Politicians prepare to take seats at Assembly

ASSEMBLY members are expected to return to Stormont on Saturday when the first item on the agenda will be the nomination of ministers for the Executive. But, no matter who is appointed, they will have key priorities to address, including in West Tyrone.

Here’s just some of the issues that people locally are hoping will be seriously addressed by the incoming Executive as they get back to work after almost two years.

A5

Now estimated to cost more than £1 billion, a decision on whether to give the green light to the new dual-carriageway between Aughnacloy and Newbuildings will be on the desk of the Infrastructure Minister. A Public Inquiry into the scheme took place last year, and the Planning Appeals Commission submitted its report to the Department in the autumn. With the current A5 considered one of the most dangerous roads in Ireland, the importance of the dual-carriageway cannot be under-estimated. The report is likely to be presented to the new Minister, and politicians from all shades of political opinion locally will be calling on them to say yes.

The health service

In the past two years the crisis in the health service locally has intensified. From waiting lists to the problems being faced by local GP surgeries, it’s clear that urgent action is required to address and ease the problems.There are countless people awaiting important treatment for a range of conditions and add in concerns about the future of some services at the South West Acute Hospital and the situation certainly appears to be dire. Real people’s lives are being put at risk here, and our Stormont politicians need to take brave decisions right from the start to address the many problems afflicting the NHS.

Public sector pay

Just two weeks ago, hundreds of public sector workers from across the district area took to the picket-lines seeking pay parity with their colleagues across the water. Health workers, teachers, classroom assistants, roads service staff and Translink workers were among those highlighting their anger and frustration. The British Government has pledged £3.2 billion to Stormont once it is restored, sufficient to provide that pay parity. Many Stormont politicians joined the picket lines a fortnight ago in support of the workers. Now they’ve their chance to put those fine words into action and ensure that those very same workers get the pay increases that they have merited for years.

A stable Government

Figures show that the Stormont Executive has only been in place for around 50 per-cent of the time since it was first established following the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. The prolonged suspension of the devolved assembly, combined with the constant wrangling and party-political squabbles have left ordinary people here hurting for so many years. Our roads, health and education systems are struggling to cope. The hope of all will be for a stable government who will ensure that these issues are finally dealt with.