Sinn Féin MLA and economy spokesperson Caoimhe Archibald MLA has welcomed the agreement of the economy committee to write to the British Government to outline concerns as the Brexit deadline approaches.
The East Derry MLA said:
“I welcome that the Economy Committee has agreed to my proposal to write to the British Government to outline concerns of citizens and the businesses in the North over Brexit.
“Yesterday evening the Assembly voted to call on the British Government to extend the Brexit deadline given the lack of progress in talks, the COVID-19 pandemic and the detrimental economic impact that Brexit will cause, it is only logical to extend the deadline.
“Jobs, businesses and livelihoods are already under enormous pressure as a consequence of the COVID19 pandemic and a crash-out Brexit would be unbearable for many.
“The announcement also by HRMC and the British Government that a business training academy to equip businesses with the skills to deal with new custom measures will be located in Kent is also very concerning.
“Given that so many local businesses will have to deal with these new custom measures and the documentation on a daily basis, it is unreasonable to ask them to travel to Britain for this training.
“HRMC must clarify how they intend to assist local businesses in the North.
“There is also a clear need for the establishment of a business engagement forum as a matter of priority. The British Government has previously committed to establishing this forum but to date has failed to do so.
“The concerns of businesses must be listened to and acted upon; not ignored.
“The British Government must stop acting in the exclusive interests of those in England and begin to take into account the threat posed by their intransigence to the North.”
Sinn Féin MP Órfhlaith Begley has welcomed confirmation from Finance Minister Conor Murphy that funding has been allocated from the Executive budget for Phase 1A of the A5 project.
The West Tyrone MP said:
“I welcome confirmation from Finance Minister Conor Murphy that £9.2m has been allocated from the Executive budget specifically for Phase 1A of the A5 project. This phase of the project is from Newbuildings to the north of Strabane.
“The Finance Minister has allocated the highest capital allocation to the Department of Infrastructure in the history of devolution in the North. This will assist in the progress of essential flagship projects like the A5 and A6.
“The increased financial resources for DFI has also provided reassurances to the community in West of the Bann following comments from Infrastructure Minister Mallon in which she indicated there was a shortfall in funding for executive flagship projects such as the A5.
“The delivery of the A5 project is central to redressing regional disparities and to encouraging economic growth West of the Bann.
“It is crucial that we proactively dismantle barriers to economic growth as we plan a just economic recovery from COVID-19.
“As well as the economic benefits that will come from improved connectivity with the rest of the island, the A5 road upgrade is necessary for safety.
"The must be no further delay in beginning the construction of this project.
“I have requested a meeting with Minister Mallon and will use this opportunity to reiterate the need for the department to prioritise the A5 as a matter of urgency.”
Sinn Féin MLA Karen Mullan has called on exam regulators to ensure that the use of predicted grades does not penalise students from disadvantaged backgrounds and private candidates.
Speaking following the appearance of representatives from the Council for Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment (CCEA) at the Education Committee, the Foyle MLA said:
“Today I raised my concerns about school profiling with the chief executive of CCEA and expressed my view that this aspect of his plan must be seriously revised.
“We must ensure that the use of predicted grades does not in any way penalise students from disadvantaged backgrounds or private candidates.
“There is no perfect solution to the issue of examinations in the context of the COVID-19, but we must insist on the highest levels of fairness and transparency.
“I will continue to urge CCEA to ensure measures are put in place which will support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds through this process.”
“Publication of High CAP Payments exposes obscene inequalities at the heart of Irish Agriculture” – Carthy
Cavan Monaghan Sinn Féin TD, Matt Carthy, has said that the publication of the recipients of the highest CAP payments in Ireland exposes the obscene inequalities at the heart of Irish Agriculture. He said that it is scandalous and immoral that a small number of large corporate entities were drawing down hundreds of thousands in CAP payments while most family farmers are struggling to survive.
He said that the eye-watering figures reinforced the need for Sinn Féin’s proposals for an upper-limit on payments to be introduced as a matter of urgency.
Deputy Carthy said:
“One of the largest recipients of CAP payments in Ireland is a company called Godolphin based in Co Kildare. It is the thoroughbred racing and breeding operation of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the vice-president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates. The stud farm received a CAP payment of €216,768.
“Two farms associated with the billionaire Larry Goodman between them secured payments of almost €400,000.
“These are scandalous payments that expose the obscene inequalities at the heart of Irish agriculture. There is simply no justification for massive corporate entities to be drawing down such level of payments at a time when most family farms, who receive a pittance in comparison, are struggling to survive.
