Gerry Kelly receives fourth death in space of just eight weeks

Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has bee informed a threat had been made against him by the so-called 'Real UFF C Company'. A codeword was used in the threat which claimed he would be "executed within 24 hours".
The threat was the fourth death threat against the Sinn Féin MLA in the space of just eight weeks.
"You have to take these things seriously. I have had a number of threats in recent weeks and have been careful about my movements," said Kelly.
"Obviously this is a worry for my family because it has to be taken seriously. But I won't let this stop me from representing all the people in my North Belfast constituency. These types of threats are designed to destabilise the important work that lies immediately ahead for the political process, it will not work.”

DPPs force policing u-turn

A PSNI target on community engagement remains a key focus in this year's policing plan for North Belfast following ‘cumulative pressure’ on the PSNI, said Sinn Féin Councillor and DPP Chairman Conor Maskey.
The decision to retain the target was the result of many months of discussion between the PSNI, who wanted to scrap it, and members of the North Belfast District Policing Partnership (DPP) who wanted to retain a barometer of community confidence.
The target was finally included in the 2010/2011 policing plan after a senior member of the PSNI, close to the Chief Constable's office, was sent to a private DPP meeting to sort the matter out and, in the end, over-ruled the views of local police officers.
It was in October last year that all members of the North Belfast DPP agreed the policing plan needed revamping, but not at the expense of this target said Conor Maskey.
“Mark Hamilton [North and West Belfast PSNI Commander, currently on leave] gave a fairly impassioned plea about the need for the policing plan to be changed, and the DPP members agreed.
“But then they came back to us a couple of months later without this target of the PSNI engaging with the community. Unanimously we told them this was unacceptable.
“Two weeks ago we had a meeting with West Belfast DPP members to discuss this matter again and the attitude of the police was nothing short of disgraceful. They were not there to work in partnership with us, they were trying to dictate to us.
“We met with the Policing Board last week and expressed our deep concerns at this development and then we had another meeting with the West Belfast DPP board. At this meeting a senior member of the PSNI came, forced a U-turn and agreed it should be included.
“We welcome this end result, it shows that by collectively working together we can make progress. The joint lobbying of the Policing Board, the joint courses of action agreed by the DPPs, ensured a cumulative pressure on the PSNI and as a result we are in a far better position to start the policing year in April.”

Ní Chuilín welcomes housing at Girdwood

North Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín has given the announcement by the North’s Department for Social Development that work on 200 social houses on Girdwood would start immediately a warm welcome.
"This has to be welcomed. Margaret Ritchie has taken the executive decision to do this in spite of opposition from unionists,” said Ní Chuilín.
"The main problem was the DUP and the fact they didn't want any homes for Catholics on the site. We have campaigned about this issue for years and we're hopeful that this will help lower the housing waiting list in North Belfast with these new family homes that the area badly needs."

Kelly welcomes INLA move

North Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has welcomed the move by the INLA to decommission its weapons.
“The peace process has ensured that a peaceful and democratic path to a united Ireland exists. There is no support for or appetite for armed actions within the republican community,” said Kelly.
“The INLA has recognised this by engaging with the IICD in this action. Other small militarist factions, both republican and loyalist, who are opposed to the peace process need now also to reflect on their position, given the political realities of 2010 and end their futile armed actions.”

Councillor welcomes roundabout makeover

Sinn Féin councillor Margaret McClenaghan welcomed the news that a roundabout at the Ardoyne interface is to get a makeover.
"'This is very good news and will be a great transformation for the area," said McClenaghan.
Work due to start on the Ardoyne roundabout within the next few weeks and will see the landscaping of the island with decorative granite units, shrubbery and plants. It is part of a scheme to improve the look of the area.
"It will complement the front of Ardoyne shops which have been transformed recently and will go a long way to improving the look of the area. Local people will be delighted because this is a long time coming.
"It is just the right time for this to happen. Hopefully now we can implement some traffic calming measures at the shops and take the improvements to the area even further.”

