SDLP Youth Press Officer Michelle Byrne expressed concern at the SDLP Youth Annual Conference regarding the devolution of policing and justice powers.

“Devolution is a key part of any legislative assembly. The NI Assembly has devolved all departments but one, the policing and justice department. According to the Northern Ireland Act, section 2 and schedules 2 to 6, “The Assembly is under a duty to review the arrangements for judicial appointments by 1 May 2012.” This means that the Assembly must decide on a Minister for this very crucial department. It is important that the NI Assembly and Executive show leadership and make a decision on this crucial department.”

Under the Good Friday Agreement power is distributed in accordance to each party’s mandate. The number of seats which a party holds in the executive is of course reflected by their mandate. The more votes that are given to a certain party then the more they have in the NI Executive.

Therefore, with the addition of an extra seat in the Executive you would think that the same rule would apply, that the party who deserves the seat would be the party which has mandate to it. But unfortunately not in this political situation.

According to D’Hondt, the system stipulated by the Good Friday Agreement, the SDLP would be the party entitled to the 11^th seat around the executive table. But yet surprisingly, Sinn Fein and DUP are proposing to ‘award’ the seat to the Alliance Party. 

Michelle said, “This was discussed at the conference this morning and it is obvious that the majority agree something needs to be done about when these powers will be devolved.”

SDLP Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly has said a threat from a man in a balaclava armed with an air gun will not deter her from serving her constituents.

Ms Kelly was confronted by a man at Kilwilkie Gardens in Lurgan on Tuesday evening who told her to get out of the town or she would be shot. Ms Kelly was helping to canvass the area ahead of the upcoming European Election.

She said: “We had two teams of canvassers in Kilwilkie and I did notice a crowd of young fellas in a car pull up. They drove off again so I thought nothing of it until I heard someone say my name and saw a young man in a balaclava, who told me in no uncertain terms that I was to leave the area or I would be shot. He had what seemed to be an air gun. He also threatened another member of my party and pointed the gun directly at his face.

“Let me make this very clear to those people who think they can intimidate me or my party - they will not. This is an affront to democracy. I am proud to be an elected representative for this area and a young thug like that will not deter me from my work.

“This type of person offers nothing to the community. There was a teenage girl with me helping me canvass. This person thinks he’s being a big man by threatening us, but he’s the opposite. A coward is too good a word for him.

“The matter is now with the PSNI and for the safety of those with me I decided to finish canvassing for the evening after the incident. This, however, will not stop me from doing what I was democratically elected to do - to serve the community. I wish it to be known that the SDLP fought for civil rights and we will not let an incident like this keep us from helping the good people of Lurgan.”

SDLP European Election candidate Alban Maginness MLA has welcomed children from all over Europe to Stormont on Tuesday.

SDLP European Election candidate Alban Maginness MLA has welcomed children from all over Europe to Stormont on Tuesday.

Mr Maginness MLA greeted the group of young children from Spain, Italy, France and Wales as they enjoyed a tour of Parliament Buildings at Stormont.

He said: “It is wonderful to see such a delightful mix of European cultures here today as part of the Comenius Project.

“Comenius seeks to develop knowledge and understanding among young people and educational staff of the diversity of European cultures, languages and values.

“It is hugely beneficial as it helps young people acquire the basic life skills and competences necessary for their personal development, for future employment and for active citizenship.”

When the SDLP Party Executive met on 9th June, they vowed to support Suzanne Breen, the journalist who is refusing to comply with PSNI demands that she hand over computers, phones and papers which contain information relating to stories she wrote about the Real IRA.

The PSNI attempt could seriously undermine investigative journalist, and the traditional sacrosanct between journalists and their sources. It could also put journalists at considerable risk from paramilitary organisations.

The SDLP have attempted to put motions of support to Belfast City Council, the NI Assembly and Westminster but the debates have been refused due to the impending court hearing, which is coming up later this month (SDLP Youth will be showing our support).

Yesterday, the Sunday Tribune ran an article SDLP backs ‘Tribune’ legal battle which gives some more information:

SDLP leader Mark Durkan… backed a campaign supporting Breen in her legal battle with police.

The campaign has attracted significant national and international support. It has been endorsed by journalists, writers, civil liberties groups, trade unionists, and arts and cultural figures.

Last week, the SDLP attempted to table motions in the House of Commons and the Stormont Assembly supporting Breen saying the PSNI’s actions could seriously undermine investigative journalism.

SDLP Assembly member Alex Attwood said he was stunned when told that neither chamber could debate the matter because it was sub judice (under judgement).

SDLP European Election candidate Alban Maginness is to host a bloggers’ breakfast to mark the launch of his Party Election Broadcast on Tuesday 12 May at 10am in Dukes at Queens Hotel, Belfast.

