Ulster Unionist Party MLA, John McCallister, has called on Minister Gildernew to provide aid for farmers who have seen their produce destroyed as a result of the bitter winter weather.

Speaking after visiting affected farmers with party colleagues Jim Nicholson MEP, Tom Elliott MLA and David McClarty MLA, Mr McCallister said:

"The horrendous weather that we experienced throughout a large part of December and into January not only had a terrible effect on our roads but also on the land. Among the worst affected are many potato and vegetable farmers who now find themselves with dramatically depleted amounts of produce. While all of them will struggle to make it through the year, some are in a dire situation where the reality clearly is that unless they receive help from Government officials they simply won't be able to continue with their livelihoods. It is that serious."

"The Minister for Agriculture in the Republic of Ireland recently announced that the Government there would be providing some financial assistance for their farmers who suffered significant losses due to the extreme weather. I am now calling upon Minister Gildernew to introduce a similar scheme here in Northern Ireland. This would provide farmers affected with the financial backing needed to give them the time to re-establish their livelihoods. It would also be viewed very favourably by the wider agricultural community who would be reassured that the Minister continues to watch out for their interests."

"It is a vital component of any efficient government that when an unexpected incident takes place which has a detrimental effect on a number of individuals, the state can respond accordingly. That is why it is important that Minister Gildernew now takes action to address the concerns of the farmers I have met with, and others in a similar situation, who have nowhere else to turn for help."

Ends

The Ulster Unionist Party has today criticised the Minister of Education Caitriona Ruane for failing to secure consensus on the Education Bill describing it as 'confrontational' and potentially leading to the seizure of the entire education system.

During a UUP Assembly debate, UUP MLA John McCallister stressed the serious reservations the UUP had about the Bill's content and general direction.

"We have been raising our serious concerns about the Education Bill since its initial introduction; we were quick to realise that this Bill had the potential to cause deadlock and confrontation. Unfortunately we have been proven right. From the beginning the UUP has been urging all parties to reflect seriously on the practical, democratic and inclusive ramifications that the Bill will have for our entire educational system and for our society"

"I appreciate that other parties are now coming to terms with how potentially damaging the Minister's proposals are, but I am afraid much of the opposition has come too late to avoid the current impasse. Instead of the Minister accepting genuine concerns and reasoned opposition she has pushed ahead with another ideological crusade. We are now stuck in another quagmire of incompetence. The Education Bill is bureaucratic, overly centralising and which will debilitate the ability of schools to manage their own affairs and to get the best educational outcomes for children in Northern Ireland."

"Our education system faces a very uncertain future - people on the streets are utterly confused about what motivates and drives their politicians and they are right to question certain parties' commitment to good Government."

"There is a very real concern that the Minister's proposals will ultimately diminish our education system - it is time that Sinn Fein recognised their failure in this regard and return the Education Bill to its original purpose, which was to streamline and improve educational administration.

ENDS

After a recent visit by Ulster Unionist Party representatives to locals potato farms, UUP MLA, John McCallister, has said that he is "deeply concerned" about the recent plight faced by local crop farmers, due to unprecedented weather conditions over the winter months.

The South Down Assemblyman said:

"Potato farmers in Northern Ireland are facing a very uncertain future as they can't harvest their crops. Between the floods around the country in November and the subsequent freeze in December and early January, local potato farmers have been left frustrated as either water or ice has prevented them from getting potatoes out of the ground, and I am deeply concerned that this will probably result in a loss of millions of pounds to local potato industry."

Mr McCallister was accompanied by UUP party colleagues Jim Nicholson MEP, Danny Kennedy MLA for Newry & Armagh, and George Savage MLA (UUP Spokesman for the Assembly's Agriculture Committee), along with a number of local potato farmers, when they visited the farm of Mr John Patterson, outside Banbridge, to see for themselves the damage caused by recent weather conditions.

Mr McCallister also said:

"My party colleagues and I have been pushing the Agriculture Minister to not delay in getting assessments made on farms, particularly when dealing with potato growers. We want to ensure that Minister Gildernew will also raise with her Executive colleagues the wider issues that may arise, particularly, for example, in processing potato crisps and in getting supply here in Northern Ireland as a matter of urgency."

Speaking after the visit Jim Nicholson MEP said,

"In recent years potato famers have suffered heavily because of adverse weather conditions. I well remember visiting those potato farmers affected by the flooding in the South Down area in the summer of 2008.

"However, the recent cold weather has had a detrimental impact on many of our farmers and I was pleased to have visited one of these farms with some of my UUP Assembly colleague. The damage to the crop is awful and it really is a case of having to see it to believe how bad the damage is. It is a devastating blow to the farmers affected.

