10 September 2009 Edition
Assembly team prepare for challenges ahead
SINN FÉIN’s Assembly team in the North held its annual planning day in Gulladuff, County Derry on Monday. It follows a similar planning day held by the Leinster House team last week.
Speaking from the meeting Assembly Group Leader, John O’Dowd said:
“We are now half way through this Assembly term.
“The next two years has to be about making significant progress, particularly on economic, education, environment and other matters.
“Sinn Féin is determined to ensure progress in key areas such as Equality, the transfer of Policing and Justice Powers, the Bill of Rights and the rights of Irish speakers, in the tackling of sectarianism and in strengthening the all Ireland working of the political institutions on this island.
“Yes, there has been deadlock on some issues because of unionist reluctance to engage fully in the new dispensation but there has also been significant progress on other matters; for example billions will be spent on new roads, new schools, new hospitals, and water and sewage system.
“The Executive and the Assembly can make a real difference but only on the basis of partnership government.”
Speaking from the meeting Assembly Group Leader, John O’Dowd said:
“We are now half way through this Assembly term.
“The next two years has to be about making significant progress, particularly on economic, education, environment and other matters.
“Sinn Féin is determined to ensure progress in key areas such as Equality, the transfer of Policing and Justice Powers, the Bill of Rights and the rights of Irish speakers, in the tackling of sectarianism and in strengthening the all Ireland working of the political institutions on this island.
“Yes, there has been deadlock on some issues because of unionist reluctance to engage fully in the new dispensation but there has also been significant progress on other matters; for example billions will be spent on new roads, new schools, new hospitals, and water and sewage system.
“The Executive and the Assembly can make a real difference but only on the basis of partnership government.”