director of Elections Cllr Seán Begley says that more than 5,000 eligible voters in West Tyrone stand to be disenfranchised in the proposed Assembly Election next March, if they fail to send in their individual electoral registration form to the Electoral Office by the final deadline of 11th January.

Cllr Begley,
“I am moving to highlight the massive numbers of people in West Tyrone who still are still not registered to vote in what is the last annual electoral canvas to be carried out by the Electoral Office and to encourage everyone, who has not yet done so, to make sure that they secure their entitlement to vote before the imposed deadline of 11th of January.

“There is a danger that with the onset of the festive season and with people being pre-occupied in so many different ways, this deadline will come and go and the entitlement of thousands in this constituency will be lost.

“Sinn Fein members will be engaged in a thorough electoral registration drive throughout the constituency before the 11th January and will offer any assistance you require in helping to make sure you get registered

“Electoral registration forms are available from schools, colleges, community centres, local council offices, Sinn Fein offices or can be downloaded from the Electoral Office website: www.electoralofficeni.gov.uk

“As Electoral Office Canvassers have stopped collecting forms from individual households, people anyone who has not already registered to vote must now send their completed individual registration form to the Omagh Area Electoral Office at 21, Kevlin Avenue, Omagh, BT78 1ER, before the preliminary closing date of Monday 13th November 2006.

I would also like to highlight the fact that Current Electoral Legislation requires that everyone wishing to vote in elections in the six counties must produce the following specific pieces of Photographic Identification: A current Passport, A current Driving Licence, A Photographic ID Card issued by the Electoral Office.(Photo ID application forms also available at your Sinn Fein Offices in Omagh and Strabane) or a Senior Citizens Travel Smartcard.

Rowntree Report highlights huge levels of poverty in six counties and structural inequality between west and east of the Bann- Doherty

West Tyrone Sinn Fein MP says that the recently published Joseph Rowntree Report once again highlights the huge levels of poverty and structural inequality that exists in the six counties and vindicates Sinn Fein’s demand for an anti-poverty strategy in the St Andrew’s negotiations so that an incoming Executive would be mandated to adopt and implement measures to tackle poverty and exclusion on the basis of objective need.

The local MP said,
“The statistics contained in the Rowntree Report are startling. In terms of almost every deprivation measure outlined in the Report levels of poverty and exclusion are greater in the six counties than in Britain and within the six counties itself the levels of deprivation in areas west of the Bann are considerably worse than those in areas east of Bann.

In overall terms, Some 31 per cent of people aged 16 to retirement lack paid work and that there are high levels of low pay among full-time employees, with some 22 per cent of the workforce paid less than £6.50 an hour with widening pay inequalities between high and low paid workers. Almost one in four households are unable to afford to heat their home properly and almost 100,000 children and 50,000 pensioners are living in income poverty.

“In geographical terms the inequalities between east and west of the Bann are as marked as ever. For example, Strabane and Cookstown stand out for the high proportion of workers who are low paid and the levels of low pay in these districts are twice as high as levels in many Districts east of the Bann.

“The percentage of people of working age with a limiting long term illness, in considerably higher in Strabane, Derry and Cookstown than in other Districts

“The Districts of Derry, Strabane and Limivady have the highest proportion of overcrowded households and the proportion of people aged 60 and over in receipt of pension credits is highest in Cookstown, Strabane and Omagh.

In 2004, 24% or the equivalent of 150,000 households were in fuel poverty, twice as high as the worst region of England with 40 % of pensioners in the six counties in fuel poverty according to the Rowntree Report. As fuel poverty is directly related to low income it is no surprise that it is also people in Districts west of the Bann who are at greatest risk.

“These latest statistics show just how little has been done to redress the historical structural inequalities between east and west of the Bann.

“This is why Sinn Féin demanded progress on an anti-poverty strategy in the St Andrews negotiations and this is why we demanded that any incoming Executive has a duty to adopt a strategy to tackle poverty and social exclusion based on objective need.

Be alert for oil thieves-warns Mc Nulty.

