MLA wants rapid transit system for North Belfast

North Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín said that a rapid transit system that will see a dramatic improvement in traffic flow across the city must be extended to North Belfast.
Ní Chuilín is set to have a meeting with the director of the Belfast Rapid Transit Project Ciaran de Búrca later this month to ask that the scheme, which is planned for west, south and east Belfast also be rolled out in North Belfast.
Last year Sinn Féin minister for regional development Conor Murphy announced the three pilot routes for the scheme, which will include rapid transit buses and light rail.
However, the local MLA said that with the announcement that the University of Ulster is to move the majority of its classes to just north of the city centre and the growth in local tourism that North Belfast should be included in the scheme.
“The Rapid Transit Project will provide the city with a fast reliable and modern public transport service,” said Ní Chuilín.
“I am meeting with the project director Ciarán de Búrca asking to discuss extending the scheme to the north of the city.
“I believe there are three possible routes in North Belfast for a light rail scheme.
“The Shore and Antrim roads are obvious links between North Belfast and the city centre and have access to sea ports, the city airport and the motorway.
“The proposal to relocate much of the University of Ulster’s Jordanstown campus to the Cathedral Quarter and York St area will also require enhanced modern transport links to facilitate this massive regeneration project.
“The Crumlin Road is another route with huge potential. Belfast is only beginning to open up the tourist potential of the Crumlin Road Gaol site and courthouse and the flagship development of the Girdwood site should ensure the volume of passengers needed to make this route viable.”
Ní Chuilín said extending the project to include North Belfast was a necessary investment in the area’s future.
“The University of Ulster’s decision to relocate to the north side of the city centre is a huge vote of confidence in the people of this area.
“It’s vital that infrastructure projects beginning in the near future create sustainable jobs which will help communities through the current economic downturn.
“However, it is just as important that projects which have been well-thought out also provide us with a platform to regenerate North Belfast in the future.”

£7m for deprived areas welcomed

Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín has welcomed news that £7m is to be spent in deprived areas over the next two years, ending months of speculation and uncertainty that key community posts were to be axed.
“I welcome the announcement by the Social Development minister that jobs in the Neighbourhood Renewal scheme are to be continued until 2011,” said Carál Ní Chuilín.
“This will mean an extra £7m for some of the most deprived communities in the North.
“Sinn Féin has been lobbying since August last year for an extension to the posts of people working in Neighbourhood Renewal as they have been providing vital services in areas which are suffering most from poverty, neglect, discrimination and social inequality.
“The announcement that these jobs will now be supported until 2011 will also bring to an end the uncertainty which has hung over the future of these posts and the services they deliver like a dark cloud.
“We hope that these workers can now get on with the task of ensuring that those most in need can continue to avail of their services.”
Carál Ní Chuilín also said that the two-year breathing space provided by the announcement now needed to be used well.
“The work carried out by people working to renew and rebuild deprived communities cuts across several government departments,” she said.
“Tackling poverty, neglect and deprivation is clearly an issue of social justice.
“All departments, which have a role in ending the inequalities which flow from these social evils, must use the next two years well to make the transition from Neighbourhood Renewal as seamless as possible.”

