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."
Friday, 12 February 2010
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.”
“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.”
Thursday, 11 February 2010
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 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."
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."
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