"Over the past few months the heavy rain meant that the potato ground was inaccessible for machinery. However, the real damage to the crop was caused by the severe frost over Christmas and the New Year causing extreme financial loss. I have every sympathy with the problems expressed to me on Friday and along with my colleagues in the Assembly will be raising these issues with the Agriculture Minister and in the Assembly's Agriculture Committee." ENDS

Speaking during an Assembly health debate, Ulster Unionist health spokesperson, John McCallister MLA, said that the work of the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) is a "vital component of our health and social care system" and is critical in ensuring public confidence.

"RQIA performs a function that is critical to the safety and the smooth working of hospitals and other establishments. It shows where best practice is delivering results and where we have to work to improve standards.

"Its report shows clearly that the Minister's drive for better standards of cleanliness in hospitals since he took office is bearing fruit. The standard of cleanliness in hospitals is much better today than it was before devolution, and I hope that it will continue to get better.

"While RQIA believe that clinical leadership at ward level is key to moving hygiene standards forward, the proposed changes are not such a major departure from current practice.

"Those who clean our hospital wards do an excellent job, but it is clear that more can be done through a more strategic approach to hygiene. The RQIA believes that that can be achieved by providing an individual with the responsibility and authority to ensure that standards are met and held in each ward of a hospital. That seems to a sensible approach that can be examined going forward."

Ulster Unionist MLA John McCallister has responded to a petty attack on the UUP by the DUP's Alastair Ross saying that they are in no position to lecture over Unionist unity.

"This is a perfect example of how the DUP work - on one hand they call for Unionist Unity and the next minute they send out press releases attacking their Unionist colleagues - not exactly the way to set up a cordial working relationship. I think we all know that it is pretty poor for the DUP to lecture anyone on Unionist Unity considering their party's history. For years they shouted and heckled from the sidelines while the Ulster Unionist Party worked for the better of the people of Northern Ireland - a position they are more than happy to now take. If the DUP were serious about pacts and unionist cooperation then why the non-stop attacks on the UUP, the Conservatives and Sir Reg"

"He talks about Fermanagh South Tyrone and South Belfast. The DUP are usually quick to give history lessons, but here Alastair's memory must be very short indeed. In 2001 the DUP chose to back an independent unionist candidate ; moreover a candidate who had said that he would prefer to see a Sinn Fein MP elected rather than a UUP MP! With this in mind, how could the UUP consider trusting the DUP after attacking us a 'roll over unionists'.

"More to the point - how do we know the DUP are even capable of winning the seat? Given the DUP's loss of votes in the past year or so (47% drop in June) there is no guarantee that an agreed candidate, who happened to be DUP, could actually attract enough unionist votes."

"It is time the DUP stopped attacking their fellow Unionists and got on with sorting out the problems within their own party - we can all see the DUP are in deep trouble at the minute. No agreement on a whole raft of issues, the transfer system in chaos, council boundaries banjaxed and Sinn Fein threatening to collapse it all. What happened to the unionist confidence, the stability and the end of 'crisis-a-day government' which Peter Robinson promised us after St. Andrews? Just because Peter is up to his neck in a mess he has created, he needn't expect the UUP to supply the shovel that helps him out. It is time they stopped their whining and got on with running Government."

Ulster Unionist Party MLA John McCallister has expressed his disappointed with Banbridge District Council's decision to cut back on Rathfriland's Christmas Lights Switch on Celebrations

Speaking after the event Mr McCallister said

"After being contacted by a large number of local constituents regarding the removal of the Annual Marquee facilities, I was extremely disappointed to hear that the Council made this decision without informing our local Council representatives.

"This was a great opportunity for local organisations and charity groups to raise vital funds for good causes within our community, and it brought a lot of people to the town all day."

"Just saying that they cancelled this year's festival, as they didn't want to cause any traffic disruption is not acceptable"

"Rathfriland residents pay their rates just like everyone else in the Banbridge District, and it seems to me that they are forgotten about when it comes to any sort of investment. The Christmas Fair is one of the very few events that brings the people of Rathfriland together, and we were sold short once again"

"I would however urge the residents of Rathfriland and the surrounding area to support the Christmas Fair being held in the Community Centre this Saturday, as it is vital that the community still supports the work of local charitable organisations who depend on this event for essential funds."

South Down MLA John McCallister described the sudden death of Iona McLory as a "great tragedy" and said his thoughts and prayers were with his family.

The UUP Assemblyman said:

"I was shocked and saddened after I heard about the sudden passing of Iona McClory, who sadly died following a car crash in Co Londonderry at the weekend."

"This is another tragic death on our roads in recent weeks. Local people have been left shocked and saddened that a young lady, in the prime of her life, has been taken is such dreadful circumstances.

"This is a great tragedy for Iona's family and friends, and I would like to convey my sincere condolences to the McClory family. They are all in my thoughts and prayers at this extremely sad time."

