West Tyrone Sinn Féin

Doherty seeks clarification on A5 upgrade plans

2007-03-29T14:26:00.000+01:00

West Tyrone Sinn Fein MP MLA Pat Doherty has written to An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, British Secretary of State Peter Hain and to the relevant Ministerial and Departmental heads of transport both in Dublin and in Belfast to seek clarification as to the level of upgrade that is proposed for the A5 road between Derry and Aughnacloy as part of the overall upgrade of the main strategic transport corridor between the north west and Dublin.

The local MP said,
“At the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis at the weekend Bertie Ahern said that a financial package agreement with the British Government included a major road serving the North West. He continued to state that ‘this will remove the single greatest impediment to the future development of the North West and the border counties and ‘will help undo the damage of decades of division and underinvestment.’

”I welcome the fact that by saying this Bertie Ahern is explicitly concurring with Sinn Fein’s analysis about the disastrous effects of partition including the decades of under-investment. However, given that the British government’s limited contribution to financial package thus far and given that Bertie Ahern has not specifically spelt out what standard of road upgrade is being proposed for the North West including the A5, I would be concerned that what both administrations are envisaging at the moment would fall far short of what is required. An adopted two by one road or even a purpose built 2 by 1 road will leave this region lagging far behind in terms of the transport infrastructure developments that have already taken place or in the pipe line in every other region of Ireland.

”Sinn Féin has spearheaded the campaign for this upgrade to be of motorway standard so as to bring transport infrastructure development in this region into line with that in all other regions of Ireland so as to create a level playing field in terms of engendering the socio-economic regeneration of the region.

“I have now written to An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, British Secretary of State Peter Hain and to the relevant Ministerial and Departmental Heads in Belfast and Dublin seeking clarification as to the level of upgrade that is proposed for the A5 road between Derry and Aughnacloy as part of the overall upgrade of the main strategic transport corridor between the north west and Dublin.

“A motorway is what is needed and in the time remaining before the institutions are scheduled to be up and running on May 8th, Sinn Fein is seeking clarification from both administrations that this is what is being planned and striving to ensure that the necessary funding for this essential infrastructure development is ring fenced within an improved Peace Dividend.

Appeal for children to stay clear of Adria site

2007-03-29T14:25:00.000+01:00

Strabane Sinn Fein Councillor Brian Mc Mahon says that young people who are entering the now derelict Adria factory site, either as a shortcut to and from school, or after school hours are putting themselves in the line of danger.

Cllr Mc Mahon said,
“There is growing concern in the area about how the Adria factory site is being increasingly used by young people, either as a shortcut to and from school, or as some kind of “recreational facility” after school hours and at weekends.

“With heavy plant machinery on the move within the site during the day work has had to be called to an abrupt halt on several occasions due to children passing close to moving vehicles. Furthermore, young people are putting life and limb in jepordy by entering the buildings which are now in a hazardess state.

“This is particularly the case because of the presence of asbestos in the disused buildings of Adria. Given that the removal of this asbestos has to be carried out by a specialized team employed by the contractor and in conjunction with the Environment& Heritage Service, it could have potentially serious consequences if young people come into contact with any asbestos that has beendisturbed or dispersed through vandalism

So I would there made an appeal for children and young people to stay well clear of the Adria site.

Cancer Screening and Diagnostic Services from Altnagelvin to Belfast

2007-03-29T14:22:00.000+01:00

West Tyrone Sinn Fein MLA Claire Mc Gill has called upon elected representatives and the general public to unite in opposition to proposals by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) to transfer Cancer Screening and Diagnostic Services from Altnagelvin to Belfast. The newly elected MLA said,

“The DHSSPS is recommending that pathology work on tissue abnormality, used to diagnose cancers and other diseases be moved from Altnagelvin to Belfast in a recent review of pathology service provision in the six counties. It is also recommending the transfer of pathology services from other local and enhanced local hospitals right across the six counties to Belfast

“If this proposal is not stopped in its tracks it will have devastating and far reaching consequences. Not only will it result in delays in the return of cancer screening tests, which in turn will place undue stress and strain on people awaiting these results and their families, but it could potentially compromise the ability to ensure effective treatment intervention at an earlier stage.

“While the pathology review group has proposed that only histopathology and cytopathology services are to be moved from Altnagelvin to a single laboratory in Belfast, while other pathology work will remain, bitter experience tells us that once some services are removed it undermines the sustainability of other related services which are subsequently removed by the DHSSPS on an incremental basis.

The impact that these proposals will have west of the Bann, particularly, on the sustainability of Services at Omagh Hospital is immeasurable. The removal of these services of would severely undermine the ability of Tyrone County to maintain the current levels of diagnostic provision. As a result this would serve to undermine service provision right across west of the Bann and perhaps this is the intention.

“There is also a suspicion that these proposals are a pre-emptive strike by the DHSSPS to undermine the growing case for a Regional Cancer Diagnostic and Treatment Centre to be development at either Altnagelvin or Letterkenny to cover the entire catchments area in the north west region of Ireland

“It is ironic that this is even being considered given that NIO Health Minister Paul Goggins turned up in a blaze of publicity just last Wednesday to officially launch the new £18m Pathology Laboratory and Pharmacy Services Centre at Altnagelvin while at the same time the DHSSPS are recommending the removal of vital cancer screening and diagnosis services..

“This is an issue which elected representatives and the general public across the north west region of Ireland must be alert to and be prepared to unite to vigorously oppose these proposals. Sinn Féin representatives have met with consultants and medical staff on this issue and who concur with the analysis about the potentially far reaching and damaging consequences of these proposals. Sinn Féin, in our submission to the Departments Consultation on these proposals has argued for the augmenting of pathology services in all our hospitals as these diagnostic services are the bedrock on which the vast bulk of our health service provision, including community health provision, is built. These proposals must be fought tooth and nail!

Doherty demanding review of Coroner Office service following Mc Ginley family case meeting

2007-03-29T14:18:00.000+01:00

West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP MLA Pat Doherty, today accompanied family members of deceased Strabane woman Maureen Mc Ginley on the delegation that meet with officials from Altnagelvin Hospitals to discuss how she sustained 32 rib fractures after her death.

Following the meeting the West Tyrone MP said,
“I accompanied members of the Mc Ginley family to this meeting today in support of their reasonable demand for a full explanation to be given into how their mother sustained these injuries following her death.

“These revelations have caused immense additional trauma to a family already trying to come terms with the loss of their mother, and apart from seeking answers in their own case, the family have also pursued this issue so as to ensure that no other family would have to go through the same heartache and trauma that they have had to go through.

