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An Geimhreadh 2015Sinn FéinBulletin

Upper Bann Sinn FéinSinn Féin Uachtar na Banna www.upperbannsf.com

MARTINA ANDERSON MEP IN BANBRIDGE & PORTADOWN - P7

GREGORY CAMPBELL, CURRAÍ AGUS ÍOGART - P8

SF YOUTH ACTIVISTS IN CATALUNYA -INDEPENDENCE REFERENDUM P12

Tuarascáil

MAKE HISTORY HAPPEN

CATHERINESEELEYMAY 7TH 2015

Sinn Féin can Make History this May 7th EDITORIAL

2 An Geimhreadh 2015

We have chosen the headline of our newspaper quite deliberately - ‘ Make History Happen’ . It is not a campaign slogan or a throw away comment, it is a statement of fact and intent.

History is made up of events that have changed the destiny of nations, people and the world. Those events that have been both positive and negative, but most usually have one common factor that separate them from natural disasters and the like; that com-monality is that they have been planned by someone, or a collec-tive of people, who were deter-mined to make them happen.

Ireland it is no different. Our history is scattered with events which have determined our is-land’s destiny and its people’s for-tunes. Both positive and negative elements have been battling it out in Ireland for centuries, and they have - Made History.

Over this last five decades once again we have seen history be-ing made. Civil rights activists

took to the streets in a demand for basic civil rights; they knew there would be no change unless they organised and acted, just as the Orange State itself organised and acted to oppose Civil rights. The Orange State reacted as only it knew how, violently.

Some within the Civil Rights campaign and its supporters faced with an unchangeable State then decided to meet State ag-gression with armed action; and a conflict pursued for 25 years.

Continuously Republicans, and others, sought an alternative to war and as a result of determina-tion, of organisation and through many brave people, on all sides, a new history was made.

Now we all have a responsibility to Make History Happen. The re-publican electoral strategy is pay-ing dividends to our society; the Orange State is gone, Civil Rights and Equality are built into legisla-tion, and an avenue for peaceful re-unification now exists.

None of this would have hap-pened, unless it was made to hap-pen.

Sinn Féin is the voice of an idea, an idea which sees a Re-United Ireland built on equality. Sinn Féin have been able to deliver change because it is organised, it is determined and it has a man-date garnered at the ballot box.

This is where you the reader comes in - Make History Hap-pen. Much has been achieved, progress at times is slow but it has never stopped; it is time to write history once more. By voting for Catherine Seeley on May 7th, you can Make History Happen.

Be assured that history was never made by sitting at home. Those opposed to change will not be sitting at home. They will be or-ganising and voting, do not as-sist them by sitting at home. Vote Catherine Seeley on May 7th.

Clár Ábhair/Contents

Upperbannsinnfein @upperbannsfUpperbannsf

www.upperbannsf.com

P3 - Agreement made at Stormont House

P4 - Stormont House continued

P5 - Unionists still en-gaged in nonsense - flags in Craigavon

P6 - News in Brief

P7 - SF in Europe - An-derson MEP in Ban-bridge and Portadown

P8 - Ní Coimhthíoch duine ina thír féin

P9 - Concern over loss of Hamill Enquiry Info.

P10 - SF Secures final Council Investment

P11 - Register Your Vote

P12 - Catalunya

#CatSeeley4MP

IMPLEMENTATION OF AGREEMENTS IMPORTANT

On Monday 29 December, the Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle met in Dublin to discuss the recom-mendation from the party’s nego-

tiations team that the Stormont House Agreement concluded in Belfast on 23 December “be rati-fied by the national leadership”.

The Agreement made very important progress with regard to protecting the most vulnerable and delivering additional invest-ment to the northern economy. Important headway was also made in relation to dealing with the legacy of the past conflict; contentious parades; and flags, symbols and cultural identity.

However, the Agreement reached fell short of being com-prehensive because of the British Government’s refusal to meet its obligations; to hold an inquiry into the killing of lawyer Pat Fi-nucane, to legislate for an Irish Language Act and a Bill of Rights,

or to address other outstanding commitments.

Disgracefully, the Irish Gov-ernment supported British in-transigence on these positions. It did so despite its co-equal responsibility for guaranteeing implementation of all previous agreements.

Since late November, Sinn Féin had said all the indications

pointed towards the ground be-ing prepared for a pre-deter-mined British document with an

Irish Government sign-off.Sinn Féin told the Irish Gov-

ernment that the wider commu-nity and republican confidence in the political process had been undermined and that national leadership was required from the Irish Government. Power-sharing, equality, the all-Ireland

agenda, adherence to the Haass proposals, the Irish Language Act (Acht na Gaeilge), the Pat Finucane inquiry, and the Maze/Long Kesh project were all set out as necessary and reasonable requirements –– that is, they are already agreed.