Easier to Register to Vote in Birmingham, Alabama than the North

Sinn Fein MLA Carál Ní Chuilín said this week that it is easier to get on the electoral register in Birmingham Alabama than it is in the North of Ireland.
“Sinn Fein contacted officials in the Elections Division of the Office of the Alabama Secretary of State to enquire about the process involved in getting onto the electoral register in Alabama,” said Ní Chuilín.
“An Alabama election official confirmed to us that extra identification evidence is not required in Alabama on top of filling in a registration form.
“In the 1960s Birmingham, Alabama, was the centre of the Civil Rights struggle for African Americans. It was a place where discrimination was institutional.
“Now today we find that the process involved in getting registered in Alabama is much simpler and easier than the process in the North of Ireland.
“All you need to do in Alabama to get on the register is fill in an electoral registration form and send it in.
“Yet here, in the North of Ireland, even after filling in a registration form and providing their name, address, date of birth, national insurance number and signature, people are still been denied their place on the register.
“In the year from Dec 2007 to Dec 2008, over 3,500 people were denied their rightful place on the electoral register after their forms were rejected.
“This is unacceptable and is a clear denial of the right to vote and we have to question the motives of the Electoral Office which is accountable to, and funded by, the NIO.
“The Electoral Office has access to lists of deaths, of people who will be turning 18 and Central Services Agency, council and NIHE databases which deal with changes of address. This access to information should allow the Electoral Office to track changes themselves.
“Many people are turned off by the complex process involved in getting registered. These are largely people from disadvantaged areas, who already feel detached from the system.
“The Electoral Office must end their excessive demands on individuals for unnecessary additional evidence and they must prioritise getting those people who are not on the electoral register onto the register.
“In particular, the Electoral Office needs to be proactive in bringing forward initiatives to bring increased numbers of people from disadvantaged areas onto the electoral register.
“These are the people who are suffering most from the excessive demands of the Electoral Office.’’
“I am sure that people will be shocked and alarmed that it is easier to register to vote in Birmingham, Alabama, once the centre of discrimination against African Americans, than it is to register in the North of Ireland.’’

Irish language PS and GAA pitch development welcomed

Chairman of the town planning committee, Sinn Féin councillor Danny Lavery, said he was delighted to see the drawings for a new Irish language primary school and Gaelic Games pitch get the green light.
The development which is due to take place on the Cricky pitch on the Cliftonville Road, finally looks set to be put into action if the plans get the whole council's seal of approval in March. They were unanimously approved by Belfast City Council's town planning committee earlier this month.
"I'm glad to see we've overcome hurdles that were put in the way of this project by various individuals who did want to see this ever become a reality,” said the Sinn Féin Councillor.
“Getting approval from the committee is fantastic news and a milestone for the community of North Belfast."

Sinn Féin rep calls in the dog wardens

The Belfast City Council dog fouling wardens will undertake an extra patrol in North Belfast following a request from local Sinn Féin councillor Tierna Cunningham.
Dog fouling wardens are to step up their patrols in North Belfast after an overwhelming number of local people said dog mess is their biggest annoyance in the area.
The Sinn Féin representative carried out a door-to-door survey of homes in the Castle electoral ward and found many homeowners said that dog fouling on the pavements is one of the biggest issues in the area they would like to change.
They were particularly angry that main roads such as the Whitewell Road and Antrim Road are covered in dog mess.
Councillor Cunningham, herself a dog-owner, said local people are disgusted with pet owners who do not clean up after their animals.
"Parents are having to manoeuvre round the mess with prams and are understandably worried about letting their children out to play considering the danger the mess creates," she said.
"I would call on dog owners to clean up after their animals. A responsible dog owner should be picking up after their dog and not doing so can only be described as anti community behaviour.
"They make the streets hazardous and dangerous for children as well as making the area look awful."
"I welcome the council's plans to step up their patrols in North Belfast and hopefully with an increase in patrols and more responsible dog owners we can make the streets safer.”

Candlelight vigil on 20th Anniversary of Pat Finucane murder

Banks must do more for small businesses

North Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín has called on local banks to do more to help small and medium sized businesses in the north of the city.

"The CBI and the Federation of Small Businesses have expressed their concern this week about the failure of banks to provide the necessary credit to support small and medium sized businesses here," she said.

"This is in spite of the massive injection of public money being made available to banks to address these issues.

"Businesses are still being forced into closing resulting in people losing their jobs and the resulting effects it has on families.

"Banks have a corporate responsibility to help and support businesses in this current economic climate. The money was not given to protect banks alone and shore up their future.

"More needs to be done to secure guarantees from banks that if they receive public money they must ensure that it goes back into the economy in a way that will keep peoples jobs safe, and keep local businesses open."

PAT FINUCANE 20th ANNIVERSARY EVENTS TO TAKE PLACE

A series of events are to take place throughout Belfast this week to mark the 20th anniversary of the murder of leading human rights lawyer Pat Finucane.

