De Brún urges MEPs to stop EU funding to Israeli Military

Bairbre de Brún MEP has today urged her colleagues in the European Parliament to vote to end the European Union's funding towards Israeli companies which engage in military activities while Israel continues to break international human rights law.

An amendment by Ms de Brún put forward to the EU's budget, which was co-signed by 40 Members of the European Parliament from different countries and political groups states, "No company which conducts research for the Israeli military will receive funding under this title while Israel fails to comply with international human rights standards."

Speaking from Strasbourg Ms de Brún said "Part of this funding, which is administered under the heading of 'Directly financed research operations' continues to go towards companies such as Israel Aerospace Industries, a major supplier of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and manufacturer of the ‘Heron’ unmanned aerial vehicle which was used extensively in the siege on Gaza. They receive EUR 4 million of EU funding"

"We must make sure, that while Israel ignores international human rights law, the EU sets an example and gives no money to companies which engage in either military research or the production of weapons."

De Brún calls for stronger Climate Change targets

Bairbre de Brún MEP spoke this week during a debate in the European Parliament in Strasbourg on the need to build on what was agreed at the UN climate talks in Cancún at the weekend.

Ms de Brún who was part of the European Parliament's official delegation at the United Nations Climate change talks said,

"What has been agreed so far is welcome, but we should not fool ourselves; there is a long way to go yet to achieve the legally binding global deal that will really tackle the challenge of climate change.

"The progress made at COP16 was vital, but we cannot rest on our laurels. Cancún should inspire us to work towards targets that are much firmer and clearer and, most importantly, that are legally binding.

" Europe must lead the way in terms of emissions reductions targets and transparency on climate financing.

" We must work together with both industrialised and developing countries for a more 'solid' deal in South Africa next year.”

Derelict building a hazard and nuisance - Lavery

North Belfast Sinn Féin Councillor Danny Lavery has warned young people a life could be lost unless they stay away from a derelict building in which they are taking drugs and lighting fires.

Lavery said youths are gathering at the site of the former North Belfast Employment Centre on Oldpark Terrace and are making lives a misery for local residents.
"The young people are creeping in through a gap in the fence, sniffing glue and lighting fires and generally involving themselves in antisocial behaviour and it has to stop. By setting fires someone could get killed or seriously hurt.

"They have to stop going into the site now before real damage is done. The site is sitting derelict and is no longer in use, however whoever owns it still needs to do their bit to ensure it is secure and intruders cannot get in.
“I am trying to find the owner of the site - because it isn’t the Department of Employment and Learning - to see if it can be secured,” said Lavery.

De Brún calls for stronger Climate Change targets

Bairbre de Brún MEP spoke today during a debate in the European Parliament in Strasbourg on the need to build on what was agreed at the UN climate talks in Cancún at the weekend.

Ms de Brún who was part of the European Parliament's official delegation at the United Nations Climate change talks said,

"What has been agreed so far is welcome, but we should not fool ourselves; there is a long way to go yet to achieve the legally binding global deal that will really tackle the challenge of climate change.

"The progress made at COP16 was vital, but we cannot rest on our laurels. Cancún should inspire us to work towards targets that are much firmer and clearer and, most importantly, that are legally binding.

" Europe must lead the way in terms of emissions reductions targets and transparency on climate financing.

" We must work together with both industrialised and developing countries for a more 'solid' deal in South Africa next year.”

In defence of our public sector

BY Gerry Kelly
In the current climate it seems to be the order of the day for some commentators to casually dismiss the public sector as wasteful and ripe for sweeping cuts. However, as I walked freezing up Ardoyne Road in this 'current climate' very early on Saturday morning, I was amazed by the many care-workers out and about tramping through the snow.

Perhaps it's the extremes of weather or the run up to Christmas that draws our particular attention to those who toil away quietly tending to our most vulnerable. Snow, darkness, freezing fog, icy footpaths and punishing workloads are the norm. Yet every time I turn on my car radio all I hear is the public sector under attack.
As an MLA I deal daily with constituents most distressing experiences when the public sector has let them down. That's the nature of political life, consistently helping to tackle failings in the system and ensuring they are put right as we strive for the delivery of first class services.

