Collections for remembrance garden are bogus

Sinn Féin councillor Margaret McClenaghan, who sits on the Ardoyne, Bone, Ligoniel Memorial Committee has warned Ardoyne residents to be on their guard after bogus callers in the area claimed to be collecting money for a remembrance garden.
"We will be advising communities of progress of our fundraising and no one connected to our memorial garden has organised any form of street collection,” said the Sinn Féin Councillor.
“We can assure residents that plenty of notice will be given before any fundraising takes place. People need to be aware of bogus house callers where anyone would use a memorial garden to our dead to collect money for self gain.
"On top if that there is a feeling of fear in the area as it is, without people calling to doors late at night. People should stay vigilant."

Meeting for Republican ex-POWs

Republican ex-POWs are being urged to attend an information day being held in west Belfast this weekend.
Republican ex-prisoners’ group Coiste na n-Iarchimí, who represent the interests of all ex-POWs and are campaigning on issues that relate to that community, are holding an event in the Culturlann on Saturday afternoon.
The purpose of the meeting is to explain the work that Coiste is doing on behalf of the political ex-prisoner community and ensure that all those in that community are aware of the help that exists for them, and to encourage them to avail of the services available to them.
Thomas Quigley manager of Tar Isteach urged North Belfast ex-POWs to attend.
“Many ex-POWs are unaware of the assistance that Coiste can provide not only to them but also their immediate family, and organisers are hopeful Saturday’s meeting will signal the beginning of a greater flow of information," he said.
Some of the issues that will be discussed at the information day include provision of advice/welfare clinics, counselling for ex-POWs suffering from trauma, travel restrictions, employment issues, home insurance, pension schemes and education.
The effects of the use of CR gas and torture tactics used in British barracks and prisons will also be under the spotlight and Coiste will be revealing their plans to put these issues on the political agenda
The event is being held this Saturday, October 31, at 1pm in the Culturlann on the Falls Road.

For more information, contact Coiste on 90 200770.

Kelly launches unique communities and policing project

A unique project aimed at creating meaningful engagement between communities and policing was launched by Junior Minister Gerry Kelly today.
Communities and Policing in Transition Programme (CAPT), is a cross-community and cross-border project which will target interface and disadvantaged areas in Belfast and Derry City Council areas, as well as the Tyrone and Donegal border region.
It will develop joint action plans and strategies, agreed between communities and the police, to address the changing nature of violence and crime, including sectarian and racist hate crime.
Speaking at the launch Gerry Kelly said:
“The Communities and Policing in Transition project aims to make a real difference to people’s lives in meaningful and sustainable ways.
“This is a unique and innovate community-driven programme targeting rural, urban and cross border areas tackling issues such as perceptions of policing, sectarianism, racism, domestic violence and the implications of a devolved criminal justice system.
“These are not issues that can be dealt with by a short term, ad hoc approach. It requires a great deal of knowledge about the issues affecting local communities as well as leadership and buy-in from local communities. Progress and movement must come from within the communities themselves, through dialogue, mutual understanding and accommodation.
“The aims of this project reflect many of the aims of the Executive and chime well with that strategic direction. We are determined that everyone in our society should have the opportunity to live in a fair and equal society, which is at ease with itself and where everyone can share and enjoy a better quality of life.”

Onus is on Orange Order to engage - Adams

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has called on the ‘Orange Order to engage in dialogue with local residents to resolve the small number of remaining contentious parades’.
He was commenting on the DUP insistence that the resolution of the Parading issue become a pre-condition to the transfer of policing and justice powers.
“Many citizens will be concerned at the DUP’s insistence that the issue of contentious orange parades be resolved as a precondition to them agreeing to the transfer of policing and justice powers,” said Adams.
“It has always been Sinn Féin‘s position that the issue of parading can only be resolved through dialogue between the loyal Orders and local communities.
“Irish republicans accept and respect the rights of the Orange institutions to parade and promote their sense of Orangeism.
“But this has to be done on the basis of equality and mutual respect and tolerance.
“The Orange Order and Orangeism is part of who we are as a nation. Irish republicans want a dialogue with the loyal institutions in order that we can understand and appreciate each other’s position.
“As a society, we cannot afford the negative and unsustainable political, financial and social costs that flow from parading disputes.
“While the overwhelming majority of orange parades take place without rancour or dispute, there are a small number each year which give cause for concern.
“I am again asking the Orange Order to engage in dialogue with local residents to resolve these contentious parades.
“Let us together seek to resolve this issue in a common sense and respectful manner.
“Regardless of what structure is in place to mediate on contentious parades there can be no resolution or agreement without dialogue.
“Sinn Féin have no agenda other than to facilitate and help in whatever way we can to create a context and climate where local disputes can be resolved locally.
“All those in positions of leadership within our society have a responsibility to encourage this process.”

