Published by Peter Armstrong on Thursday 20th November 2008
Caitríona Ruane: Time to Resign
Dominic Bradley MLA has asked the Minister for Education for a breakdown of the backlog of maintenance work to be carried out on schools.
The response from the Minister contains a list of hundreds of schools owed large amounts of money - £217 million in total and many schools are owed several millions pounds each. This money is meant to be available to help improve nurseries, primary and secondary schools but the Minister isn’t providing the funding when it’s due.
It’s another gigantic blunder by the Minister. Here are some schools owed money:
Sydenham Primary £1,603,325
St Anne’s PS £1,954,862
Holy Trinity PS £1,226,056
Belfast Girls’ Model £3,586,395
Belmont House Special £1,055,871
Dominic Bradley MLA has said this means “many children are being taught in substandard classrooms. This shortfall is putting the health and safety of children at serious risk. There are serious questions to be answered like just how long have the Minister and her officials been aware of this? How long will the Minister allow this situation to continue? And what exactly are the implications for the pupils in our schools?”
Published by Peter Armstrong on Thursday 13th November 2008
Albans Close Shave by Pudsey
Well done to SDLP North Belfast MLA who today had his moustache shaved off for BBC Children in Need. Donations are still welcome - by calling Catherine on 028 9052 1319.
Published by Peter Armstrong on Tuesday 11th November 2008
Alban without Moustache (courteousy of Photoshop)
Exclusive (to my knowledge)
With Children in Need fast approaching the Chair of the SDLP Assembly Group, Alban Maginness MLA, has agreed, with a little persuasion, to shave off his moustache in the name of charity. This decision has not been taken lightly by the esteemed member – the moustache has been an integral and longstanding part of Mr Maginness’s makeup.
Alban hopes to hold a shaving ceremony on Thursday of this week and photographic evidence of this particular piece of decommissioning will be provided! Speaking today Alban said:
“This is a decision I have not taken lightly. My moustache has been a close friend to me over the years, through good times and bad, through thick and thinning! It was present at the birth of my children and during many election campaigns walking the streets of North Belfast. The thought of being without it, for even a short while, fills me with both fear and trepidation.
On a serious note though, the moustache can grow back, I may even prefer life without it, but through the small efforts of many fundraisers throughout the North every year, Children in Need provides hope for many of the most needy and most overlooked sections of our society.
The truth is that we all can make a difference, however small. We can all work alone or with others to, to draw attention to the event, raise funds for Children in Need, and take part in the knowledge that we are taking part in something bigger. My moustache may have been a major part of my life, but it is only one small story among thousands that are told every year when raising money for Children in Need.”
SDLP Youth and Young Unionists joined forces today to host a Schools Debate in the Senate Chamber at Parliament Buildings, Stormont.
The day was organised in conjunction with the NI Assembly’s Education Service.
Peter Armstrong, Chair of SDLP Youth said: “We were delighted to co-host the Schools Debate 2008. The event brought together young people from schools across the north to the Senate Chamber at Parliament Buildings for a cross-community debate on local and international politics.
“This was a very worth-while event as our aim was to bring more young people to the seat of local government.”
Alisdair O’Hara Organiser for the Young Unionists said: “I am extremely pleased with today’s event. It highlights that some political parties can still work together. In this instance we were able to bring sixth formers from various schools across Northern Ireland to debate some of the most relevant local and international issues.
“Engaging young people in politics is extremely important and being able to host this debate at Stormont was very significant”.
Published by Peter Armstrong on Thursday 6th November 2008
Fantastic news. Historical significance. A victory for Civil Rights. A ‘Cooler’ America.
Many didn’t have faith in America to elect such an outstanding candidate. We all thought they’d pick the idiot. Of course, Americans shouldn’t blame us for thinking this - as they previously elected Bush & Cheney (in 2000 and 2004!).
Certainly, if the world could vote, 87.3% would have voted for Barack Obama - a majority voting for Obama in every country and terrority (except FYR Macedonia & Albania where people voted for McCain - not sure what’s going on there..).