The first joint paper presented to parties on December 11th, was agreed to by the Irish Gov-ernment. By doing so it signed up to becoming a cheerleader for the British Conservatives’ auster-ity agenda in the North and the rolling back of the Good Friday Agreement.

Only when Sinn Féin said cat-egorically that the mid-Decem-ber joint paper was totally unac-

ceptable, did a realization dawn on them that the political situa-tion had been made worse by the two governments’ actions. It was only on Wednesday 17 Decem-ber that a real negotiation did commence.

Sinn Féin negotiated hard to stop the exclusion by the Brit-ish –– with Irish Government acquiescence –– of fundamen-tal positions in the final “Heads of Agreement”; including issues such as coroners’ courts, so im-portant to families seeking truth and justice for their loved ones.

As a consequence of Sinn Fé-in’s work, the Haass compromise proposals opposed last year by unionists -

An Geimhreadh 2015 www.upperbannsf.com 3

“Disgracefully, the Irish Government supported British intransigence. It did so despite its co-equal responsibility for guaran-teeing implementation of all previous agreements.”

Irish Gov approach dictated by their anoy-ance and political opposition to growth of SF

PIC: Martin McGuinness, John O’Dowd et al. at Stormont talks in Dec

Continued on P4PIC: Sinn Féin negioating team at Stormont House talks in Dec 2014

4 An Geimhreadh 2015- and the British will now be

implemented. • The Parades Commission

will continue. • British national security in-

terests will not be allowed to put a dead hand over the quest for truth and justice.

• Coroners’ courts will be pro-tected.

• No welfare benefits under the control of the north’s Execu-tive will be reduced.

• A Civic Forum will be estab-lished.

• Reforms to the political in-

stitutions will be introduced. Progress on securing the Pat

Finucane inquiry, the Irish Lan-guage Act, the Bill of Rights, and other outstanding matters could have been made had the Irish Government done the right thing and stood up for Irish na-tional and democratic interests.

If all sides are prepared to embrace the potential contained within the Agreement, including both governments, it can serve as a road map for restoring po-litical stability to the democratic process and political institutions in the north. It will assist in re-

modeling the regional economy whilst protecting the most vul-nerable.

www.upperbannsf.comContinued from P3

PIC: Gerry Adams TD & deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness et al. with media during Stormont Talks, Dec 2014

Sinn Féin’s Armagh Banbridge and Craigavon Councillor Cath-erine Seeley has welcomed news that progress has been made by Executive parties on welfare pro-tections for the most vulnerable in society.

Cllr Seeley said, “Sinn Féin has sought to defend people with disabilities, the sick and people on benefits, whether unem-ployed or on low wages, against a Tory assault on the welfare state.

“The Executive has now brought forward proposals agreed by the five parties in the Stormont House talks which will protect the most vulnerable against Tory welfare cuts.

“The agreement will provide a package over six years of almost £565m to mitigate against the potential loss of benefits to indi-

viduals and families.“As a result of the pre Christ-

mas political agreement the Ex-ecutive has retained a series of anti-poverty measures and set up a Supplementary Payment Fund to provide protection specifically to families with children, people with disabilities, and the long term sick.

“There are safeguards for peo-ple moving from DLA, for lone parents and people have been protected from the impact of the bedroom tax.

Councillor Seeley concluded, “These protections and others are unique to the Assembly and show what can be achieved when local political parties stand to-gether and work together for lo-cal people. The Executive pack-age is in sharp contrast to the

cuts-driven welfare system in Britain.

“This is a good example of the

institutions making a practical difference to those citizens most in need.”

SEELEY WELCOMES WELFARE PROTECTIONS

PIC: Upper Bann Westminster Candidate Catherine Seeley

.eu

Craigavon Sinn Féin Group Leader Councillor Gemma McK-enna has described the recent de-cision by Unionist Councillors to fly the Union Flag 365 days a year at Craigavon Civic Centre as il-logical and most likely illegal.

The decision has took effect despite Craigavon Council com-ing to an end on the 31st March

this year. The decision also flew in the

face of advice from the Equal-ity Commission, from Council solicitors and advice from the Council’s Chief Executive.

Cllr Mc Kenna said, “the de-cision by Unionist Councillors follows a full EQIA consultation which clearly showed there was no interest or support for the fly-ing of the Union flag.

“Despite spending over £10,000 of ratepayers money on the consultation, Unionist coun-cillors chose to ignore the con-sultation results and all the legal advice given.”

The results of the Equality Im-pact Assessment (EQIA) showed that 71% (942) of responses to the consultation, spoke over-whelmingly in favour of flying both the Irish National Flag and the Union Flag together, or flying no flag at all.

Cllr McKenna continued, “Unfortunately this is the final legacy of Craigavon Council

that has been stained by unionist dogma and sectarianism.

“Sinn Féin are now seeking le-gal advice on the matter and are determined to ensure that those Councillors who have left the ratepayers of Craigavon facing further legal expense, are held fully to account for wasting pub-lic funds and ignoring the rate-payers.”

