Tag: 2022

The press release issued by the DUP on 30 November 2022.

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has said the UK Government is shifting the goalposts on energy support payments whilst the people of Northern Ireland suffer the consequences.

She was speaking after raising an Urgent Question to the Business Secretary in Parliament today on delivery of the £400 energy support payment.

The DUP MP said,

“The energy support payment is a lifeline that has been dangled in front of the people of Northern Ireland but is now being withheld by Westminster. People in Northern Ireland heard a clear assurance from their Prime Minister that the payment would be delivered in November. They may have changed their leader, but the Conservative Party should at least keep its promise to support all parts of the UK during a cost of living crisis.

Devolving this issue would delay rather than deliver this payment to people facing a very cold Christmas. Further attempts to amend and change the scheme now are nothing more than an attempt to muddy the water and create further delay. Whilst the government is now talking about a ‘cash out’ option, this is something they emphatically ruled out as far back as June and July. The government is shifting the goalposts, whilst the people of Northern Ireland suffer the consequences.

The funding is there, the systems are in place and the energy companies are ready. This has been the case for some time and there is no excuse.

This money could still be delivered to households before Christmas if there was a will to do so. We have seen this Government move with incredible pace when it chooses to and on issues that it appears to actually care about. It seems clear that maintaining a UK-wide approach and on helping people in Northern Ireland heat their homes just don’t feature on that priority list.”

The press release issued by the DUP on 30 November 2022.

The DUP’s Lead Policing Board representative Trevor Clarke has reiterated his Party’s position that any reform of how police misconduct proceedings are dealt with in Northern Ireland must not jeopardise the safety of officers.

Commenting, the South Antrim MLA said:

‘‘We echo the concerns raised by the Police Federation in relation to public hearings for misconduct hearings. Recent attacks in Londonderry and Strabane demonstrate that the threat from dissident republicans towards police officers is active and credible. The notion that officers should be required to appear publicly at hearings is neither justified nor proportionate given the enduring threat level. It would expose them and their families to unacceptable risks. Indeed it is foolish for anyone to believe there can be a direct read across between this provision in England and Wales. The unique policing environment in our Province must be acknowledged and respected.

The DUP has consistently held this position. Regrettably, as a minority grouping on the Policing Board, the final publication of corporate reports does not wholly represent our views or vision. However, it is worth noting that the final text on this occasion expressly recognises that in respect of public hearings ‘‘the Board is aware of the difficulties this would pose in Northern Ireland.’’

We will continue to defend the right of officers to due process and disciplinary processes where their welfare is paramount. As a Party, we expressed concerns with plans for public hearings in the Police Ombudsman’s Five-Year Review and, more recently, in response to the Board’s review of the human rights of PSNI officers.

Any reforms will ultimately require agreement and a change in regulations. Rather than focusing on divisive proposals that do not command the necessary public or political support, we need to take forward changes that drill down into the causes of significant delay in misconduct proceedings and provide better, fairer and timely outcomes for affected officers and complainants. We will continue to work with the PSNI and Police Federation to make this progress a reality.’’

The press release issued by the DUP on 29 November 2022.

DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP has urged the European Union to recognise the damage and instability the NI Protocol is inflicting on Northern Ireland and change course.

The press release issued by the DUP on 29 November 2022.

Foyle MLA Gary Middleton has said the decision to make significant cuts to staff and programming at Radio Foyle are a blow to local journalism and the north west region.

He also called on the BBC to spell out how the services that have been axed will be replaced.

The DUP MLA said, “This isn’t the first attempt to axe services and staff at Radio Foyle. The station provides a hugely valuable local output from journalists based in the area. This is what the BBC should be focusing on and developing as part of truly public service broadcasting. We have also heard from others how the decision to axe the breakfast show goes against what the BBC is saying in other parts of the UK about the importance of local programming at that timeslot.

The Breakfast Show on Foyle has been to the forefront of highlighting many local issues and the station itself has been recognised many times for the quality of output they produce. The decision should be reversed, but at a minimum the BBC should explain the rationale for their decision and how they plan to retain the quality and quantity of local output for people in the north west region.”