Kelly on parades working group

Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly who is part of the Assembly working group set up to look at contentious parades said he hopes to see a situation where residents living in areas affected by parades will be able to take part in meaningful dialogue on any dispute.
“We need to make it clear that no-one believes there is a miracle cure for contentious parades like the Garvaghy Road, Ardoyne and the Ormeau Road,” he said.
“However, we are trying to set up an improved structure. Issues can be sorted out on a local basis with dialogue.
“We hope to improve on the lessons of the Parades Commission and build on the Strategic Review of Parading report. We have always supported residents in their need for dialogue.
“This will be about protecting human and civic rights for all people to live free from sectarian harassment.”

Adams sends ‘Solidarity Greetings’ to Mandela

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP MLA has extended solidarity greetings to Nelson Mandela as he celebrates his 20th year of freedom.

“The release of Madiba 20 years ago marked the beginning of the end of the apartheid system in South Africa," said Adams.

Before his arrest, during his 27 years in prison and since his release Nelson Mandela has displayed huge courage, an unwavering commitment to freedom, equality and democracy and a determination to advance a vision for South Africa based on fairness and tolerance.

His leadership helped ensure that the transition from apartheid to democracy was less than violent and destabilising than it otherwise might have been.

Madiba and his comrades in the ANC also encouraged and assisted the search for peace in Ireland. All right thinking people are grateful for that.

Nelson Mandela is the greatest political leader of our age.

The SDLP - Searching for a role

By Gerry Adams

Sometime when I get a chance this Blog intends to have a look at the SDLP and its role in politics on this island. For now on a sunny Tuesday afternoon such an enterprise is beyond me. It is suffice to say that the SDLP is a party in search of a role.

The weekend saw Mark Durkan retiring as party leader. I wish him and his family well. If he gets elected at the next Westminster election he has signaled his intention to retire from Irish politics. There is no other explanation for his announcement that he intends to work only as an MP. In other words Mark has made a career choice.

The political trajectory here is increasingly about moving all decisions and decision making process effecting this island, onto the island – and away from politicians in Britain.

Mark is opting out of this. Unless of course he fails to retain the Foyle Westminster seat. Whereupon it is clearly his intention to retain his Assembly seat.

Such inconsistencies are nothing new. Some time ago the SDLP signaled its intention to join Fianna Fáil. In effect that means winding up and disbanding the SDLP. Not everybody in the party appears to have been consulted. Some stated as their preference a merger with the Irish Labour Party. And so it went. To and fro.

Now the SDLP has a new leader. In a narrow contest in which the party divided almost even-stevens Margaret Ritchie was elected to lead. I wish her well. The Captain of the Titanic had an easier job.

In her first public remarks after her election as party leader Margaret made it clear that the SDLP’s main opponents, as opposed to electoral rivals, are Sinn Féin. Many people will be disappointed that she didn’t see the British government or indeed the unionist parties in this light.

So, this is the context post the agreement at Hillsborough in which the SDLP’s attacks on Sinn Féin’s efforts to advance the rights of citizens should be seen. It is entirely self centred, party political and opportunistic.

The fact is that Sinn Féin has made a temporary arrangement with the DUP until 2012 to ensure that the legislative Assembly can legislate on policing and justice issues. As part of this we have set aside Sinn Féin’s rightful claim to the Justice Ministry in return for the DUP doing the same.

The SDLP are now saying that they want d’Hondt to be run. The fact is that if this were done the SDLP would hand the Justice Ministry to the DUP.

When Mark Durkan was SDLP leader he said that he wanted d’Hondt run across all parties. Margaret Ritchie appears to have a different position.

If Sinn Féin had listened to the SDLP there would be no agreement on the transfer of powers on policing and justice and these powers would have remained under the control of an unaccountable British Minister.

Sinn Féin’s focus has been on ensuring that the transfer of powers takes place as early as possible and on terms acceptable to the broad community.

Our goal was to get justice and policing powers shifted out of London and into the hands of locally elected politicians accountable to citizens here.

The SDLP voted in the Assembly for interim arrangements. Having voted for these what are they complaining about?

The interim arrangements have been agreed until 2012.