Sinn Fein Sinn Fein Councillor Jarlath Mc Nulty has urged members of the public to make it as difficult as possible for the small number of unscrupulous individuals who are stealing oil in the area.

Cllr Mc Nulty was speaking after being contacted by one elderly resident of Towncastle Road who has had oil stolen from her tank a total of 3 times in the last few of months alone and reports of other incidents throughout the town.

He said,
“These thefts have had a devastating impact on this elderly resident just as other similar oil thefts have on the other residents in the Strabane area who have fallen foul of the actions of the small number of unscrupulous individuals who are engaged in this activity. Apart from the emotional trauma caused to the victims of these thefts, many victims have also been plunged into severe financial hardship as a result. The fact that these oil thefts are not taking place on a large scale is of little consolation to those on the receiving end.

“However, there is no doubt that the instances of oil thefts increase considerably at this time of year, perhaps because the thieves know that most people fill up their tank so as to tide them over the winter months.

“It may be impossible to thwart the designs of the determined oil thief at all times but I would encourage the public to make it as difficult as possible for the “would be oil thief” by taking precautions like fitting a lock to the cap of your tank and by locking access points to the area where your oil tank is located.”

Concern that proposed fire brigade cutbacks are precursor to cutting personnel in rural areas-Mc Hugh

Derg Sinn Féin Councillor Charlie Mc Hugh has expressed concern that the proposals produced by the Fire and Rescue Service within their NIFRS Integrated Risk Management Plan to reduce fire appliances in 12 locations including the second fire appliance in Castlederg as an attempt to pave the way for cutbacks in Fire Brigade personnel in rural areas.

He said,
“These proposals areas are sheer lunacy as it will negate the capability of local fire personnel to deal with major incidents like house fires in this area where more than one appliance is required.

“If the NIFRS Integrated Management Plan is not rescinded then lives in rural areas across the counties will be lost. We are being told that the reduction of second fire appliances from 12 locations will not be matched by a corresponding reduction in Fire Brigade personnel.

“However, the concern locally is that the withdrawal of secondary Fire Engines is a but a precursor to cuts in Fire Brigade personnel in rural areas. As there would be little or no financial saving to the fire service in withdrawing equipment from a station then there is a growing belief this move by the NIFRS is a pretence to justify lay offs down the line.

“It is therefore crucial that everyone in the community is mobilized in opposition to these proposals. Strabane District councillors are requesting that NIFRS representatives appear before Council to clarify their position and we will be taking our lead from the Fire Brigade Union in formulating our opposition to these absurd and highly dubious proposals.

Attacks on cars at Fountain St Shop are attacks on entire local community

Sinn Fein Cllr Jarlath Mc Nulty says that the person or persons responsible for damaging cars of members of staff at Mc Cauley’s Shop at Fountain Street are attacking the entire community in the area.

Cllr Mc Nulty said,
“Three cars belonging to members of staff at Mc Cauley’s shop have the subject of varying degrees of vandalism in recent weeks and people in the local community will be angered to hear that this is happening.

“The staff of the shop provide an essential service to the local community and Mc Cauley’s Shop is a local institution which has always been there for local people through thick and thin.

“Being out of pocket because of the damage caused to their cars is bad enough but having to continually worry about repeat vandalism attacks is a terrible situation for these staff who an integral part of the local community.

“Whoever is carrying out these attacks should desist immediately.

Sinn Fein comment on attack on woman in Strabane

Strabane Sinn Fein Cllr Ivan Barr has expressed sympathy with the female victim of a frightening ordeal at Lower Main Street in which the male assailant held a knife to her throat.

Cllr Barr said,
“While the motivation for this despicable attack is still unclear, it appears unlikely at this stage that this attack was in anyway connected to the worrying increase in attacks on women of a sexual nature in the Strabane area in recent times.

However, regardless of the motivation this brutal attacker has left a young girl badly shaken and severely traumatised for life and if he has the sick mind to plan and carry out this attack in such a public place then he poses a continuing danger to women in general.

