Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Point scoring comments 'unhelpful and counterproductive' - Brendan Curran

Published: 22 February, 2009

Sinn Féin Council Leader Brendan Curran has described recent comments made by SDLP councillor Gary Stokes on the striking of the Council rate as "unhelpful and counterproductive."

Cllr Curran said,

"During the lengthy deliberations our councillors focused on striking a rate which we believed would best deliver for the people of Newry and Mourne in this difficult financial climate. This year's negotiations have been among the lengthiest that I can remember and a lot of difficult decisions have been made.

"Sinn Féin's priority has been to provide a top class public service at a realistic cost to the ratepayer. We are committed to continuing to ensure openness, accountability and delivering efficient and effective services for all our communities. It is imperative that all Parties including the SDLP work with us in a genuine spirit of partnership, particularly in these demanding times. That is what our communities expect and deserve."

"Ratepayers are now more than ever asking as to how, where and why we spend our monies. That is to be expected and welcomed. Regrettably Cllr Stokes has made misleading and counterproductive comments to the press after the rates were struck. He has attempted to blame Sinn Fein for financial difficulties in the Council. The reality is that Sinn Féin currently have only 12 seats out of 30 on the Council. The combined vote of the SDLP and the Unionists has on many occasions prevented positive Sinn Fein initiatives in the Council, most recently in relation to children accessing free swimming, the opening of a book of condolence for the people of Gaza and the refusal to support the Newry Identity campaign."

"We will not be deterred, however, from giving positive political and financial leadership in the Council."

Cllr Curran concluded,

"The right of all to criticise the actions and decisions of elected representatives is paramount. However our priority should always be to deliver for the people who elect us, not to focus on unhelpful and counterproductive attacks."Críoch