Sinn Féin MLA for north Belfast Gerry Kelly has condemned those responsible for a series of shootings in north Belfast over recent days which have seriously injured three people.
Speaking today Mr Kelly said;
“The reality is that the community here do not want these kinds of attacks carried out in their areas they simply go to paint a false picture of our areas.
It amazes me that the people who claim responsibility for these attacks, the CIRA, are portraying themselves as working on behalf of the community to remove drugs from our streets when the world know they are actively involved in peddling drugs and extorting other dealers.
Drug dealers need to be taken off our streets and put into jail.
The community in north Belfast is working to ensure we tackle the problems of anti-social behaviour, drugs and crime head-on; that we ensure we are actively holding the PSNI and other statutory agencies to account.
These kind of attacks do nothing but undermine that good work.”
Wednesday, 15 September 2010
Friday, 10 September 2010
Nuacht an Tuaiscirt
The September edition of Nuacht an Tuaiscirt is now out and contains a fascinating interview with former Hunger Striker Leo Green, who is now part of the Sinn Féin team in the Northern Assembly. Providing you live in North Belfast you should get one through your letterbox. If not, call into the Sinn Féin offices on the Antrim Road and pick up one.
Attwood move onto Sinn Féin ground welcome development – Ní Chuilín
Speaking after a meeting today of the Assembly’s Social Development Committee Carál Ní Chuilín MLA said;
“It is welcome news that Social Development Minister Alex Attwood has come onto Sinn Féin ground and has accepted that he too needs to resist imposed British Tory cuts.
The obligation is on the Minister, within his department, to protect those most vulnerable within our society; it is welcome news that he has heeded the Sinn Féin call for unity within the Executive in opposing any planned cuts as a result of the British Tory Budget.
Sinn Féin are clear in our position, we must ensure that we protect the delivery of frontline services and this is of vital importance within DSD; I am glad that Alex Attwood has now come onto Sinn Féin ground in relation to this important issue.”
“It is welcome news that Social Development Minister Alex Attwood has come onto Sinn Féin ground and has accepted that he too needs to resist imposed British Tory cuts.
The obligation is on the Minister, within his department, to protect those most vulnerable within our society; it is welcome news that he has heeded the Sinn Féin call for unity within the Executive in opposing any planned cuts as a result of the British Tory Budget.
Sinn Féin are clear in our position, we must ensure that we protect the delivery of frontline services and this is of vital importance within DSD; I am glad that Alex Attwood has now come onto Sinn Féin ground in relation to this important issue.”
Friday, 27 August 2010
Hands off the winter fuel payment - Kelly
Sinn Féin North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly has issued a ‘hands off the winter Fuel payment’ warning after reports in the media that the British Tory/Liberal Democrat coalition plans to make changes to the winter fuel payment scheme which could see millions of people being disenfranchised from entitlement to the benefit.
“The latest reports in the media that the British Governement are planning to make changes to the winter fuel payment scheme are very worrying indeed,” said Gerry Kelly.
“Under these new proposals they intend to raise the age of entitlement for the benefit from 60 to 66-years-old and also cutting it by £50 for new recipients and £100 for the oldest - that is absolutely scandalous.
“Those who are in genuine need of extra help and fit the criteria should get it. We can't have a situation in the coming winter months of people sitting in their homes worrying that they are going to lose their annual winter fuel payment and being left with no heat and no hot water,” said the Sinn Féin representative.
“The introduction of oil fired central heating systems in many homes was seen as step forward, but we are now seeing problems on a daily basis were people can't afford to fill their oil tanks due to rising costs.
"When people can't afford to heat their homes it will inevitably lead to more health and social problems combined with spiraling debt in already deprived communities.
“Keeping your home warm and comfortable should not become a luxury, it should be a right. Older people should not be faced with the unenviable choice of deciding whether to heat or eat.
“For our most vulnerable citizens this can often be a stark matter of life or death. The message needs to go out loud and clear - our older people need protected and keep your hands off the winter fuel payment.”
“The latest reports in the media that the British Governement are planning to make changes to the winter fuel payment scheme are very worrying indeed,” said Gerry Kelly.