“This scandal has to end. There needs to be an upper-limit of payments set at a maximum of €60,000 so that funds can be re-diverted to those farmers who are the lifeblood of our rural economies.
“That Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael governments have stood over such gross inequalities for so long explains why many farmers have abandoned those parties. It’s time for a radical reform of agriculture payments where resources are invested in our family farmers that have built the reputation that Irish agriculture enjoys all over the world”.
ENDS
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has welcomed the announcement of an £11.7m support package for care homes.
The party's health spokesperson said:
"I welcome this additional support for care homes, in particular the support that care home staff will receive some financial support if unable to work due to COVID-19.
"For many staff the prospect of working on the frontline in tackling COVID-19 was to risk financial hardship should they have to leave work due to infection, as well as dealing with the health consequences.
"Care Home staff need to be supported to carry out their job safely and effectively during the crisis.
"In addition to the financial package announced the minister needs to publish details of the review of care home regulations which have been with the department since December 2017.
“I am glad to hear, however, that the minister is looking at a 'Rapid Learning Initiative' for care homes. It is essential that as part of the learning we must look at how the care home sector was initially neglected in the pandemic planning.
"Care homes, the health service and wider society are still fighting the spread of Coronavirus. Everyone needs to continue to follow the public health messages and advice."
Sinn Féin MLA Karen Mullan has welcomed clarification from the Department of Education that Extended Schools funding will continue this year at the same levels as last year.
Speaking following a response to a written question, the party’s Education spokesperson said:
“I welcome clarification from the Minister today which will provide certainty to many schools on the level of Extended Schools funding they will have access to.
“The Extended Schools Programme aims to improve levels of educational achievement for disadvantaged children and young people by providing the additional support that they might need to help them reach their full potential.
“Given the onset of COVID-19 and plans to consult on the re-branding of the programme there was great concern and anxiety that schools would have been left with less funding but thankfully that is not the case.
“Now more than ever this funding will be crucial given the impact that the COVID-19 crisis has had on many of our young people and their learning experiences.”
Sinn Féin TD Darren O’Rourke has challenged the Department of Health and the Department of Foreign Affairs to provide clarity and guidance for those who have paid upfront to travel abroad this summer.
The Meath East TD sought answers as to whether these people will be provided with refunds if an anomaly arises where airlines are permitted to reopen routes but government restrictions mean foreign travel remains unfeasible due to 14-day self-quarantine requirements for anyone who arrives back into the state from overseas.
Speaking this evening after the Special Covid Committee sitting, Teachta O’Rourke said:
“Families across Ireland who booked their summer holidays months ago, before the Covid-19 pandemic ever arrived, have been left in limbo.
"They don't know if they will be permitted to travel or whether they will lose thousands of euro that they have already spent.
“The government is giving people no answers. Neither the Department of Health nor the Department of Foreign Affairs could provide any clarity when asked about this issue today.
“As other European countries are preparing to welcome tourists later this summer, those who arrive on our shores from overseas are being told to self-isolate for 14 days.
“The government’s handling of this issue has been all over the place. When we should have had strict conditions on inward travel back in March, nothing was done, while the passenger locator form only became mandatory last week.
“People are now hearing airline representatives and public health experts sparring in the media about holidays, but silence from Government Buildings on this issue.
“The government needs to publish a roadmap for travel, to give clarity to those who have financially committed to holidays, and to give our tourist industry some idea of when they could be welcoming back tourists from countries that now have Covid-19 under control.
“We certainly don’t want to see a situation where airlines are reopening routes, but citizens lose thousands of euro due to a 14-day quarantine on their return, which would make travelling abroad unfeasible for most in the first place.
"There needs to be clarity here and if a 14-day quarantine is to apply, people need assurances that they can obtain refunds from airlines in the event of such a scenario."
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin has said the DUP cannot be allowed to block the introduction of modern, compassionate and rights compliant healthcare for women in the north.
Speaking during today's debate in the Assembly, the Sinn Féin equality spokesperson said:
“The motion as put forward by the DUP is quite obviously an attempt to undermine the entirety of the abortion provision which has thus far been put into law in the north of Ireland. The amendment put forward by my own party would see a refining of the law, to offer abortion services in the north mirrored to as they are currently in the 26 counties.
“Sinn Féin supports the right of women to access a termination in instances of fatal foetal abnormalities, for victims of sexual crime, and for anyone whose life or health, including mental health, is in danger.
