RAMSEY APPEALS FOR PEOPLE NOT TO DRINK AND DRIVE THIS CHRISTMAS SDLP

Chair of the All-Party Group on Road Safety Pat Ramsey has appealed for people not to risk drink driving in the run up too, and during, the festive season this year. The Foyle MLA said:

"Christmas is in the air and people are planning celebrations. When doing so I would urge people to arrange lifts if they are going to take a drink and never to drink and drink.
"People who drive under the influence lose a lot of respect in our society because it is such a stupid, dangerous and criminal thing to do.

"From my own personal experience I know the terrible, long term pain that road accidents bring to people who are injured and bereaved. People's lives are suddenly and irrevocably shattered. “When accidents happen because a driver is selfish enough to drink and drive, that pain is very difficult to bear.

"I would appeal to people to make sure that they plan their transport home after a night out and the morning after so that no-one drives when under the influence of alcohol this festive season.

"Drink responsibly and let's make sure that this is a great Christmas for everyone."

SDLP CONTINUES FIGHT FOR STREAM WORKERS

Pat Ramsey MLA - Back to Latest NewsSDLP Employment spokesperson and Foyle MLA PatRamsey has accompanied Stream workers to meet with the Minister ofEnterprise, Trade and Investment and the Employment and LearningMinister to discuss employee’s concerns over remuneration packages andjob losses.

Mr Ramsey said: “An SDLP delegation accompanied Stream Internationalemployees to meet the two Ministers at today’s meeting in Stormont tocontinue our support for Stream workers at this difficult time and toreinforce the importance of retaining the Stream workforce in Derry.
“We appealed to the Employment Minister to champion the cause of therights of workers to ensure they get the best deal possible in theirremuneration and redundancy packages.

“SDLP Leader and Foyle MP Mark Durkan has already contacted somepotential clients on behalf of the company so it can explore possiblecontracts in order to secure whatever jobs that can be saved.“The SDLP has also been pressing Invest NI to intervene and they haveidentified some emergency European funding to retain a number of corestaff for up to six months while market options are explored.“It is now down to Executive Ministers to act urgently for Streamemployees, their families and the wider community in the North West.”

Pat Ramsey Condemns Vigilante Shootings

Pat Ramsey has condemned the latest in a spate of vigilante attacks carried out by dissident republicans in Derry.

"The people of Derry condemn, without reservation, the shooting of anyone. Vigilante organisations have no regard for human rights or human life. Their contribution to our society is to make it a more violent place.

"We, the people, have clearly stated through referenda that we want a normal society, where human rights are upheld and respected. The community has made it clear that we do not want violence to have anyplace in our society.

"I would urge anyone with information about this or any other crime to contact the police."

Childcare for students and staff should be continued by University of Ulster

“The Employment and Learning Committee discussed the range ofproposals on the future of crèche facilities at the four campuses ofthe University of Ulster. Students and staff have expressed concernthat crèche facilities might be privatised or closed.

“It is very important, from the point of view of access and equality,that students and staff have access to crèche facilities that areaffordable and in the facility of the campus where people are workingor studying.

“At my suggestion, a letter will be sent to the University managementon behalf of the Stormont Employment and Learning Committee makingclear that the Committee gives high priority to childcare provisionacross the campuses.

“I had previously met with management of the University of Ulster whoadvised me that they want to ensure that childcare services continueto be made available.

“Naturally, I hope that the University will be able to continue toprovide high quality childcare provision”

SDLP Pat Ramsey MLA Support for Community Radio Stations

SDLP Pat Ramsey MLA Support for Community Radio Stations


“I have signed the petition asking the British Government to increase funding for local community radio stations.

“Community radios stations bring a great service to local people and have been described by the telecoms regulator OFCOM as “one of the great UK broadcasting success stories in the last few years.

"But local radio stations are restricted, in law, in the percentage of revenue they can get from advertising. Government is committed to co funding local community radio stations but the level of funding is totally inadequate and community radio stations are struggling.

“Given the service they give to their communities, I hope Government will agree to increase the funding to community radio.”


ENDS

For further details contact Paul Herron at 71 361 444
Also see http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/allthevoices/

Pat Ramsey – SDLP Meets Stream International Management

Pat Ramsey – Stream International is a vital employer and every assistance must be given to them.

“The SDLP met again with management of Stream International in relation to their recent announcement that they would be giving notice of redundancies to a section of the company workforce.

“It is clear to us from the meeting that management at the company is working aggressively to win new contracts. It is management’s long term intention to grow the company’s operation in Derry very significantly and they are very confident that the company has the reputation, skills and quality to do that. It is very important that the current short term problems are solved so that the company can retain the capabilities that management and staff has built over the last thirteen years.

“Stream International is a very important part of the city and region’s employment landscape and from the point of view of its workforce and the wider region, and so it is very important that every effort is made to assist management and staff in building for the future.

