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Care Home Consultation Called in to Question

Admin —  August 12, 2015

Statement by Jim Allister MLA:

“I am greatly concerned that residential care homes are not being given a fair chance under the Northern Trust’s new consultation and I have written to Dr Stevens, Chief Executive of the Northern Trust, to secure answers on a range of issues.

“Since former health minister Edwin Poots first moved to close residential care homes I have continually sought to expose the slight of hand that is being deployed and to fight for our care homes.

“This slight of hand is continuing, unabated, under the new DUP health minister. This new consultation has emerged – one which the Trust would tell us is open, fair and transparent. I well remember the last farcical consultation exercise which had a pre-determined outcome, with criteria geared towards closures. Fortunately, the public engagement and backlash forced the Minister’s hand in abandoning that.

“The biggest concern was that the Minister did not lift the ban on admissions. This would have allowed each care home under threat the chance to demonstrate that there was a demand for their services. Having kept the ban on admissions, this conceded that the intention was still to close.

“In particular I am greatly concerned by the assurances given that residents will not be moved ‘as long as their needs can be safely met there’ might not be all that it appears– the get out clause for the Trust could well be under the auspices of public safety that these residents must be moved. This, along with other detailed questions, I have now asked the Chief Executive.

“This closure by stealth was not welcome then, and it is not welcome now.”

 

Note to editor:

Jim Allister MLA’s letter to Dr StevensCEO Northern Trust
Dear Dr Stevens,

re: Consultation Document on Statutory Residential Care – Making Choices

I have a number of queries arising in connection with the above document which I would like you to address.

1. Whereas the maximum potential  weighted score across the criteria measured was 2250, what was the maximum in respect of each measured criteria?
2. In regard to the criterion ‘Care Trends’, how was such measured in respect of statutory care homes given the moratorium on new admissions? In consequence, was the real informative here the number of admissions within the independent sector?
3. Can you provide me with the admissions figures taken into account in respect of each assessed statutory home, under the criterion ‘Care Trends’, and the admission figures taken into account in respect of each independent home in the vicinity of each statutory home, which was considered in determining the relevant ‘Care Trends’.
4. Please provide the data and information deployed to marry the information on admissions to statutory and independent homes which was deployed to produce each ‘Care Trends’ score, and explain the methodology used.
5. Clearly, the availability of alternative services (namely in the private sector) trumped the scoring obtained from applying the criteria. So, please explain how the availability of such alternatives was measured, weighted and applied in the formula which resulted, for example, in the top scoring home, Pinewood, nonetheless being targeted for closure, while the lowest scoring home is to be retained?
6. Surely, the methodology deployed is farcical when it upturns the application of objective criteria, such as commented upon in point 5 above. Isn’t the truth that prioritising private care is the Trust’s overriding concern when evaluating the future of statutory homes?

  1. In regard to the suggestion that Pinewood could be a rehabilitation centre. Is there a plan for such, or, is this merely a conceptual idea? Is there a budget for its delivery?
  2. What worth can be attached to the assurance that no existing resident will be moved when the caveat of ‘as long as their needs can be safely met there’ is attached? Isn’t that a get out clause which will be conveniently deployed to hasten closures under the guise of public safety? That is certainly what it seems to me.

I am saddened that transparently this consultation appears to be part of the same old anti-statutory home agenda and that contrary to public posturing the Trust and the department are working towards closure by stealth, as most evidently demonstrated by the crippling moratorium on new admissions.

For what it is worth, please treat this correspondence as a response to your consultation, though, I still expect a detailed response to the questions raised.

Yours sincerely,

Jim Allister MLA

In Health, Newsroom
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Allister Blasts McGuinness for Lauding IRA man who Killed in Ballymena

Admin —  August 12, 2015

Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:

“I note that over the weekend co-First Minister McGuinness lauded IRA Hunger Striker Thomas McElwee, attending a commemoration in his honour in Bellaghy on Sunday and describing him as a “hero” on social media.

“While Republicans seek to build a mythology around the Hunger Strikers they don’t look very glamorous when considered in the cold light of day. McElwee was serving 20 years for a Ballymena firebomb which resulted in 26-year-old Yvonne Dunlop being burnt alive in her clothes shop. Some hero!

“Some might recall that in August 1981 the people Ballymena raised £800 to send Mrs Dunlop’s three children to London to meet Ken Livingstone who was then leader of an Greater London Council so that he could see first hand what McElwee, who he had described as “not a criminal but a freedom fighter”, was responsible for.