This is how our politicians summed it up:
The decisiveness of his triumph and the hope which it heralds is in contrast to the divisiveness of previous elections. His election is a sign of positive progress, not just in the United States but in terms of international leadership. Mark Durkan MP MLA, SDLP Leader
I congratulate President-elect Barack Obama and Vice-President-elect Joe Biden, not only because they have Irish roots, not only because they are pledged to continue to support our own peace process, but because what they have done is historic by any standard. We have reached a turning point in international affairs and I believe we can all be more optimistic this morning. Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP MLA, SDLP Deputy Leader
Today, I’m sure many Americans wish they had our system, where Obama would win on 4th November and be inaugurated on 5th November. Nevertheless, even if we have to wait until January for Inauguration Day, the next 4 years and hopefully the next 8 years should be a lot brighter than the previous 8 years under Bush. America is in troubled economic times, but it has a lot to look forward to.
President Obama has been left a huge amount of work by his predecessor, but we believe he can make huge changes to the US and the world. He recognises the importance of civil rights in America, he recognises that climate change exists, and he has plans to withdraw from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Avaaz have set up a “Goodbye Bush, Hello Obama” message board. Well, more a message wall - if you sign up on their website, they will display your message on a giant wall in Washington DC.
Dear President Obama:
As citizens across the world, we congratulate you on your election, and celebrate your campaign commitments to sign a strong new global treaty on climate change, close Guantanamo prison and end torture, withdraw carefully from Iraq, and double aid to fight poverty. No one country or leader can meet the world’s most pressing challenges alone, but working together as one world in a spirit of dialogue and cooperation, yes we can bring real and lasting change.
We also have to recognise the hard work on the Republican side *cough*. They sure kept us entertained.
Via Niall’s blog, two prankster DJ’s from CKY Radio in Montréal phone up Governor Sarah Palin (before the election) who believes that she is talking to French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Published by Peter Armstrong on Monday 3rd November 2008
Press Diary Notice
Monday 10th November 2008
Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings
The Schools Debate will take place on 10th November 2008 in the Senate Chamber at Parliament Buildings. The event is being organised by SDLP Youth (youth group of the Social Democratic and Labour Party) and the Young Unionists (youth group of the Ulster Unionist Party).
We are planning the day in conjunction with the NI Assembly’s Education Service. It is a cross-community event and use of the Senate Chamber has been granted by the Speaker of the NI Assembly.
Peter Armstrong, Chair of SDLP Youth said: “We are delighted to co-host the Schools Debate 2008. The event will bring young people from schools across the north to the Senate Chamber at Parliament Buildings for a cross-community debate on local and international politics.
“There will be four debating sessions chaired by SDLP and Ulster Unionist MLAs. Also the MLAs will be joining with the students in debating the various motions, in topics including local government, the impact of race relations in the US elections, and international issues such as the conflicts in Darfur and Georgia.
“We are always looking to bring more young people to the seat of local government, and I hope this is a hugely beneficial opportunity for all the students.”
The agenda for the day is as follows:
Arrival - 10:30
Debating Sessions:
11:00 - Devolved government is good for NI
11:30 - Race relations has had a major impact on the recent US Presidential elections
12:00 - Military intervention is required in Darfur
12:30 - The recent Georgian conflict signalled the restarting of the Cold War
13:00 Photo opportunity with Media in Great Hall
13:10 Lunch provided
Aisling Twomey-O’Connor has worked as an SDLP Administration Officer based in Stormont for more than 1 year. Everyday she brushes shoulders with the people in power – Assembly Members and Ministers. Aisling recognises that the corridors where she works are steeped with history and many interesting stories and characters, but that doesn’t faze the 27 year-old.
Aisling explains how she got involved in the SDLP, “Although I had not been a SDLP member before joining the staff at Stormont, I joined the SDLP Youth wing of the party and was elected to the position of Treasurer in June of this year.