Ulster Unionist MLA John McCallister has said that a report published in Scotland today addressing literacy and numeracy abilities has highlighted the fact that abolishing academic selection in Northern Ireland will not prevent educational underachievement.

The report by a Commission set up to tackle literacy problems in schools found that almost one in five Scots has difficulty with reading and writing.

Commenting on the issue, John McCallister who sits on the Assembly Education Committee said; "Scotland has had a fully comprehensive system for four decades and yet 1 in 5 adult Scots have difficulty reading and writing. Today's report by the Literacy Commission demonstrates that educational underachievement will simply not be addressed by abolishing academic selection. Therefore the Education Minister's ideological crusade is meaningless."

"Like Scotland, we in Northern Ireland also face common social and cultural problems regarding literacy. The reality is that many young people leave school at the age of 16 without basic literacy or numeracy skills. This is something that our Party Leader, Minister for Employment and Learning Sir Reg Empey is doing through DEL's adult literacy programmes. These are on course to meet PFG targets giving adults essential skills qualifications."

"But it should not be allowed to deteriorate to that level. It is for this reason that the UUP has repeated stated that we need to take the focus away from age 11. We need to invest in early years education - this is the key to giving all children educational opportunities that will last."

Speaking on Word Aids Day, UUP Health Spokesperson John McCallister has praised the work of Northern Ireland's international development organisations and charities and called for a continued commitment to the UN Millennium Development Goal to combat HIV/Aids.

"Despite the progress made in recent decades, the devastating consequences of HIV/Aids remain with us. Across the globe, 2.1 million children are living with HIV. Of the 2 million people who died of Aids in 2008, 1 in 7 were children. The transmission of Aids from pregnant mothers to children has also increased infant mortality in the developing world.

"None of this is inevitable. With proper health care and access to medication, the life expectancy of children and adults with HIV/Aids can be significantly increased. In light of this, it is crucial that the international community remains focussed on the UN Millennium Development Goal to combat HIV/Aids.

"I want to acknowledge the fantastic work done by Northern Ireland's international development organisations and charities in providing health care for those with HIV, challenging stigma, promoting HIV prevention and caring for the families deprived of economic security as a consequence of HIV/Aids. Their work offers real hope to families and communities across the globe and is a testimony to the commitment of the people of Northern Ireland to justice for children, women and men in the developing world.

"It is important that the UK's international aid budget is - as David Cameron has pledged - ring-fenced in the next Parliament, so that vital support to combat HIV/Aids in developing nations continues. We all share a responsibility to ensure that developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, receive the support necessary to rebuild their societies devastated by HIV/Aids".

Ulster Unionist Party MLA, John McCallister has welcomed the news that the price of milk has risen once again for the forth month in a row. He was speaking after figures released by United Dairy Farmers showed a price rise from 23.90ppl at last months auction to a price of 28.29ppl this month, an increase of 4.39ppl.

Speaking about the recent reports, the South Down UUP MLA said:

"As a dairy farmer myself, I must admit, the news that milk prices are continuing to rise is music to the ears of dairy farmer's right across Northern Ireland. Every increase, no matter how big or small, helps to decrease the immense pressure that the industry has been facing, and means that farmers see their profit margins grow. This is very good news at any time of the year, but it is particularly welcome as we enter the winter period when all household bills go up due to the need for increased heating, lighting and other such necessities."

He concluded by saying:

"There is no doubt that the continuing rise in price is helping to restore confidence on the ground. Dairy farmers are continuing to remain vigilant, and rightly so, but this news once again demonstrates that we are moving in the right direction and we should take hope from that."

Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke (NICHS) and British Heart Foundation (BHF) Northern Ireland have teamed up to campaign for wider access to cardiac rehabilitation - a life-saving programme which will help save the NHS money.

Local UUP MLA, John McCallister attended the launch of the first ever Northern Ireland Campaign for Cardiac Rehabilitation in Parliament Buildings on last week. Speaking about the campaign, John McCallister stated "This is a cause that I feel very strongly about. I could safely say that there not many families in Northern Ireland who aren't affected by Heart Disease, and it is imperative that we up our game in trying to tackle serious health issues like this."

He stated "I would encourage everyone in South Down to support the Northern Ireland Campaign for Cardiac Rehabilitation as cardiac rehabilitation can save lives. It is proven to reduce deaths from heart disease by 27% at two to five years."

Both charities are calling for every heart patient who would benefit from this important service to be offered access to a high quality cardiac rehabilitation programme by the end of 2011. The campaign follows BHF research that found over two-thirds of Northern Ireland heart patients who had a heart attack, an angioplasty or a heart bypass failed to receive this important support programme in 2007-08.

