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."
Thursday, 17 December 2009
Tuesday, 29 September 2009
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.”
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.”
Monday, 14 September 2009
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."
"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/
“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/
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
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.”
“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.”
Friday, 31 July 2009
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