However I want to take this opportunity to praise the dedication of our public sector workers. They shouldn't only get the headlines when something goes wrong. Nurses, public transport workers, teachers, cleaners, fire and rescue workers, porters, home-helps, council workers etc.
The list is huge and these are the glue, along with the community and voluntary sector, that hold society together.

I'm sure you have heard countless times of the little acts of kindness people have received above and beyond the call of duty from public sector workers on the front line under extreme pressure. Be it a kind word, a cup of tea or a quick message. For many older people this can be the difference between life and death and the only personal contact they receive from one day to the next.

Not to mention the daily work done while taking verbal and physical abuse, tending to the bereaved or putting life and limb on the line. Is anyone seriously suggesting this is a wasteful area ripe for sweeping cuts?
Sinn Féin have set out our stall to defend front line services. Nowhere is this more important than deprived areas of North Belfast. The Mater Hospital alone is our biggest employer and a massive community resource, which needs to be cherished and defended by us all.

The morale of public sector workers across Ireland is at a very low point as they are forced to pay the bill for the rampant unregulated greed of the free marketeers.
Those of us old enough to remember the last time this savage Tory agenda was common currency will recall their obsession with the price of everything and the value of nothing. For many of our workers the public sector is a vocation not just a job.

Encouraging jobs and growth in private industry must be complementary to investing in our public sector. Be in no doubt this is a battle of ideologies. The Tory's and their local political cohorts intend to use this recession to bring in a raft of anti-worker policies that in more normal circumstances they wouldn't try.
It's building communities verses ‘get on your bike’. It's rights verses charity. Its society verses the cult of individualism. In the current Assembly negotiations to produce a budget, Sinn Féin will be strongly defending workers on the front line.

Stealing Christmas presents from disabled children beggars belief - Lavery

Sinn Féin’s Danny Lavery said he was “utterly disgusted” at a break-in where wrapped Christmas presents which were to be given to severely disabled children at their festive party next week have been stolen.

The presents for the children, some of whom are life limited, were just part of a haul taken from the 174 Trust at Duncairn Avenue at the weekend. A wheelchair valued at £600 and specially adapted computer equipment was also taken in the Saturday night/Sunday morning theft.
The weekend raid was the second break-in at the centre in less than a week and the sixth time in two months that the charity has been the target of anti-social behaviour.

“To steal Christmas presents that were gathered for these disabled children at this community centre beggars belief,” said Danny.

“I'm appealing to anyone that has any knowledge of this break in to come forward. There's little point appealing to the thieves but if anyone is offered stolen toys it's not too late to rescue Christmas for these children.”

He said North Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly met the PSNI at a senior level last week to hold them to account for their poor record in North Belfast on burglaries.
“We are demanding swift action and a sharp policing focus to arrest these gangs and bring them before the courts. We all must rally around community workers in this facility who are doing such great work and ensure the burglars are caught.”

Police are appealing to anyone who has information in relation to this incident to contact them on 0845 600 8000. Information about crime can also be passed anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Grit box needed for Glengormley

Local Sinn Féin activist Gerry O’Reilly said it is essential that a grit box is put in place near Farmley Shopping Centre where the cold spell have made it nearly impossible for pedestrians to walk on the footpath.
“I have been speaking to several people who have been complaining about the state of the footpaths in Glengormley,” said Gerry.

“It is like an ice-rink and I have received a lot of reports of people slipping and falling. There are no grit boxes in the near vicinity and I am calling on the Roads Service to put a grit box here before someone gets badly hurt.”

He also expressed a concern that people were forced to walk on the road to avoid the footpath. “This is quite alarming and is causing another hazard. People need to be aware of the dangers of ice on the footpath, particularly the elderly and young families,” he said.