Peter Hollins, BHF Chief Executive said "It is unacceptable that heart patients are not being given the support they need in order to understand their condition and regain a high quality of life again."

"Recovery for heart patients isn't over once discharged from hospital. It is about patients receiving the ongoing support and care needed to make the necessary changes to their life and get back on their feet again."

Andrew Dougal, NICHS Chief Executive said: "Cardiac rehabilitation is significantly more cost effective than in-patient hospital procedures and can cut unplanned hospital readmissions by up to 30%. Cardiac rehabilitation costs around £600 per patient, this compares to bypass surgery which can cost up to £14,000."

"Millions of pounds are spent each year on cardiac surgery. This campaign is asking that some of that money is spent on this vital life-saving support services. This will ultimately save the NHS valuable resources.

Not only does the campaign aim to address the failure to make referral to cardiac rehabilitation programmes a routine part of treatment for heart attack, angioplasty or coronary bypass patients, but it also calls for other heart conditions such as heart failure, angina and acute coronary syndrome to also have access to this invaluable service.

Additionally, the campaign will work towards addressing the inequalities in access to the service by under-represented groups such as women, ethnic minorities and those in deprived or remote communities.

For more information about the campaign and how to get involved please visit; www.bhf.org.uk or www.nichsa.com

John McCallister Ulster Unionist MLA for South Down has outlined his belief that in light of the DUP's u-turn on spending cuts they can no longer be trusted with Northern Ireland's finances, or in general.

In a statement Mr. McCallister said:

"The management of the Northern Ireland's public finances is one of the most important jobs in the Executive. It requires honesty, forward planning and an ability to foster a coordinated approach in the Executive. These three qualities have, I am afraid, been sorely lacking within the DUP.

"We have had three DUP Finance Minister's of startlingly similar incompetence; Peter Robinson created much of our current difficulties by constructing a budget predicated on speculation and risk; basing many of his decisions on Labour Party style recklessness".

"Nigel Dodds pointedly denied that there was a problem at all, only to jump ship before it all got too difficult. And now we have Sammy Wilson who started off in denial but who is now doing too little too late. He still refuses to come clean with the public on the full extent of the problems".

"The DUP can no longer be trusted on this or any issue. Only weeks ago when I raised existence of a black hole and the inevitability of cuts in the Assembly, Simon Hamilton a DUP member of the Finance and Personnel Committee stated: "There is a ludicrous element to this argument"… he went on to say that his Party "will not surrender in any way to some inevitability of cuts".

"Our current budgetary problems are home-made and in many respects they are DUP made, and they are going to have serious ramifications across Northern Ireland. We now need honesty and leadership from the DUP; however, I am afraid that what we will get is more of the same.

"Simon Hamilton and his DUP colleagues have either been utterly disingenuous with the people of Northern Ireland or completely incompetent. Either way they should no longer be trusted.

Ends

Ulster Unionist Party MLA John McCallister, concerned that "every week thousands of people over 60 in Northern Ireland miss out on their share of unclaimed benefits", has urged older people to visit the Access to Benefits website and find out what you may be entitled to receive.

"The A2B website is an invaluable tool for working out what people should be getting, in terms of benefits. If you aren't computer literate, I'm delighted to announce that the Members of Staff in my UUP Constituency office are now fully trained on how to use the service for members of the public.

"It is a very simple process that could make a world of difference to the lives of thousands of pensioners. At least £50 million per year goes unclaimed by over 60s in Pension Credit alone in Northern Ireland," the South Down Assemblyman cautioned.

"This is an innovative not-for-profit service which works by asking you to answer a series of simple and anonymous questions, which will allow the website to calculate what you're entitled to receive.

"One of the major barriers to benefit uptake for older people is the sheer size and complexity of the benefits system. However, there is also the issue of stigma. I would emphasise to all over 60s that, having worked all your life and contributed to the 'pot', the uptake of benefits is a right - not a matter of charity.

"In light of the current financial crisis and the sharp increases in electricity and fuel costs the pressures on people who are threatened by poverty is brought into sharp focus. Fuel poverty is a much greater problem in Northern Ireland than in the rest of the United Kingdom with 24 per cent of households unable to heat their homes to an adequate standard. That is why Access to Benefits is so important.

"Ensuring that older people, within South Down and beyond, gain access to their full entitlements may be crucial this winter. The A2B site provides details of organisations which deliver benefits and provide advice and information about benefits and it contains links to claim forms on other websites. The benefit calculation is completely anonymous and all data is held securely.

Mr McCallister concluded by saying "For more details and guidance on how to calculate your entitlement, please do not hesitate to contact the UUP Advice Centre, 19 Causeway Road, Newcastle, Co Down, BT33 0DL - Tel: (028) 4372 4400 / 07720 429302 or visit the A2B website -www.a2b.org.uk."

