Castlederg Councillor says people need to see benefits of DUP - Conservative deal

by Gráinne Connolly

Ulster Unionist Councillor, Alderman Derek Hussey has said that people need to see the benefits of the Conservative - DUP deal sooner rather than later. 

He says: 

"No matter what concerns some may have in regard to the Conservative/DUP deal that will see the DUP supporting Prime Minister May's Government, there can not be too many who do not welcome extra spending in Northern Ireland. 

"Whether it be funding for infrastructure projects or increased spending in other areas such as mental health and building a sustainable health service together with other issues being addressed. 

"I have no hesitations in welcoming such financial intervention on matters that have long been priorities for the Ulster Unionist Party. 

The Ulster Unionist Group Leader on Derry City and Strabane District Council went on to say that his motion introduced in regards to the council endorsing an Armed Forces Covenant, was turned down by nationalist councillors. 

"This was in spite and such a Covenant being existent throughout the rest of the United Kingdom and indeed already endorsed by several councils in Northern Ireland. 

"This move introduced discrimination of our local veterans compared to their colleagues' provision elsewhere."

Councillor Hussey also said that delivery mechanisms need to be put in place to support veterans. 
 

In terms of the funding that could come from the DUP - Conservative deal, he says it needs to be used to benefit the entire population: 

"Previous Executives were characterised as not being able to spend government money within appropriate timeframes, for example funding for Childcare provision.

"We urge that this will not be the case again. If we are getting a financial boost then our people must feel the benefits of it as soon as possible.

“As for those who pontificate about respect, where is the respect for the people waiting for hospital appointments; where is the respect for the victims of historical institutional abuse; and where is the respect for school pupils returning to education in September with doubts hanging over how their schools will be funded.

"Ideology should not be allowed to trump the rights of the most vulnerable in our society.”

Councillor Derek Hussey concluded in adding that effective management of the funding will be crucical to ensure the money is spent in a "timely manner and that the public can have confidence of how it's being distributed."

"We need locally accountable Ministers in place to make best use of the provisions and opportunities within the Conservative-DUP deal. 

"However, it now seems to be Sinn Fein who are causing a blockage in much needed moneys beginning to flow to our hard-pressed Health and Education services together with many infrastructural projects languishing on Departmental shelves that could be providing employment across our entire community.

"Sinn Fein have seen the detail of the Conservative-DUP deal and now need to knuckle down to agreement with their DUP counterparts for the way forward within our own Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive Government. 

"Repetitive 'deadlines' need to be jettisoned so that locally elected representatives can get on with what they are getting paid for - Governing Northern Ireland!"