“When I applied for the job I didn’t think had any chance of getting it, due to my lack of background in Northern Ireland politics. But I was very pleasantly surprised when SDLP General Secretary Gerry Cosgrove offered me the position. My role is a very busy one as I deal with many different issues and no two days are ever the same. However I have been lucky to have been working along with Catherine Matthews, who I think is the real boss of the SDLP!”
A modest Aisling may well brush aside her experience and knowledge of Northern Ireland Politics but that is not to suggest that this young woman doesn’t know anything about politics and people. On the contrary! During her time at Manchester Metropolitan University she got involved in student politics, and was elected as Vice President.
“I have always been very political since high school and always had comments on my report card like “has no problem sharing her views with her peers”. It seems it was destiny for me to end up working for a political party,” explains Aisling.
“I graduated from MMU Cheshire in 2004 with a BA Hons American Studies. Throughout my time at University, I became involved with the Student Union and served as Site Officer (VP) for my University. As vice president, I represented the Students on Student Staff Forum and Faculty Committee. Unfortunately I had been bitten by the politics bug – In the presidential election at my university, I was defeated by 14 votes out of 1800. “
Turning to her work with the SDLP at Parliament Buildings in Stormont Aisling says, “I am always taken back with this building; there is so much history here and it in surrounding buildings. One of the most interesting and amusing facts of this building is that it survived the Blitz by being covered in cow manure. It is very surreal working here as you may find yourself queuing up for your lunch with Mark Durkan or BBC reporters such as Martina Purdy.
“If you were to ask me what the highlight of my first year within the SDLP has been, many would expect me to say that it’s been working with the best political party in Northern Ireland. But I have to confess that my highlight so far has to be is when I met Gary Lightbody from Snow Patrol, one of my favourite bands. I was so nervous; I hardly said more than two words to him the whole day. Amazing the people you meet here.
“I am very proud to work for the SDLP and I hope that I can continue to have a part to play within the SDLP.”
Published by Peter Armstrong on Monday 27th October 2008
Something to watch on the TG4 archives:
Soviet na hÉireann explores socialism in Ireland post-WWI and looks at whether Ireland could have had a Soviet-style revolution.
“Could our history have been very different had the labour movement rather than Sinn Fein led Ireland to nationhood? Had Labour leaders launched a worker’s revolution against Britain, could we have avoided, the trauma of the civil war, decades of grinding poverty, the tradegy of emmigration, and the bitter sectarian partition of the island?”
To view the programme, go to the TG4 archives, then click ‘Faisnéis - Cartlann’ in the left menu and select Soviet na hÉireann from the list. It was originally shown on the 22nd. The programme is in Irish with English subtitles.
Published by Michelle Byrne on Saturday 25th October 2008
Hey Guys,
Michelle here from SDLP!! Firstly, thank you for signing up to the SDLP at the freshers fair in Magee - hope you all enjoyed your rubix cubes!!
Now for the exciting news…..SDLP is finally coming to Magee for their first meeting this year ….why not come along for some information and show your support??
The meeting taking place on Wednesday 29th October at 3:30pm is just a short introduction which will last about half an hour and possibly elect a new executive…we need a President, Chair,treasurer and secretary…these posts are not time consuming at all…plus, it looks good on the CV! If you are interested, please email me.
Date of meeting: 29/10/2008
Time: 3:30pm - 4:00pm
Venue: MIO22 Aberfoyle House
Please get back to me if you will be attending the meeting - email me
Published by Peter Armstrong on Wednesday 22nd October 2008
Skerries Councillor Maura Hickey has been rated ‘top date‘ by members of Coleraine Youth Forum at a political speed dating event to mark Local Democracy Week.
Cllr Hickey was delighted with her win: “Engaging with young people is very important and although this event was light hearted in nature we must continually give our attention to issues that affect them. Now they have got a taster for speaking to their elected members, I encourage them and all young people to speak to their local Councillor’s at anytime not just at planned events like this.”