ENDS…

Ulster Unionist Party MLA John McCallister has said that he was shocked and saddened at the latest job losses in Cunningham Stone, Kilkeel.

Commenting on the News the South Down Assemblyman said:

"This is just another disappointing news story to hit the employment headlines in recent months, and the Mourne area has certainly seen its fair share in severe job losses."

"I was certainly shocked to hear this latest announcement. My heart goes out to all those who have been affected by these latest redundancies in Cunningham Stone, and indeed all those other local employees from companies who have had to make drastic cutbacks."

"The economic recession is still biting hard in Northern Ireland, and the South Down area in particular seems to be paying the human cost of the worst economic trading conditions since the 1930s.

"Unfortunately the local effects of the recession will only begin to ease once the world economy recovers, and whilst there are some encouraging signs at a global level, it will inevitably take some time before Northern Ireland feels the benefit of a recovery."

Mr McCallister concluded by saying

"Cunningham Stone has been involved in a series of large restoration projects in recent years and was a very successful business. It saddens me to hear week after week that, once such strong companies like this, have to suffer in such a terrible way."

ENDS

Ulster Unionist South Down MLA John McCallister has called for a "resolution to the current transfer impasse - teachers, parents and children across the entire education system deserve no less".

"We need to achieve a sustainable solution that is in the genuine interests of children. An interim measure is no good.

"We have a unique form of government in Northern Ireland that requires four parties, with often widely different political views, to work closely together to create solutions that they all can live with. However, shamefully, the post-primary transfer can be considered as the current Executive's signature project of failure," the South Down MLA said.

"In ignoring the four other parties in the Assembly, the Minister flies in the face of power sharing, of a shared future - this is not the equality that the Minister for Education so often refers to as her bottom line. However, the consequences of her actions are much more far reaching than merely ignoring her fellow politicians.

"Children, parents and teachers, across Northern Ireland, are preparing themselves for a very uncertain, chaotic and potentially damaging year. Some 10 and 11 year olds are facing multiple transfer tests to determine their future. No one is quite sure how the unregulated system will pan out. But it is clear that the current situation is in nobody's best interests.

"There is a definite pattern in the Minister for Education's policies. As the majority of educationalists are moving towards a demand-led education system, that takes into consideration the different needs, abilities and beliefs of children, parents and teachers, the Minister for Education is moving us in the opposite direction - to a one size fits all, centrally controlled and overly bureaucratic education system that does not reflect the world that we live in either economically or socially."

END

Ulster Unionist MLA John McCallister has questioned both the DUP and Sinn Fein over their views on Policing and Justice. Commenting following the release of a UUP economy document the South Down MLA said;

"It would appear that the DUP and Sinn Fein have totally different views on the UUP's role in the devolution of P & J. Arlene Foster has said it requires UUP support. Alex. Maskey has said it doesn't require the UUP. Perhaps Arlene would like to confirm which view the UUP should listen to?

"As for Sinn Fein - Nothing sums up the arrogance and anti-democratic tendencies of Sinn Fein more than Mr. Maskey's assertion that 'this process is moving ahead with or without the UUP'!

"The Belfast/St Andrews Agreements are not just the property of Sinn Fein and the DUP. The Executive Committee is not just a steam-roller for Sinn Fein and the DUP. And Policing and Justice cannot be devolved until (as the AERC paper of November 2008 says) there is 'confidence and cross community buy-in."

"Policing and justice powers can only be devolved when there is community confidence to support the move. This includes the support of David McNarry's party. Peter Robinson has already indicated that justice powers cannot be devolved in the absence of support from one or two parties at Stormont.

(Arlene Foster DUP)

"As it stands, an agreement on the process to deliver policing and justice powers is in place. Key stages in that process have been implemented, including the AERC report and legislation passing through the Executive and onto the Assembly. The British government have committed to bringing forward the detail of the financial package in early September. This process is moving ahead, like many other things, with or without David McNarry and the UUP.

(Alex Maskey Sinn Fein)

Ulster Unionist MLA John McCallister, joined by Jim Nicholson MEP and Shadow Environment Minister Richard Benyon, today hosted a fishing conference at Parliament Buildings.

Issues discussed included marine conservation zones and the future of fishing quota, fish and oil prices, quota and rules driven discards, light dues, fuel duty and other industry support measures.

"This was an excellent opportunity for the Ulster Unionist Party, in partnership with the future Conservative government, to examine the issues affecting fishing in Northern Ireland," John McCallister MLA, conference chair, said.

"It is time fishing was brought higher up the agenda - for too long it has been ignored and treated as the 'poor relation' by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD).

"There are big issues coming up, such as the December Fishing Round, the Marine and Coastal Bill and indeed fishing incomes - now is the time to act.

