to see a real peace in Northern Ireland. I was a member of the Ulster Unionist negotiating team in the Northern Ireland constitutional talks from 1991, chaired by the then Secretary of State Peter Brooke, which continued under the chairmanship of his successor Sir Patrick Mayhew in 1992 and then under Mo Mowlam in 1997.
However, the widespread doubts felt by many of us in Ulster about the paramilitaries' commitment to the peace process led me to choose not to put my name to the 'Good Friday Agreement'. I simply cannot accept or support a proposition which allows Sinn Féin-IRA to become ministers in a government of Northern Ireland in the absence of a clear and unequivocal end to the IRA's campaign of violence, and without the decommissioning of weapons, and of course that equally applies to loyalist groups. In addition I have opposed the early release scheme for terrorist prisoners which has seen hundreds of terrorists walk free from prison. The disgraceful manner in which the Royal Ulster Constabulary was treated by the Agreement and the subsequent Patten Report, was also a decisive factor in influencing my decision to vote No.
2. What can be done to put more Police Officers on our streets?
The demise of the Royal Ulster Constabulary as a result of the Patten Report has seen a significant reduction in
the number of Police Officers on our streets. The discriminatory 50/50 recruitment policy, which I oppose, is preventing many well qualified applicants
from being recruited to the new Police Service simply because they are Protestants. Surely it matters not what religion a Police Officer is, but that a Police Officer is available to respond when you need help? Equally, the proposal to scrap the Full-Time Police Reserve will result in a further 1,500 Police Officers being removed from service, including almost 100 Officers in my constituency alone. We simply cannot afford to lose these experienced Officers and the DUP will continue to campaign for the retention of the Full-Time Reserve and the scrapping of discriminatory recruitment practices.
We need more Police Officers on our streets not less in order to combat the rising levels of crime and anti-social behaviour.
3. What is your view on the future of Lagan Valley Hospital?
I am concerned about the future of local acute hospital services in Northern Ireland. For years hospitals like the Lagan Valley Hospital have provided an excellent service to the local community but there is an increasing trend towards the centralisation of acute services in the Large Regional hospitals, which threatens the viability of local acute hospitals.
A proper balance has to be sought between the need for specialist care in the regional hospital and the provision of general acute services where they are most accessible to the population. It is my belief that certain services are best provided close to the people including maternity services; minor surgery and casualty services. I am committed to working with the Assembly Members for Lagan Valley to ensure that the future of the Lagan Valley Hospital is safeguarded and the services it provides are enhanced.
In my opinion this can help to reduce the unacceptable and growing waiting lists for operations at the large acute hospitals in the Greater Belfast area.
4. Do you think the Government is investing sufficient resources in Education and what are your views on the Burns and Costello Reports?
I would like to see more money being spent in providing Nursery School facilities in order to ensure that our children get the best start to their learning experience. I am strongly opposed to cuts in educational funding which will affect vital services and reduce the amount of money available to run schools. It is also important that teachers and headmasters in particular are given adequate resources to enable them to deliver the curriculum to its fullest extent.
I am strongly opposed to the proposals for the future of Post Primary Education contained in the Burns and Costello Reports. Whilst there may be a need for reform, we should retain those aspects of our education system which have proven successful whilst seeking to make improvements where there is under achievement. We need a balance between academic and vocational education but creating an entirely comprehensive system is not the answer. I will continue to press for the retention of our Grammar Schools and for additional investment in all schools.
5. What are your views on the future of farming in Lagan Valley?
The Farming Industry in Northern Ireland has suffered a severe recession in recent years and this has impacted upon all sectors of the rural economy in Lagan Valley. In particular local pig and dairy farmers have been hit by the substantial drop in the prices offered for their produce and are finding it very difficult to survive at present. Equally local Beef farmers have struggled to keep their heads above water as a result of the ban on the export of beef from Northern Ireland, during the BSE crisis. The Democratic Unionist Party is giving the highest priority to lobbying the Government and Brussels to provide financial assistance to farmers. We are very concerned about the impact of the reform of the CAP and the Nitrates Directive on Ulster farmers and we will be working closely with the Farmers Union and other bodies to deliver the support that is necessary for our agricultural industry to ensure it's survival.
6. What is your view on the future of Retail Planning at Sprucefield and Lisburn City Centre?
It is important that the right balance is struck between the development of Sprucefield as a Regional Retail Centre and the development and prosperity of Lisburn City Centre. I support the initiatives being taken by Lisburn City Council to rejuvenate Lisburn City Centre and make it a more attractive place for shoppers and tourists. It is important that the Transport links between Lisburn City Centre and Sprucefield are enhanced so as to strengthen the ties between the two. I have given my full support to the proposed John Lewis development at Sprucefield, just as I have supported the recent developments at Bow Street Mall and Lisburn Square which have rejuvenated the City Centre.
7. Is enough being done to protect the environment in Lagan Valley?
Since being elected I have taken a keen interest in environmental issues and have recently succeeded in obtaining a review of the Lagan Valley Regional Park in order to provide stronger protection for this important 'Green' asset. I have also co-operated with Lisburn Conservation Society in promoting the protection of wildlife habitats and I have actively campaigned with Friends of the Earth and other local community groups to oppose a landfill site for toxic waste at Mullaghglass Quarry and a proposed incinerator near Glenavy. I am also strongly opposed to the proposal by Belfast City Council for a new cemetery and crematorium at Drumbeg which would have a detrimental impact on the local community and upon the Lagan Valley Regional Park.
8. Can more be done to combat the problem of Drugs in our local towns and villages?
The problem with illicit drugs is growing in our local community and is a matter of great concern to me both as an MP and father of 2 small children. I support the recent initiatives taken by the Police to introduce Drugs Awareness Programmes particularly in local schools. It is also important that the Police continue their pro-active approach in terms of apprehending those who supply drugs within our community.
9. Is the Government doing enough to improve our Transport infrastructure?
I welcome recent improvements carried out on the M1 motorway at Dunmurry and the construction of the Lisburn North Feeder Road which is now underway. The provision of the new underpass on the A1 at Dromore which is nearing completion is also a result of intensive lobbying by myself and my colleagues and in addition we have obtained a commitment from the Roads service to upgrade the junction on the A1 at Hillsborough to alleviate traffic congestion in the village. I am currently spearheading a campaign for the provision of a by-pass for the village of Moira where traffic congestion is also a major problem. We will continue to press the Roads Service to invest in our main roads network as well as providing greater resources for the upgrading of rural roads whose surfaces deteriorate as a result of inadequate maintenance.
The enhancement of public transport is also a priority including the upgrade of rail services and the provision of a new bus station in Lisburn. The closure of the Antrim-Lisburn railway line is a major blow and I will continue to campaign for this to be reversed and form part of a new 'Circle Line' to serve the Belfast Metropolitan Area. With increased traffic congestion and the resultant damage to the environment, I am committed to securing adequate investment in these vital public services.
10. What is being done to meet the Housing needs of a growing population?
There is a real need for additional housing in the Lagan Valley constituency to cater for the fastest growing population in Northern Ireland. Waiting lists for Housing Executive accommodation continue to grow, especially in the Lisburn area, and homeless levels are increasing at an alarming rate. Whilst further housing development is essential, it must be sensitive to the need to protect the local environment and prevent urban sprawl. The Housing Executive and various Housing Associations have spent over £20 Million in the past five years on the improvement of the existing housing stock but there remains much to do to improve the living conditions for many of our local communities. Securing the provision of new housing and investment in the current housing stock continues to be an absolute priority for me.