“During the three hour long meeting, family members and members of the delegation probed every aspect of the case in an attempt to get to the bottom of what happened.

“Unfortunately, the result of this in-house enquiry carried out by officials from Altnagelvin did not provide any conclusive explanations as to how these multiple fractures were sustained and apart from securing an apology from the officials about the breakdown in communications with the family and sympathy about the ordeal that they have been put through, the Mc Ginley family are still left with so many questions remaining unanswered.

“To this end, I will be following up on today’s meeting by writing to the Department of Health and the NIO, who are in charge of the day to day running of the Coroners Office, demanding that they jointly undertake a review into the all the procedures that are currently in place and which have been shown, through the efforts of the Mc Ginley family, to be totally inadequate to command public confidence.

“As part of such a review, I will be calling for the formulation and introduction of clearly defined guidelines and measures to provide assurance to relatives of the deceased that the bodies of their loved ones are treated with the utmost care, dignity and respect throughout the coronary service process as part of a wider review into how the centralization of Coronary Services in Belfast which has served to exacerbate the grieving of so many families through delays in the return of their loved ones bodies and particularly because of the unsatisfactory weekend arrangements.”

Anger at weekend trail of destruction in Sion Mills

2007-03-21T11:33:00.000Z

Sinn Féin Councillor Danny Breslin says that people in Sion Mills are justifiably angry at the rampage of destruction carried out by a group of underage drinkers in the village over the weekend- a rampage which included: the breaking of windows at the Parochial Hall; at the security hut at Herdsman’s Mill; at the telephone kiosk on Main Street, tyres on vehicles being slashed also on Main Street; and damage to other private property in the village.

He said,
“Before this unprecedented weekend rampage, residents in Sion were already angry about the major upsurge in vandalism and other anti-social behaviour in the village.

“The upsurge in this anti-community activity is directly related to the upsurge in the problem of under-age drinking in the village and local people who witnessed what transpired at the weekend say that this was clearly evident.

“Local community activists have being trying their best to talk to young people who have been identified as being involved in this activity and impress upon the damage that they are not only doing to their own community but to themselves.

“This approach has met with some success but it is obvious that there are still some unscrupulous adults who are facilitating youngsters in their ability to access alcohol and I would appeal to anyone who is doing this to stop now.

“Likewise, I would appeal to all parents to make sure that their under-age children are not accessing alcohol and if they find out that that are, they should make strong representations to the person or establishment from which this alcohol was sourced.

Barr heralds opening of Strabane Arts Theatre as milestone event in town’s regeneration

2007-03-21T11:30:00.000Z

Sinn Féin Councillor Ivan Barr, Chairperson of Strabane District Council’s Cultural Arts and Leisure Committee, has described the opening of the doors of Alley Arts Theatre and Conference Centre to the public tonight as a significant milestone in the regeneration of the town centre.

He said,
“The doors of this state of the art facility open to the public tonight with the Ulster Orchestra in performance and represents, both symbolically and in practical terms, a significant milestone in the regeneration of the town centre.

“At a cost of approximately £3m, the 270-seater venue will undoubtedly become a central focal point for the cultural and social life of the local community. The venue combines intimate atmospheric surroundings with the latest technology like electronically retractable seating and with these unique features I am in no doubt that the venue will become as popular as the “Tinney’s Sculptures” are for local people and for people further afield.

“Combined with the state of the art facilities of the adjoining library complex, the major environmental improvements that have been made to the town centre, the first class sporting facilities that we now have at Melvin, which are the envy of other districts, this exciting new development will further serve to enrich the quality of life for people in the district as we continue on this positive regeneration journey.

Dromore Hunger Strike memorial -Council has acted properly says Sinn Fein Chair

2007-03-21T11:27:00.000Z

Councillor Seán Begley, the Sinn Fein Chair of Omagh Council says that the local district authority has acted in a proper manner in relation to the complaint received about the republican memorial on council ground at the Old Church in Dromore.

He said,
“Bobby Sands was the MP for the area, when the Dromore area was part of the old Fermanagh/South Tyrone Constituency and to coincide with the 20th Anniversary of his death local people decided to erect a small memorial stone and plant ten trees at this site in memory of the Hunger Strikers and three local people who had been killed by Crown Forces.

“The erection of this memorial pre-dated the adoption by Omagh District Council of its Equality Policy. When Council received a complaint in relation to the memorial it got legal advice and did an investigation into who erected the memorial.

“The organisers of the memorial, the Dromore Commemoration Committee, subsequently made a request to buy the small plot of land on which the memorial is located as a way of amicably resolving the issue.
“At that time the council did not have a policy on disposing of land in graveyards for memorials and on foot of further legal advice agreed to an Equality Screening Exercise and an equality impact assessment. These steps were unanimously agreed to in Council. While the Screening Exercise was carried out the complaint was made to the Equality Commission in the interim and Omagh District Council has been since awaiting the Commission’s findings. The Commission, like Council has recommended the carrying out of a full Equality Impact Assessment and this will now proceed and Council will continue to act in an above board and proper manner.

“Speaking in my capacity as a Sinn Féin Councillor, I would like to point out that the community in Dromore is overwhelmingly republican and nationalist and a place where there is a deep affinity with the sacrifice of Bobby Sands and the other Hunger Strikers. Just as republicans acknowledge the importance and sanctity of war memorials and cenotaphs to so many with the unionist community, I would therefore call on unionist representatives, and particularly the DUP who are clearly behind this campaign, to begin to display the same sensitivity and respect for the memorials which so many people within our community hold dear and cherish.

a vótóirí Shinn Féin

2007-03-16T12:01:00.000Z

Ba mhaith linn ómós a thabhairt do na 18, 437 daoine a chaith vóta do Shinn Féin in Iarthar Thír Eoghain ar an 7 Márta. Leis an sainordú iomráiteach seo agus trí bhainisteoireacht vótála diansmachta, rinne sibh deimhin de go dtoghadh an trúir iarthóir Shinn Fein sa dáilcheantar ar bharr an liosta. Bainfidh muid úsáid as an sainordú seo chun ár seirbhísí dáilcheantair a fhorbairt ar bhur son, chun a dheanamh cinnte go mbeidh an pholaitíocht ag obair, chun athrú bunúsach dearfach a dhéanamh ar chursaí sóisialta agus eacnamaíochta agus chun Éire Aontaithe a bhaint amach.