The full details of the events that will take place are as follows:

Tuesday 10th February 3pm – Former Andersonstown barracks site – Launch of events and mural unveiling

A public launch of the series of events to mark the 20th anniversary of Pat Finucane’s murder. A mural supporting the Finucane family’s campaign for truth will be unveiled at this event. The main speaker will be Sinn Fein President and West Belfast MP Gerry Adams. A member of the Finucane family and Mark Thompson from Relatives for Justice will also speak.

Wednesday 11th February 6.30pm – Front of Antrim Road (Just above the Landsdowne Hotel) – Candlelight vigil

A candlelight vigil in memory of Pat Finucane. A member of the Finucane family will speak.

Thursday 12th February 12.30pm – Front of Belfast High Court building – Anniversary gathering

Organised by Relatives for Justice, the anniversary gathering will highlight the Finucane family’s demand for an independent, international public inquiry. The speakers are Sinn Fein MLA Alex Maskey; Mike Ritchie, director of the Committee for Administration and Justice (CAJ); and Monsignor Raymond Murray.

Thursday 12th February 7pm – Saint Marys College, Falls Road –
Panel discussion – Pat Finucane: The Time for Truth

Organised by Relatives for Justice, the panelists are;
Peter Madden, a friend and legal partner of Pat in the Madden and Finucane legal practice

Seamus Finucane, brother of Pat Finucane

Alex Maskey, Sinn Fein MLA, who was shot by loyalists directed by British agent Brian Nelson who was also involved in Pat’s murder

Jim McCabe, husband of West Belfast woman Nora McCabe who was murdered by the RUC in July 1981. Pat Finucane represented the McCabe family in their campaign for truth and justice.

This event will be chaired by Relatives for Justice Spokesperson Clara Reilly.

Sinn Fein Minister Gerry Kelly is encouraging people to take part in the anniversary events.

Gerry Kelly said:

‘’Pat Finucane was a loving husband, a father, a brother, a son.

‘’He was murdered because of his success in defending members of our community who were victims of British oppression, collusion and state murder.

‘’Pat’s case is the most prominent case involving the British government’s state murder policy and the decision to murder Pat was taken at the highest levels of the British government.

‘’Today, 20 years on, the British government continues to cover up Pat’s murder, in the same way as they continue to cover up hundreds of other cases of collusion and state murder.

‘’The Finucane family have campaigned relentlessly for many years for the truth about Pat’s death. The dignity they have shown is in stark contrast to the behaviour of the British state.

‘’The events organised this week are to remember Pat and to highlight the continuing campaign for an independent, international public inquiry into Pat’s murder.

‘’I would encourage people to attend the events and show their support for the campaign for truth about British state murder in Ireland.’’





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Large turn out to remember the New Lodge Six

There was a large turnout at the New Lodge Garden of Remembrance to mark the 36th anniversary of the murders of the New Lodge Six.
John Loughran, whose uncle John Loughran was on of the six men murdered, chaired the proceedings in which Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly gave a small oration.
The six men who were gunned down by the British Army in 1973, Jim Sloan, Jim McCann, Tony Campbell, Brendan Maguire, John Loughran and Ambrose Hardy were shot dead in a 90-minute period in the New Lodge on the night of February 3 and into the early hours of February 4 1973.
The New lodge garden is just yards away from a mural dedicated to the campaign to have the British Government admit its role behind the gun attacks that night.
John Loughran said the event allowed not only the families of the New Lodge Six but also other families in the area with relatives killed in the Troubles to commemorate their dead.
"It was a very good turnout for it being a cold and wintry night," he said.
"People in this area have gathered here every year not only to remember the New Lodge Six but also to remember their own loved ones. It gives everyone a chance to reflect."
The events surrounding their deaths have never been properly investigated and the families of the six men have been involved in a long running campaign for justice.
John Loughran said the families would not give up their fight to have the British government break its silence and order a fresh investigation.
"The truth costs nothing. Our memories live on 36 years later and we will get to the truth of what happened that day,” said Loughran.