DUP attempts to bait republicans and nationalists will fail-Doherty

West Tyrone Sinn Fein MP Pat Doherty, speaking about the current political situation, says that while many outstanding issues remain to be addressed, particularly around the issue of policing, his party has been and will continue to work constructively towards the objective of restoring the power-sharing and all-Ireland institutions.

The local MP said,
“Sinn Fein will not be deflected from this objective by the juvenile antics of the DUP and its continued attempts to bait republicans and nationalists around issues such as the 11 plus and policing. The DUP game plan is clear- it wants republicans and nationalists to give up on this project so that it will not have to face the daunting prospect of having to share power with republicans and nationalists on the basis of equality nor have to fully operate the all-Ireland institutions for the first time.

“It is understandable that in the present climate many republicans and nationalists could find the prospect of Plan B, as alluded to by both governments, as a more attractive proposition than trying to tie the DUP into power-sharing and all-Ireland institutions.

“However, I would caution those who believe that Plan B would amount to some form of Joint Authority to look at the minimalist approach taken by the Dublin government to the potential contained in the All-Ireland architecture of the Good Friday Agreement to date, and then consider the unlikely prospect of the Dublin government changing from this minimalist approach in a Plan B scenario.

“The reality is that Plan B would not be much different from the current political status quo, with all the people of the six counties being subject to the unaccountable and punitive nature of British Direct Rule for years to come.

“In the absence of the power-sharing and all-Ireland institutions the British Treasury will be given carte blanche to continue with its asset stripping and stealth taxes crusade against the people of the six counties while at the same time cutting public expenditure in health, education and other public services.

“The restoration of the institutions is by no means a panacea for all our ills but without locally elected and accountable representatives at the helm we will remain powerless to effect positive change, whether it be political, economic or social change.

“For those of us who seek to bring about maximum change on this island the current political status quo is not an option and Sinn Fein view the restoration of the powersharing and all-Ireland institutions as a key beech head from which to progress the all-Ireland agenda and the trajectory towards Irish Unity.

In terms of the issue of policing and justice and the restoring of the institutions, issues that must be agreed include the timeframe for the transfer of powers and the model for the department on policing and justice.

“Sinn Fein is committed to bring and end to decades of repressive and sectarian policing. As such, we reject any role for MI5 in Ireland or in Civic policing. We want to see democratically accountable civic policing and we will continue to work until we achieve this.

Translink moves to address Bradley Way shortcomings-Sinn Fein

Sinn Fein Cllr Jarlath Mc Nulty has welcomed confirmation from Translink that it is taking steps to address shortcomings in relation to arrangements at the New Bus Depot at Bradley Way in Strabane following representations from Council.

Cllr Mc Nulty said,
“Further to a large number of representations from local bus users and a steady stream of concerns and complaints expressed by them in relation to the existing arrangements at the new Bus Depot at Bradley Way in Strabane, Council made representations to Translink requesting that it take steps to address clear shortcomings in regards to existing arrangements at the Depot.

“On foot of these representations, Translink officials have now come back to Council outlining the steps that they are going to take to address the concerns and complaints of users of the depot.

“To address the major confusion which exists in regards to which Express buses stop off in town centre and which do not, Translink say that only three Express buses do not stop off in the town centre and that they will be taking out adverts in the local press to clarify the situation. They have also promised to provide supplementary information in regards to the new schedule/drop off point arrangements at appropriate locations in the town.

“Another major issue is the absence of a public telephone at the new depot especially for passengers who are dropped off there after the depot closes at 5pm, and who are stranded without any means of contacting a taxi, a relative or friend to come and pick them up. Translink are now to have an external Public telephone installed to facilitate passengers at the Depot. Metal seating is also to be installed in the outdoor covered area of the Depot to facilitate passengers especially when the depot is closed.

“Translink has also ordered vending machines for the depot and they should be in place very shortly. In terms of signage to identify the depot, Translink has now applied to Road’s Service to have directional signage installed.