We would like to pay tribute to the 18,437 people across West Tyrone who voted for Sinn Féin on March 7th. By giving this resounding mandate and through disciplined vote management you ensured the election of the three Sinn Féin candidates in the constituency with poll topping performances. We will use this mandate to continue to build our constituency services on your behalf, to make politics work, to deliver radical positive social and economic change and to bring about Irish Unity.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh uilig go léir.

Is sinne le meas,
Pat Doherty MP MLA, Barry Mc Elduff MLA, Claire Mc Gill MLA

MC GILL BELIEVES “RURAL AFFAIRS TASK FORCE” ESSENTIAL

2007-02-23T11:27:00.000Z

West Tyrone Sinn Fein Assembly Election Candidate Claire Mc Gill believes that the creation of a Rural Affairs Task Force needs to be an urgent priority of the Assembly so as to counteract what she describes as the relentless onslaught by the NIO against the fabric that sustains our rural communities.

Cllr Mc Gill said,
“We presently have 11 NIO departments formulating and implementing policies which impact upon every aspect of our lives yet not one of these policies is being rural proofed. “The reason why policies across the 11 Departments are not being rural proofed is very clear i.e. because the infrastructure and services needed to sustain rural communities are firmly in the sights of the British Exchequer’s strategy to extract as much financial savings as possible from the six counties through forcing as many people as possible into urban settings and so increasingly centralise infrastructure and services.

“The imposition of Rural Planning Policy PPS 14 is part of this strategy as is the onslaught against our rural schools, health facilities and services, post offices and other crucial services, not to mention the perennial lack of investment in rural road, sewage and water infrastructure.

The British Exchequer’s strategy is being administered by the NIO agenda and fronted by the Direct Rule Ministers.

“The creation of a Rural Affairs Task Force, to counteract this onslaught against rural communities and the rural way of life that has existed for generations, must therefore be an urgent priority of the Assembly and its remit must be to devise policy recommendations that give equal weighting to the twin objectives of maintaining and vibrant rural communities while at the same time ensuring environmental sustainability for this and future generations.

Castlederg Policing issue- Doherty seeking Nuala O Loan to attend Public Meeting

2007-02-23T11:26:00.000Z

West Tyrone Sinn Fein MP Pat Doherty has made a written request to Police Ombudsman Nuala O Loan asking her to attend a public meeting in Castlederg so as to appraise constituents of the complaints procedures available against PSNI officers who they believe to be operating in a partisan political manner.

The local MP has followed up a meeting he held with Nuala O Loan on Friday last with this request saying,

“I had requested Friday’s meeting with Nuala O’Loan to discuss the relentless campaign of victimization being carried out by the PSNI against the nationalist community in Castlederg, and in particular, the campaign being waged against young male nationalist in the area.

“Apart from the PSNI adopting a consistently aggressive approach when dealing with people they clearly recognise as being from the nationalist side of the community in this area, this campaign has seen an unprecedented number of young nationalists being arrested and dragged before the courts- a number that bears totally no resemblance to the demographic make of the local community.

“In December 2005, hundreds of local nationalists were forced to protest outside Castlederg PSNI barracks such was the anger about the overtly partisan nature of policing in the area. However since that time the situation has, if anything, got progressively worse.

“Among the issues I raised with Nuala O Loan were some of the recent examples of this political policing by the PSNI in Castlederg including: interrogating and subjecting two young catholic school boys to a traumatic ordeal after wrongly accusing them of stealing from a local shop in the town in November and arresting nationalist youths at the behest of a loyalist crowd in December.

“I have now also received written confirmation from the Ombudsman’s Office that following an earlier complaint I submitted in my capacity as MP, disciplinary action is now to be taken against a PSNI officer for ‘facilitating’ the progression of an Apprentice Boys parade along a stretch of the Lurganbuoy Road which had been prohibited by the Parades Commission.

“I believe that Nuala was seriously concerned about the situation in Castlederg and I trust that she will take up my request for her to attend a public meeting to appraise constituents of the complaints procedures available against PSNI officers who they believe to be operating in a partisan political manner.

“Perhaps her attendance at this public meeting will carry even more significance in that it will firmly shine the spotlight on what has been going on in Castlederg as will Sinn Fein’s continued representations on the issue at the highest levels of both governments.”

"Boy racer" endangered lives of Clady residents

2007-02-23T11:18:00.000Z

Sinn Fein Cllr Gerard Foley says that the normal tranquillity of life in Clady (Co Tyrone) was shattered when a young motorist decided that he would turn the narrow streets of the village into his own personal rally circuit on Sunday afternoon last- a completely reckless action which Cllr Foley says almost ended in tragedy when “this boy racer” lost control of the car and as hit a bank at the junction of the Urney/Bellspark Road.

Cllr Foley said,
“People in the area are still in a state of shock about the death of a local woman in the tragic accident on the Urney Road. Given what has happened local people are enraged that this so called boy racer could not only be so insensitive in the extreme, but was so reckless to not only endanger himself but any unfortunate pedestrian who happened to be in his path as he turned the narrow streets of the village into his own personal rally track. His car eventually hit the bank verge at the junction of Urney/Bellspark Road but it just by sheer luck that no one was killed or injured in the incident.

“People in the village have to continually contend with the safety hazards presented by heavy duty vehicles taking a shortcut through the small streets of the town which are totally unsuited to this type of traffic and the last thing we need is incidents like Sundays.

“Roads Service needs to come to its senses about the urgent need for traffic calming measures in the village and I am not prepared to let this matter rest no matter how many times it refuses to exceed to this demand from the local community.”

Journey to redress decades of neglect and inequality must be fully underpinned.

2007-02-21T12:02:00.000Z

West Tyrone Sinn Féin Election Candidate Barry Mc Elduff says that it is only through the permanent restoration of all the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement and the delivery by the British government of real and meaningful Peace Dividend that locally elected and accountable representatives can begin in earnest to redress the decades of neglect and inequality directed against areas west of the Bann like Omagh and Strabane Districts.

Barry Mc Elduff said,
“Few would disagree with the proposition that if all the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement had of being allowed to operate uninterrupted and to develop to their full operational capacity since 1998, that the journey to redress the decades of neglect and inequality directed against areas west of the Bann like Omagh and Strabane would be now well advanced.

“However, since the British government unilaterally brought down the Good Friday institutions at the behest of political unionism, we have been subject to a particularly vindictive Direct Rule Administration regime.