They require cross community support.

This is the best means by which we can ensure the widest possible community support. Sinn Féin is prepared to vote for an SDLP nominee.

The agreement at Hillsborough has set April 12th as the date for the transfer of powers. This is a considerable achievement.

If it had been left to the SDLP it would never have happened.

Call for EU Action on Climate Change

Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún called on the EU to " not use the inaction of others as an excuse to not take the necessary action to tackle climate change"

Speaking in Strasbourg following the adoption of a European Parliament resolution on the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit Ms de Brún said:

"The EU must not use the inaction of others as an excuse to not take the necessary action to tackle climate change.

"Financial support for developing countries, as pledged by the EU Member States, must be made operational as soon as possible as a key factor in building confidence towards a binding international agreement. This financial support must be new, and additional to existing aid budgets.

"An enhanced dialogue, in particular with the least developed countries is needed in order to reduce the impact and foreseeable consequences of climate change on demographics, public health, migration and the economy in those regions."

Kelly condemns another north Belfast pipe bombing

Sinn Féin MLA for north Belfast Gerry Kelly has condemned those responsible for another pipe bomb attack in the north of the city tonight.
“Firstly I want to condemn those responsible for what is without doubt a reckless attack that could have killed or seriously injured someone. All it has achieved is to have forced ten families onto the street on a miserable winter’s night,” said Kelly.
“This is clearly a direct attempt by those involved to disrupt or detract from the current talks, this will not succeed. Sinn Féin is committed to moving forward on behalf of all of our people, we are committed to ensuring that politics delivers for our community.
“The people responsible for tonight’s attack offer our community nothing.”

Goal is an Ireland based on freedom, justice and equality

By Carál Ní Chuilín

There is a striking mural at the top of the New Lodge. It depicts six young men from the area who were murdered by British soldiers exactly 37 years ago.
Every morning as I set off for another day at the Assembly I see Jim Sloan, Jim Mc Cann, Brendan Maguire, Tony TC Campbell, John Loughran and Ambrose Hardy relaxed and smiling down as their families and friends remember them.

On the 30th Anniversary of the killings, the families of the six men and the wider community launched a report, based on the community inquiry.
The findings of this report highlighted what we already knew. What happened on the New Lodge Road on the 3rd and 4th of February 1973 was state murder. The British Government have yet to accept culpability for this atrocity. This was a carefully crafted political act to attack us as a people, our way of life and our very existence.

The link between state murders and the killings highlighted in the O’Loan Report on Collusion, is that political direction for the murders of so many of our people was endorsed at the very highest political level and thus we continue to support the families search for justice.

The British Army have gone from the top of the flats, they have gone from Girdwood barracks, and we want to build on the type of Ireland that we can live in, based on freedom, justice and equality.

We want to live in a community where the events of the 3rd and 4th of February 1973, can never, ever be repeated. We want to ensure that we cherish all children of the nation equally, not just some, but all. We want to build our political strength and get a United Ireland, which will protect all its citizens and be the guarantor of truth and justice.

And as I come home once again I'm faced with that same mural of six of this community’s young men cut down in the prime of life.
It's almost like being judged twice a day as an elected representative on how you have battled for equality, justice and the rights that so many gave their lives for.
That's a good thing. It places recent frustrations in perspective. It also reminds us of the importance of justice powers being secure in the hands of those that know the brutality of justice abused and denied for so long.

Empty base attack condemned

Sinn Féin North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly was scathing of a pipe bomb attack by suspected dissidents on Oldpark PSNI base and the trouble it caused for residents.

"There is no PSNI in this station, it has been closed for a considerable period of time, and if this was to further a cause, an attack was clearly of no benefit. There is a security firm here to maintain the building and that's all."

He also welcomed news of the land sale adding: "We have been arguing for a long time that this facility is handed over to the community for their use."