North Belfast bomb attack reckless - Cunningham

Sinn Féin Councilor for Castle Ward Tierna Cunningham, said that the bomb attack on a British Territorial Army base was reckless and endangered families living nearby.
“Last night’s bomb attack was wrong and cannot be justified. It was a reckless act in a residential area, which endangered many families living nearby.
“Whatever group was responsible they need to realise that they will not succeed in their attempts to derail the Peace Process which has the full support of the overwhelming majority of people on this island, including the republican community who these groups purport to represent.
“Theses micro groups are trying to make themselves relevant but thy need to explain how their actions will achieve a united Ireland.”

No deal without finance for developing countries- de Brún

Sinn Féin's Climate Change spokesperson Bairbre de Brún MEP has called for substantial aid for developing countries in the crucial upcoming climate change talks in Copenhagen.
"The developing world has done the least to cause climate change but is set to pay the most,” said de Brún speaking to the European Parliament.
“The EU and the developed world must support developing countries with technical and financial aid on top of and distinct from Overseas Development Aid."
"The developing countries must also play a full role in any financial mechanisms established. “Technical and financial solidarity is required. The extent of this solidarity should be an important factor in judging any deal at Copenhagen.
"There is less than 50 days to go before the UN climate talks in Copenhagen. Without financial aid and technology transfer we will not see the progress that we all need.”

An MEP should only be an MEP – Cllr Maskey

Sinn Féin North Belfast Councillor Conor Maskey has questioned when Democratic Unionist MEP for the Six Counties Diane Dodds will adhere to her frequent, and very public promises to give up her council seat if elected to the EU Parliament.
“In the run up to the European Elections, the Democratic Unionist candidate Diane Dodds gave several public, often televised committments to give up her council seat if elected to Europe. As yet, this has not taken place,” said the Sinn Féin Councillor.
“I am curious to know how an MEP for the whole of the Six Counties, can still remain a Belfast City Councillor?
“I think the DUP should explain to the electorate why this situation remains and when they will resolve it.
“For Sinn Féin’s part, our party has a policy of ending dual mandates and just at the last full council meeting we welcomed the co-option of Caoimhín Mac Giolla Mhín in place of Paul Maskey who remains and MLA.
“I think the public are demanding more from political parties and Sinn Féin is determined to end this process; despite making promises it seems the DUP are acting otherwise.”

Ardoyne shooting - those responsible are living in the past.

Sinn Féin councillor for Ardoyne Margaret McClenaghan has stated that those behind the so-called punishment shooting in Ardoyne on Monday night are living in the past and have no support.
“A young man was abducted and shot in Ardoyne on Monday night. This is unacceptable,” Said Councillor McClenaghan.
“So called punishment shootings are a thing of the past and those who carry them out are living in the past. Local communities do not want them and those responsible need to stop, listen to the community that they say they represent and take heed - these shootings are not going to achieve anything.
“Those behind it are only attempting to make themselves relevant and need to desist from these actions. The entire community has worked hard to provide alternatives and it is these that should be engaged with.”