“This Regime has now overlaid the historical legacy of neglect and inequality in our areas with the attempted imposition of totally unjust and punitive policies against every man woman and child here whether it be through: Rural Planning dictate PPS14; the asset stripping and stealth taxes crusade through water charges and rate hikes; or through the drastic cuts to public expenditure in health, education and other public services.

“It is only through the permanent restoration of all the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement and their operation on a fully functioning basis, including the All-Ireland dimensions, that locally elected and accountable representatives can begin in earnest to redress the decades of neglect and inequality directed against areas west of the Bann like Omagh and Strabane and to reverse the punitive policy crusade of the Direct Rule Administration Regime..

“Moreover, the British government must be made to pay for the legacy of neglect that it has presided over here so that the restored institutions are equipped with the resources to pave the way for positive and meaningful socio-economic change.

“Sinn Fein has been therefore demanding in negotiations with the British government, that to address all these issues that it provides to the restored institutions a real Peace Dividend of £10 billion over 10 years, additional to other measures such as the £16 billion Investment Strategy.

Positive Sinn Féin leadership in contrast to that of DUP

2007-02-21T12:01:00.000Z

West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty says that the strong leadership shown by Sinn Féin in advancing the Peace Process stands in stark contrast to the complete absence of any signs of leadership from the DUP.

The local MP said,
“Throughout this process Sinn Féin has taken initiative after initiative to advance the Peace Process and our vision of an independent Ireland based on justice and equality.

“It is the easiest thing in the world to remain within ones comfort zone and avoid difficult and painful decisions. However, like so many things in life, the easy option is very rarely the right option and for those of us who want to bring about the maximum amount of political, social and economic change on this island standing still is not an option. Sinn Féin has not been lacking in courage when it comes to making extremely difficult decisions

“In contrast, the DUP has remains fossilised in the same ‘no mode’ which has characterized the party since its inception. Up until this juncture, the DUP has never had to make a difficult decision in its political lifetime.

“However, the historical absence of positive leadership from the DUP is now coming back to haunt it tenfold as it faces the ultimate decision of whether or not it is prepared to share power with republicans and nationalists on the basis of equality and in the context of all-Ireland institutions or whether it wants to consign the constituency it purports to represent to joint administration of affairs in the six counties by both governments under Plan B.

“Because of absence of positive leadership from the DUP, it is a case of their chickens all coming home to roost at the one time. The question is has the DUP leadership got the courage, at even this late stage, to make the right decisions so as to help forge a better future for everyone on this island including the people its purports to represent. We will all find out in the next few weeks.

Secure absent vote entitlement before Valentines Day

2007-01-31T16:05:00.000Z

Councillor Seán Begley, the Sinn Féin Director of Elections in West Tyrone, has called on every registered voter who will be unable to make it to the polling station in person on Wednesday 7th March to ensure that they secure their vote by applying for a proxy or postal vote before Valentines Day, Thursday 14th February.

He said,
“From Thursday the 1st February until the 14th February (Valentines Day) anyone who will not be able to vote in person on Election Day March 7th should apply for either a postal or proxy vote. “This includes people who are housebound due to illness, students who are away at University, people who work away from home or people who will be on holidays at this time.

“Postal and proxy registration forms can be downloaded from the Electoral Office Website: www.electoralofficeni.gov.uk or your local Sinn Féin Office.

Sinn Féin raise Castlederg PSNI actions with NIO-want Nuala O’Loan to investigate

2007-01-25T11:23:00.000Z

West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP Pat Doherty has written to the police Ombudsman Naula o’ Loan seeking an urgent meeting to discuss the relentless campaign of victimisation being carried out by the PSNI against the nationalist community in Castlederg area and in particular the campaign being waged against young male nationalists in the area.

And in another development, Sinn Féin Policing Spokesperson Gerry Kelly, together with party MLA Raymond Mc Cartney, further raised the actions of Castlederg PSNI with NIO Security Minister Paul Goggins at a meeting yesterday.

The local MP said,
“This systematic and ongoing campaign has seen unprecedented numbers of young nationalists from this area being arrested and dragged before the courts. For example, the number of local nationalists finding themselves in this position is shockingly out of all proportion compared to the demographic make up of the area, and this statistic alone shows highlights that there is something rotten going on .

“In December 2005, hundreds of local nationalists were forced to protest outside Castlederg PSNI barracks such was the anger about the overtly partisan nature of policing in the area. However, since that time the situation has got progressively worse.

“While the spotlight needs to be shone on the partisan policing activities of the entire PSNI garrison in Castlederg, local people are in no doubt that this campaign is being primarily spearheaded by an infamous PSNI Sergeant who is stationed at Castlederg PSNI Barracks.

“Sinn Féin is now pursuing the actions of the PSNI in Castlederg with both NIO Security Minister Paul Goggins and Nuala O’ Loan and if the Police Ombudsman accedes to a meeting, I will be requesting that she initiates an investigation into not only this named PSNI Sergeant but also into the other Castlederg PSNI members who are also central to this clear campaign of victimisation and harassment against the nationalist community in Castlederg.

National Development Plan spending in the north 'an historic milestone'

2007-01-24T10:25:00.000Z

West Tyrone Sinn Fein MP Pat Doherty has described today as being a significant historic milestone as, for the first time since the partition of this island, a Dublin government administration has being forced to include the six counties of the national territory in its National Development Plan 2007-13.

Mr Doherty said,
“In the “amended” National Development Plan announced today, 1 Billion Euro is earmarked for the development of a host of infrastructure, economic, education, health and other sector projects in the six counties and border counties.

“While this 1 billion figure represents a just over half a percent of the total expenditure envisaged in the overall Plan, its significance is historic in that, for the first time since the partition of this island, a Dublin government administration has been forced to include the six counties of the national territory in its National Development Plan 2007-13.

“Sinn Féin has continually lobbied and argued with the Dublin government of the necessity to adopt an integrated All-Ireland approach to strategic planning on the island so as to ensure balanced regional development, sustainable growth and to practically plan for Irish Unity

“In tandem with continually presenting these arguments to the Dublin government, Sinn Féin has vigorously campaigned on key issues which, because of the artificial border, has left people in areas like the northwest and border counties at a severe socio-economic disadvantage compared to other regions of Ireland.

“These campaigns include: the demand for a motorway/dual carriageway for the N14, A5, N2 route from the North West to Dublin, a regional cancer centre for the north west and for a holistic and properly resourced strategy for the economic regeneration of all the north west through the Gateway initiative, and for people right along the border to be able to access the nearest Out of hours medical service regardless of which side of the border they are on.