“In terms of the limited opening hours of the Depot, officials said that they could not, as yet, justify longer opening hours but promised that they will be review the situation in six months time and would consider longer opening hours if possible. Unfortunately, this means that users will still have no access to the depots public toilets after 5pm and when it closes at lunch time but hopefully this problem can also be addressed through additional dialogue with Council.

Mc Nulty calls for Evish Heights/Newtownkennedy Street road markings

Strabane Sinn Fein Councillor Jarlath Mc Nulty says that the absence of road markings at the busy junction between Evish Heights and Newtownkennedy Street in the town is posing a danger to motorist and pedestrians alike.

He said,
“While there is a ‘Give way” sign to instruct motorists moving out from Evish Heights onto Newtownkennedy Street, the sheer volume of traffic now using the junction because of massive residential development in recent times, combined with the steepness of the approach into Evish Heights from Newtownkennedy Street, along with absence of road markings at this three way junction has led to several near misses in terms of traffic accidents.

“I have been approached by residents concerned that given the current situation it is only a matter of time before a serous accident occurs at the junction.

“While no traffic calming-measure is full proof there is definitely a need for clear road markings at this junction to clear up the present confusion about who has the right of way and I am now lobbying Road’s Service to carry out an assessment into what measures can be taken to increase motorist and pedestrian safety at this junction.

Direct Rule Case for PPS14 is unravelling-Sinn Fein

Omagh Sinn Fein Council Chair Seán Begley says that with the 15th&16th of January now set as the definite date for the full hearing into the High Court legal challenge against Rural Planning Proposals PPS14, he is growing increasingly optimistic that the Direct Rule Administration case for the flawed proposals is unravelling by the day.

Cllr Begley said,
“The recent revelation that Direct Rule Ministers disregarded the advice of their own Department officials that there should be a presumption in favour of development in rural areas is proof that the Administration imposed what amounts to be a permanent moratorium on development in rural areas under PPS14 as a crude attempt at political blackmail.

“Furthermore, the spin from Direct Rule Ministers that development in rural areas was now at saturation point in rural areas has been further undermined in a Conditional Report from the Housing Executive which points to a decrease, not an increase, in the volume in of housing rural areas.

“The legal action brought by Omagh District Council, supported by Cookstown and Strabane Councils, successfully challenged through judicial review the legality of the Direct Rule proposals on the grounds that they contravened the Regional Development Strategy and that no consultation was carried out.

“The combination of these factors completely undermines the Direct Rule Administration’s case for PPS 14 and it is clear that the evidential basis for these flawed proposals is unravelling by the day.

“With the 15th and 16th of January now set as the definite date for the full hearing into the High Court legal challenge against Rural Planning Proposals PPS14, I am growing increasingly optimistic that the Direct Rule Administration will be forced to go back to the drawing board.

DARD MUST RESPOND TO OMAGH COUNCIL CONCERNS

Omagh Sinn Fein Cllr Mickey Mc Anespie says that time is overdue for the Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (DARD) to respond to representations made to it by a delegation of councillors from Omagh District Council on a number of agricultural issues which are adversely impacting upon the farming and rural community in general.


Cllr Mc Anespie said,

“A month has now passed since a delegation of Omagh District Councillors met with senior officials from DARD to press them for action on a range of issues which are having an adverse impact upon the farming and rural community in general. At the meeting the DARd officials gave a commitment to detail the Council’s concerns to the Minister David Cairns MP and respond in full, to the issues raised. “However, there has still been no response to the issues we raised and I am now publicly calling upon DARD to follow through on the commitments they gave at this meeting.


“Omagh Councillors welcomed the recent lifting of the export ban but called on DARD to reduce the bureaucracy surrounding the movement of live cattle. The delegation emphasised that the system in place in the six counties is putting farmers here at a severe disadvantage when compared to our counterparts in the 26 counties where everything is being done to facilitate the farmer and to stimulate the economy. Information was sought from the DARD Officials regarding the Department’s performance on this issue compared to its counterparts in the 26 counties.