“In terms of timeframes, our party voted to allow the gestational period to be limited according to the best available medical guidance, and in the 26 counties this was set at 12 weeks without specific indication, and up to 24 weeks in the context of risk to health.
“Ultimately, this is about healthcare. That people in crisis situations still cannot receive treatment at home isn’t good enough.
“We in Sinn Féin would have liked to see abortion services delivered across Ireland by legislators here in Ireland.
“We welcomed an end to the criminalisation of women, something that punished people in an already difficult position, adding untold trauma to the lives of thousands of women who lived in fear of being found out.
"I have written to the minister for health asking that the regulations as set out by the British government are implemented, and properly funded by the department of health locally, so as to see a fully commissioned service across all five trusts.
“The Health Minister has abdicated his responsibilities on this issue, failing to give clear direction to the health trusts. This leaves women in limbo. Sinn Féin want to see an end to this, we want to see a proper, safe, legal service for anyone in crisis, whatever their story.
“To serve disabled people properly, we need to build infrastructure which is totally accessible. We need to have inclusivity, to properly service Section 75 obligations across all public sector bodies, to raise awareness of the issues that face less able people in their daily lives.
“Sinn Féin do not believe that allowing abortions in the cases of non-fatal foetal abnormalities serves this aim. Our party position is one which calls for a compassionate and reasonable approach to healthcare.”
Uachtarán Sinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald and Leas Uachtarán Michelle O’Neill met with the British Secretary of State Brandon Lewis today and told him that the British government must honour its commitments.
The Sinn Féin delegation, which included Francie Molloy MP and Gerry Kelly MLA, had a robust and frank exchange on the issue of legacy with the British Secretary of State.
Speaking after the meeting Mary Lou McDonald said:
“It was very clear that the British government has been turning its back on the internationally agreed Stormont House Agreement legacy mechanisms.
“It is now also rejecting the Westminster legal definition of a victim in its approach to dealing with victims’ payment.
“Sinn Féin remains committed to the provision of a victims’ payment based on need and the full implementation of the Stormont House Agreement in a human right compliant manner.
“The recent Westminster Regulations will potentially exclude thousands of victims from the Nationalist and Republican community from accessing the payment scheme.
“We told him that the British government approach was both discriminatory and unacceptable.
“We also reminded him of British government's obligations to fund the scheme in full.
“By introducing a hierarchy of victimhood the British government is undermining attempts to heal the wounds of the past and promote a genuine reconciliation process.”
“Next government must implement payment limits to ensure fairer CAP” - Chris MacManus MEP
Sinn Féin slam exorbitant direct payments as Wealthiest corporate farm owners grow richer
Following the release of details on the top recipients of direct payments, Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus, a member of the EU Parliament’s Agricultural Committee, has said the system is broken if farmers are struggling while we hand out millions to landowners and farm enterprises.
MacManus said:
“Outrage in the farming community is justified. Farmers have faced unsustainably low prices, Brexit uncertainty and covid19 all in the last couple of years. We are in danger of losing the Irish family farm model if intervention is not swift.”
“Every year it is revealed that millions of CAP funds are paid to corporate farm enterprises and wealthy landowners. Sinn Fein would limit direct payment to EUR 60,000 as a matter of urgency. It needs to be brought back to its intended purposes of providing a decent living to active farmers.
"Minister Creed dismissed this policy during the election campaign in February as ‘populist claptrap’. It is clear to me that the vast majority of farmers want to see a more equitable distribution that supports active farmers. And, not to pad the margins of profitable companies or top up large incomes.
“The injustice is clear when you see meat processors responsible for driving down the cost of beef to below the cost of production are the same people receiving some of the largest CAP payments. Or, that we are giving Sheikh Mohommed of Dubai, the ruler of the UAE and one of the richest men in the world, hundreds of thousands in subsidies for his stud farm in Kildare. The minister for agriculture must consider if standing over these practices is in the best interests of equality for farmers.
“We do not even always know who the ultimate beneficiaries of these subsidies are. While many of these farm enterprises were at one time family businesses, now their ownership structures are now far more complex. They often have close links to multinational food companies who should not benefit from financial support intended for farmers.
“There is work under way in the Agricultural Committee in the European Parliament to draft legislation that would bring in stricter regulation on ‘ultimate beneficial ownership’. As things stand there is very little oversight on this issue. Sinn Fein will continue to work closely with willing partners in Europe to push this forward.
