Monthly Archives: October 2017

Beggs thanks emergency services for their work during Ophelia

East Antrim Ulster Unionist Party MLA Roy Beggs has commended the emergency services for their work during the recent ex-hurricane Ophelia. Mr Beggs said “On my way home I came across a fallen tree which blocked the full width of the Carrickfergus Road, Larne, making the road unpassable (see picture). I reported the fallen tree to Road Service who were very swift in removing it and making the road safe. Emergency services and on call maintenance staff including NIE, Road Service, NIFRS, PSNI, the ambulance service and the front line health care professionals should be commended for their work during Ophelia in addition to Council staff who quickly decided to open up Council facilities in the likelihood of floods and storm damage to properties throughout the Borough.”

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Health budget for 2018/19 needs to be set – Beggs

Following the additional £40m to alleviate Health pressures, East Antrim Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs has highlighted the need for a 2018/19 budget to be put in place and the predicted Health pressures of around £430m to be addressed. Roy Beggs MLA, UUP Health Spokesperson said: “It was welcome news from the NHSCT on Friday that the 2 rehabilitation wards at Whiteabbey Hospital have received a reprieve in this financial year and that domiciliary care cuts will not be made. Indeed, the Northern Trust advise that all of their major/controversial proposals apart from car parking charges, will not be implemented. Annual costs for health care go up by around 6% each year so the reality is millions of additional funds need to be secured for health care to stand still. “With the potential for additional health budget pressures of £430m next year, additional resources and reforms in healthcare will be … Continue reading

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SDLP’s Patsy McGlone favourite to replace Robin Newton as Speaker… if Assembly restored

Patsy McGlone is tipped to take Speaker’s seat under DUP/Sinn Fein talks deal By Suzanne Breen October 13 2017 An Irish-speaking nationalist politician is likely to become the Assembly’s new Speaker if Sinn Fein and the DUP reach a deal to restore power-sharing. In what would be a historic and symbolic move for Stormont, political sources are tipping SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone to replace the DUP’s Robin Newton. Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs Jr is also understood to be a possible contender – but Mr McGlone is the firm favourite. With Irish language legislation a key part of any agreement between the DUP and Sinn Fein to bring back the political institutions, Mr McGlone’s appointment would be highly significant. He is one of the few fluent Irish speakers in the chamber and is a former member of Foras na Gaeilge, the public body responsible for the promotion of the language … Continue reading

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Health cuts exercise labelled ‘pointless and chaotic’

A local MLA has hit out at what he describes as the ultimately pointless exercise from the Health Department, to demand undeliverable and dangerous savings, only for many to now be abandoned. East Antrim MLA Roy Beggs said: “It was outrageous that the Department of Health waited until half way through the year before demanding that the Health Trusts scramble to find £70m worth of emergency savings. It was inevitable that many of the proposals which did come back were irrational, contradictory and ultimately posed a serious risk to patient safety. “Proposals such as withholding essential drugs, shutting wards and putting a freeze on care packages for the elderly would have greatly intensified the crisis already engulfing the local health service. Several of the Health Trusts acknowledged that waiting times would have spiralled even further out of control and that patients would have ultimately came to harm. “The proposal to … Continue reading

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BBC’s Nolan shouted at by protester during show

By Staff Reporter October 12 2017 A protester interrupted Nolan Live last night and started shouting during the programme. Stephen Nolan kept his cool and continued broadcasting. The man was accompanied out of the studio by security seconds later. He was speaking in a foreign accent and appeared to try to hand the BBC man papers, which Mr Nolan did not take. Mr Nolan was discussing the controversy surrounding DUP Stormont Speaker Robin Newton at the time. As the protester interrupts, Nolan jumps back in his seat and appears startled as the man approaches from the presenter’s left. However, he appears to relax as it becomes clear that the man is not a threat. Nolan told the man: “I think what you need to do is leave sir… Thank you – goodbye. “We have no idea who that was, but we will continue with our programme.” There was speculation on … Continue reading

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