“The National Development Plan, while not entering into specifics at this stage, includes in general terms these as issues to be addressed as a priority under its funding programme and the task now is to ensure that the opportunities now opened up are maximized to the full.

Sinn Fein catious welcome for £12m additional roads maintenance funding

2007-01-23T11:34:00.000Z

West Tyrone Sinn Fein Assembly Election Candidate Claire Mc Gill says that the announcement today by Regional Development Minister David Cairns that an additional £12 million will be provided in the Road Services overall structural maintenance budget of £65m for 2006/7, is to be welcomed but in reality only represents the re-instating the finances that were stripped from the road maintenance budget in this present financial year.
She said,
“It is clear that for some time time now that funding for capital roads investments has been taken from maintenance budgets. Despite the best efforts of local roads service personnel, trying to work within the untenable budgetary constraints imposed upon them, people in rural areas have witnessed a marked reduction in the level of maintenance being carried out to roads in their areas as a result of drastic budget cuts imposed by the Direct Rule Administration in recent years.

“Elected representatives, particularly in the areas west of the Bann worst affected by these cuts, have been lobbying along with the Quarry Products Association to have these cuts reversed. “I welcome today’s announcement that an additional £12m funding is to be allocated primarily towards the much-needed resurfacing of roads. However, given that so many rural roads are now in such a state of utter disrepair due to the neglect imposed by the Direct Rule administration, the amount of additional funding allocated falls far short of what is needed, particularly when one considers that it still has to be sub-allocated to the different road service divisions.

Sinn Fein welcomes suicide prevention initiative

2007-01-10T10:20:00.000Z

Strabane Sinn Fein Councillor Brian Mc Mahon has described today’s launch, by Direct Rule Health Minister Paul Goggins, of a mentoring pilot scheme to provide support for those who self-harm in the Western Health & Social Services Board Area as one important practical step in the development of a multi-faceted and all-Ireland approach to suicide prevention.

Cllr Mc Mahon said,
“Last year, there were more than 600 deaths by suicide on the island of Ireland, a significant increase on the previous year. The north west, including Strabane District, is one of the areas worst affected by the tragedy of suicide so this pilot scheme is a much intervention to provide support for those vulnerable and at risk to suicide.

“A mentoring scheme will be offered to those who present to Accident & Emergency at Altnagelvin Hospital following an incident of self-harming, and through the support of a mentor a person will be offered help to identify and address the causes of their self-harm and by receiving help to reduce the levels of distress felt by these each person it is hoped that this will ultimately help in reducing the number of people at risk of suicide.”

However, as hospital admission statistics are likely to under-estimate the scale of the problem since not all incidents of self-harm are presented for medical attention, and only a proportion of those who do attend Accident & Emergency are admitted to hospital, there is a need for the community awareness campaign in the north west to ensure that this service can be accessed through other avenues, either directly by an individual or family member or through secondary referrals. I will therefore be requesting that co-ordinators of the pilot scheme be asked to come to Strabane Council and discuss ways of highlighting the availability of this service throughout he local community and to other communities in the Western Board Area

The pilot scheme will run until March 2008, when it will be fully evaluated. If it proves successful, the Department of Health will look to roll out across the six counties.

Sinn Fein has been to the forefront in the campaign for a holistic suicide preventation strategy to be developed on an all-Ireland basis and yesterday a Sinn Féin delegation led by Party President Gerry Adams met the British Health Minister Paul Goggins to review progress on the suicide prevention strategy that was finally was launched by the Department of Health in the six counties on 30 October 2006.

The Sinn Fein delegation urged Paul Goggins to: speedily extend the telephone hotline currently in operation in north and west Belfast to all areas and ensure that it is properly funded and to exert pressure on mobile phone companies to provide a free phone service for anyone phoning the helpline from their mobile phones.

The delegation also raised with the Minister the absence of any visible action on an all-Ireland basis, despite our constant demand that this be put in place. It doesn't make sense that there is no joined up approach between the two Health departments. There is an urgent need for a suicide awareness campaign on an all-Ireland basis.

The Minister told the delegation that he will be putting a proposal on this to the Suicide Strategy Implementation Group on January 17th, and Sinn Fein will be seeking an urgent meeting with the Irish government to discuss this."

Post Office latest instalment in British governments social engineering agenda

2007-01-10T10:14:00.000Z

West Tyrone Sinn Fein MP Pat Doherty says that Royal Mail’s plans to radically reduce the number of Post Offices is but the latest instalment of the British governments social engineering agenda in the six counties i.e. the British exchequer attempting to drastically slash the budget subvention here through a policy of services and infrastructure centralisation and through forced urbanization regardless of the social or real economic cost.

Following a debate in the Assembly yesterday about the Post Office issue in which there was universal opposition to the Royal Mail proposals, the local MP said, “The proposal to drastically reduce the number of Post Offices here cannot be viewed in isolation from the wider agenda of the British government to drastically cut the budget subvention to the six counties through a policy of services and infrastructure centralization and forced urbanization regardless of the social or real economic cost.

“Through the draconian Rural Planning Policy 14, and what amounts to an almost permanent moratorium on housing development in the countryside, the Direct Rule Administration hopes to force a large section of rural population into urban areas, and by closing rural post offices, rural schools and through the increased centralization of health and other essential services, this same Administration is hoping to cement this crass social engineering by removing the infrastructural fabric which has sustained rural communities for generations.

People in rural areas need the post office network. We need to see action that will regenerate our rural communities, not irresponsible and unaccountable actions that will decimate them.

“It is therefore crucial that the proposals to drastically reduce the number of Post Offices is met with the same resolute opposition that has met attempts to impose Rural Planning Policy 14.

Broadband for Clady

2006-12-15T10:45:00.000Z

Sinn Fein Cllr Gerard Foley says that he is hopeful that people in the Clady area will soon be able to access internet Broadband.

“I have been inundated with complaints from villagers and people in the surrounding area about still not being able to access the internet Broadband, one of the few remaining areas of the six counties still not able to access the service.

“At the October 10th meeting of Strabane District Council, I requested that a letter be sent to BT to ask that broadband services be made available in the Clady area. As a result of this request I am encouraged that Mr Frank Manus, Head of Broadband for BT in the six counties, is now scheduled to make a presentation to Council to address the issue next month.

“Given that Mr Mc Manus has led the team which has spearheaded the phenomenal role out of Broadband since BT was awarded the contract with this remit by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment in July 2003, I am sure that Mr Mc Manus will be keen to ensure that whatever obstacles are holding up the availability of Broadband in the Clady area are removed as quickly as possible especially given that BT have been saying for some time that there is already 100% Broadband coverage right across in the six counties.”