“Sinn Fein will continue to demand reforms to ensure direct payments are reserved for active farmers. Ireland has the flexibility under the current CAP to limit payments, we want to see that reduced to EUR 60,000”. ENDS
Sinn Féin MLA and Chair of the Assembly’s Agriculture Committee Declan McAleer has said farming and food production must play a central role in economic recovery and the COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the importance of a safe and secure, local food supply chain.
Speaking during the debate on a Sinn Féin motion in the Assembly on planning for a just economic recovery after the COVID-19 crisis, the West Tyrone MLA said:
“I want to pay tribute to all our farmers as front-line workers for producing our food throughout the pandemic. We have around 25,000 farms in the North, and they support the employment of 48,000 people across the food and drink industry. This is a huge contributor to our economy, with a £4·5 billion turnover last year.
"As well as having a huge impact on the economy, farming is a way of life, and those of us who represent rural constituencies know that it is a way of life for many people and supports many others.
“Agriculture is under pressure. There are poor profit margins, the cost of production exceeds farm-gate prices and there are rising input costs every year. When we were gathering evidence on the Agriculture Bill recently, researchers from Queen's University told us that, without the direct payments, 30% of farms would immediately collapse.
“No doubt, since the COVID pandemic started, that figure will probably increase. The single farm payment which accounts for over 80% of income for farmers, even before the COVID pandemic, was decreasing year-on-year. Last year, we saw a 26% decrease in their incomes.
“That is very stark in some sectors. If we take farmers in the Areas of Natural Constraint, which are mostly beef and sheep farmers, we see that their predicted income for this year is £10,000 or less if they are lucky. According to NISRA, the weekly wage here is £535. The beef and sheep farmers in the North get less than the average weekly wage.
“Any future economic recovery has to look at agriculture and food production across the island. Unfettered access north, south, east and west is very important to us.
"Brexit has created further problems because the British market is so crucial to here. We export 87% of our agri-food and most of this is to Britain. But the failure of the British Government to incorporate minimum food standards in their Agriculture Bill has opened the door to Britain importing cheap, low-standard food, which will more than likely destroy the British market for farmers exporting from here. We need to look throughout the rest of Ireland and beyond to the EU and other places to find new markets.
“The future of agriculture and future recovery require us to look at our indigenous food security, and we can see the importance of that with COVID and the volatility of the world stage. Things can change on a global basis, which underlines the importance of having our own secure food supply."
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has welcomed an announcement by the Health Minister that all suspected cases of COVID-19 that come forward to health services are to be tested.
The party’s health spokesperson said:
“Testing for Covid19 in the north has been restricted by the Department of Health for priority cases.
“To date anyone with suspected symptoms, and who wasn’t either a key worker or so critically ill they needed to be admitted to hospital could not get a test. Even the most vulnerable residents in care homes for instance, faced obstacles and delays to getting tested.
“Everyone who develops a COVID-19 symptom is urged to book a test and they should. Without testing every suspected case we won’t be able to effectively fight the spread of COVID-19.
“Sinn Féin has been calling for all suspected cases of COVID-19 to be tested from as far back as March.
“Previously we were told by the Minister that his Department did not have the capacity to test all suspected cases, we now need clarity on what has changed.
“There has been concern that much of the testing capacity has been outsourced, including the handling of patient data and results.
“It is essentialthat standards around data protection and quality of service are met.
“Any testing strategy must deliver repeat testing for care homes and work to ensure that hard to reach communities and individuals have access to testing.”
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan has called on the Department of Health to introduce Public Health Passenger Locator Forms to assist with contact tracing for all passengers arriving at ports and airports.
Pat Sheehan said:
“It’s concerning that according to a written response from the Health Minister only some of those travelling through the north’s ports and airports will be required to complete a Public Health Passenger Locator form.
“The proposed model being suggested by the Department of Health is flawed. It ignores the fact that the island is a single epidemiological unit despite this being recognised by the Executive's Strategy on COVID-19.
“I have urged the Department to reconsider its approach and to consider the scientific evidence of the Independent SAGE panel’s report on the 12th of May which states that the islands of Britain and Ireland should be treated as separate entities for health purposes.
"I would urge the Minister of Health to require all passengers arriving at ports and airports to complete a Public Health Passenger Locator form.
"The Department of Health and the Executive must look to build on the Memorandum of Understanding with the southern Department of Health, especially around the sharing of data for the vital contact tracing approach.