PIC: SF Craigavon Group Leader Gemma McKenna with media


SF SEEK LEGAL ADVICE-UNIONIST DECISION TO FLY UNION IN CRAIGAVON COSTS OVER £1,000 PER WEEK, AS OLD COUNCILS END ON 1 MARCH

This May 7th, you will have an oppor-tunity to Make History Happen in the Upper Bann area.

Upper Bann Sinn Féin Westminster Candidate Councillor Catherine Seeley has already made history, last June when she became the first ever Sinn Féin Depu-ty Mayor of Craigavon Council.

A few nights later her party colleague Councillor Pól Ó Gribin followed her and became Banbridge Council’s first Sinn Féin Vice-Chair. Historic times indeed, across Upper Bann, when events once thought to be impossible, are made pos-sible through political strength - gained by voters casting their vote for Sinn Féin.

Catherine is a graduate of History and Politics from Queen’s University Belfast, where she also completed a Post-Gradu-ate Certificate of Education. As a young qualified teacher she has worked across

all sectors.Catherine has gained significant polit-

ical experience and public exposure over recent times.

In early 2014, she faced down, with great dignity and maturity, a sectarian campaign against her; during her em-ployment as a teacher in the Boy’s Model School in North Belfast. She rose above the sectarianism, praising and thanking those young protestant boys, and their families, who had stood up to the sectar-ian bullies.

Co-opted to Craigavon Council in January 2014, Catherine was elected as a Councillor on the new Armagh, Ban-bridge and Craigavon Council in May 2014 and has widely impressed in her civic role.

Catherine now stands ready for the next major challenge of bringing change and vision to the entire Upper Bann con-stituency. Speaking after her nomination she said, “I am ready for the challenge of Westminster 2015, and I intend to do what I have always done during my time

in public life - represent everyone to the best of my ability,”

“I believe we can make history hap-pen, and become the first ever national-ist or republican to be elect MP for Upper Bann. In order to do this, however, we need to maximise the nationalist elector-al turnout. We need everyone to exercise their right to vote.”

MAKE HISTORY HAPPEN - #SEELEY4MPMAKE HISTORY

THIS 7TH MAY 2015Elect Catherine Seeley as MP for Upper Bann

#CatSeeley4MP

DUP/UUP FLAGS NONSENSE IN CRAIGAVON

6 An Geimhreadh 2015www.upperbannsf.com

Sinn Fein Cllr Fergal Lennon has welcomed the announce-ment by the Utility Regulator that it is to commence a review of Power NI’s regulated electric-ity tariffs and the regulated gas tariffs of Airtricity Gas Supply and Firmus.

Cllr Fergal Lennon said,“Over the last six months,

we have witnessed a significant fall in the price of crude oil and wholesale gas. This has resulted in a considerable decrease in costs for most electricity genera-tors and for both electricity and gas supply companies.

“However, this cost reduc-tion has not yet been passed onto consumers like it has with petrol, diesel and home heating oil, the reduction in these costs has given a welcome relief to hard pressed family budgets.

“It is only right and proper that as the price of fuels fall that the price customers pay falls also. It is unacceptable that this has not happened to date.

“Sinn Féin have been reas-sured that those suppliers whose prices are regulated will not ben-efit as any excessive profits they may have made during this time

can be clawed back over the com-ing period, but that may not nec-essarily be the case for other sup-pliers.

“It will be up to suppliers to set their own prices and Sinn Féin is not content that compe-tition alone will deliver the best outcomes for consumers by hop-ing that other suppliers will re-duce prices in the long term to reflect the profits they have made during the last few months.

“The Utility Regulator needs to act to protect all customers and ensure that hard pressed family budgets benefit from the falling costs which are now only benefiting the supplier. Families have to had to burden high en-ergy cost with all the other rising household bills its now time for the regulator to act decisively in the customers favour.”

Deputy Mayor of Craigavon Catherine Seeley has welcomed the provision of traffic lights and a pedestrian crossing at the junc-tion of Kiln Lane and Silverwood Road in Lurgan.

Cllr Seeley said, “This is a very busy junc-tion with commuters travelling to and from the the motorway and commercial vehicles

traveling to the Silverwood industrial area. Added to that you have traffic travelling to and from 2 local schools. All this led to lengthy delays at peak times especially for traffic exiting from Kiln lane.

“ The junction is also on the route of pop-ular walking circuits and the added safety of

a controlled pedestrian crossing will greatly improve the route for walkers and indeed cy-clysts.

Concluding Cllr Seeley said, “The replace-ment of new street lighting in the area is also welcomed and will add to the safety of both pedestrians and motorists”

News in BriefRegulator needs to take action on Gas and Electricity Prices

Sinn Féin Councillor on the new Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon Council has welcomed the fencing of an unfinished de-velopment site in the Headington area, Lough Road Lurgan. His comments come after the new owners of the site agreed to erect fencing, much sought after by lo-cal residents.