Councillor warns against 'cowboy builders'

North Belfast Sinn Féin councillor Danny Lavery has said that childrens lives are being put at risk by ‘cowboy builders’ who are enticing families to cut corners on loft conversions.
The Republican representatives comments come in the wake of reports that some builders are offering people cut-price conversions that do not conform to proper safety standards.
“While many people are tempted to convert their roof space, perhaps to provide an extra bedroom for the kids, failure to have the work carried out properly, and to obtain all the relevant certificates, could be catastrophic”, said Councillor Lavery.
“The truth of the matter is that these attic conversions, could be putting children’s lives at risk because the builders are not putting in simple but vital, potentially life-saving features, such as smoke alarms. Building regulations are not about frills - they are about your safety,” said the Sinn Féin representative.
According to Councillor Lavery having this type of work done without following the proper procedures could end up costing homeowners a lot of money as well as lives.
“Whilst my concerns are primarily about the health and safety issue, people also need to be aware that in many instances planning permission is also required.
“I have had numerous complaints about dormer type windows having been erected without proper planning which has resulted in costing the home owner thousands of pounds to correct,” he said.
Homeowners are being told that they can save thousands of pounds by ignoring building control regulations.
Councillor Lavery has urged people to use the retrospective application process within Building Control to ensure their homes were safe.
Evidence suggests that the problem, which is citywide, is prevalent in the North Belfast area according to Donal Rogan, Building Control Manager for Belfast City Council.
Anyone who is considering a loft conversion or has any queries about building work in and around their home can contact Belfast City Council’s Building Control Service Helpline on 028 9027 0432 or visit the online site at www.belfastcity.gov.uk/building control.

Proposals the start of process to deliver the best education opportunities for all our children

By Gerry Kelly
Education Minister Caitriona Ruane this week brought forward proposals to transform our outdated education system to make it fit for the challenges of the 21st century, able to deliver the best education opportunities for all our children.
Education is the key to the future of our children and I believe the vast majority of people back the minister in her attempt to get it right.
Since Martin McGuinness announced the abolition of the 11+ in 2001, the stance of political Unionism has been subvert any effort to dispense with this elitist and unjust system
The two unionist parties have so far blocked all attempts to get an agreement on a modern education system since May 2007.
Cáitriona Ruane twice brought forward papers outlining proposals and seeking Executive discussion and endorsement. The DUP prevented any discussion or agreement on this issue
The DUP position on academic selection is not based on the needs of children but entirely and solely on Sinn Fein’s opposition to it.
I am disappointed that no one in that party has spoken up for the disadvantaged unionist communities, which suffer greatest from the current system of academic selection and rejection.
Academic selection is not in the interests of children, teachers and parents. We should not lose sight of the fact that the 11+ for decades condemned the majority of children as failures.
The 11+ was wrong. I welcome the ending of that system which was designed 60 years ago and which is clearly not fit for the modern world.
Caitriona Ruane first proposed a three-year phasing out of academic selection but in the absence of agreement she has now outlined the criteria which will govern the transition from primary school to post primary education.
The 11+ is gone and with it the unfair pressure on ten and eleven year-olds. Children in primaries 6 & 7 will be taught the new curriculum without the pressure on teachers and pupils alike to prepare for the test.
The new criteria for schools will be based on geography, family ties, community and social disadvantage and most children will go to the nearest school.
This is a radical departure from the current system which fails 40 per cent of our children, children in receipt of free school meals for example were only half as likely to achieve five GCSEs as other children.
Academic selection has discriminated against the most disadvantaged communities and perpetuated deprivation.
In the current year, 95% of children from primary schools in the Malone Road area went to grammar schools compared to 26% from Shankill primaries and only 20% from New Lodge primaries.
Sinn Féin believes that this education apartheid has to come to an end. And we are not alone in this.
All the teachers unions support and end to academic selection, as do the Catholic bishops who have also come out strongly against the inequality of the current system.
In addition, various reports since the decision to abolish the 11+, including Burns and Costello have recommended that no school should be permitted to use academic selection criteria for children’s admission to second level education.
Parents are worried about the transfer arrangements. The grammar school lobby and some school principals who have a vested interest in maintaining inequality are feeding a culture of fear and insecurity among both parents and children.
Indeed some Catholic school principals appear to be working to a DUP agenda.
In the past week many parents received letters from school principals asking them to sign sample enclosed letters of protest to the Minister of Education, Caitriona Ruane.
But the current shake-up of education is about much more than the abolition of the 11+.
As part of her radical overhaul of education Cáitriona Ruane has brought in the revised curriculum and the Every School A Good School policy.
She has begun to address the imbalance in funding between primary and secondary schools and set up the Educational Skills Authority, which will free up resources for frontline teaching.
These changes will provide for a 21st century education system which delivers for all our children, the academically gifted as well as those who have other talent.
All children have the right to equality of access to education.
I would ask everyone to carefully examine the proposals the minister has made, to embrace the concept of positive change, and to work with us in the exciting work of transforming our archaic education system into a modern system able to offer our children the best education in the world.