“During the meeting the delegation also lobbied DARD Officials for greater clarity on the processing of applications submitted under the Farm Nutrient Management Scheme, in particular those submitted after 8 March 2006. The considerable problems associated with the Single Farm Payments scheme were also raised with the Officials and information was sought on the Department’s plans to make the scheme less bureaucratic and to resolve the errors in claims which have led to the withholding of payments.


“DARD Officials were called upon to engage meaningfully with Councils on arrangements for the transfer to the new Councils of the rural development function following RPA and, indeed, on arrangements for the interim period. Omagh Councillors also highlighted the uncertain future faced by the farming industry and the reliance on that industry in rural areas West of the Bann. The importance of real and meaningful initiatives to ensure that farms and the rural way of life can be sustained through the generations was emphasised and Officials were asked to update the Council on the Department’s proposals to ensure a long term future for the farming industry which has been made even more difficult by the introduction of PPS 14 which will severely restrict home building in rural areas, and will have a detrimental effect on rural communities and families across the six counties.

Clarke welcomes extension of Gortnagarn walkway/cycle path

Omagh Sinn Fein Cllr Sean Clarke has welcomed news from Roads Service that the walkway/cycle path from Glenpark RD/Gortnagarn is to be extended to the junction of Carony Road after a prolonged campaign by the local community group, local residents and elected representatives to have road safety measures implemented in the area.

Cllr Clarke said,
“As one of the local representatives who has continually raised the issue I welcome confirmation from Roads Service officials at a meeting of Council yesterday that they will now precede with the request to extend the walkway/cycle path from Glenpark/Gortnagarn to the junction of Carony Road at a cost of .

“This second phase of works at Gornagarn is to be carried is to be carried out in the 2007-8 financial years and as part of the draft local transport safety programme at a cost of £41,000.

DOHERTY WELCOMES END TO HOLY CROSS DELAYS

West Tyrone Sinn Fein MP Pat Doherty, speaking at this morning’s announcement that Holy Cross College in Strabane is now on schedule to open on 24th February 2008 after a long series of delays said,

“The undue delay in progressing the Holy Cross project has been extremely frustrating for all concerned, and owes much to the nature of Direct Rule. It is inconceivable that such delays would have been allowed to happen if locally accountable Ministers had been in place.

“However, as a result of today’s announcement there is now light at the end of the tunnel with the new state of the art facility now well on schedule to open by the 14th September 2008.

“Much work has went on behind the scenes to overcome all the obstacles that have presented themselves and I would like to pay tribute to everyone who has worked tirelessly to ensure that this and future generations of Strabane children will have flag ship educational facilities which will compare favourably to anywhere else in the world.

REGIONAL CANCER CENTRE FOR NORTHWEST MUST BE PRIORITY OF GOVERNMENTAL CANCER CONSORTIUM

West Tyrone Sinn Fein MP Pat Doherty says the establishment of a Regional Cancer Centre for the northwest part of Ireland must be a priority for the Cancer Consortium announced today between both governments and the US.

Sinn Fein has been to the forefront of the campaign for the decentralization of Cancer Services to the North West and speaking about the announcement made in Belfast today said,

“I very much welcome today’s announced agreement by the respective governments to intensify and enhance co-operation in relation to cancer control on an all-Ireland basis.

“One of the central issues that that the Consortium will have to address is the continuing disparity in accessing cancer care services because the configuration of cancer care service provision has been distorted as a result of partition.

“All-Ireland configuration would justify an oncology unit for the entire North West, serving both West Ulster and North Connacht instead of very ill patients from this region being forced to undergo the additional burden of repeated and prolonged journeys to the only existing units in Belfast, Dublin, Cork and Galway.

“It is intolerable that cancer patients are subject to these long journeys and prolonged stays along away from home when there are two local hospitals (at either Altnagelvin or Letterkenny) that could house an Oncology Unit to meet the holistic needs of cancer patients in this part of Ireland.

“The provision of a Regional Cancer for the Northwest is a priority issue for Sinn Fein and we will be continuing to pressurise both governments that it also must become a priority for them if they genuinely want to address the disparity in access to cancer service provision on this island.

