Halliday slams funding bias
Posted on 23/03/11 and tagged under Victims
Statement by Barrie Halliday, TUV candidate in Newry & Armagh
“In light of the recent revelations regarding the dispensing of funding I must ask just how a victim maker, such as Sinn Fein’s Gerry Kelly, has seemingly gained absolute control of the victims sector within OFMDFM. It’s an embarrassment to the DUP/UUP and I believe it’s something they are trying to hide but the facts speak for themselves, Sinn Fein are in control of the very people they made victims in the first place.
“An ongoing investigation shows that not only are Protestant/Unionist groups being targeted from within OFMDFM and funding withdrawn, but republican /nationalist groups are getting the lion’s share of any available money and no questions asked. We estimate at this early stage that over 70% of all successful applications are being given to republican /nationalist groups while Protestant/Unionist groups are continually denied funding no matter how great the need. And we are not talking a few hundred pounds here, we are talking hundreds of thousands.
“Now just how did the DUP and UUP let this happen? Unionists are being openly discriminated against while the funding of pro republican groups is taking epidemic proportions, what dirty deal was done behind closed doors?.
“It is time for a change and one which will see the Protestant/Unionist community treated as equals. The DUP and UPP have failed miserably when it comes to standing by their constituents, who day and daily are being relegated to second class citizen status in many areas of society. Its incontrovertible that Unionist politicians voted in favour of giving funding to shrines like the one at Tí Chulainn Cultural Centre. It’s a massive marble structure glorifying the IRA men who murdered their voters’ families, yet yesterday in the press they act surprised and shocked like its something they didn’t know about. They are treating the electorate with contempt and hiding unpalatable facts from them.
“I as a TUV candidate, if elected, will ensure that this blatant discrimination stops and stops now. No longer will republicans be allowed to apply for grants under the guise of "cross community initiatives" and then later use that money to promote and glorify terrorism. No longer will the cozy Sinn Fein/DUP deal be allowed to continue, its discrimination. I am currently investigating the exact figures involved but already I know most people will be shocked when they see just how many millions have been allocated to republican/nationalist groups and organisations and just what that money has been spent on.
“It is time for a change and one which will see the Protestant/Unionist community treated as equals. The DUP and UPP have failed miserably when it comes to standing by their constituents, who day and daily are being relegated to second class citizen status in many areas of society. Its incontrovertible that Unionist politicians voted in favour of giving funding to shrines like the one at Tí Chulainn Cultural Centre. It’s a massive marble structure glorifying the IRA men who murdered their voters’ families, yet yesterday in the press they act surprised and shocked like its something they didn’t know about. They are treating the electorate with contempt and hiding unpalatable facts from them.
“I as a TUV candidate, if elected, will ensure that this blatant discrimination stops and stops now. No longer will republicans be allowed to apply for grants under the guise of "cross community initiatives" and then later use that money to promote and glorify terrorism. No longer will the cozy Sinn Fein/DUP deal be allowed to continue, its discrimination. I am currently investigating the exact figures involved but already I know most people will be shocked when they see just how many millions have been allocated to republican/nationalist groups and organisations and just what that money has been spent on.
“Questions need to be asked of these republican groups and the funders and I intend to ask them as its clear the DUP and UUP don’t wish to rock the good ship Stormont, no matter what the cost to Unionists, but there will be no more hiding from uncomfortable truths if I have anything to do with it.”
