DUP News Update - 6th March

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DUP News Update - 6th March 2020

Forward

Assembly should deal with abortion debate

DUP Leader Arlene Foster speaking after meeting the Secretary of State.

DUP Leader Arlene Foster MLA and East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson met with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State on Friday morning in Stormont House.

Speaking afterwards Mrs Foster said,

“This was a useful and constructive meeting with the Secretary of State and his newly appointed team.

With negotiations about the United Kingdom’s future relationship with the European Union moving apace, we once again reiterated the devastating impact upon our economy of a trade border in the Irish Sea. Great Britain is our largest market and it is critical that we have unfettered trade with that market.

The meeting was an opportunity to check progress on the implementation of the Government’s commitments arising from the New Decade New Approach deal. In particular, we reiterated the importance of the NIO progressing matters such as support for the NI 2021 centenary celebrations, the implementation of the Armed Forces Covenant in Northern Ireland and appointment of a Veterans Commissioner.

We also used the meeting to remind the Secretary of State that the Northern Ireland Assembly chamber is the appropriate place to deal with the regulation of abortion. It should be elected representatives from Northern Ireland, accountable to the electorate who voted for them, taking decisions such as this. The legislating for abortion through Westminster was a break from the principle of devolution. With the Assembly and Executive now sitting, the Secretary of State should rethink his approach. The role of the Assembly must be respected.

I have raised this view with the Deputy First Minister and sought her support for a joint request to the Government that the Northern Ireland Assembly should deal with legislation governing abortion rather than implementing extreme regulations which do not have the support of those of us elected here.”

Read the Party's letter to the Secretary of State

DUP MP Carla Lockhart outlining work ongoing by party representatives to see decisions on abortion taken by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Click to email for tickets

Victims Symposium hosted at Westminster

Parliamentary Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson speaking after the victims symposium at

The DUP Parliamentary Party has hosted a victims symposium in Westminster as part of the Party’s plans to mark European Day for Victims of Terrorism on 11 March.

DUP Parliamentary Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said,

“European Victims of Terrorism Day is another opportunity to remind influential voices in Parliament that terrorism has left its scar in every part of the United Kingdom.

It is not about wallowing in the past but about speaking up and helping people who still suffer today as a result of terrorism. By remembering evil acts of terrorism, we can rededicate ourselves to standing up for justice, recognising those who have suffered and ensuring society never makes the mistakes of the past.

Whether a UK wide definition of a victim, an HMT funded pension for victims or compensation from Libya for the supply of Semtex, this event was a great opportunity to speak with Parliamentary colleagues from around the United Kingdom about the need to stand up and speak up for victims of terrorism. There is still action which can be taken in Parliament which would have a transformative impact for many victims who suffer in silence.”

Regional connectivity challenges following Flybe collapse

Economy Minister Diane Dodds commenting following Flybe's collapse

East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson has said the collapse of Flybe is a challenge for the government to put detail and delivery behind the ambition of regional connectivity.

He said, “Having spoken with the Transport Minister this morning by phone and raised it again in the House of Commons I know the Government are very aware of the importance of Flybe to many different regions across the United Kingdom.

Flybe is hugely significant for Belfast City Airport, as they have provided 80% of flights to and from the airport carrying some 1.6million passengers per year. There is an obvious demand for these routes and the management of the City Airport have been able to offer a great deal of confidence in terms of the interest expressed in many of the routes that Flybe operated.

The collapse however poses a real test for the government in terms of delivering regional connectivity within the United Kingdom. They have been large in their ambition but light on detail and delivery in relation to this.

Air Passenger Duty is one of the areas where action should be taken. It is an unnecessary tax which is damaging to connectivity for geographically outlying parts of the United Kingdom. The upcoming budget provides an opportunity for the Chancellor to take the first step in putting some substance behind the government’s words on regional connectivity. That should be followed by other departments to boost the connectivity which is so vital for the Northern Ireland economy and our attempts to grow and boost local business.”

Assembly supports DUP call on older victims of crime

Mervyn Storey proposes

North Antrim MLA Mervyn Storey led a DUP call this week for the Justice Minister to bring forward a plan to implement the Commissioner for Older People’s report which called for change in how older victims of crime experience the criminal justice system.

Speaking after propsing the motion in the Assembly, Mr Storey said, “There are currently over 430,000 older people in Northern Ireland and we must face up to the stark reality of crime against older people.

Figures from the PSNI show that 6% of crime victims were over 65 and 80% of crimes recorded against older people related to theft and criminal damage whilst 16% related to violence against the person. The rate of crime against older people has remained consistent over the past decade despite a reduction in other forms of crime. Outcome rates also lag roughly 2% behind those for crimes against other age groups.

Fraud and cybercrime statistics are not broken down by age, yet we know that many older people are vulnerable to criminals in these areas. The devil may well be in the details which are not available. There are issues of underreporting, a lack of dedicated provision for collecting evidence and barriers to witness testimony are pressures within the criminal justice system.

The Commissioner’s report makes specific recommendations from the reintroduction of specific crime rate targets to a review of existing court infrastructure and the creation of specific older peoples policy guidance for those working within the PPS and CPS.

This should be the first step in an ongoing process to ensure that older people can have confidence in the response of statutory agencies including the PSNI, PPS and the courts. The fear of crime is a huge problem for our older people and we must do everything we can to improve the experience of those who do unfortunately fall victim to criminals.

With the return of a Minister to take this forward I would hope there will be no hesitation in endorsing and implementing this report in full and without delay.”

East Belfast MLA Joanne Bunting speaks about the impact fear has on older victims of crime.

Dates for your Diary

North Down Constituency Dinner - Thursday 12th March @ 7.30pm - McKee's Country Store & Restaurant. Guest Speaker, Gavin Robinson MP.

Fermanagh & South Tyrone Constituency Dinner - Friday 20th March @ 7pm - Killyhevlin Hotel. Tickets £28.

Spring Policy Conference - Saturday 21st March - Seagoe Hotel, Portadown

Erne West Branch - Dinner & Auction - Friday 17th April @7.30pm - Gransha Hall. Guest Speaker, Edwin Poots MLA.

Annual Party Conference - 24th & 25th October - Crowne Plaza Hotel, Shaws Bridge Belfast.

For more information or to express interest in events where not otherwise indicated, please email [email protected]

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