North West delegation make impact in Europe

2006-12-14T12:55:00.000Z

Strabane Sinn Fein Councillor Jarlath Mc Nulty says that he is confident that the in-depth engagements undertaken by a 25 strong delegation, make up of representatives of 5 Chambers of Commerce and party representatives from the north west, with decision makers at the highest levels within the European Parliament in Brussels last week will bear fruit for not only Strabane but the north west as a whole.

Cllr Mc Nulty said,
“This was an important trip. We brought together the Chambers of Commerce from Strabane, Buncrana, Letterkenny, Gaoth Dobhair, and Derry along with Sinn Féin representatives from throughout the North West region. We met with senior members of the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Irish Regions Office and the Northern Executive, as well as the European Chamber of Commerce. During these engagements regional development in the North West, the PEACE III and IFI funds and the new proposed European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation were addressed.

“The Border Corridor area has clearly suffered most from partition and is characterised by:

• High unemployment • Poor educational facilities and low educational attainment • Rural isolation • Inadequate health systems • Poor communications, high energy costs and weak transport infrastructure • The Border Corridor Area is the poorest region in Ireland. • The North West is the poorest area of the poorest region.

“Sinn Féin is about putting together an integrated approach to tackling this deprivation and under investment. During our meetings today we sought support for:

• a North West Regional Economic Development Strategy • a North West Regional Economic Authority

“We also sought EU funding for a proposal which is at an advanced stage for a North West Medical School which will involve co-operation between NUI in Galway, Magee in Derry and the IT colleges in Sligo and Letterkenny.

“This has been a positive trip and much good work has been accomplished. Clearly the coming together of the five Chambers to lobby for common goals is important and the significance of this was not lost on those we met over the past 24 hours.

“Sinn Féin will seek to build upon the work completed during this trip and bring to a conclusion the projects which we have sought support for here in Brussels. This is clearly still work in progress and work which we will continue in the time ahead.”

Political policing alive and well in Castlederg

2006-12-13T10:20:00.000Z

Sinn Fein Cllr Charlie Mc Hugh says that the PSNI has once again shown its true colours in Castlederg in the selective arrest of nationalist youths following weekend trouble in the town which was not only instigated by loyalist youths but in which they were the main aggressors.

Cllr Mc Hugh said,
“The weekend trouble began in Castlederg on Saturday night when a young nationalist was badly assaulted by loyalists outside a Chinese takeaway in the town. On Sunday, the same loyalists made their way up to the nationalist end of the town and fighting ensued with a number of young nationalists who were in the vicinity at the time.

“By the time the PSNI arrived the fighting had stooped and there was an uneasy standoff between two groups. However, the PSNI went and consulted with the loyalist crowd who began pointing out local nationalist youths. True to form the PSNI done the bidding of the loyalists by moving into the nationalist crowd before handcuffing and arresting three nationalist youths (and subsequently arrested a fourth youth).

“Other nationalists who had witnessed these events, and others who had subsequently arrived on the scene, attempted to remonstrate with the PSNI about the completely partisan nature of these policing actions and asking why whenever there is any bother in Castlederg it is only nationalists who are arrested and dragged before the courts. However, these complaints fell on deaf ears as the youths were taken to Strabane barracks.

“This weekends events and the ongoing pattern of overt political policing in Castlederg fit into the comments of a senior PSNI officer in Castlederg barracks when he threatened that he would not rest until every nationalist youth in the area has a criminal record.

“Last December, hundreds of local nationalists converged on Castlederg barracks to protest about the blatantly bigoted actions of the PSNI in the Castlederg area. One year on and the situation has if anything got worse. The spotlight must be now firmly shone on the political and sectarian agenda of the PSNI in Castlederg.”

Road Service must address neglect of Mid-Tyrone Roads-Sinn Féin

2006-12-13T10:19:00.000Z

Sinn Féin Cllr Mickey Mc Anespie says that Roads Service’s response to repeated representations about the deteriorating state of some of the main arterial routes in Mid-Tyrone area is verging on neglect through allowing the repeated slippage of its road repair schedules and because of reneging on previous commitments.

He said,
“Some of the main arterial routes through mid-Tyrone are being allowed to fall into a terrible state of disrepair because Roads Service is continually putting back the timescale for urgent repair and upgrade work that it has previously.

“For example, the much needed upgrade of the busy Whitebridge Road, which has been promised for years now, has still not materialised and we are now being told that it is now been included in the 2007-9 schedule.

“The side-filling and resurfacing work that was promised for the Skeboy/Aghnagreggan Road between Lochmacrory and Carrickmore in a previous schedule is now no where to be seen in the current schedule and neither is their any sign of a commitment to carry out much needed upgrading of the Creggan Road between Greencastle and Carrickmore.

“This repeated slippage in the time-scales for work schedules and the reengaging on previous commitments to carry out much needed work on these busy roads in the mid-Tyrone is bordering on the neglect of this area.

“I raised these issues with Roads Service when its officials last addressed Council last month and despite being on to the phone to Road Service Engineers at least once a week little remedial action have been taken to redress these pressing issues.
“On a positive note, I welcome the work completed last week by Road’s Service to improve the site lines at the Quarry/Termon Rd junction. This was a very dangerous junction and road safety has been greatly enhanced for little expenditure. However, Road Service cannot allow the issue of cost to compromise road safety on the other stretches of roads that I am demanding action on.”

Announcement of North West-Dublin motorway/dual carriageway proposal expected in National Development Plan

2006-12-13T10:18:00.000Z

West Tyrone Sinn Fein MP Pat Doherty says that there are clear indications that the Dublin government has now been forced to amend its National Development Plan, which is scheduled to be published on January 19th, to include substantial investment in the main N14, A5, N2 route from the North West to Dublin so to bring it up to a standard comparable to other routes that are similarly designated as key strategic transport corridors on the island.

Mr Doherty said,
“It is clear that the vigorous ongoing campaign by Sinn Fein on a national basis and by local authorities and cross-border groups in the northwest and border counties has forced the Dublin government to amend its National Development Plan, to accede to the growing demand to redress the transport infrastructure deficit in the northwest part of Ireland.

“One Dublin government Minister based in Donegal went on record last week to say that the Cabinet has now agreed that the N14, A5,N2 route will be accorded motorway status in the amended National Development Plan while there are other conflicting reports that it will be accorded Dual carriageway status. Despite the mixed signals I nonetheless welcome this u-turn and will be eagerly awaiting the publication of the Plan next month to ascertain the envisaged timescale and investment outlay for the proposed route upgrade between the northwest and Dublin.