Peace process must tackle the deep-rooted inequalities and discrimination that still exists

By Gerry Kelly
Sinn Féin want to see a democratically accountable civic policing service in the north. Central to this is the transfer of powers on policing and justice. This was agreed at St Andrews.
The Sinn Féin Officer Board met in Dublin this week to decide on a formal party response to the financial package put forward by the British Government to enable the transfer.
Our approach to this negotiation has been twofold. On one hand to secure an adequate financial package for a quality frontline, civic policing service and a fair and effective justice system; and, on the other, ensuring that existing budgets for health, education and the other departments would not be affected by transfer.
This week we received from the British government in writing the details of the financial package being proposed. The party Chief Negotiator, Martin McGuinness recommended to the Officer Board that we proceed on the basis of this financial package.
The Officer Board has accepted this recommendation and Martin McGuinness and I related this to the British government in discussions in London. The process to transfer powers should now be completed quickly.
No one must be left behind!
If the peace process is to mean anything it must deliver sustainable economic development while integrating economic growth and tackling the deep-rooted inequalities and discrimination that still exists.
It must deliver for communities, including deprived unionist working class neighbourhoods, which are oppressed by multiple deprivations.
These areas have to materially benefit from the change that is taking place. That means that inward investment from the USA and elsewhere has to contribute positively to an inclusive future. It must be directed into areas which have been excluded for generations from investment.
Our responsibility as political leaders is to structure policy and practice in a way that ensures opportunity and access for all. No one can be left behind in this process.
Nationalist areas, especially in Belfast and west of the Bann, continue to suffer from higher than average levels of unemployment and disadvantage, resulting often in significantly greater levels of sickness and premature deaths.
Structured political, religious and economic discrimination is still a major factor in creating and perpetuating inequality.
While some progress has been made the recent report by the Independent Review of Economic Policy into InvestNI is a damning indictment of that agency and its lack of strategic vision.
The fact is that between 1998 and 2007 Invest NI (and before it the IDB) failed to invest in jobs west of the Bann, and in the north west, as well as in North and west Belfast. These areas lagged well behind South Belfast for actual jobs promoted.
This is unacceptable and symptomatic of the inequalities that lie at the heart of this state.
If the peace process is to mean anything it must deliver sustainable economic development which tackles the deep rooted inequalities and discrimination that still exists.
It must deliver for deprived nationalist and unionist working class communities, which are oppressed by multiple deprivations.
These areas have to materially benefit from the change that is taking place. That means that inward investment has to contribute positively to an inclusive future. It must be directed into areas which have been excluded for generations from investment. Our responsibility as political leaders is to structure policy and practice in a way that ensures opportunity and access for all. No one can be left behind in this process.

Kelly welcomes developement on university campus for North Belfast

North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly, who has campaigned for the new University of Ulster campus to be located in the north of the city, welcomed the announcement of the beginning of the public procurement process for the new multi million pound York Street site.
The University of Ulster Vice Chancellor Professor Richard Barnett has vowed to ensure the new campus planned for North Belfast will not just be ‘planted into the area’ but will make every effort to integrate with the local community.
The university has purchased the entire block of buildings on York Street and when completed the campus will serve 12,000 students who will relocate from the Jordanstown site.
The Sinn Féin MLA comments came after plans for the new multi million pound York Street campus took a step further this week as the design contract for the building went out to tender.
“This is great news for all the people of Belfast and particularly the north of the city. I’m delighted to hear this news,” said Gerry Kelly (pictured above with fellow North Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín at the University of Ulster site in York Street).
“I have met with Vice Chancellor Richard Barnett and have pressed for these services to be established in North Belfast.
"The potential for regeneration of the surrounding area cannot be understated. This is an area of high deprivation and the jobs, initially in construction and subsequent services, will have a high impact.
“We also lobbied hard for this project to be fully inclusive of the local community with accessible educational opportunities and facilities.”

Councillor and Whitewell resident meet Road Service over traffic-calming measures

Sinn Féin councillor Tierna Cunningham along with Whitewell Road residents has met with staff from the Road Service to discuss possible traffic calming measures in the area.
Cllr Cunningham described the meeting as "positive" and she congratulated residents on their desire to make the area safer.
The meeting took place to see what action could be taken to improve safety on the busy road as residents of Floral and upper Whitewell have long called for action to be taken to reduce the speed of drivers.
"The meeting we had was very positive and hopefully we will see a good outcome," said the Sinn Féin Councillor.
"The residents who came out to meet with the Road Service have to be commended for the way they articulated their views and got their point across. It is great to see the empowerment going on in the area."
The Road Service will begin a survey to assess whether traffic-calming measures are needed on the road.

