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08/03/2010
US Justice Pleas To UUP
Influential American politicians have urged Northern Ireland's Ulster Unionist Party to endorse the transfer of policing and justice powers from Westminster to Belfast.
The calls came ahead of tomorrow's crucial Stormont vote on the devolution of judiciary responsibilities to a locally elected minister.
Two US Congress committees have made pleas to the UUP to vote in favour of the Hillsborough Castle Agreement, which will cement a new Department of Justice.
The UUP said it objected to the accord whilst education and parading issues remained outstanding. It branded the current Executive "dysfunctional".
Party leader Sir Reg Empey spoke via telephone with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the weekend.
Mrs Clinton, (pictured) who also contacted Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, is believed to have stressed the importance of a UUP-approved deal to Sir Reg.
Meanwhile, the second-largest unionist party was asked to "take a risk for peace", by two Congressional committees.
A statement from Friends of Ireland in the United States House of Representatives and the Ad Hoc Committee on Irish Affairs expressed "deep disappointment" at the UUP's position.
Signatories Richard E Neal, Peter King, Joseph Crowley, Chris Smith and Tim Murphy said a positive Assembly vote on the matter was a "crucial and defining moment in the peace process".
"The people of Northern Ireland on a cross-community basis want to see these important powers transferred now and have confidence that the local power sharing government is working effectively on their behalf," the statement said.
"A no vote by the UUP is a direct rejection of their hopes for peace and stability."
A poll released by the Northern Ireland Office today shows 68% of those surveyed in the province back the installation of a Stormont justice ministry.
Only 14% wished to retain the status quo of a direct rule minister, according to the poll.
The NIO said 1000 people partook in the survey.
Secretary of State Shaun Woodward said the duty placed on Northern Ireland's 108 MLAs tomorrow "cannot be overestimated".
"They will be voting for the hopes and aspirations of future generations who do not want to relive the past," he said.
"It would be unthinkable to falter at this stage.
"And it would be hard to forgive anyone who put all that has been so hard won at risk."
(PR/GK)
The calls came ahead of tomorrow's crucial Stormont vote on the devolution of judiciary responsibilities to a locally elected minister.
Two US Congress committees have made pleas to the UUP to vote in favour of the Hillsborough Castle Agreement, which will cement a new Department of Justice.
The UUP said it objected to the accord whilst education and parading issues remained outstanding. It branded the current Executive "dysfunctional".
Party leader Sir Reg Empey spoke via telephone with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the weekend.
Mrs Clinton, (pictured) who also contacted Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, is believed to have stressed the importance of a UUP-approved deal to Sir Reg.
Meanwhile, the second-largest unionist party was asked to "take a risk for peace", by two Congressional committees.
A statement from Friends of Ireland in the United States House of Representatives and the Ad Hoc Committee on Irish Affairs expressed "deep disappointment" at the UUP's position.
Signatories Richard E Neal, Peter King, Joseph Crowley, Chris Smith and Tim Murphy said a positive Assembly vote on the matter was a "crucial and defining moment in the peace process".
"The people of Northern Ireland on a cross-community basis want to see these important powers transferred now and have confidence that the local power sharing government is working effectively on their behalf," the statement said.
"A no vote by the UUP is a direct rejection of their hopes for peace and stability."
A poll released by the Northern Ireland Office today shows 68% of those surveyed in the province back the installation of a Stormont justice ministry.
Only 14% wished to retain the status quo of a direct rule minister, according to the poll.
The NIO said 1000 people partook in the survey.
Secretary of State Shaun Woodward said the duty placed on Northern Ireland's 108 MLAs tomorrow "cannot be overestimated".
"They will be voting for the hopes and aspirations of future generations who do not want to relive the past," he said.
"It would be unthinkable to falter at this stage.
"And it would be hard to forgive anyone who put all that has been so hard won at risk."
(PR/GK)
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28 November 2003
Final results in for 2003 NI Assembly election
UPDATE: With all counts declared on Friday evening the clear winners are the Rev Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionist Party who have claimed 10 more seats on the Assembly and Sinn Féin who have won 6 seats.
Final results in for 2003 NI Assembly election
UPDATE: With all counts declared on Friday evening the clear winners are the Rev Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionist Party who have claimed 10 more seats on the Assembly and Sinn Féin who have won 6 seats.
09 May 2005
NI council results at present
NI’s elected councillors as of Monday afternoon Carrickfergus: Billy Ashe, Terence Clement, David Hilditch, Patricia McKinney (DUP), Sean Neeson (AP), William Hamilton, Charles Brown (Ind) Newtownabbey: William Ball, Paula Bradley, Nigel Hamilton, Robert Hill, John Mann, Mandy Girvan (DUP), Tom Campbell, Lynn Frazer (AP), Janet Crilly, Ken Robi
NI council results at present
NI’s elected councillors as of Monday afternoon Carrickfergus: Billy Ashe, Terence Clement, David Hilditch, Patricia McKinney (DUP), Sean Neeson (AP), William Hamilton, Charles Brown (Ind) Newtownabbey: William Ball, Paula Bradley, Nigel Hamilton, Robert Hill, John Mann, Mandy Girvan (DUP), Tom Campbell, Lynn Frazer (AP), Janet Crilly, Ken Robi
15 February 2013
John McCallister Quits UUP
The Ulster Unionist Party’s Basil McCrea and deputy leader John McCallister are to resign. The decisions are in protest at the UUP and DUP’s decision to back a joint candidate for the Mid Ulster by-election on 7 March. The seat has become open following the stepping-down of deputy First Minister, Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness.
John McCallister Quits UUP
The Ulster Unionist Party’s Basil McCrea and deputy leader John McCallister are to resign. The decisions are in protest at the UUP and DUP’s decision to back a joint candidate for the Mid Ulster by-election on 7 March. The seat has become open following the stepping-down of deputy First Minister, Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness.
06 August 2015
Call For Free Vote Regarding Same-Sex Marriage
There are reports that two churches in Northern Ireland have called for the region's politicians to be allowed a free vote regarding same-sex marriage. It is understood representatives from both the Catholic church and Presbyterian church have said party whips should be removed on the issue when it is next debated at Stormont.
Call For Free Vote Regarding Same-Sex Marriage
There are reports that two churches in Northern Ireland have called for the region's politicians to be allowed a free vote regarding same-sex marriage. It is understood representatives from both the Catholic church and Presbyterian church have said party whips should be removed on the issue when it is next debated at Stormont.
11 February 2010
Unionist Blasts Woodward's 'Neutrality'
Labour's 'neutrality' towards the Union will bolster the Ulster Unionist-Tory joint ticket at the ballot box, a UUP Assemblyman has claimed. Tom Elliott (pictured) criticised Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward's "neutral broker" status during the Hillsborough negotiations, claiming it could jeopardise the UUP's support for the accord.
Unionist Blasts Woodward's 'Neutrality'
Labour's 'neutrality' towards the Union will bolster the Ulster Unionist-Tory joint ticket at the ballot box, a UUP Assemblyman has claimed. Tom Elliott (pictured) criticised Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward's "neutral broker" status during the Hillsborough negotiations, claiming it could jeopardise the UUP's support for the accord.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