"Today's conference offered an ideal opportunity to bring Richard Benyon MPs attention to a range of local, regional and port issues, with the support of our MEP Jim Nicholson."

Conservative and Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson said that he has for too long witnessed the damage caused to Northern Ireland's fishing industry by the Common Fisheries Policy and in particular the decisions made about quotas in the Irish Sea.

"It seems that this once thriving industry is constantly under threat from European policies and Government inaction.

"The Common Fisheries Policy has completely failed to meet either its environmental or its economic objectives. It has failed to develop a sustainable fishing industry, jobs have been lost and livelihoods affected. It has failed to address poor compliance and uneven enforcement amongst Member States, and failed to address the dwindling fish stocks and unacceptable practice of fish discards.

"Once again I am standing side-by-side with my Conservative colleagues, offering a commitment to drive forward plans to reform the Common Fisheries Policy. The next major review of the Common Fisheries Policy will take place before 2012, and we will work together in Westminster and in Brussels to drive forward the change and reform that is required."

Shadow Environment Minister Richard Benyon commented; "Today's meeting has been extremely useful and I am most grateful to my new colleagues in Northern Ireland for organising it. In meeting with the local political representatives along with industry leaders we have been able to discuss the relevant issues bringing policy together for the coming election."

Ulster Unionist Party Councillor for Newry & Mourne, Issac Hanna has echoed the concerns expressed by the Police Federation about the PSNI's ability to take on dissident republicanism.

"It is inevitable, given the impact of continuing cutbacks, that the PSNI is considered to be 'dangerously under-resourced' in the face of dissident attacks. It sometimes feels as though our much valued police service is being torn asunder from within, leaving officers extremely vulnerable.

"While we believe ourselves to be living in a time of peace - a position the vast majority cherishes - there are those who would seek to tear this country apart," cllr Hanna said.

"While the burden ultimately rests with the PSNI, it is incumbent on members of the community to act responsibly and co-operate in weeding out troublesome elements. A 'hear no evil, see no evil' policy amounts to tacit acceptance of criminal behaviour. We all have a role to play in supporting the forces of law and order.

"The security situation in Northern Ireland is deteriorating by the day, and cuts and efficiencies are being made at the risk of exposing our officers to even greater danger.

"The fact that at least 420 'viable devices' have reportedly been found in 750 dissident security alerts over the last two years demonstrates the severity of this situation.

"The officers on the front line need the appropriate resources to ensure that their service is meeting community needs. It's all very well slimming down costs, but it seems that we're looking a situation where the PSNI will ultimately cease being fit for purpose," the UUP councillor cautioned.

"We are well aware of the financial climate and budgetary pressures affecting all our public services, but that does not change the need for the PSNI to have the necessary resources to tackle the pressures of day-to-day policing, coupled with Northern Ireland's particular issues around dissident activity and civil disorder.

"Government must step up to the plate - if the budget doesn't allow for the required level of policing, then the budget must be looked at again.

"While Operation Descent is of course to be warmly welcomed, but it is just one step on a long road to crippling the dissident movement.

"The closure of stations and decision to axe the Full Time Reserve in this context beggars belief. While I understand the need to cut costs, this is likely to correspond with lost lives, and that is something we cannot stomach."

Ulster Unionist MLA John McCallister has welcomed the success of the Assembly Road Show which made a stop in South Belfast this week.

As the second round of the road shows took to the roads, the UUP MLA for South Down commented; "So far the Ulster Unionist Party has contributed to each Assembly road show and considers them to have an important role in maintaining contact between the Assembly as an institution and the voting public. There was a good response from those who attended and extensive questions were asked particularly on the bread and butter issues."

"Constituents took the opportunity to interact with their political representatives and asked the questions which really matter to them. The mess of our education system was one issue which kept popping up with local people stating that they felt the Assembly had failed them. The issue with student accommodation and the associated social consequences of students living in the Holylands area of the city was also addressed."

"I would like to thank those who contributed to the debate on the night and I hope that I was able to answer any questions which they may have had about the position of the Ulster Unionist Party.

Ulster Unionist MLA for South Down, John McCallister, has expressed his horror at an attack on a woman in her 70s during a burglary in Castlewellan.

"At what point did the elderly - a valued section of our community, deserving of our support and protection - become 'easy pickings' for thugs? There is something very lacking in the spineless thieves who would abuse an elderly woman for the sake of a few pounds.

"I cannot understand the mindset of someone who is capable of dragging an elderly woman out of her home and into the road. It is disgusting that any amount of money could be seen to merit such treatment.

"There is something very wrong with the people involved in this attack, and indeed in a similar incident in Blackwatertown, County Armagh. It is simply inhuman and remorseless, and shows no respect or compassion for those who will have to live with the memory of these attacks."