“Under these new proposals they intend to raise the age of entitlement for the benefit from 60 to 66-years-old and also cutting it by £50 for new recipients and £100 for the oldest - that is absolutely scandalous.
“Those who are in genuine need of extra help and fit the criteria should get it. We can't have a situation in the coming winter months of people sitting in their homes worrying that they are going to lose their annual winter fuel payment and being left with no heat and no hot water,” said the Sinn Féin representative.
“The introduction of oil fired central heating systems in many homes was seen as step forward, but we are now seeing problems on a daily basis were people can't afford to fill their oil tanks due to rising costs.
"When people can't afford to heat their homes it will inevitably lead to more health and social problems combined with spiraling debt in already deprived communities.
“Keeping your home warm and comfortable should not become a luxury, it should be a right. Older people should not be faced with the unenviable choice of deciding whether to heat or eat.
“For our most vulnerable citizens this can often be a stark matter of life or death. The message needs to go out loud and clear - our older people need protected and keep your hands off the winter fuel payment.”
New Lodge neighbourhood watch to be rolled out in whole district
Successful scheme to be rolled out – pic of conor and residents
Sinn Féin councilor Conor Maskey, who has been involved for several years in a neighbourhood watch scheme that has been successfully operating in a part of the New Lodge, has given his backing to the scheme being rolled out across the whole district in a bid to defeat antisocial behaviour.
The programme has been running in the Henry Street/North Queen Street area for some time and the New Lodge Safer Neighbourhood Project are hoping to expand it across the district. The group has leafleted homes in the area to gauge the community response and giving contact details to homeowners.
Community Centre needs respect
Sinn Féin councillor Gerard McCabe said young children are risking their lives by climbing on to the roof of Ardoyne Community Centre.
The councillor made the warning as antisocial behaviour at the community centre has worsened over the summer months.
He said children as young as 11-years-old have been scaling dangerous fences in order to gain access to the roof.
They have also broken windows, ripped off shutters and put graffiti on the walls of the centre.
"People in this area had to go through a lot to get this community centre," he said.
"My predecessor Margaret McClenaghan had to do so much work in the council to secure the funding for the building and there were a lot of people who worked hard to get the place set up.
"It is a vital resource in this community and the community demands that this stops."
Councillor McCabe will be visiting local schools in the area once the new term starts to speak to the children and warn them about the dangers of their actions.
"These young people need to understand how much of an asset the community centre is to our whole community.
“I will be going into schools to tell children involved in this how much damage they are doing. They need to respect a resource that was fought so long and hard for."
MASKEY COMMENDS NORTH BELFAST BOXER ON OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL
North Belfast Sinn Féin Councillor Conor Maskey has commended the achievement this morning of boxer Ryan Burnett on winning a Gold Medal in the Youth Olympics in Singapore.
Burnett (18 years old), from the Newington area of North Belfast defeated his opponent Salman Alizida from Azerbaijan in the final with a 13-6 points score, becoming the first Irish boxer to win a gold in this the inaugural event.
Praising the success Councillor Conor Maskey said: "This is a wonderful achievement for young Ryan. He can quite proudly put his name up among some of Belfast's boxing history makers like Caldwell, Gilroy and more recently Paddy Barnes who resides in the same club and lives only a few streets away. His family and friends will be absolutely chuffed for him. A special mention should also be paid to his coach Gerry Storey who, once again, has produced a boxing star.
"Ryan's family quite rightly helped steer him on his path up until now and I will consult with them to see if they wish this achievement to be marked at a civic level through Belfast City Council."
Burnett (18 years old), from the Newington area of North Belfast defeated his opponent Salman Alizida from Azerbaijan in the final with a 13-6 points score, becoming the first Irish boxer to win a gold in this the inaugural event.
Praising the success Councillor Conor Maskey said: "This is a wonderful achievement for young Ryan. He can quite proudly put his name up among some of Belfast's boxing history makers like Caldwell, Gilroy and more recently Paddy Barnes who resides in the same club and lives only a few streets away. His family and friends will be absolutely chuffed for him. A special mention should also be paid to his coach Gerry Storey who, once again, has produced a boxing star.
"Ryan's family quite rightly helped steer him on his path up until now and I will consult with them to see if they wish this achievement to be marked at a civic level through Belfast City Council."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)