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Monthly Archives: April 2014
Pensioners Parliament at Drumalis demands answers on tough questions
Around 70 older people from across Co Antrim gathered in Larne’s Drumalis Centre for the fifth of seven Pensioners Parliaments around the province. Attendees raised a number of concerns including community policing, energy prices, pensioner benefits and health and social care provision. The event was officially opened by Councillor Maureen Morrow, Mayor of Larne borough. The 2014 Northern Ireland Pensioners Parliament, which was launched in Belfast in February, also offers pensioners the opportunity to put their questions to local politicians. The County Antrim Parliament saw UUP MLA Roy Beggs, Paul Girvan MLA (DUP), SDLP MLA Fearghal McKinney, Oliver McMullan MLA (Sinn Féin) and Cllr Noel Williams from the Alliance Party responding to questions from the floor. Anne Watson from Age Sector Platform said: “This has been a great opportunity for older people from across Co Antrim to make their voice heard and they have been very vocal as always! “The … Continue reading
DUP attempt to use health budget as threat over failings in welfare reform outrageous – Beggs
Ulster Unionist Party Health spokesperson Roy Beggs has accused Edwin Poots and the DUP of using threats on the health of every person in Northern Ireland in a desperate and scandalous attempt to conceal their own failings over welfare reform. The East Antrim MLA said; “It is now almost unanimously accepted that our health service is underfunded. That’s not just as a direct consequence of any new pressures or developments, but rather can be clearly traced back to 2011 when the then Finance Minister decided on a totally inadequate four year health budget. “As has been noted by many in recent weeks the warnings made by my colleague Michael McGimpsey, the then Health Minister, have now unfortunately started to come to fruition. It’s hugely frustrating that it is has taken Edwin Poots up to now, three years after the budget settlement, to acknowledge the huge danger our health service is in. “By … Continue reading
Posted in Health Committee, In The News, Press Releases
Tagged Roy Beggs MLA, Ulster Unionist Party
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Mid and East Antrim Council candidates seeking your votes this May
With the election for the new Mid and East Antrim Council now less than 50 days away, candidates are ramping up their efforts to secure vital votes. As the countdown to the local government election continues, the Larne Times takes a look at the some of the people who will be vying for your support come May 22. DUP The party, which currently holds four seats on Larne Borough Council, will be seeking to ensure its dominace carries over to the newly created super council. With veteran members Cllr Bobby McKee and Ald Winston Fulton deciding not to stand for election to the new council, the party has selected two fresh faces. First-timers Rev Paul Reid and Matthew Scott will be going before the electorate in Larne Lough district electoral area (DEA), alongside long-standing member Cllr Gregg McKeen. Meanwhile, Gordon Lyons and Cllr Drew Niblock will be representing the party … Continue reading
Beggs Urges Finance Minister to reconsider £68m Health Cuts proposal
During questions to the finance minister, Roy Beggs MLA, the Ulster Unionist Health Spokesperson, expressed concerns at suggestions to reduce the Health budget by £68m during this financial year. Roy Beggs MLA said, “From talking to nurses and doctors I am aware that the health service is under extreme pressures at present. I had been advised that each Health & Social Services Trust had been in deficit. Given the pressures and the annual increase in demand for health services, it is incredulous that anyone is suggesting reducing the health service budget. Such a suggestion could cost lives. During question time Roy Beggs asked the Finance Minister, “What levels of additional resources were allocated to address pressures within the Department of Health as an outturn of the headroom within the 2013-14 budget?” In response, Finance Minister Simon Hamilton MLA stated “The department were allocated an additional £57m in resources departmental expenditure … Continue reading
Posted in Assembly, Health Committee, In The News, Press Releases
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MLAs unite in condemnation of attacks
Politicians from across the divide have united to condemn the spate of attacks on homes and police in Larne at the weekend. East Antrim Assembly members have deplored the incident in which up to 100 men – many of them masked – descended on the town on Sunday and targeted a number of homes. Police also came under attack when they responded to the incident, with one officer sustaining injuries. East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson felt the attacks were in retaliation for a number of police arrests over the last week, and also believed the culprits were “settling scores in an attempt to stamp paramilitary authority on parts of the town”. The DUP man added: “The police must ensure that they have the intelligence and the resources to anticipate the activities of these criminals and apprehend them. In turn the community must cooperate with the police to enable them to … Continue reading