UUP Assembly Member John McCallister has responded to concerns that frontline ambulance cover in Northern Ireland may be reduced.

In a statement Mr McCallister, who is a member of the Health Committee said: "These proposals, and they are just proposals, have been made as a direct result of efficiency savings being foisted upon the Health Service by all parties at the Executive table, including the DUP and Sinn Fein.

"Unfortunately some politicians have been quick to react to this news yet they fail to remember that they voted for the efficiency savings. Indeed some politicians stood on the steps of Stormont and made promises to the trade unions that they would work to exempt health from the efficiency savings process. However when the Ulster Unionist party tabled an amendment demanding that health be exempt from efficiency savings it was the DUP, Sinn Fein and the SDLP who voted against the proposal. Therefore the comments from some politicians today smack of hypocrisy and political opportunism.

"The Minister has acknowledged that there has been a high level of public concern in relation to efficiency proposals and in particular around emergency cover in rural areas. The proposals will now come to the Health Minister for consideration and I know that he will wish to examine them carefully. It should not be forgotten that any savings derived from the service will be ploughed back into front line services".

Marking the beginning of school holidays, Ulster Unionist Party health spokesperson John McCallister has urged parents to take extra special care of their children's skin this year as we enter what is predicted to be an unusually warm summer.

"In Northern Ireland we really aren't used to high temperatures and the dangers that come with strong sunshine. We have a tendency to enjoy it without thinking of the consequences.

"Although we should of course get the most out of our summer, people really do need to take extra precautions when out and about, particularly with babies and young children," the South Down MLA said.

"The obvious worry is sunburn - painful, dangerous and can accelerate the ageing process - but it's still something that we get caught out with each and every year. Keep applying sunscreen every two hours, especially if it's been exposed to water, as it will lose its effectiveness.

"If you do want to sunbathe, only do it for short periods and if you're feeling off colour, move indoors. The best option, though not so popular, is of course to stay under an umbrella or a seat in the shade.

"Although it's not something we tend to have to think about, dehydration, heat stroke and exhaustion can also be a worrying side-effect of holiday fun. Keep sipping water - or non carbonated soft drinks - throughout the day, eat cold foods like salad and fruit and generally just be sensible."

South Down MLA John McCallister described the sudden death of John McMullan as a "great tragedy" and said his thoughts and prayers were with his family.

The UUP Assemblyman said:

"This is another tragic death on our rural roads in recent months. Local people have been left shocked and saddened that a young man in the prime of his life has been taken is such dreadful circumstances.

"This is a great tragedy for John's family and friends, and I would like to convey my sincere condolences to the McMullan family. They are all in my thoughts and prayers at this extremely sad time."

Speaking about the Road on which the accident happened, Mr McCallister said

"We really need to look and see what needs to be done to that part of the Banbridge Road as there are a number of quite sharp bends. I will be contacting the Roads Service as a matter of urgency to see what can be done to improve road safety in that area."

John McCallister Ulster Unionist MLA for South Down has criticised the DUP for their handling of Northern Ireland's budget and their inconsistency in the broader public finance debate going on across the United Kingdom.

In a statement Mr. McCallister said:

"Gordon Brown's economic strategy has had a hugely damaging impact on the UK's public sector, private sector and personal finances. That strategy, combined with the ongoing consequences of a worldwide recession, means that any UK government, be it Labour or Conservative, has some very difficult decisions to make over the next few years.

It would be both dishonest and fundamentally absurd for anyone to pretend that we can spend our way or borrow or way out of the present crisis; let alone argue that spending can remain untouched or completely ring-fenced.

The DUP says that the next Conservative government will be a government of swingeing cuts: and in precisely the same way that they tried to scare voters to vote for them to stop Sinn Fein topping the poll, they are now trying to scare voters into not voting for 'Conservatives and Unionists' in the general election because of threatened cuts.

Perhaps the DUP could explain the basis for their scare tactics and produce the evidence of the 'cuts' they insist will be implemented.

Anyway what is the DUP offering as an alternative? What financial strategy do they have for maintaining spending at its present levels while coping with a continuing economic downturn and a requirement to pay back the huge sums borrowed by Labour in the past couple of years?

Does the DUP really believe that attacking Conservatives now will make it easier to influence a Conservative government in the future?

Also, didn't the DUP vote for a motion last week to bring down Brown's government?

A change from the time they kept it in power during the 42 Day detention debate! If they are going to keep attacking the Conservatives then the very least we can expect is some sort of consistency in their attitude to Labour.

And in their determination to attack Conservative proposals the DUP failed to notice the small print of the Chancellor's budget speech. He indicated cuts amounting to 7% when debt charges are taken into account. He also indicated that after 2013 capital spending would drop from 3.1% of GDP (gross domestic product) to 1.3% of GDP.