“Public Representatives from Derry met with Minister for Employment and Learning, Sir Reg Empey ,and senior managers from Invest NI to discuss the situation at Stream. It was a very positive meeting and Sir Reg has promised to give full support to the company. I have requested an urgent meeting with Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Arlene Foster, to discuss ways in which the company can be supported in its efforts to regain new contracts and grow.”

Stream International Jobs - no stone must be left unturned to save them

Pat Ramsey MLA has said that no stone must be left unturned to secure new contracts for Stream International . Speaking in advance of a meeting with Employment minister, Reg Empey, Mr Ramsey said

"The priority for the SDLP is to save as many of the Stream International jobs as possible. No stone should be left unturned to secure new contracts. This is obviously a very worrying time for staff. Today we will be meeting with Minister Reg Empey and senior representatives of Invest Northern Ireland.

"I have also requested an urgent meeting with Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Arlene Foster, to ensure that everything is being done to assist the company to secure new contracts. Invest NI should be using its international network of offices and contacts to assist stream in securing new work for the Derry operation.

"In addition to securing private sector work, The Northern Ireland Executive needs to seek opportunities for any future public sector contracts for call centre services - whether the contracts are from the public sectors in Britain or Ireland.

"Stream International has a very highly developed and skilled staff in Derry. They offer world class services and a range of technical areas as well as customer services. Given that the company has built up such a complex skill set over a long period of time, it would be terrible shame if that long term capacity is lost because of a temporary recession.

ENDS 31.7.2009

For further details contact Paul Herron at 028 71 361 444

SDLP Ramsey - People Support Margaret Ritchie's Housing Programme and are Wise to SF Sniping

People are wise to SF sniping at Margaret Ritchie and see it for what it is - pathetic party politics at its worst.
“Margaret Ritchie is squeezing every brick out of her totally inadequate budget. Because of the collapse in the housing market and the standstill in Housing Executive property sales, Margaret Ritchie has £80 million less this year than planned, and £100 million less than was expected for each of the next two years.

“Because of this, the Minister can not do everything that she had planned to do pre-recession. In response to the new situation, has prioritised new build houses and directed that new homes should be built on land already owned by the Housing Executive. There will be 1750 housing starts across the north over the next year, the highest number for many years. She is doing this so that we can get as many houses built as possible for the available money – to get families our of homeless accommodation and get builders back into work. Other priorities are warm homes and tackling fuel poverty.

“It is really pathetic to hear the constant party political sniping from epresentatives from Sinn Fein. Every week they have another go at the only SDLP Minister. They should remember – they and their DUP partners set the budget before the recession, and they have refused to change the budget since the recession. The people know who is doing the work and who is making good decisions. The people can see the total incompetence of the two main parties. It is clear on the doorsteps that many people regret giving so much ower to the SF/DUP bloc. They are failing children in education, they are failing on the economy, and now people have seen outreagous and ethically unfustifiable expenses claims. The people know which parties are working for the people and which parties are working on a themselves alone agenda.”

RAMSEY CALLS FOR END TO FIRECREW ATTACKS

RAMSEY CALLS FOR END TO FIRECREW ATTACKS

SDLP Foyle MLA Pat Ramsey has called on the parents of youths
attacking emergency services in Derry to take responsibility and hand
them over to the authorities.

He said: “A fire crew was attacked at Fahan Street on Sunday morning
as it attended the scene of a car fire. This follows an earlier attack
on a fire crew at Florence Street in the Waterside on Friday. This is
just unacceptable behaviour towards people doing an already dangerous
job.

“This is a problem that is tarnishing the name of these areas. What
would happen if fire crews were detained during these attacks and are
needed at a life and death incident elsewhere?

“The parents of these youths need to take some responsibility here.
There are groups of young people out at all hours carrying out these
attacks and the question must be asked why their parents are not
taking a stand on this.

“I call on everybody in both the Waterside and the Bogside areas to
help eradicate these anti-social attacks on our emergency services in
any way they can, be that handing information to the police about
these hooligans or taking responsibility if a family member is running
around the streets at night.”

Pat Ramsey has condemned the Petrol Bomb Attack on Mitchel McLaughlin's Home

SDLP MLA for Foyle Pat Ramsey has condemned the petrol-bomb attack on
the Bogside home of Sinn Fein MLA Mitchel McLaughlin.

Mr Ramsey, who lives close to Mr McLaughlin, said the attack was
cowardly and those responsible should be handed in to police:

“The SDLP condemns this behaviour and we send our support to Mr
McLaughlin at this time. We, as a party, are calling for the people of
the Bogside to be united so we can marginalise those who encourage our
young people to carry out these awful attacks.

“This behaviour has brought great shame to the people of the Bogside
and we must do all we can to stop these attacks in our community.

“The people in the community know who is at this sort of behaviour.
Parents should be vigilant to the whereabouts of their children and
pay particular attention to the times they are coming home at.

“We all have a responsibility to stop these attacks and those who are
responsible should be handed over because not only is it putting the
good name of the Bogside at risk but also the safety of its people.”