Community comes together against drugs

A vigil was held in the New Lodge at the weekend in memory of local teen Jimmy Joe Brown who took his own life after what his mother believes was the affect that 'blue bomber' drugs had on him.
His mother was supported by the mother of Tigers Bay youth Dean Clarke took his own life after taking the same drugs in 2007.
Over 200 people gathered on Sunday and local Sinn Féin councillor Conor Maskey, who spoke at the vigil, said the focus needs to be on the dealers, not on the young people taking the drugs.
"The main message that I tried to get across on Sunday is that young people in the district, especially the young people involved in consuming drugs, need our support and compassion and understanding," he said.
"That is the starting point in dealing with a lot of this. You will never get the best result by vilifying the young people doing this.
"The main focus of negative attention needs to be directed towards the drug dealers."

Waterworks pollution a set back for community

North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly has described a major pollution incident at Waterworks as a major setback for the community.
"There is huge concern about this incident. So much hard work has gone into the park by the community, fishermen, council and voluntary groups in recent years that it has been transformed into a place for all ages of people to enjoy. This is a major setback for North Belfast and questions need to be answered over who is to blame and who is going to bear the cost of the clean-up operation."

Housing ring-fencing strategy should stay - Ní Chuilín

Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín has supported the Participation and Practice of Rights (PPR) Project that appeared in front of an Assembly scrutiny committee last week to express their anger that a protective measure that guarantees North Belfast social housing has been removed.
PPR appeared in front of the social development committee last Thursday to explain the impact the removal of the measure will have on North Belfast.
Under original Housing Executive strategy North Belfast, West Belfast and Derry, the three areas in the North in most housing need, were 'ring-fenced' to ensure the budget was there to build new homes for those who most need them.
The 'ring-fencing' strategy meant that North Belfast was guaranteed 250 housing units per annum to address the religious inequality in social housing provision.
The decision to remove the 'ring-fencing' strategy was up for public consultation in a document called a draft Equality Impact Assessment of the Social Development Programme Strategic Guidelines. However the measure has already been removed, meaning North Belfast will see annual targets of 250 housing units reduced to 177 - a 29 per cent decrease.
MLA Carál Ní Chuilín who sits on the social development committee said the people of North and West Belfast and Derry have been "failed" by the decision.
"It is important that a group like the PPR Project can go in front of a government scrutiny committee," said the Sinn Féin MLA.
"People in areas like North Belfast, West Belfast and Derry will suffer with the removal of this equality protection. This is a very serious issue that needs to be addressed, this ring fencing measure should never have been removed."

Sinn Féin councillor opposes flats in wooded area

Sinn Féin councillor and local resident Tierna Cunningham said she opposes the plans to build 28 apartments in a wooded area in the Whitewell.
“I am very concerned about the proposals and residents have been angry about this for some time,” said the Republican representative.

Plans have been submitted to the Planning Service to build four apartment blocks which will make up 28 apartments on the wood at Pineview. The wooded area links Pineview and the Antrim Road and is one of the few green spaces left in the area.

People living in the area are heavily opposed to the plans and are set to meet planning officials next week to discuss the proposals.
"The concerns are very real as this development will have a negative impact on the area. It will affect traffic volume and will be an invasion of privacy as well as damaging the environment as there are foxes and other wildlife in the woods,” said Tierna.
"The local infrastructure won't be able to keep up. I will continue to liaise with residents in the area and hope we come to a satisfactory conclusion."

Buildings on fire
Meanwhile Tierna has said that two derelict buildings on the Antrim Road that were set on fire this week, must be properly secured.
Belfast City Council's building control department has served an enforcement notice on the owners of a derelict building on the Antrim Road forcing them to secure the site after it was set on fire this week.

It took five fire engines almost three hours to extinguish the blaze at the two derelict semi detached homes on the Antrim Road facing St Patrick's College on Tuesday. The Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze was started deliberately.
"People who are responsible for a derelict building such as this one need to step up to the plate, it’s not good enough to leave these sites wide open for people particularly young people to access," said the Sinn Féin councillor.

"They are dangerous and become an eyesore for local people plus they attract fly tipping, vermin and graffiti and are a magnet for anti social behaviour.
“We in Sinn Féin have been in contact with the owners of this building and will be reminding them of their responsibility to secure this property in a safe way.”