Dodds should have more sense - Kelly

Nigel Dodds has been criticised by Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly after the DUP MLA called for an investigation into whether dissident republicans were collecting money at the Cliftonville v Celtic game at Solitude on Tuesday night.
"Nigel Dodds should have had more sense than to to make a statement insinuating Cliftonville allowed dissident republicans into their ground," he said.
"Cliftonville are well known for their cross community projects, including allowing Ards FC to use their premises when their own were out of use. He needs to clarify these remarks or they could put members of the club in some danger."
Pictured (right) is Sinn Féin Deputy Mayor of Belfast Danny Lavery giving Celtic manager Tony Mowbray a few tips on soccer. The Reds went on to beat Celtic 3-0 in an historic night for the North Belfast club.

Building delayed by arson attack - Lavery

Young people who set fire to a new home being built as part of a major social housing development in the Torrens area are only harming their own community,” said a local Sinn Féin councillor Danny Lavery.
The Belfast Deputy Mayor was speaking after a home under construction in the new site was set ablaze last Thursday night.
Once completed the social housing development will provide 108 new homes for those on the housing waiting list.
The Sinn Féin representative called on local people to be vigilant and report on suspicious activity at the site and added it is the community losing out when the building work is delayed.
"I am calling on the neighbours to keep an eye on the site and report it if they see anything suspicious," said Lavery.
"These homes are badly needed and it is only local people who are losing out by the delays. The builders need to be given peace to complete them.”

Arrest of Batasuna leader Arnaldo Otegi is a step backwards – de Brún

Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún has stated that the arrest of Batasuna leader Arnaldo Otegi and nine other members of the party is a step backwards and will ultimately impact on the task of rebuilding the peace process and dialogue.
“Sinn Féin has argued the need to revive the Basque Peace Process. The banning of Batasuna, alongside the continued jailing of political representatives will in no way aid this task,” said de Brún.
“The arrest of Arnaldo Otegi as the leader of Batasuna and nine other members of the party by the Spanish Government is a step backwards and will make the process of rebuilding and reinvigorating efforts towards a lasting peace process all the more difficult.
“It will further impede any search for forward progress, which requires that every effort be made to improve and encourage dialogue between all of the parties in the Basque Country and the Spanish government. Punitive measures and criminalisation from the Spanish authorities will not advance these goals.”

Academic selection meeting a publicity stunt says Sinn Féin MLA

Sinn Féin MLA and education spokesperson, John O’Dowd has today dismissed the meeting of several of the political parties on academic selection as a publicity stunt by some of the parties involved and as an attempt at levering some amount of credibility on their failed positions in terms of academic selection
“Today’s meeting on academic selection is inspired by the recent focus by the Belfast Telegraph, who are clearly an organ of the pro selection lobby, as an attempt to grab another headline,” said O’Dowd.
"The 11plus lobby need to understand their days of having an unhealthy influence in the corridors of power is over and done with, the 11plus is gone and their era is over.
“The ridiculousness of the situation is clear. This meeting is being held at 12 o’clock today. At 2 o’clock today the parties represented at this meeting will sit on the education committee, the very same committee that over the past two years has had ample opportunity to find consensus and discuss the critical issues affecting education and our children.
“On top of that the same parties are represented on the Executive where education proposals were blocked from discussion by the DUP. What is ironic is that proposal to phase in the abolition of academic selection was on the table when the minister brought forward compromise proposals for discussion to the Executive.
"The DUP and UUP rejected the proposal and the SDLP accused the Minister of a climb down because she sought compromise.
“Let’s be clear. Sinn Féin have never stymied debate on this issue. What today’s meeting represents is a publicity stunt and an attempt by some of these parties to lever some amount of credibility on their failed positions on academic selection. They have blocked change and have failed to provide leadership on our children’s educational needs and this is an attempt to look squeaky clean on this vital issue.”