“Sadly now we live in a Northern Ireland where Unionists partner those who regard McElwee and his ilk as “freedom fighters” and “heroes” in government!”

In Newsroom, NI Politics
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North Antrim needs more than pitiful excuses from Paisley Jnr

Admin —  August 12, 2015

Statement by Jim Allister MLA:

“The only thing more pitiful than Invest NI’s record in North Antrim is Ian Paisley Jnr jumping to their defence in an effort to get them off the hook.

“Over the 2014-15 period there hasn’t been a single inward investment visitor brought to North Antrim by Invest NI. That simply isn’t good enough in my book.

“It’s obvious that Mr Paisley is more interested in pitiful excuses for his party’s record in government than holding a key agency to account when it patently doesn’t deliver for North Antrim.

“The facts speak for themselves and any elected official should be questioning why Invest NI, the agency which seeks to bring investors into Northern Ireland, has been neglecting North Antrim. Surely, as the MP for North Antrim, Jnr should be leading the charge against this organisation to up their game, but instead he seeks to deflect criticism from them.

“I welcome all efforts to bring investors to North Antrim, but when the agency tasked with that particular mandate fails then the public deserves answers, not cheap political attacks.”

In Newsroom, NI Politics
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Public Urged to Respond to Special Adviser Consultation

Admin —  August 11, 2015

Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:

“At the end of June I announced plans for a new Special Adviser Bill. The Bill is designed to address two issues of public concern. Firstly it deals with the excess which has characterised SpAds in Northern Ireland. The issue is starkly illustrated when one considers the number of Special Advisers employed at Stormont and contrasts it with the other devolved regions of the UK. Northern Ireland has 19 SpAds while Scotland has 14.

“Just two weeks ago the Welsh Government published details of the number and cost of Special Adviser employed in Cardiff. They get by with 9 – less than half the number employed by Stormont. The paybill was also revealed. For the period 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015 the cost of Welsh Government SpAds totalled £626,995.

“Contrast that with the figures published by Stormont at the start of July in the terms of my last Special Adviser bill. We learned that the Northern Ireland bill for SpAds had, for the first time, topped two million at £2,016,362.31.

“Does Northern Ireland really need to be spending more than three times than Wales on Special Advisers?

“My Bill will address this issue by reducing the number of SpAds in OFMdFM from 8 to 4 and linking their salaries to the senior civil service pay band for Assistant Secretaries (Grade 5).

“Importantly, my Bill also sets out to make SpAds more accountable. This follows unease over the fact that the DSD minister was able to intervene to save Stephen Brimstone from disciplinary action over the Redsky affair and his treatment of Cllr Jenny Palmer.

“I have been encouraged by the response so far but would remind the public that they have until the end of August to make their voices heard on the issue. People can respond online here or can receive a hard copy of the consultation by contacting my office.”

In Newsroom, NI Politics
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Allister demands action on Intervention

Admin —  August 6, 2015

Following a meeting with dairy farmers, TUV leader Jim Allister, has said revising the intervention price is not just the obvious solution, but by doing so essential trader sentiment would be boosted, which is key to long term stability.

In a statement Mr Allister said, “This is no sham crisis, but one that cuts to the very heart of the future of our vital agri-food sector. It demands a concerted and meaningful response, particularly from Brussels. The Commissioner’s apparent resistance to revisiting the intervention price – last reviewed in 2003 – is shortsighted and adding to the crisis.

“Virtually every serious player in the global dairy market has some mechanism in place to provide a bottom to the market. In the USA their margin protection policy largely equates to intervention. Such is essential to ease the wild fluctuations of such a global market.

“A realistic intervention price would not just provide a viable bottom to the market but would be the catalyst for recovery as it would feed trader sentiment, which is so vital to market recovery. Thus, Commissioner Hogan needs to address this issue urgently and the UK representative on the Council of Ministers needs to drive this forward, supported by all the devolved institutions.

“The present crisis has been in the making for some time with the abolition of milk quotas -something I opposed as an MEP – contributing negatively. Locally, too, the processor-driven ‘Going for Growth’ strategy paid too little heed to the need to protect and support existing producers. If we lose what we’ve got it will make talk of growth rather hollow.