Mr Maginness is inviting media and bloggers alike to the first screening of the film which will air on YouTube ahead of its broadcast on television later that evening.

The SDLP team will update guests on the online campaign and are encouraging attendees to blog, tweet or flickr live from the event with the use of free WiFi.

In what is believed to the first political event of its kind in Northern Ireland, Mr Maginness will invite tweets to his twitter account which will form the basis of an Ask Alban webcast later this month.

To confirm attendence email albanforeurope@sdlp.ie with the words Bloggers’ Breakfast in the subject header.

SDLP members of the Youth Services Committee of the Belfast Education and Library Board today opposed the Board’s budget proposals for 2009/20010 which will mean St Theresa’s, Clonard and John Paul II Youth Club will all lose their second youth workers.

The SDLP was the only party to oppose these cutbacks.

Cllr Tim Attwood said: “Yet again, we have witnessed front line youth services in areas of need being cutback. The responsibility for this dreadful situation lies with the Department of Education. The real losers in this situation are the young people in Belfast.”

Cllr Pat Convery said: “Year on year the youth services budget has been reduced. Since 2005/06 the youth allocation from DE has been reduced from £3,172 million to £3,059 million in 2009/10. However, the needs of young people grow year on year. Instead of cutbacks in youth services, we need to greater in investment in youth services and youth workers.”

SDLP Leader and Foyle MP Mark Durkan MP and Newry and Armagh Assembly Member Dominic Bradley have expressed their sadness after learning of the death of Paddy O’Hanlon, a founder member of the party.

Mr O’Hanlon passed away tonight in Dublin’s Mater Hospital following a short illness. Funeral details will be announced later.

Mr Durkan said: “With the sad death of Paddy O’Hanlon we have lost a real champion of civil rights, justice and reconciliation.

“Paddy was one of the best orators of his generation, powerfully reflecting deep democratic convictions.

“He was part of that leadership class which choose non violence to challenge the injustice of the old Stormont regime, who rejected the violence of paramilitaries and repression of the state and who consistently espoused partnership as the only basis for sharing a peaceful future.

“Even when standing well back from the political frontline his compelling political insight, and the integrity of his commitment to social justice was apparent in all the activism and advice he offered.

“In the legal vocation which he found he was able to give particular expression to his sense of justice his instinct for challenge and his love of able argument.

“So much of Paddy O’Hanlon’s character and contribution epitomizes and the debt which this society owes to the activists and leadership of the civil rights movement who never deviated from non-violence and who sustained the quest for a new agreed democratic order.

“Paddy was a man of great warmth as well as worth. He was sharp in his observation and straight in his counsel whether in his private conversation or public speaking he always impressed with the purity of his principle and the clarity of his case and the sincerity of the advice he offered.

“On behalf of the SDLP I offer my condolences to Paddy’s family and our sympathy to those colleagues who toiled and were tested with him in a crucible of tumultuous times. Not just they but all Irish democrats have lost a special friend and true stalwart.

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SDLP Youth have branded suggestions by Ian Paisley Jnr that security services should track people using Google Streetview (a feature on Google Maps) as a potentially huge waste of police time and money.

SDLP Youth Chairman Peter Armstrong explained: “Google Streetview (a feature on Google Maps) allows people to see images of public buildings and roads, which is useful if you are looking directions to a shop or a friend’s house.

“Ian Paisley Jnr has suggested that people using Streetview  should be monitored in case they are possible terrorists. His idea could see someone looking directions to a shop on the Lisburn Road being investigated by police because there is a police station nearby.

“The images just released this week were all taken last summer in 25 cities including Belfast. There is nothing available on Google Streetview that is not available to anyone who wants to drive or walk along a public road.

“It’s important that his suggestion is refuted. It is nonsensical, and such plans would waste a huge amount of taxpayers money and tie up police who could be investigating real crime.”

Members Notice

Members wishing to attend please contact Alex Attwood’s Office on 028 9080 7808

Dear Colleague,

This September is the tenth anniversary of the publication of the Patten Report on Policing.  The SDLP is organizing a series of anniversary events during 2009 to reflect on policing developments over the last decade and to consider policing challenges over the next.

The first Patten Anniversary Event which will take place on Saturday 28 March 2009 at St. Mary’s University, Falls Road, Belfast and will look at “Policing and Oversight at times of threat“.  The content of the first event has been revised given the recent terrible murders.  The Programme is attached.

I am writing to invite you to attend the Conference.  I hope you will consider its content is timely and relevant.

Yours sincerely,

ALEX ATTWOOD,

SDLP ASSEMBLY MEMBER, WEST BELFAST.

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