“Sinn Fein has been continually pushing and will continue to push both governments for a substantial Peace Dividend, not least, so as redress the infrastructure deficit west of the Bann and in the Border Counties. In October, the Dublin government confirmed that for the first time it would include a spend of €1 Billion on infrastructure investment in the six counties as part of its National Development Plan 2007-2013 with the upgrading of the A5 Derry to Aughnacloy being one of the key projects being earmarked for investment.

“If, as it now appears, the Dublin government is prepared to make a substantial investment in this key strategic transport corridor from the North West to Dublin then I view this development as being very significant.

“However, the potential to overcome one of the most glaring infrastructural deficits on the island of Ireland will only be realised if the British government also agree to play ball and step up to the plate with its own financial package for this and other essential infrastructural projects. To date the British government has not committed itself to anything resembling a proper Peace Dividend never mind a specific commitment to jointly finance the development of the North West to Dublin route. However, I fear that unless the British government are forced into this commitment, the Dublin government may feel that they have a way out of the commitments that they are now being forced to make.”

2006-12-06T11:23:00.000Z

Omagh Council Chair hopes for fully inclusive “ Day of Reflection”

Cllr Seán Begley, the Sinn Fein Chair of Omagh District Council, hopes that every section of the community will be represented at Sunday’s “Day of Reflection” event at the Grange Park Council grounds at 2pm at which all those who have died as a result of war and conflict from the locality will be remembered.

Speaking about the event Cllr Begley said,
“There has been an extremely positive response to the invites that have been extended to local community and civic sector groups from throughout the District to attend Sunday’s “Day of Reflection.

This positive response is, I believe, a growing acknowledgement from within the community that all inclusive events like this have an important part to play in the healing and reconciliation process.

“I believe that the message that goes out from unique events such as this is that it acknowledges that the suffering and pain of all those who have been bereaved as a result of conflict is the same and that we must all work collectively to ensure that we will never again allow political difference to plunge our communities into conflict and despair.

“The ceremony will include the laying of a floral tribute along and music and reflective readings and I hope for widespread community participation, including people from the various ethnic communities who are such an integral part of the fabric of our community in Omagh District.

2006-12-05T13:29:00.000Z

Doherty comments on bomb incidents in Strabane District
West Tyrone Sinn Fein MP Pat Doherty says that there is absolutely no support for those responsible for leaving an explosive devise at Cloughor on the main A5 Strabane to Derry Road and the ongoing bomb alert at Strahulter Road in Newtownstewart.

The local MP said,
“There is no support in the community for those responsible for these futile actions.

“Devoid of either support, strategy or a vision for the future, the only thing that those responsible have achieved is to have caused widespread disruption to members of the local community attempting to go about their everyday business”.

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

2006-11-29T10:37:00.000Z

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

2006-11-28T11:22:00.000Z

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.

2006-11-28T11:20:00.000Z

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

2006-11-23T10:45:00.000Z

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

2006-11-23T10:44:00.000Z

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

2006-11-23T10:37:00.000Z

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

2006-11-22T10:51:00.000Z

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

2006-11-17T10:31:00.000Z

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

2006-11-15T11:18:00.000Z

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

2006-11-15T11:17:00.000Z

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

2006-11-15T11:16:00.000Z

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

2006-11-15T11:14:00.000Z

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

2006-11-14T12:03:00.000Z

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

2006-11-14T12:00:00.000Z

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

2006-11-09T11:07:00.000Z

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.”

2006-11-08T11:18:00.000Z

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

2006-11-07T12:05:00.000Z

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.”

Sinn Fein Comment on Springhill Shooting

2006-10-27T13:09:00.000+01:00

Sinn Fein Councillor Jarlath Mc Nulty, commenting on the so-called punishment shooting in Springhill Park in Strabane last night said,

“After an extended period of time whereby the Strabane area was totally free of such incidents, last night’s attack combined with other recent attacks of a similar nature have somewhat dented the hope that there was now a universal acceptance that such actions offer no long-term solution to problems within the community and are often counter-productive.

“It goes without saying that such attacks are wrong and should not be happening.” Ends

Your Vote-Your Right - Register Now!

2006-10-27T13:05:00.000+01:00

Sinn Fein is urging everyone aged 17 and over to ensure that they register to vote before Monday 13th November in what could be the last electoral registration canvas carried out by the electoral office for the next ten years.In a joint statement, Seán Begley, the Chair of Omagh District Council and Gerard Foley, the Vice Chair of Strabane District Council, said,“Your vote is your right so register now to claim it.

“In recent years tens of thousands of people have been disenfranchised because the British government introduced highly elaborate hurdles in the way of people wishing to exercise their democratic right to vote at the behest of the SDLP and Unionist parties.

“One of the most damaging mechanisms introduced under this flawed electoral legislation was the doing away of the household registration form and its replacement with the individual registration form which had to be filled in each Autumn. For a wide variety of reasons people did not get to register each year with the result that the electoral register has been continually shrinking.

“Sinn Fein successfully argued the case that this annual obligation be scrapped and replaced with at least a ten year register. We also argued that the current register be the starting point of this new ten year register but the electoral office in its wisdom has decided that they will be starting with a blank sheet of paper for this last electoral canvas.

“If you are not registered, you cannot vote. It is therefore imperative that you now register for the final annual canvas.“Sinn Fein members will be engaged in a thorough electoral registration drive throughout the constituency in the coming weeks 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 stop 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.PHOTO ID NEEDED TO VOTE We 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. ENDS

Hopes Rise For Motorway Campaign

2006-10-27T13:03:00.000+01:00

West Tyrone Sinn Fein MP Pat Doherty has described a “potentially very significant” weekend media reports that the Dublin government is, for the first time, to spend more than €1 Billion on infrastructure investment in the six counties as part of its National Development Plan 2007-2013 and that the upgrading of the 90 mile A5 route between Derry and Aughnacloy and the provision of radiotherapy services at Altnagelvin are 2 key projects earmarked for this investment.

The local MP Pat Doherty said,“Sinn Fein has been running a vigorous campaign on the need to develop the N14, A5, N2 main arterial route from the North West to Dublin so as to enable this region to compete on an equal basis with other regions of Ireland which are miles ahead in terms of transport infrastructure, and as part of that campaign have been lobbying both governments and in Europe to respond to this demand.