“There is another compelling political imperative as to why our government needs to act. A significant contributory factor to the EU’s present milk difficulties is the loss of the Russian market, which flowed from the geo-political decisions, taken at EU level. It was not dairy farmers who unleashed this scenario, but top level government and international decisions. Thus, government cannot stand back and leave our milk farmers to pay the price. The EU needs to face up to the consequences it helped create. Striking a realistic intervention price is the least it should do, remembering that on past experience such will not be a long term burden on taxpayers, because eventual and controlled release of the commodities onto an improved market is likely to reap a profit.

“It is time for Commissioner Hogan to act.”

In NI Politics
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Union Flag Dice – Bombardier Action Preposterous

Admin —  August 6, 2015

TUV leader Jim Allister has today written to management in Bombardier Short after an employee was instructed to remove Union Flag dice from his private car.

Commenting Mr Allister said:

“I am stunned to read reports that an employee in Bombardier Shorts was instructed to remove Union Flag dice from his car.

“To suggest that two small dice inside a private car somehow impacted on a neutral working environment is frankly preposterous.

“There are people in Northern Ireland who go out of their way to be offended but this is taking things to a whole new level.

“I have today written to Bombardier asking that they reconsider this daft decision.”

In NI Politics
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Allister Calls for Local Public Inquiry into Kells Solar Farm Proposal

Admin —  August 4, 2015

Statement by Jim Allister MLA:

“The application which has now been made by Elgin Energy for a unprecedented massive solar farm in Kells has led to a lot of unease to be expressed by residents via the KellsVocal group.

“Over the last number of months I have sought definitive answers from the Environment Minister, Mark H Durkan, that PPS 18 was never designed to contend with such application of such scale which effectively leaves it unfit to determine this application. The Minister needs to act now to gain public confidence that the right decisions are being taken.

“This application seeks to impose solar panels across 250 acres of farmland, impacting on the rural setting that residents are accustomed to. I am also greatly concerned about the disigenous suggestions of job creation – yes, jobs would be created in the construction, but they would not be sustained throughout the life time of the solar farm – only minimal jobs would be sustained.

“I have now put it directly to the Minister responsible that there is an absolute need for a Public Inquiry under his powers. Not only is this application divisive, but a decision without proper scrutiny can set a precedent that could have a long lasting impact across Northern Ireland.”

Note to Editor:

Mr Allister’s Representation to DOE / Planning Department:

4th August 2015

Dear Minister,

Re: Planning Ref: LA03/2015/0234/F;  Kells Solar Farm application

I write both as a local elected representative and as a local resident to register my opposition to this application.

By any standard this is a massive application, seeking to amass and impose solar panels across 250 acres of active farmland. Applications of such scale might be acceptable on something like a disused airfield, but not at this farming location.

The transformative impact of this proposal in this rural setting would be wholly disproportionate and adverse to the rural and residential ambience of the area. The prevailing rural character would be destroyed and the amenity devastated. Presently, dwellings nestle at ease with their environment within this undulating farmland, but what is proposed would import an incongruous land use, destructive of both visual, environmental and residential amenity.

It is clear to me that the driver for this proposal is not the suitability of the land, but its proximity to the Kells Sub-station. I also note the disingenuous pretence that job creation would result. The reality of a solar farm is that it does not sustain jobs, given that in the post-construction phase it operates with minimal attention. Thus, there can be no valid support for this application on the basis of economic/employment gain.

Given the gross inadequacy of the prevailing planning policy guidance for proposals of this magnitude – PPS 18 was never designed to cope with such proposals – and the quality of the objections, I firmly believe the proposal should be subjected to a local public inquiry and that prematurity would be an additional and appropriate ground for refusal.

Moreover, I fear the consequences of approval not just for this site but in terms of precedent.

I trust, therefore, that this proposal will be rejected.

Yours sincerely,

Jim Allister MLA

Letter dated 20th July seeking Public Inquiry:

Mark H Durkan MLA

Department of Environment Minister

20 July 2015

Dear Minister,

Re: Solar farm application, Kells LA03/2015/0234/F

I write to urge you to exercise your powers under Art 31 of the Planning Order to ensure that a public inquiry is called on this extensive application.

You will be aware of the considerable public unease. Such, I suggest, can only be adequately addressed through an Art 31 inquiry.

Yours sincerely,

Jim Allister MLA

In Agriculture and Environment, Newsroom
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Still Many Unanswered Questions Over NAMAgate

Admin —  August 3, 2015

Statement by TUV leader, Jim Allister

“In seeking to understand the various twists and turns in the NAMAgate saga and, particularly, in identifying the thread of political machinations, useful insight can be obtained from studying the timeline.