Cllr Haughian said, “Over the past 12 months, we have been acting on behalf of local residents trying to bring some security and

peace of mind to the area. The Headington Avenue / Drive area was one of a number in the con-stituency that were never finished due to the economic downturn.

“On top of this, previous own-ers refused to secure the site, causing a major danger to local youths who foolishly entered the grounds. The PSNI, the Fire Ser-vice and NIE have all been called to the area to deal with issues connected to the dangerous con-dition of the site.”

He concluded, “I welcome the fact that the new owners have erected fencing and would call on them to ensure the site is secure as any future developments pro-ceed.

“We will continue to work with the relevant statutory agencies and developers in a bid to ensure other unsecure sites are firstly se-cured and then finished to pro-vide much needed housing.”

Cllr Catherine Seeley Welcomes Silverwood Traffic Lights

PIC: Silverwood Junction

Sinn Féin’s Cllr Liam Mackle has said he is ‘delighted’ to have been elected as the Chair of Craigvaon Council’s Audit Committee. Mackle has been a member of the committee since 2011, and has said he is committed to working with all the parties and council staff to ensure the final year of Craigavon Council is ‘soundly scrutinised’.“I am very pleased to have been elected as chair of the Audit Committee. This is another first for SF having been excluded from the position in the past, despite being the primary advocate for the committee before its estab-

MAIRE

Cllr Keith Haughian Welcomes Unfinished Development Fencing


Sinn Féin Member of the Eu-ropean Parliament Martina An-derson was in Banbridge and Portadown recently on a visit hosted by party colleague, and Deputy Mayor of Craigavon, Catherine Seeley.

The tour across the Upper Bann constituency saw Mrs An-derson call in to the Restore project, located at the Banbridge Council recycling centre, on the Scarva Road, as well as visiting Portadown People’s Park to view progress on the multi-million pound Peace redevelopment scheme.

MEP Anderson said, “I was delighted to be afforded the op-portunity to visit the Restore Project and would like to thank whole-heartedly the Council Of-ficers, employees, apprentices and everyone involved who gave me a very warm welcome. The dedication of those involved in this project to restore and reuse furniture and electrical goods, which would otherwise go to landfill, is a breath of fresh air.”

“As well as the obvious en-vironmental benefits, Restore in Banbridge provides training across a range of trades for young

people, provides stock for local charity shops and acts as an ex-cellent model for future thinking on reducing waste and reusing materials. They should be very proud of the work they are do-ing.”

“I would like to thank Cllr Catherine Seeley for inviting me down to view this project and to view progress on the redevel-opment of Portadown People’s Park, which has been a long time in the pipeline. I would also like to congratulate all those who have worked to support the proj-ect including local Councillors and Council Officials. I have no doubt the end product will be a useful facility for the entire com-

munity.”Craigavon Deputy Mayor, Cllr

Catherine Seeley, accompanied Mrs Anderson, “I was delighted Martina was able to visit the area and view some of the important work underway across the Upper Bann Constituency.

“She is always keen to en-

gage with local people and local projects, and I think we all con-sidered these engagements very, very worthwhile.”

For more information on the Re-store Project people can visit the site on the Scarva Road, Ban-brdige, or go online at www.re-store.banbridge.gov.uk

For more information on the SF European Office Contact SF European Office Unit 2 Spen-cer House, 18-22 Spencer Road, Derry, BT47 6QAPhone: 02871 [email protected]

SEELEY HOSTS MEP MARTINA ANDERSON IN BANBRIDGE AND PORTADOWNSinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson took the chance to visit a number of projects in the Upper Bann area - Restore Project, Banbridge and Portadown People’s Park

PIC: SF’s Martina Anderson MEP & Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon Cllr Catherine Seeley

PIC: SF’s Martina Anderson MEP & Catherine Seeley in Portadown

SF MEP and Poll-Topper in the 6 Cos. Martina Anderson accompanies SF Rep Catherine Seeley on a visist to Upper Bann

“The Redevlopment of Portadown People’s Park has been a long time in the pipeline, congratulations to all those who have worked to support the project”


teanga. Is féidir do rogha rud a rá agus te-anga ar bith ar do thoil agat, a Ghréagóir.

B’fhéidir go nglacfadh sé leis an dúsh-lán Líofa 2015 – bheadh ansin faill aige an Ghaeilge a ionsaí fríd mheán na Gaeilge!

Is minic go fóill a chluintear caint ar ‘Aontachtóirí na dtithe móra’ mar choin-cheap – nó ‘Big House Unionism’– agus ní thig liom gan smaoiniú air sa chás seo.

Tá an chuma ar an scéal nach dóigh le Gréagóir go bhfuil a dhath contráilte lena ndúirt sé, ach ina theannta sin agus níos suntasaí ar dhóigh, nach dána an mhaise dóibh ceisteanna a chur air?