No one must be left behind - Adams

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP speaking on the eve of the visit by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that:
“If the peace process is to mean anything it must deliver sustainable economic development while integrating economic growth and tackling the deep rooted inequalities and discrimination that still exists," said the Sinn Féin President.
"It must deliver for communities, including deprived unionist working class neighbourhoods, which are oppressed by multiple deprivations.
These areas have to materially benefit from the change that is taking place.
"That means that inward investment from the USA and elsewhere has to contribute positively to an inclusive future. It must be directed into areas which have been excluded for generations from investment.
"Our responsibility as political leaders is to structure policy and practice in a way that ensures opportunity and access for all. No one can be left behind in this process.”
“Nationalist areas, especially in Belfast and west of the Bann, continue to suffer from higher than average levels of unemployment and disadvantage, resulting often in significantly greater levels of sickness and premature deaths.
“Structured political, religious and economic discrimination is still a major factor in creating and perpetuating inequality.
“While some progress has been made the recent report by the Independent Review of Economic Policy into InvestNI is a damning indictment of that agency and its lack of strategic vision.
“The fact is that between 1998 and 2007 Invest NI (and before it the IDB) failed to invest in jobs west of the Bann, and in the north west, as well as in west Belfast. These areas lagged well behind South Belfast for actual jobs promoted.
“This is unacceptable and symptomatic of the inequalities that lie at the heart of this state.
“If the peace process is to mean anything it must deliver sustainable economic development which tackles the deep rooted inequalities and discrimination that still exists.
“It must deliver for communities, including deprived unionist working class estates, which are oppressed by multiple deprivations.
“These areas have to materially benefit from the change that is taking place.
That means that inward investment from the USA and elsewhere has to contribute positively to an inclusive future.
“It must be directed into areas which have been excluded for generations from investment.
“Our responsibility has political leaders is to structure policy and practice in a way that ensures opportunity and access for all. No one can be left behind in this process.”

Unveiling of memorial plaque in honour of former republican POW Christine (Bap) Beattie

UNVEILING: Unvieling of memorial plaque in honour of former republican POW Christine (Bap) Beattie, 12.45pm Saturday 10 October, Marrowbone Community House. Assemble top of Ardoyne Ave. Main speaker Cllr Briege Brownlee

Vote another step to ensuring equality in Belfast City Hall - Conor Maskey

Sinn Féin Councillor for Oldpark Conor Maskey has tonight said that the vote on memorabilia and artifacts in Belfast City Council is yet another step in ensuring equality in City Hall.
The DUP were the only party who voted against these proposals.
“This is the beginning of yet another step to ensuring a City Hall that reflects the many shades of cultures and backgrounds within our city,” said the Sinn Féin Councillor.
“The vote was about ensuring equality and inclusivity in the city of Belfast. As a Council, we are duty bound to promote, respect and acknowledge all the citizens of Belfast.
“As a result of the vote we have ensured that the vibrant and ever growing Gaelic speaking community and it’s history within our city will be acknowledge with a substantial piece of art to be commissioned within City Hall.
“It is unfortunate that yet again the DUP have shown themselves to be opposed to equality and inclusivity unless it is based on their terms.
“I commend all of those who took part in the Committee’s consultation and look forward to working with all of the parties and key stakeholders in continuing the work to create a City Hall that reflects the diversity and richness of our city.”

Sinn Féin councillor calls for end to sectarian attacks

Sinn Féin councillor Tierna Cunningham has condemned an attack in which a Protestant pensioner's home was attacked by stone throwers at Whitewell Road/White City interface and said the local community does not want to see a return to interface tensions.
"We called to see the pensioner and she was understandably very upset by the attack," she said.
"The message is loud and clear - this has to be totally and utterly condemned.
“These actions are not being carried out on behalf of the Whitewell community. There is a lot of work being done on the ground to bring an end to this."
The attack on the pensioner comes after a Catholic teenager was beaten up by a gang from White City in the early hours of Saturday morning. The 18-year old was walking up the road at 12.30am when he was set upon by three males.