The press release issued by the DUP on 29 November 2022.

DUP Newry and Armagh MLA William Irwin has condemned those who sprayed sectarian graffiti over Crosskeys Orange Hall in County Armagh.

William Irwin stated,

“This is sadly another example of hatred and sectarianism directed at members of the Orange Order within this constituency. Those behind this sinister criminality should desist immediately and I hope they will be brought before the courts. For anyone to spray paint over an important community resource is outrageous but to spray IRA slogans is sickening.

This requires leadership from Sinn Fein as they consistently glorify the IRA and misleadingly state that the IRA had “no alternative”. The IRA was responsible for murdering, kidnapping, robbing, assaulting, and racketeering in this community and for anyone, let alone the Sinn Fein leadership, to laud the IRA as heroes is a rewriting of history and grossly irresponsible. Such statements equip a new generation to spread hate in this manner.

It is concerning that such an attack has taken place and it is only a few years since the hall was last targeted in a sectarian attack. Anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity to contact the PSNI immediately and assist with their inquiries.”

The press release issued by the DUP on 29 November 2022.

DUP South Antrim MLA Pam Cameron has described the findings of the expert review of clinical records relating to 44 deceased patients who had been under the care of former consultant neurologist Michael Watt as harrowing.

The review, which was commissioned by the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA), found significant failings, including a lack of proper clinical investigation, inaccurate diagnosis, inappropriate treatment and poor communication with families. Across both cohorts, only two cases were found to have represented good practice.

Commenting after attending a protest in Belfast by those patients and relatives affected by Dr Watt’s actions on Tuesday morning, Mrs Cameron said:

‘‘My thoughts today are first and foremost with the bereaved families for whom the publication of this report will be deeply distressing.

The findings of this review will shock many both in their scope and seriousness. They are the antithesis of what our NHS stands for. In a majority of cases the quality of care fell below expected standards and diagnoses were not secure. This caused significant harm to those affected and was exacerbated by a lack of openness with patients and families, including about outpatient letters.

Such failings may have occurred under the direct care of Michael Watt but they also took place on the watch of our Health Service. We are entitled to ask why such practice was able to occur in this clinic for so long seemingly unchecked and unchallenged.

It is clear from speaking with victims and bereaved families that there is a need for a bespoke wraparound care for those left traumatised. Some are even afraid to enter their GP surgery or hospital buildings such is the fear and distress caused by their experiences. This needs to be addressed and I will be urging Trusts and the Department of Health to ensure they access the tailored support they need going forward.”

DUP North Belfast MLA Brian Kingston also attended the protest. He added:

”We owe it to those who continue to be impacted by the neurology recall, and those who bear the harrowing consequences of failure in our health system most acutely, to take steps to ensure it never happens again.

Today’s review concludes that ‘‘these are issues, not only for neurology services, but throughout the health and social care system.’’ It is crucial that there is a whole-system approach to implementing the recommendations contained in today’s report. The bulk of our clinicians and health staff are honouring their duty of care and must be practically supported. However, the minority who are failing to deliver on expected standards of care must be identified and dealt with earlier in the interests of patient safety. This means putting in place robust safeguards to prevent such destructive poor practice in the future.”

The press release issued by the DUP on 28 November 2022.

East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson has said there should be an investigation into photographs posted online by Sinead Murtagh – the woman who chanted ‘Oh ah, up the Ra in a video with Arlene Foster’.

A Sunday newspaper unearthed photographs of Ms Murtagh posing with a weapon which was described by the newspaper as a “replica AK47”. Mr Robinson asked whether or how it has been established that the weapon pictured is a replica.

The DUP MP said,“Ms Murtagh has brought public scrutiny upon herself through the deliberate choice to glorify IRA terrorism in the presence of a victim of IRA terrorism.

In relation to her Instagram post tagged #ak47official, it has been reported that the weapon in question is a replica. Whilst the item in question may be a replica, there was no accompanying evidence included as to why the newspaper was satisfied that it was indeed a replica.