Tá siad ann, mar cheannairí aontachta-cha, a cheapann gur gan locht gan cháim atá siad. Dar leat go mbeadh na tithe móra go fóill ann ach le cónaitheoirí nua iontu – d’aistrigh David Trimble agus a chlann amach agus bhog a leithéid de Ghréagóir isteach.

Léigh mé alt ar na mallaibh ina raibh cúrsaí Gaeilge agus an Pobal Aontactach faoi chai-bidil ó thaobh dearcthaí agus tuisceana de. Is é rud a duirt cumadóir an ailt seo, duine ó chúlra aontactach, ná nár mhaith leis móthu ‘coimhthíoch’ ina thír féin. Nach suimiúil sin.

Bhí sé den bharúil fosta ná gurbh í sin an fáth ba mhó ar tháinig polaiteoirí den dream aontachtach chomh trom sin anuas ar an Ghaeilge. Chomhfhios an phobail aontachtaigh a bhí i gceist aige.

Ritheann sé liom, gur féidir seo a rá fá phobal na Gaeilge chomh maith, a gcaitear leo mar mhionphobal leis na cianta cairb-hreacha. De mo dhóigh féin, níor mhaith le pobal ar bith mothú ‘coimhthíoch’ ina dtír féin; nó i dtír ar bith eile, fiú.

Ach an amhlaidh an cás? Nó an bhfuil níos mó ná aineolas agus biogóideachas i gceist sa chás seo?

Is léir ón obair atá ar bun ag daoine ma-casamhail Linda Er-vine, agus eile, nach bhfuil achan uile aontachtóir ar aon dul le dearcadh an

Chaimbhéil. (Agus ní bhíodh, dála an scéil.) Is dócha gur tuigse mhaith, leath na hoibre.

I ndairírbh, tá scéal eile ag baint le Gréagóir agus a chuid tráchtaireach-ta. Is é sin cinniúint a pháirtí féin.

Níl sé á rá agam nach bhfuil dearcadh claonta ag Gréagóir agus ag a leithéid, i dtaca le hAcht na Gaeilge mar sham-pla; ach chun teacht ar chroí na ceiste, caithfidh muid amharc ar a bhfuil ar siúl i láthair na huaire agus ar a bhfuil ag tarlú le chóir a bheith 2 bhliain anuas.

Ó na hágóidí bratacha go dtí an t-am i láthair, tá roinnt den DUP ag cuidiú le dao-ine eile chun cur in éadan Chomhaontú an Aoine Chéasta a chothú. Ligeann an éiseam-láir, a thug Caimbhéal, do dhaoine eile an tuairim aineolach sin a spealpadh mar bheadh sí inglactha. Ná bíodh amhras ar bith orainn, áfach, ach go raibh sin ar intinn aige.

Nach cosúil go raibh cuid cainte Ghréagóir mar pháirt de fheachtas ullmhaithe, ag cothú na doininne roimh aontú eile a shocrú le SF?

In ainneoin cá bith rúin a bhí aige agus beag beann ar cá bith cúis lena ndúirt sé,maise, ní mar a shíltear a bhítear agus ní bheidh Gréagóir ábalta éalú chóiche óna thaibhse Ghaelach féin – a shloinne, a bheas taobh thiar de lena sholas.

Níl duine ar bith ag iarraidh bheith coimhthíoch ina thír féin. Ná déan coimhthíos, a Ghréagóir.

Searbhas nó biogóideacht lom fhollasach? Cá bith taobh a bhfuil tú ag dul leis, is beag duine a dtiocfadh leis a rá nach raibh grán-nacht agus máslacht taobh thiar dá ndúirt Gréagóir Caimbéal. Ní i gcónaí a bíos searb-has de mheon macánta. Chuir sé olc ar chuid mhór daoine, ó chúlraí éagsúla, agus ar ndóigh, ar lucht na Gaeilge ach go háirithe.

Ní chuirfidh a chuid cainte lá iontais orainn ach oiread. Níl amhras ar bith ach gur d’aonturas a rinne sé beag den Ghaeilge; agus de chainteoirí, de fhoghlaimeoirí agus den phobal dá bharr. Mhaígh sé go breá soiléir sna laethanta beaga ina dhiaidh nach raibh rún dá laghad aige a leithscéal a ghabháil le duine ar bith. Agus ar ndóigh, ar dhóigh a mbeifí ag súil, chuir sé an locht go dain-gean ar Shinn Féin agus ar pholaiteoirí eile a bhainfeadh úsáid as an Ghaeilge.

