Archive for February, 2010

East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson has visited homes in Monkstown to see the improvements that have taken place to some homes in the area as a result of money that he has made available as Finance Minister.

The MP said:

“In August I released funds to be used to improve housing, and I was pleased to be able to visit some of these homes in Monkstown recently to see the work that has been carried out. Wooden windows which were rotting and letting in the cold and damp have now been replaced.

“I didn’t think that I could be surprised at the depths to which Roy Beggs would go to score a cheap political point, but he managed to do that today when he released his statement concerning the future of primary schooling in Islandmagee. Unfortunately this type of politics, with mistruth, inconsistency and hypocrisy thrown into the mix, seems to be the best that Roy Beggs is capable of these days.

I think I became an Assembly fixture this week as I sat through about twelve hours of debate on this and next year’s budget. The topic was the rather esoteric Spring Supplementary Estimates, a huge volume of information on the spending of each department. Of necessity my opening speech had to contain all the technical jargon which might have made the financial anoraks salivate, but would put most normal people to sleep. Votes on account, supply resolutions, consolidated fund, operating and non-operating accruing resources, efficient cash management regimes, and so it went on, but behind all the jargon was a story worth telling.

“I regret the sceptical way in which Roy Beggs has responded to my resignation as a Belfast City Councillor, especially considering that he was one of the most vocal critics of the fact that the voters had elected me to these different positions. You might have thought he would be pleased that I am stepping down from this role which is in line with DUP policy to phase out multiple mandates.

Mr Beggs of course holds down many roles as MLA, councillor and farmer, but if he can continue to get elected to those positions and if he has the time to do these jobs I have no issue with that.

Sammy Wilson today backed the global campaign to end preventable child deaths. He added his name to the list of MPs calling for action to end the international child health emergency that is currently claiming the lives of 24,000 children under the age of five every day.

He joined World Vision, one of the world’s largest development organisations, in calling on governments around the world make child health a political priority to deal with this unacceptable loss of life.

DUP Leader Peter Robinson was the guest speaker at a special DUP meeting in Larne on Wednesday night to discuss the Hillsborough Agreement. Mr Robinson stated that the agreement ensured that 2007 DUP manifesto commitments were honoured – that policing and justice powers would only be devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly when there was community confidence and unionists could be assured that a Sinn Fein Minister can be blocked from holding the post.

Mr Robinson said:

East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson has expressed his concern at the axing of free healthcare treatment for UK citizens who visit the Isle of Man from April onwards.

The reciprocal agreement between the Isle of Man and the UK meant that any citizen of either jurisdiction could receive free healthcare in both countries, but this will finish at the end of March.

The MP said:

Finance Minister Sammy Wilson has attacked those who have criticised the performance of the Executive. He was speaking on the day he outlined the performance of Government Departments over the past financial year to the Assembly. The Minister attacked those who had questioned the performance of the Executive and said:

“The past financial year has been incredibly difficult for the Northern Ireland economy. The depth of the recession has provided challenges for many sections of our society.

Despite this, and despite those ‘armchair experts’ who sit on the sidelines and criticise, the Executive has delivered real improvements to people’s lives over the past year.

East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson has confirmed that he is to resign from Belfast City Council on 1^st March.

Mr Wilson, who has served on Belfast City Council since 1981, said that his resignation was in keeping with his party’s pledge to phase out multiple mandates.

The MP said:

“I intend to resign from Belfast City Council on 1^st March, after 29 years on the council. I support my party’s decision to phase our multiple mandates and my resignation is part of this process.

East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson has welcomed the progress made at the ADSA store at the Redlands site in Larne.

Mr Wilson visited the site this week with Sergio McKenzie who is developing the site.

Sammy Wilson said:

“I am pleased at the great progress that has been made here in such a short period of time. A few months ago this site was empty and but it is now nearing completion. Sergio McKenzie and his team deserve credit for getting the project delivered so quickly. And during a difficult time, the construction of the store has of course kept many people in their jobs – at its peak 190 people were employed on the site.