The PSNI should interview Ms Murtagh about the providence of this weapon, the circumstances by which she came into contact with it, and its whereabouts today. Replica weapons may not be able to fire ammunition, but it does not mean they cannot be used to cause harm. No-one in Northern Ireland should be happy that someone appears to be able to get their picture taken with such a weapon apparently around a kitchen table.”

The press release issued by the DUP on 28 November 2022.

North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett has said that unless the Northern Ireland Protocol is replaced with arrangements that can be supported by all communities the 25th anniversary of the Belfast Agreement will come and go without a functioning government at Stormont.

He made the comments whilst addressing members of Fine Gael in Sligo on Monday evening

On the Northern Ireland Protocol he said,

“For me, the greatest lesson we can all learn from the last 100 years, is that political progress is only ever achieved when all communities move forward together.

In 133 days, people in London, Belfast, Dubin and Washington will mark the 25th anniversary of the Belfast Agreement.

But if the Northern Ireland Protocol is not replaced with arrangements that all communities can support, then that date will come and go without a functioning government in Stormont. It will come and go without a functioning power-sharing Assembly and it will come and go without operational North-South bodies.

I do not say that gladly or as a threat, but as a factual reality that must serve as a wake-up call to us all to find an immediate resolution to the crisis we face and ensure a return to the politics of consensus.

Unionism has not, and unionism will not give its consent to the Northern Ireland Protocol.”

On Sinn Fein he said,

“Although we will not always agree in our interpretation of the past and our aspirations for the future, we should be all united in the view that nether the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland are best served by leaders who will not condemn IRA violence. That simply confuses the next generation.

There is an obvious attempt to ‘normalise’ the outrageous which cannot be allowed to succeed. Sinn Fein lead these attempts because they are not a normal political party. It is funded by foreign money, runs its social media account from Serbia and has numerous internal bullying accusations.

If that isn’t enough there are also some serious questions for Sinn Fein to answer about the party’s connection to Dublin gangsters.”

The press release issued by the DUP on 25 November 2022.

Upper Bann MP and Chair of the All-Party Pro-Life Group in Westminster, Carla Lockhart, has said the Court of Appeal decision to reject a challenge brought by Heidi Crowter, a disability campaigner living with Down’s syndrome, to allow abortion up to birth of babies with the condition is a sad day for the rights of those with a disability.

Speaking after the judgement was announced in London, Carla Lockhart said:

“We live in a society where we hear of demands for equality and rights on a daily basis. In recent weeks, this has been in sharp focus with the World Cup and the debate around rights in Qatar.

Yet today in our own country, the most basic yet most important human right – the right to life – has been denied to those babies diagnosed in the womb with Down’s syndrome.

The Court of Appeal has enshrined inequality in law. A baby without a diagnosis of Down’s cannot be aborted right up to full term. A baby diagnosed with Down’s, even in the week before full term, can be aborted because it is disabled.

This is an appalling reflection on our society. Today our Courts have said those with Down’s are less worthy of the right to life. For those living with the condition and living full, active and loving lives, it is a callous message issued from our judiciary.

I commend Heidi Cowter for her campaigning on this issue. I trust she will bring this to the Supreme Court, and that at that stage we can have equality and rights re-established for those diagnosed with Down’s.”

The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 25 November 2022.

Foyle MLA Gary Middleton has said a display in the window of the Saoradh offices in Londonderry is a sickening insult to victims and the wider community.

Commenting, the DUP MLA said, “It is difficult to find words to describe this display in the Saoradh office window. To use Christmas as a propaganda tool for terrorism is beneath contempt and is an insult to victims and the wider community.

I have asked the police to investigate, but it should be removed immediately. To show something which appears to represent a detonator being pressed is sickening, given both the current and past terrorism which blighted our city and Northern Ireland as a whole.

There obviously needs to be condemnation of such imagery from across the community. However, it also needs to be accompanied by recognition that the sanitisation of terrorism and attempts to justify it in the past encourages those who engage in it today.

The fact that dissidents are copying the same tactics and strategy of the Provisional IRA can be seen from the use of “they haven’t gone away you know” emblazoned across the window. Little wonder they are prepared to use this when it was only last Christmas when Gerry Adams was harking back to the very same slogan.”