The Conservatives have promised to safeguard key services: As George Osborne, Shadow Chancellor, wrote yesterday in Times:

"We have used the past four years to change our party and affirm our commitment to the values of our public services. We protect health spending because our priority is the NHS. We protect overseas aid spending because of our moral commitment to the poorest and the millennium goals we promised them."

"Those public service values will guide the way we tackle the debt crisis. The work we have done on reform is all about improving the quality and choice of frontline services and the professional freedom of those who work in them."

The DUP may think there is some merit or PR advantage in attacking the Conservatives for what they might do---but the truth of the matter is that the DUP hasn't put forward one single, credible, deliverable policy for sorting out the mountain of debt inherited from Labour.

People are not stupid. Every single one of us is aware of the economic mess we have at the moment. Every single one of us has had to tighten belts, restructure spending and make our own individual cuts.

What they want now is a government with a clear set of policies for clearing up the mess. DUP soundbites and cheap attacks only highlight their absolute lack of answers and solutions.

George Osborne again:

"Perhaps the most important lesson from around the world is that if you talk honestly to the public about the spending decisions that need to be taken, they will respect and support you. It is time for the Conservatives to have that conversation with the British people."

The Ulster Unionist Party supports that approach to problem solving. And rather than attacking a future Conservative government we will seek to work directly with George Osborne and his team and make sure that we have an input into policy.

The DUP may be content to attack today, then queue up to lobby a Conservative Chancellor in a few months time: but the UUP believes in making the case for Northern Ireland today, sitting at policy meetings in the run-up to the General Election and then assisting the new Chancellor to implement sound economic policies for Northern Ireland. .

Given the growing size of the UK 's debt, and whether we like it or not, real cuts in spending are required. The Conservatives have had the courage to say that. But they have also promised to protect the NHS and other public services.

Sometimes in politics you have a duty to indicate the nature and scale of the hard decisions that will need to be taken.

The DUP, like Gordon Brown, prefers to bypass the tough decisions and then lash out at everyone else.

Given what is happening to the UK economy it would be irresponsible to do nothing. And it would be equally irresponsible to do anything sudden or precipitous. The long term goal of 'Conservatives and Unionists' is to steer Northern Ireland towards the status of an enterprise zone---encouraging the private sector and lessening our reliance on the public sector.

Our two great parties, working together as 'Conservatives and Unionists' will work together to produce and deliver Northern Ireland-friendly policies for the difficult years ahead. What, precisely, is the DUP offering?

Aided by South Down MLA John McCallister, the Ulster Unionist Party stormed to a 1,2,3 victory once again in Monday's NI Assembly Cycle Race at Parliament Buildings!

Organised by Travelwise NI as part of Bike Week (13-21 June 2009), Monday's event saw the South Down Assemblyman - and party colleagues Roy Beggs and Basil McCrea - show the opposition a clean pair of wheels in an effort to promote the benefits of cycling.

"Having left other unionists trailing in our wake twice in a matter of days, it's clear that the Ulster Unionist Party is fighting fit and ready for all challenges," Mr McCallister said.

"I was delighted to take part in the hotly contested race, and cannot emphasise enough the health and environmental benefits of taking a bike to work, to school, or even on a leisurely spin at the weekend.

"We could all benefit from more exercise, and anything that gets people out and about is to be welcomed. If you can slot in some cardiovascular activity as you make your way to work, school, or even on a trip to the shops, then so much the better.

"Given that some 25 per cent of car journeys are less than 3km, clearly there is the potential to put on your trainers, hop on your bike, and put the environment and your health first."

Ulster Unionist Party health spokesperson John McCallister has welcomed the Health Minister's commitment to tackling swine flu.

"I welcome the minister's continued communication with Members on the swine flu issue. We are reaping the rewards of having robust and well-rehearsed plans.

"It has become clear that, in dealing with swine flu, we are in it for the long haul. I see two big challenges in that. First, the population can become complacent about some of the messages - we must keep reiterating and reinforcing those messages as we move forward so that people do not think that the pandemic is over. Secondly, finance is an issue. We must recognise the financial burden which is being placed on the Health Service as the pandemic continues into the summer and autumn.

"As the Minister said, costly as swine flu may be, if the situation becomes serious that bill will be well worth paying."

Ulster Unionist MLA John McCallister has "broadly welcomed" NI Water's Guilty Plea regarding Rathfriland Wastewater Treatment Works Incident.

Speaking after the outcome Mr McCallister said

"I broadly welcome NI Water's acknowledgement that they were responsible for this pollution incident of the Clanrye River. Luckily no fish or wildlife were harmed as a result of this, and I am glad to hear that NI Water are taking all the necessary steps to avoid a recurrence."