“Since the inception of NAMA there was widespread concern that a fire sale of NI assets would destabilise the local economy. Both the First Minister and the Finance Minister had voiced such concerns. Then, suddenly, in September 2013 Peter Robinson signalled support for a radically different approach, namely, the sale of the entire NAMA debt portfolio to a single buyer.

“It was on 9 September 2013 Mr Robinson made his public call for these assets to be “liberated”. Was it coincidence that in that same month PIMCO made its unsolicited approach to NAMA seeking to make just such a purchase of the debt book? (Frank Cushinan, then still a member of NAMA’s NI Advisory Committee, was to receive a huge fee from PIMCO if such a sale had gone through.)

“In an Assembly answer on 14 May 2013 the then Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson, had said he believed “NAMA is playing a positive role in Northern Ireland”. On 9 September 2013 Mr Robinson, in his comments urging “liberation” of the assets, said NAMA was inhibiting growth in NI. Does this clear difference of approach explain the unexpected removal of Sammy Wilson from office on 29 July 2013?

“The new Finance minister, Simon Hamilton – a faithful Robinson disciple – was active in meeting with the NAMA NI Advisory Committee and with the Finance minister in the Republic, Mr Noonan, on NAMA-related issues. On at least one occasion he was accompanied by Mr Robinson (29/9/13) when, inter alia, Millmount was discussed. (Lagans got finance through NAMA to develop Millmount and Lagans admit they paid Gareth Robinson fees for “planning related consultancy”, even though Millmount had full planning permission and Gareth Robinson does not purport to be a planning consultant.) Mr Peter Robinson and Mr Hamilton together also privately met Cerberus, after the PIMCO deal fell apart and before the Cerberus deal was accepted (25/3/14).

“Of further interest in the attempt by PIMCO to purchase the debt book was the role of Mr Robinson in promoting a Memorandum of Understanding, whereby personal guarantors would be protected. An unanswered question is whether a select group of individuals did in fact obtain protection and, if so, who and how? Indeed, have the major NAMA debtors, numbering about 15, obtained deals allowing them to “exit” Cerberus on terms which protect them personally, whereas the smaller loan book debtors face less preferential treatment?

“Much remains unexplained as to the role in which Mr Robinson was acting. The deputy First Minister seems to deny he was acting as First Minister in many of these encounters. So, in what role and on whose behalf was Mr Robinson acting, and why?

“His proactive involvement in making statements encouraging sale of the debt book, in meeting Cerberus and later Jefferies all displays a keen interest. But was he acting as First Minister? If not, then, in what capacity and why? Mr Robinson has yet many questions to answer.”

In Newsroom, NI Politics, Terrorism
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North Antrim Still Getting Raw Deal from Invest NI

Admin —  July 31, 2015

Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:

“Throughout my time at Stormont I have highlighted the fact that North Antrim receives a raw deal from Invest NI when it comes to both inward investment visits and jobs created.

“Recently I received figures which cover 2014-15 and I am appalled that there has been no improvement in the situation. In fact, it is worse than ever. Over that period there hasn’t been a single inward investment visitor brought to North Antrim.

“Over the same period there were 61 to South Belfast alone and North Antrim was the only constituency without a single FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) visit.

“This is totally unacceptable.

“Invest NI needs to promote ALL of Northern Ireland, including North Antrim.

“These figures would be shocking at any time but they are particularly so given the huge blow which North Antrim suffered with the loss of JTI Gallahers. Following the announcement of its closure there were many grand promises of support from the Executive and particularly Invest NI to do all they could to bring new employment opportunities to the area.

“These figures reveal the sad truth that while there was a lot of talk there was no action.

“TUV will continue to keep up the pressure on these issues to ensure that North Antrim secures the investment and jobs it so badly needs.”

In Newsroom, NI Politics
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Adams’ mask slips, again

Admin —  November 25, 2014

Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-

“I am not in the least surprised that the IRA godfather who for decades endorsed and justified -and still justifies – the IRA’s mass murder of unionists should let slip what he really thinks of us.

“Of key significance is the confirmation that the Sinn Fein’s ‘equality agenda’ is a republican Trojan horse. All unionists now must sit up and take notice of just how Sinn Fein views the governmental agenda which it is promoting through OFMDFM. Time for the DUP to wake up to see what Sinn Fein is working at under their nose in government.”

In Newsroom, NI Politics ,
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