Days of Robocops are over – Ní Chuilín

Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín has welcomed news that a police officer has been reprimanded after she made a complaint to the Police Ombudsman’s Office about being verbally abused by police during an incident in the New Lodge area.
“I welcome the outcome of this process,” she said, ‘the days of police officers acting like some sort of Robocops are over.
“We won’t accept anything which falls short of civic policing.
“I am pleased that the officer involved has been officially reprimanded as this will now have an impact on his career.
“I would urge anyone to see complaints through to their conclusion, no one should settle for less than the highest standard of service from the police.”

Bring rapid transport scheme North – Ní Chuilín

Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín has written to the Director of the Belfast Rapid Transit Project Ciaran de Búrca to ask for a meeting to discuss the inclusion of North Belfast in the proposed multi-million pound infrastructure scheme.
Last year the Minister for Regional Development Conor Murphy announced three pilot routes for the scheme which will include Rapid Transit buses and light rail.
The three pilot routes are in the east and west of the city, including the Titanic Quarter, but Carál Ní Chuilín is calling the scheme to be extended to North Belfast.
“The Rapid Transit Project will provide the city with a fast reliable and modern public transport service,” said Carál Ní Chuilín.
“I have written therefore to project director Ciarán de Búrca asking for a meeting to discuss extending the scheme to the north of the city.
“I believe there are three possible routes in North Belfast for a light rail scheme.
“The Shore and Antrim roads are obvious links between North Belfast and the city centre and have access to sea ports, the city airport and the motorway.
“The proposal to relocate much of the University of Ulster’s Jordanstown campus to the Cathedral Quarter and York St area will also require enhanced modern transport links to facilitate this massive regeneration project.
“The Crumlin Road is another route with huge potential.
“Belfast is only beginning to open up the tourist potential of the Crumlin Road Gaol site and courthouse and the flagship development of the Girdwood site should ensure the volume of passengers needed to make this route viable.”
Ms Ní Chuilín said extending the project to include North Belfast was a necessary investment in the area’s future.
“The University of Ulster’s decision to relocate to the north side of the city centre is a huge vote of confidence in the people of this area.
“It’s vital that infrastructure projects beginning in the near future create sustainable jobs which will help communities through the current economic downturn.
“However, it is just as important that projects which have been well-thought out also provide us with a platform to regenerate North Belfast in the future.”

Huge University of Ulster investment can deliver for North Belfast - Ní Chuilín

A huge £250 million investment announced by the University of Ulster has the potential to deliver massive benefits to the people of North Belfast, Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín has said.
“I very much welcome this week's announcement that the University of Ulster plans to spend £250 million developing the York Street campus,” she said.
“A thriving university can be the economic driver of any region and in an area of high deprivation such as north Belfast, the potential of this investment is huge. It will transform the Cathedral Quarter and should be a flagship development for the new confident city that is Belfast.
“Sinn Féin will be demanding that the maximum possible benefit for the people who live in North Belfast will be central to this plan.
"We must ensure that employment and training opportunities created by this investment are accessible by the unemployed and economically inactive and this can be done by putting social clauses into the tenders put out for developers.
"The development should also be progressed in consultation and partnership with the community in North Belfast to ensure that their needs are central to the project.
"This investment can also provide a much-needed boost to the construction industry which again is extremely welcome and I look forward to working with the University of Ulster as these plans progress.”