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Monthly Archives: February 2015
Carrick teen’s petition on mental health presented to Assembly
Roy Beggs MLA with Carrick Grammar pupil Sara Patterson. INCT 08-738-CON A petition to make mental health education compulsory within the Northern Ireland curriculum has been raised at Stormont. Established by Carrickfergus Grammar School pupil Sara Patterson, the document was presented to the Assembly on Monday morning by East Antrim MLA Roy Beggs. Over 600 people signed the online and paper versions of the petition, which is addressed to Education Minister John O’Dowd. Speaking at the Assembly, Mr Beggs said: “The pressures on young people today are different to previous generations. There is increased pressure on achieving academic results and fewer young people are active in terms of sport and less time is being spent outside in the natural environment. “The internet, computer gaming and social media can also create problems in terms of isolation and internet bullying can lead to the loss of self-esteem and mental ill-health.” Praising the … Continue reading
Beggs presents Mental Health and Wellbeing petition to Speaker
Ulster Unionist Party Assembly member Roy Beggs MLA has presented a petition which aims to improve mental health and wellbeing, by making it compulsory within the Northern Ireland school curriculum, to the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly Speaking in the Assembly, Roy Beggs MLA said “I commend the work of Sara Patterson, a year 14 pupil at Carrickfergus Grammar School, who is seeking to make Mental Health and Well Being a compulsory and more significant part of the NI School Curriculum. With the support of her friends, Sara has collected signatures by going door to door in her local community. She has also organised an online petition using Change.org. Some 605 signatures have been collected. I wish to put on record my admiration for Sara’s vision and effort to increase the awareness of mental health issues and to make students at our schools more knowledgeable of how to improve … Continue reading
Beggs Welcomes “Awards for All” funding for Monkstown
East Antrim Ulster Unionist Assemblyman Roy Beggs MLA has welcomed the announcement that nearly £20,000 has been awarded to two projects in the Monkstown area. Roy Beggs MLA said “It is great news that the Awards for All scheme has provided funding to two more schemes in my constituency. Monkstown Community School was been awarded a grant of £9,984 to develop an outdoor memorial and horticultural garden which will provide a tribute to past pupils and staff who has passed away. A further £9,879 has been awarded to Monkstown Boxing Club, which works in partnership with local communities to improve their lives and environment. The grant award will provide a range of IT equipment for the club’s newly built educational facility. The Ulster Unionist Party MLA added, “The boxing project will promote health and wellbeing within the local area and the new IT equipment will help improve skills. The Community … Continue reading
Mural ‘backward step’ – Beggs
A new UDA mural in Carrickfergus is a ‘backward step’ for the community, East Antrim MLA Roy Beggs has said. The image, which appeared in recent weeks in the Glenfield area, depicts a masked gunman beside a message which reads: ‘Better to die on your feet than live on your knees in an Irish Republic. Join the UDA’. Mr Beggs said: “For the past number of years, the paramilitary groups had reflected the concerns that there were in the community about the effect of paramilitary murals on young people in particular and had removed some murals and intimidatory imagery. I view the recent addition of a recruitment mural as a backward step. “I would ask all young people and parents to take great care before young people considering joining such organisations. All must be warned that leaving may not be as easy as joining. Criminal records that may result from … Continue reading
Sinn Fein MLA Flanagan apologises for ‘provocative’ remarks
A Sinn Fein Assembly member has apologised for remarks made during a debate last week. Phil Flanagan had been banned from speaking after his contribution to a discussion on the use of Union Flags on Northern Ireland driving licences was deemed to be provocative. The Fermanagh/South Tyrone MLA said: “I apologise to you for remarks that I made during a debate here last Tuesday evening, which you have deemed, in your infinite wisdom, to have been a challenge to the chair. “I fully accept your ruling and I certainly will not challenge it. “I offer my sincere apologies for the comments that you deemed to be a challenge to the chair.” Mr Flanagan had complained about the way a debate was chaired by the Deputy Speaker Roy Beggs after he was interrupted by unionists. His punishment was handed out by Mitchel McLaughlin, a Sinn Fein party colleague who was elected … Continue reading