Bhí na gnáthmhanaí le cluinstin uaidh – an ceann is mó is maith liomsa ina measc, ‘arm polaitiúil An Ghaeilge.’ Ach mar is eol dúinn, níl an Ghaeilge ina arm polaitiúil ach an oiread leis an Bhéarla a bhí in úsáid aige-sean chun a ionsaí féin a dhéanamh ar an

Ní coimthíoch duine ina thír féin

leis an Fhoghlaimeoir Shíoraí

Glacann fear críonna comhairleA wise man accepts advice

PIC: Gréagóir Caimbéal (ó Flickr.com/DUP-PHOTOS)

Coimthíoch - strange, alien, foreign

Searbhas - sarcasm

ágóidí bratacha - flag protests

mana - motto

Aontachtóir - Unionist

Cúinne na bhFoghlaimeoirí

Béal cam na bpolaiteoirí!

An amhlaidh an cás?

www.upperbannsf.comNews in Brief

Sinn Féin Leader in Banbridge Councillor Brendan Curran has called on DUP Councillors to re-member that ‘Council policy is not dictated by the local MP’, af-ter slating the negative influence of local MP David Simpson on a range of issues.

His comments come after Up-per Bann MLAs Stephen Moutray and Sidney Anderson refused to stay in the Assembly chamber during the election of Mitchell McLaughlin as the first ever na-tionalist speaker in Stormont, and after David Simpson MP called for Banbridge Council to scrap their new bin collection policy.

Cllr Curran said, “I think it is important that

DUP elected representatives in the Council or in the Assembly, do not allow their approach, or their decision making, to be dic-tated by the electoral fortunes of the sitting MP. David Simpson has made it very clear that he, rather than the duly elected rep-resentatives from his party and others, will decide policy for the

new Council.” He continued, “In advance of a

prearranged review by council of the current bin trial scheme, the MP has decreed that his party’s policy on bin collections would be ’heavily influenced’ by a sur-vey carried out online and within a limited number of houses ef-fected by the scheme. He should now publish all the findings of the survey and the methodol-ogy used, if he really expects his elected representatives to heed his decree.”

Cllr Curran also referred to Sinn Féin’s position on the bin trial, “Sinn Féin will make a de-cision based on the evidence gathered from the trial currently being conducted by Banbridge Council. We will take into con-sideration the impact on the rates, the environmental impact and the impact on household-ers before deciding what scheme is best future proofed to provide long term environmental and fi-nancial benefits; and ultimately will benefit the public.”

Councillor Curran conclud-ed, “If we combine all this with the absence of the 2 local DUP MLAs from the Assembly cham-ber, when Mitchell McLaughlin was elected speaker recently, it is clear the local MP’s influence is weighing heavily on his party subordinates. DUP MLAs and Councillors must remember as-sembly and council policies are not dictated by the local MP.”

Council Policy Not Dictated by Local MPAn Geimhreadh 2015 9

Sinn Féin MLA for Upper Bann, John O’Dowd has stated that questions need to be an-swered by the British Ministry of Justice in terms a serious breach, where sensitive material in the Robert Hamill inquiry has be lost.

Mr O’Dowd said, “The loss of 2 disks containing data relating to the Robert Hamill inquiry, be-ing lost by the Ministry of Justice raises serious questions.

“It is imperative the Hamill family and their legal representa-tives are given the fullest details

of what has gone missing.“Given the nature of this in-

quiry and the delays that the family have experienced this will undoubtedly raise suspicions from those looking in on the in-quiry.

“All steps must now be taken to retrieve this information and to restore confidence in this pro-cess.”

Cllr Noel McGe-own

Serious Concerns over Loss of Hamill Inquiry Information

Sinn Féin Councillor on the new Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon Council, Máire Cairns, has welcomed a recent announcement by Education Minister John O’Dowd MLA, that there will be a £5.4 million investment in IT in our schools system. Cllr Cairns has labelled the announcement ‘a capital in-vestment that will benefit schools in the years ahead.’

Councillor Máire Cairns said, “As technology advances at an alarming pace it is important that teachers are kept apace with the latest developments that add value to their ability to educate our children.

“This capital investment of £5.4 million will provide teachers with the latest up to date laptops which will assist in the education of our children.

She added,“The laptops will allow teachers to access the C2K Education Cloud that holds in-formation needed to allow teach-ers to do a better job in a modern environment. I have no doubt that this investment will show improved results in our school system in the months and years ahead.”

Cllr Máire Cairns Welcomes £5.4million IT investment in Schools

PIC: Portadown man Robert Hamill murdered by loyalist mob in 1997

O’Dowd - “British MOJ have Questions to Answer”

“The family and their legal representatives should be given the fullest details of what has gone missing.”


It is no secret that the legacy of Craigavon has been stained by inequality, sectarianism and po-litical unionism’s failure to show any leadership or courage as our society moved from conflict to peace.

Many Sinn Féin councillors have described their involvement in institutions like Craigavon Council as a battle-a-day, and in my time on Council, I believe this is a fair reflection.

One battle I think we can be proud of was the battle to ensure

a final investment by Craigavon Borough Council in its local communities, before the dissolu-tion of the Council this 31 March.