“If, as it now appears, the Dublin government is prepared to make a substantial investment in this key strategic transport corridor from the North West to Dublin then I view this development as being very significant.“However, the potential to overcome one of the most glaring infrastructural deficits on the island of Ireland will only be realised if the British government also agree to play ball and come up to the plate with its own financial package for this and other essential infrastructural projects.

“Sinn Fein has also been campaigning for a satellite Cancer Centre for the North West based at either Altnagelvin or Letterkenny and the inclusion of proposed funding for Radiotherapy Services at Altnagelvin in this National Development Plan is another encouraging sign that maybe the socio-economic needs of the people of the North West are at long last being taking seriously and that there is now going to be a move away from the partitionist thinking of both governments which has impeded development and equality on this island for generations.

Local Community Shocked And Horrorified At Brutal Rape

2006-10-27T13:01:00.000+01:00

Sinn Fein Councillor Jarlath Mc Nulty says that the local community in Strabane are in a state of shock and completely horrified to hear that a young woman in her 20,s has been the subject of a brutal rape in the Derry Road area of the town early this morning.

Expressing sympathy with the victim and her family Cllr Mc Nulty said,“The unimaginable ordeal that the victim and her family are now being put through, as a result of the actions of this brutal rapist, are uppermost in thoughts of local community here today.

“There was already a heightened sense of fear and trepidation in the community following a series of sex attacks in Strabane last month, but the nature of this brutal rape has completely shocked and horrified the entire community.

“I would urge everyone to vigilant and take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their family members from the designs of any sexual predators who may still be out there in the community.

Firework onslaught against Ballycolman Community must end-Sinn Fein

2006-10-27T12:56:00.000+01:00

Sinn Fein Councillor Brian Mc Mahon says that a group of young teenagers are terrorising the Ballycolman community through the reckless and wanton use of fireworks.

He says that along with party members he will be working with local people in an attempt to ensure an end to what he describes as an onslaught against the local community.

“The problem with the misuse of fireworks is with us at this time every year. However, I have never have received so many complaints as I have this year about how these potentially lethal objects are being maliciously targeted at property and people in the Ballycoman area by a group of young teenagers aged around the12-13 age group.

“Within the last few days alone I have: had to visit the home of a couple who have had windows broken by fireworks, been told of a firework being strapped to the oil tank of another home which thankfully did not go off, fireworks being inserted into the drainpipes of peoples’ homes and ignited causing damage, pets being put in a constant state of major stress and a multitude of other such serious incidents.

“There is a real fear in the local community that if this reckless activity continues it is only a matter of time before someone will be seriously maimed or worse.” It is obvious that whoever is supplying this massive amount of fireworks to these young people is making a substantial profit but this profit is being made at the expense of the local community.

The supplier/s in this potentially lethal trade carry the primary responsibility for what is now happening in the area.“I would appeal to the person or people who are acting in this totally irresponsible way to desist immediately and along with other party members I will be working along with local people in an attempt to ensure that this onslaught on the local community ceases.

Contact The Councillors.

2006-10-27T12:50:00.000+01:00

Omagh District Council

Sean Begley Chairman (Omagh Town)
Peter Kelly Vice-Chair (West Tyrone)
Ann Quinn (West Tyrone)
Sean Clarke (Mid Tyrone)
Frankie Donnelly (West Tyrone)
Martin McColgan (Omagh Town)
Declan McAleer (Mid Tyrone)
Barry McElduff (West Tyrone)
Sharon O'Brien (Mid Tyrone)
Mickey McAnespie (Mid Tyrone)

Strabane District Council

Ivan C Barr (Mourne)
Daniel Breslin (Mourne)
Gerard Foley (Derg)
Claire McGill (Glenelly)
Kieran McGuire (Derg)
Charles H McHugh(Derg)
Brian McMahon (Mourne)
Jarlath McNulty (Mourne)

Sinn Féin delegation meet North West Gateway Initiative to discuss infrastructure and development in region

2006-10-27T12:49:00.000+01:00

Sinn Féin MP for West Tyrone Pat Doherty today led a party delegation including Bairbre de Brún MEP and Barry McElduff MLA to meet with the Joint Chairs of the North West Gateway Initiative.

The meeting took place in Strabane and was held to explore the remit, work plan and implementation framework of the Gateway Initiative. During the meeting the Sinn Féin delegation stressed the importance of active engagement with groups and individuals in the North West at all stages of the formation and implementation of future plans.

They also emphasized the need for formal ministerial meetings to drive the agenda forward in developing the North West area through active cross border work.Speaking today Mr Doherty said:"We raised the lack of road, rail and energy networks in the region.

I specifically raised with the Department of Transport representative local demands for infrastructure and development around the N14/A5/N2 road route. I conveyed to him the outcome of my recent meetings in Strasbourg with the EU Transport Commissioner.

Ms de Brún said:"Today's meeting was a positive engagement, and a commitment to future discussions was agreed. Officials also undertook to forward us further information in regards to this issue."

Governments should not squander EU support for infrastructure improvements

2006-10-27T12:43:00.000+01:00

West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP Pat Doherty says that his party will be maintaining the pressure on both governments to redress the transport infrastructure deficit in the northwest and border counties after the party secured the pro-active support of EU Transport Commissioner Jacque Barrot for the campaign to upgrade the N14, A5, N2 strategic transport corridor to a uniform motorway/dual carriageway standard.

The West Tyrone MP said,

"Last week's meeting in Strasbourg between a Sinn Féin delegation and EU Transport Commissioner Jacque Barrot was highly productive as it will increase pressure on both governments to take joint action to redress the transport infrastructure deficit in the northwest and border counties."

"We outlined our case in detail presenting Commissioner Barrot with a map of the island of Ireland clearly outlining the gap in infrastructural development to and in the North West. We also highlighted the social, economic, and political impact of partition on the region and the neglect of successive administrations North and South".

"The Commissioner acknowledged the gap in infrastructure and was clearly convinced by the case made. He assured us that he will write to the relevant British and Irish Ministers inviting them to adopt a joint approach to progress the issue and also undertook to speak to the EU Commissioner for Regional Development, Danuta Hübner to bring the issue to her attention as such an infrastructural project would also fall within the remit of her department."

"The support and goodwill at EU Commission level for the case to upgrade the N14,A5, N2 strategic transport corridor to a motorway/dual carriageway standard must now be grasped by both governments, and the coming weeks Sinn Fein will be increasing the pressure on both governments to avail of this opportunity by focusing on the issue in a formalized and integrated manner. "

2006-10-27T12:02:00.000+01:00