Pat Ramsey Joins With Community in call for Information on House Fire

“I have been contacted by residents of Dundreen Park who are deeply shocked at the house fire that is believed to have been started maliciously on Saturday Night/Sunday Morning . The police are treating the fire as suspicious.

“Residents are understandably angry that anyone might have deliberately set a house on fire, putting the lives of residents and emergency services personnel at risk. Thankfully no one was injured in the fire, but the householders lost valuable and personal possessions.

“While people hope that further investigations show that the fire was accidental, members of the local community have made it clear that they want anyone with information to give it to the police. Naturally, I would join with the community asking people with information to come forward.”

SDLP Calls for Road safety Improvements at Bogside Zebra Crossing

Pat Ramsey MLA and Chair of All Party Assembly Group on Road Safety Committee and Councillor Sean Carr recently met with a road safety representative to discuss the safety of the zebra crossing near FreeDerry corner. Speaking after the meeting Pat Ramsey said,

"People in the Bogside area are very concerned at the dangers around the zebra crossing near to free Derry corner. This is a very busy dual carriageway, close to complex junctions, with a lot of other distracting factors for drivers. There has been a number of accidents involving pedestrians and, as the people in the area arepainfully aware, there have been fatalities.

"I discussed the crossing with a representative of the Road Serviceand asked him to bring forward proposals to make the crossing safer.

"In the mean time I would appeal to drivers to take extreme care in this very busy residential area."

Pat Ramsey calls on Council to Seize New Opprotunity for Brandywell Development

There is a major opportunity for Derry City Council to take a lead in the development of the Brandywell Sports Ground through moneys available from Sport Northern Ireland and the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure.

Prior to the recession, The Brandywell Development Company, had been making good progress on their business plans for a sporting, retails and office complex at the grounds that would provide long term economic sustainability for the club. However, it is my understanding that in the current economic climate it is unrealistic to expect those plans to be progressed and they will have to be put on hold.

However, there are opportunities for other sources of funding. Some of them were recently identified in the SDLP economic document, New Priorities in Difficult Times, in which we identified £50 million of the money that had been earmarked for the Maze Stadium should now be reallocated to sports stadium improvements.

I have had a number of very positive and encouraging meetings with sports Minister Gregory Campbell, with Department of Culture Arts and Leisure officials, officials from Sport Northern Ireland and with officers from Derry City Council in relation to the development of the ground. It is clear that the Mr Campbell and his officials are very keen to see development at the Brandywell and they are very positive that they can make financial investments. We have identified alternative sources of funding for the club which would provide substantial moneys that would bring the stadium up to the standards that the fans and players have a right to expect.

Of course, this funding would not prevent or interfere with future developments by the Brandywell Development Company. Derry City Fans, officials and players have worked very hard to develop the club so that it plays at the highest level possible, both domestically and internationally. Given the standard of football and exemplary nature of the fans, it is right that they should have proper player and spectator facilities.

Derry City Council owns the Brandywell and, as landlord, the council has responsibility to take a lead on this. I have asked officials at Derry City Council to take a lead on this project, to develop a plan B and to seize the opportunity to develop the Brandywell stadium to a high standard.

New Economic Realities Need New Plans - SF and DUP Failing

SDLP MLA Pat Ramsey has dismissed the Finance Minister’s assertion that monitoring rounds replace the need for a revision of the budget.

The Foyle Assembly member said the process, which reallocates unspent money, is little more than tinkering around the edges.

"Responsible governments and business all over the world are revising their budgets and strategies to deal with the recession. The world has changed radically in the last year. Countries and organisations that recognise and adapt to that change are likely to get through the recession and emerge as leaders in the future.

"People can not understand the resistance of Sinn Fein and the DUP to overhaul the budget, targets, plans and strategies that were published by the Executive, prior to the recession.

"The assumptions that the Budget, Programme for Government and Investment Strategy were based on no longer hold true. The targets for growth will not be reached. The money that was to be raised through selling public assets will not be raised. The target for new jobs will not be met.

"Northern Ireland needs to replace the existing strategy with a new for dealing with the recession and a new strategy for future growth. The SDLP has published a new discussion paper ‘New Priorities in Difficult Times’ which identified £400m of new money. Our document is not definitive and we will be presenting more documents detailing new strategies and investment into the future. This and future documents will demonstrate that the current strategies are wrong and should be replaced. They will demonstrate how money could be spent in ways that will give a much better return to the people of Northern Ireland."

Outrage at the Attack on Assembly Member Mitchel Mclaughlin’s Home

SDLP Pat Ramsey – "People are Outraged at the Attack on Assembly Member Mitchel Mclaughlin’s Home


“The people of Derry are outraged that another device has been left at the home of another elected representative in Derry.

“The people who are doing this are acting against the clearly expressed wishes of the people of this island. They have set themselves up as the enemies of the people and I join with all of the other people’s representatives in calling on them on them to stop their activities immediately.”