We have secured an invest-ment of £900,000 with will be specifically aimed at community projects within the area. At least this is one legacy that an elected representative in Craigavon can be proud of.

When Council agreed to form a committee to look specifically at this investment my party col-leagues and I, set about set about ensuring the best possible invest-ment for the communities of the Borough.

This was not an easy task and, unfortunately, we were not able to fund every worthwhile project within Craigavon. Much of the discussion was based on viabil-ity, and ability to deliver before the end of the Council term – in many cases, this helped groups and bodies who lost out in pre-vious funding windows due to a lack of available funds.

Nonetheless, we waded through the vast list of projects and provided some well needed

funding for community projects.Some of the projects selected

include the development of Vil-lage Plans for some of the vil-lages throughout the Borough including Aghagallon_________ ; as well as, play area feasibility studies to ensure a range of areas are ready to move forward when

funding becomes available. Whilst time constraints meant

we couldn’t build play areas in many of the areas we would like, I am particularly glad that we have ensured that the new play area in Aghagallon and the MUGA (Multi-Use Games Area) in Maghery will now be built, having suffered a blow late last year when funding collapsed.

Other worthwhile projects that previously lost out will also

receive funding; including, Tagh-nevan Allotments, a Creative Hub in the Bleary area, and im-provements to the Ashgrove area in Portadown. Some long desired environmental works will also be carried out at Hoy’s Meadow in Portadown, and to the Linear Stream in Craigavon.

Many people will also be de-lighted to hear that completion of the Wildflower Garden at Ox-ford Island will be realised, pro-viding a welcome tourism boost for the area.

It is my sincere hope that this £900,000 investment in the com-munity of Craigavon will be to the benefit of all our citizens and will stand as at least one legacy of Craigavon Borough Council that we can all be proud off.

£900,000 Investment Secured as Craigavon Council Ends

By Cllr Catherine Seeley

PIC: MUGA (Multi-Use Games Area), such as is set for Maghery

£900,000 with will be specifically aimed at Community Projects within the area. At least this is one legacy that an elected repre-sentative in Craiga-von can be proud of.

Craigavon Deputy Mayor, Councillor Catherine Seeley, welcomes Council’s £900,000 investment in community based projects across Craigavon

PIC:Wildflower Garden at Oxford Island, to bloom this Spring

PIC: Hoy’’s Meadow Portadown © HENRYCLARK http://creativecom-mons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

#CatSeeley4MP

Westminster Election May 7th 2015

You don’t even have to be here to really make your mark!!!

If you are away: On holiday On business At university Make your opinions count by Postal Vote or Proxy!

If you cannot go to the polling station in person you can apply to vote by POST or PROXY (where you appoint someone to vote on your behalf ). You must provide a reason why you cannot vote in person.

Voting by Post Voting by Proxy Your ballot paper will be sent to you before polling day so you You can appoint someone (a ‘proxy’) can cast your vote and post the ballot paper back. to vote on your behalf at your polling station.

Permanent Postal or Proxy Vote To be eligible for a permanent postal/proxy vote you must provide a reason why you cannot reasonably be expected to go to your polling station on a permanent or long-term basis. The only acceptable reasons are:

• a disability; • your (or your husband’s, wife’s or civil partner’s) work; • your (or your husband’s, wife’s or civil partner’s) studies.

To download an application to receive a postal/proxy vote go to: http://www.eoni.org.uk/Vote/Voting-by-post-or-proxy Or contact the Sinn Féin office at: 02838 349675.

Register to vote/ change address/ change name REMEMBER BLACK INK To register to vote, update your address or name - go to http://www.eoni.org.uk/Register-To-Vote/Register-to-vote-change-address-change-name Print off the form, complete and sign it, then return it to your Area Electoral Office. Please read the guidance notes as you may need to send in documents with your form. This form can also be used to apply for an Electoral Identity Card. Visit the Electoral Identity Card page for details of how to apply. To obtain this form in a range of different languages visit the Forms in other languages page. The form is also available in Braille, audio or large print formats upon request. If you need any further information contact the Sinn Féin office: 02838 349675.

Register Your Vote Now!An Geimhreadh 2015 www.upperbannsf.com 11


You don’t even have to be here to really make your mark!!!

If you are away: On holiday On business At university Make your opinions count by Postal Vote or Proxy!

If you cannot go to the polling station in person you can apply to vote by POST or PROXY (where you appoint someone to vote on your behalf ). You must provide a reason why you cannot vote in person.

Voting by Post Voting by Proxy Your ballot paper will be sent to you before polling day so you You can appoint someone (a ‘proxy’) can cast your vote and post the ballot paper back. to vote on your behalf at your polling station.

Permanent Postal or Proxy Vote To be eligible for a permanent postal/proxy vote you must provide a reason why you cannot reasonably be expected to go to your polling station on a permanent or long-term basis. The only acceptable reasons are:

• a disability; • your (or your husband’s, wife’s or civil partner’s) work; • your (or your husband’s, wife’s or civil partner’s) studies.