“I have forwarded a copy of the Independent SAGE report to the Department of Health for urgent consideration.”
Sinn Fein spokesperson on Children and Young People, Catherine Kelly MLA has raised concerns with the Equality Commission about the impact of COVID-19 on the childcare sector.
Catherine Kelly said:
“The childcare sector is at serious risk of collapse unless swift and meaningful action is taken by Ministers in Departments of Health, Education and Economy, to deliver support. I have asked the Equality Commission to consider the devastating impact on women, both as childcare employees and service users if current policies are not urgently reviewed and changed.
“I listened to the concerns of more than 70 childcare providers last week during an online engagement and it is clear that many settings will either never open again or be forced to close unless Ministers responsible to deliver policy to support this sector act decisively now.
“The childcare sector not only provides significant employment for women but also a vital service which enables many more women to work. It is really important that departments developing emergency interventions as a response to the COVID-19 crisis take into account the likely long term impact of their policy decisions.”
Sinn Féin Economy Spokesperson, Caoimhe Archibald MLA, has today called for the establishment of a Just Transition Commission.
Speaking following an Assembly debate on a motion calling for a just economic recovery strategy, the East Derry MLA said this Commission must bring together society's main stakeholders to both plan a just economic recovery and map out a transition to a net zero carbon economy.
Caoimhe Archibald MLA said:
"In planning for an economic recovery, we need to prevent any return to an economy of old that failed so many and was environmentally unsustainable.
"The conversation to rebuild a fairer, greener and healthier economy can't exclude wider society who have been so profoundly affected by this economic crisis.
"Sinn Féin are today calling for the establishment of a Just Transition Commission. This would bring academics, trade unionists, business representatives, community representatives, students, farmers representatives and others together to map out how we rebuild our economy, and in doing so set it on a course for rapid decarbonisation and a net zero carbon society.
"In doing so, it would follow in the footsteps of highly successful existing models in Scotland and elsewhere in Europe.
"Any recovery strategy must deal with the problems and inequalities of the past, the economic crisis of the present, the challenges of Brexit and the threat of climate breakdown in the very near future. We need a just transition.
"This conversation and long-term planning must involve all of society. Sinn Féin will be actively engaging with and leading on this discussion in the time ahead."
Sinn Féin TD for Meath East Darren O’Rourke will tomorrow question witnesses at the Special Covid Committee tomorrow as to whether a traffic light system for travel can be introduced here as a means of safely opening up foreign travel.
Deputy O’Rourke and his colleague Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty, will also question why the Public Health Passenger Locator Form was only made mandatory last week and how long the 14-day quarantine procedure will be in place. They say thousands of people are unsure if it is safe to plan for summer holidays abroad, given recent conflicting public messages, and want guidance and reassurance.
Speaking ahead of the Committee, Teachta O’Rourke said;
“The government’s actions to date on the transport aspect of the Covid-19 crisis have left a lot to be desired.
“When people were asking back in March why people were still permitted to fly into Ireland from Covid hotspots with zero checks, nothing was done.
“The Public Health Passenger Locator Form was only made mandatory last week, after the government were embarrassed into doing it following media reports of people simply ignoring the administrative exercise.
“Making the form mandatory now, three months after the virus arrived onto our island, is a bit like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.
“We’ll be asking whether the witnesses whether the total absence of travel restrictions early on, and the voluntary nature of the Public Health Passenger Locator Form throughout the pandemic hindered Ireland’s fight against Covid-19?
“As the number of Covid cases recedes, other countries are now changing their approach to foreign travel, and so we will be asking how long the 14-day quarantine procedure will be in place here. With conflicting messages in recent days from airline and public health officials, thousands of people are unsure if it is safe to plan for summer holidays abroad and want guidance and reassurance.
“On this point, we will ask the witnesses if they will examine whether a traffic light system for travel could be introduced here, with countries and regions designated green, orange or red depending on the severity of Covid-19 in a particular area.
“Those on the green list would be permitted for travel. Extra checks and restrictions would be in place for people travelling to and from countries on the orange list. While travel to and from areas on the red list, where Covid-19 remains out of control, would come with the most restrictions.
"Furthermore, as part of our line of questioning in tomorrow's committee meeting, we will be seeking assurance that such an approach as the above could be adopted on a north-south basis to stay in line with the advice of the CMO from the beginning of the pandemic that we need an all-island approach to ensuring public safety in the battle against Covid-19.
“It is imperative we protect the progress made against Covid-19 here, but we also need to plan a safe and realistic way forward living alongside Covid-19.”
