15 April 1999 Edition
Second council boycotts Housing Council
Newry and Mourne Council is the second nationalist council to warn the unionist-dominated Northern Ireland Housing Council (NIHC) that it will boycott the body if it doesn't give places to nationalists.
Set up in 1970, the NIHC, which represents all 26 of the North's council areas, has consistently voted unionists onto its 10 member ruling panel. The only exception was in 1995, when the NIHC elected a nationalist onto its panel.
Newry's decision follows that of Cookstown Council, which voted in March this year demanding that the NIHC ensure ``proper representation'' in nominations to NIHC.
Both Cookstown and Newry councils now intend to write to British NIO minister Lord Dubs asking him to ``ensure that future nominations reflect proper religious and political composition''.
Criticising the NIHC, Sinn Féin's housing spokesperson Mick Murphy said: ``This is a perfect example of blatant sectarianism by unionists who abuse the power of a slight majority to gain a position of 100% domination.''
Set up in 1970, the NIHC, which represents all 26 of the North's council areas, has consistently voted unionists onto its 10 member ruling panel. The only exception was in 1995, when the NIHC elected a nationalist onto its panel.
Newry's decision follows that of Cookstown Council, which voted in March this year demanding that the NIHC ensure ``proper representation'' in nominations to NIHC.
Both Cookstown and Newry councils now intend to write to British NIO minister Lord Dubs asking him to ``ensure that future nominations reflect proper religious and political composition''.
Criticising the NIHC, Sinn Féin's housing spokesperson Mick Murphy said: ``This is a perfect example of blatant sectarianism by unionists who abuse the power of a slight majority to gain a position of 100% domination.''