To download an application to receive a postal/proxy vote go to: http://www.eoni.org.uk/Vote/Voting-by-post-or-proxy Or contact the Sinn Féin office at: 02838 349675.

Register to vote/ change address/ change name REMEMBER BLACK INK To register to vote, update your address or name - go to http://www.eoni.org.uk/Register-To-Vote/Register-to-vote-change-address-change-name Print off the form, complete and sign it, then return it to your Area Electoral Office. Please read the guidance notes as you may need to send in documents with your form. This form can also be used to apply for an Electoral Identity Card. Visit the Electoral Identity Card page for details of how to apply. To obtain this form in a range of different languages visit the Forms in other languages page. The form is also available in Braille, audio or large print formats upon request. If you need any further information contact the Sinn Féin office: 02838 349675.

Caith do vóta • Use your vote


You don’t evenhave to be here toreally make your mark!!!If you are away:On holidayOn businessAt universityMake your opinions count by Postal Vote or Proxy!

If you cannot go to the polling station in person you can apply to vote by POST or PROXY (where youappoint someone to vote on your behalf ). You must provide a reason why you cannot vote in person.

Voting by Post Voting by ProxyYour ballot paper will be sent to you before polling day so you You can appoint someone (a ‘proxy’)can cast your vote and post the ballot paper back. to vote on your behalf at your polling station.

Permanent Postal or ProxyVoteTo be eligible for a permanent postal/proxy vote you must provide a reason why you cannot reasonably be expected to go to your polling station on apermanent or long-term basis. The only acceptable reasons are:

• a disability; • your (or your husband’s, wife’s or civil partner’s) work; • your (or your husband’s, wife’s or civil partner’s) studies.To download an application to receive a postal/proxy vote go to: http://www.eoni.org.uk/Vote/Voting-by-post-or-proxyOr contact the Sinn Féin office at Teach Carney: 02890 740817.

Register to vote/ change address/ change nameTo register to vote, update your address or name - go to http://www.eoni.org.uk/Register-To-Vote/Register-to-vote-change-address-change-namePrint off the form, complete and sign it, then return it to your Area Electoral Office. Please read the guidance notes as you may need to send in documents withyour form. This form can also be used to apply for an Electoral Identity Card. Visit the Electoral Identity Card page for details of how to apply.To obtain this form in a range of different languages visit the Forms in other languages page. The form is also available in Braille, audio or large print formatsupon request. If you need any further information contact the Sinn Féin office at Teach Carney: 02890 740817.

Caith do vóta • Use your vote

In September 2014, local Sinn Fein Re-publican Youth activist Keara Downey was part of a delegation on a week long trip to Catalunya. The Sinn Féin delegation met with activists from Catalan independentist party Esquerra (ERC), and their youth wing JERC, continuing the long standing relation-ship of solidarity between the Catalan and Irish independence and youth movements.

The delegation which consisted of 32 Republicans from across the 32 counties of Ireland participated in a long list of events; meeting with Alfred Bosch, Member of the Spanish Congress fighting for Independence and soon to be the next Mayor of Barcelona, who assisted the delegation around the Old

City of Barcelona visiting the sites of the historic events of September 11th 1714 and commemorating the siege and final fall of Barcelona. The delegation was also privileged to meet with Marta Rovira, Vice- President of ERC and visit the remarkable Parliament of Catalunya.

The timing marked an historic occasion for the Catalan people as they commemorat-ed the Tricentenary of 1714 and as the del-egation participated in the pre-national day torch walk in Barcelona’s Old City and the Catalan National Day demonstration, the en-ergetic and demanding call for independence was clear to be seen.

On the National Day (September 11th) 2.2

million people, Catalans and their comrades from around the world, displayed vibrantly their desire for self-determination.

Despite the Spanish State rejecting the referendum and taking extreme measures to disrupt it, labelling it as illegal and anti-dem-ocratic, on November 9th a referendum on Catalan independence did take place; with an overwhelming 80% of votes cast in favour of an independent Catalan state.

Efforts to create uncertainty and to de-moralise Catalan citizens failed miserably.

While the Spanish State and Government continue to undermine the referendum in its aftermath, the campaign for Catalan inde-pendence continues.

Earlier than scheduled elections have now been called in Catalunya, to occur on 27 Sep-tember 2015.

La Lluita Continua!

SF activist Keara Downey in Barcelona, during Referendum Campaign on Catalan Independence


Dlúthpháirtíocht sa Chatalóin - Solidarity in Catalunya

PIC: SF Youth Acticvists with Catalan Independence Activists in Catalunya

PIC: SF’s Keara Downey

Sinn Féin Republican Youth Rally for

Catalan Independence

An overwhelming 80% of votes cast in favour of an independent Catalanya

Documents

Sinn Féin - Baile