Sinn Féin Mental Health spokesperson Pat Buckley has criticised reports of plans to prioritise remote mental health services as part of refreshed Vision for Change strategy. He argued community mental health services had not been developed sufficiently over previous years and need major investment.
Teachta Buckley said;
"Vision for Change, published fourteen years ago, was a bold strategy for a community model of care with recovery at its heart. While much has changed in terms of good practice, this principle remains true.
"Unfortunately due to under funding, corner cutting and failure to build new services the strategy is largely unfulfilled.
"We remain too dependent on an inpatient, medical model of care. This is why Sinn Féin and mental health campaigners have prioritised the call for investing in primary care, community based therapeutic services.
"We do not have a 24/7 community model yet. We do not have enough community mental health or CAMHS teams. Counselling services are oversubscribed and under resourced leaving many waiting months and months for just an assessment.
"We need to invest in remote mental health services and utilise emerging and existing technologies to improve access but this cannot come before the basic building blocks of the community model.
"Reports of a planned additional €10m a year are totally inadequate and even less than the low level of investment seen over recent years."
Sinn Féin TD for Waterford David Cullinane has called on the Government to come clean on how many additional inspectors have been made available to the Health and Safety Authority to monitor and enforce compliance with the back to work protocol.
Teachta Cullinane said:
“The Health and Safety Authority has been given a huge task to monitor and enforce compliance with public health advice in the workplace.
“The back to work protocol is of little value if the organisation tasked with ensuring compliance and enforcement does not have enough inspectors on the ground.
“We recently learned that the HSA has a mere 67 inspectors to cover the entire state with 8 for the Southeast and 8 for the Northwest.
“On Tuesday 19th of last month, a Fine Gael representative with whom I was debating on Primetime on RTÉ said that there would be ‘hundreds of additional inspectors coming on board in the coming days’
“Days have now become weeks and there has been no clarity on this matter. Fine Gael and this Government need to come clean on the number additional inspectors in place and where are the hundreds of additional inspectors promised?
“It is vital that as we move into the next phase of reopening the economy that workers are given the assurances that plans in place to protect them at work are robust and are being enforced. Workers need certainty and the facts, not spin and an absence of enforcement.”
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has urged people to act responsibly and to adhere to COVID-19 restrictions.
The party’s policing spokesperson was speaking after a police officer was injured while trying to convince a large crowd who were not socially distancing, to disperse on Ballyholme Beach at the weekend.
Gerry Kelly said:
“I condemn those who assaulted an officer while they were carrying out their duty.
“Everyone should be free to carry out their business free from threats, intimidation or assault.
"All the emergency services are under pressure and incidents like this add more stress on them while trying to protect our society from the spread of Coronavirus.
"It is vital that we all act responsibly and adhere to the current COVID-19 restrictions.”
Sinn Féin Councillor Kevin Savage will tonight make history as he is nominated the new Mayor of ABC Council.
This will be the first time a Banbridge Councillor takes up the position.
Group Leader Sinn Féin Councillor Liam Mackle said:
“This will be the first time in the history of ABC council that the Lord Mayor will hail from the Banbridge DEA.
“Kevin has been a Sinn Féin activist for over two decades. Since co-opted onto the council in 2016 he has been a strong advocate for the community, sporting and voluntary sectors in the Borough and, as a rural councillor, has been the champion of the smaller rural towns and villages.
“Throughout his tenure he has been to the fore in ensuring equality for all the citizens of our Borough and has worked tirelessly to tackle poverty and social deprivation.
"We will be proud to make this nomination tonight.“
Speaking in advance of his nomination Councillor Savage said:
“This is a very proud moment. Born and reared in Taghnevan - growing up I also had family roots in Banbridge. I have now lived in Lawrencetown with my wife and children for just short of twenty years.
“I want to thank the party locally for this nomination. This will be the most challenging year any Mayor will face as a result of COVID. During my term we will move from response to recovery.
"There will be much work for us as we navigate a path forward to help rebuild our communities and our economy.
“I have no doubt that we will rise to these challenges and, working together, we will overcome them.
“I look forward to working with all councillors and officers in this coming year and wish to pay tribute to the outgoing Mayor and Deputy Mayor Councillors Mealla Campbell and Margaret Tinsley.
“My chosen charity for the year will be Macmillan Cancer Support and I look forward to dedicating my fundraising efforts to support the sterling work they do right across our Borough and beyond.”