Doherty comments on 7 Council Model proposals

West Tyrone Sinn Fein MP Pat Doherty says that his party believes that the 7 Council model is most effective way of delivering meaningful benefits to ratepayers and of ensuring protection for the rights of minority communities within new Council boundaries.

He said,
“No party to the consultation argued for the retention of the 26 Councils but on balance the arguments for either the 15 or 11 model did not hold up to scrutiny.

“The 15 and 11 models could be described as half way houses which neither retain local identity nor afford locally elected representatives with the necessary powers or resources to bring about meaningful change within their local areas.

“For example, it is only under the 7 model that sufficient powers and financial resources would transferred to Councils to enable them to draw up and implement meaningful socio-economic development strategies for their areas.

“The 15 and 11 models could also serve to perpetuate the duplication of bureaucracy and eat up ratepayers’ money that could be better used in improving frontline Council services.

“There is a strong feeling in the community that some councillors are more concerned about maintaining their own careers rather than putting in place a local government structure that would have sufficient powers and allocated resources to bringing about meaningful change for the rate payers of the different districts

“The 7 council model is the only one, we have seen so far, to provide protection for all minorities. It would ensure that within each and every council area there would be a minority of at least 20%. Those who advocate 11 or 15 are failing to tell people that this would result in significant minorities being trapped within council areas where their rights would not be represented or protected. Adherence to firm equality and powersharing legislation would be inbuilt prerequisites for councillors serving into these new councils and the exclusion of minorities like we presently have in Lisburn, Newtownabbey, Ballymena etc would not be able to happen. “Within the Review of Public Administration and the changes to health, education and Council bodies the rights of public sector workers must be fully protected.”

Strabane and Donegal Sinn Fein Councillors adopting co-ordinated approach to secure infrastructure improvements for border communities

Sinn Fein Councillors in Strabane and Donegal are continuing to co-ordinate their efforts to secure additional infrastructure improvements for communities along the Tyrone/Donegal Border.

In a joint statement Cllr Gerard Foley, Vice Chair of Strabane District Council and his Donegal party counterpart Cllr Tony Mc Daid said that their current efforts are focussed on securing the upgrading of the cross border Clady to Castlederg Road and on securing the provision of a footpath and street-lighting between Clady and Donneyloop Chapel.

The two councillors who had previously worked together on the issue of securing traffic lights for Clady Bridge said,

“We are once again lobbying the respective statutory bodies on both sides of the border to adopt a joined up approach to progress these issues.

“In terms of the cross-border route from Clady to Castlederg, we welcome the fact that an application for substantial funding has now been submitted to the National Road’s Authority for the resurfacing and re-strengthening of a 1.5 km stretch of the road up to the Castlederg border where the surface is in a terrible state.

“In the interim, Donegal County Council’s Road’s Section has given an undertaking to fill in the numerous pot holes on the stretch of the road under its responsibility during November.

“However, given the importance of this route for communities on both sides of the border we are seeking that the National Roads Authority and the DRD Roads Service make a joint application to the Interreg 4 Programme to secure European cross-border funding to enable the route to be substantially upgraded including road widening and road strengthening.

“Likewise, we will be seeking both roads bodies to make a joint application for a scheme to provide footpath and street-lighting between Donneyloop Chapel and Clady so as to enable pedestrians to safely negotiate their way to and from worship and for social and recreational activities.

SINN FEIN WELCOMES LISDOO ROAD WATER MAINS COMMITMENT

Sinn Fein Cllr Gerard Foley has welcomed a commitment from the Water Service to provide a mains water supply to homes on the section of the Lisdoo Road to the border.

Cllr Foley said,
“Having written to the Water Service some time back requesting that this stretch of the Lisdoo Road to the border be supplied with a mains water supply because of existing and planned residential development, I now welcome the confirmation given to me by Water Service that the provision of a water main will now be included in the Western Divisions upcoming programme of work.

“The new water main will service around fifteen homes in all once the outstanding residential development is completed and I very much welcome the positive approach Water Service has taken to the lobbying on this issue.”