Monthly Archives: February 2015

A Larne Grammar School pupil is hoping to ensure local young peoples’ voices are heard by running as a Member of the Youth Parliament for the East Antrim area. Lower Sixth pupil Scott Davison, 17, first got involved in politics when he went to Stormont to lobby Transport Minister Danny Kennedy on access to his family’s home during the A8 roadworks. After the Minister overturned the department’s decision, Scott, who is fittingly studying Government and Politics at AS Level, decided to run for the British Council’s Youth Parliament scheme. He told The Times: “Each of the parliamentary areas in the UK put forward candidates. After that, whoever is elected attends the annual sitting if the UK Youth Parliament which will be in Exeter this year, and a House of Commons debate which is broadcast on the BBC. There are a number of other engagements througout the term, including meetings with … Continue reading →

As the first day of a two-day welfare reform debate ended last night, Sinn Fein faced accusations from parties north and south of the border that it has done a U-turn on the issue. During the first part of a mammoth Assembly debate on one of the most significant pieces of legislation to come before MLAs, Sinn Fein faced repeated accusations that it has brought Stormont to the brink of collapse only to finally agree to welfare reforms extending to Northern Ireland. But as Sinn Fein faced fierce criticism from the SDLP, Green Party and even Fianna Fail, it was striking that the DUP — which is eager to keep Sinn Fein on board to get the bill through the Assembly — restrained itself from making life difficult for Sinn Fein. The debate – which went ahead despite a highly unusual mass DUP veto of amendments to the bill which … Continue reading →

Despite more than 18 hours of debate on the Welfare Reform Bill, many questions still remain unanswered, Jim Allister has said. The legislation passed through consideration stage on Wednesday night with the support of the DUP and Sinn Fein and it will return to the Assembly for further consideration stage in a fortnight. Mr Allister said that the seemingly open-ended financial commitment which Stormont is making to benefit claimants was “frightening”, given that it would come at the expense of other public services in Northern Ireland. He said it was clear that “while the Assembly is legislating for welfare reform, at the same time it is preparing to divert money from schools and hospitals to nullify its effect. It could only happen in Stormont”. The North Antrim MLA added: “Sinn Fein boasts £565m will be spent on this exercise. “The only certainty is that this money will be siphoned off … Continue reading →

The Ballynure bypass section of the A8 Larne to Belfast dual carriageway scheme has been officially opened by Transport Minister Danny Kennedy. The £130m project, which is expected to be completed this spring, involves upgrading 14.4km of the existing A8, between Coleman’s Corner roundabout and Ballyrickard Road, to dual carriageway standard. On Monday, Mr Kennedy cut the ribbon on 3.4km Ballynure bypass section of the scheme, which he said “represents a very significant stage in the overall works”. Speaking at the event, the Minister told the Times he was “very impressed” by the project and described it as “a major engineering feat”. The Ulster Unionist representative added: “This new bypass will remove traffic which travels through the village of Ballynure, and I think everyone will acknowledge the significant benefits this will bring to both the residents in Ballynure and the travelling public. “This will be a huge benefit to the … Continue reading →