Copeland assesses implications of Airtricity/Phoenix announcement in fight against fuel poverty

Ulster Unionist MLA Michael Copeland has reacted to the news that the energy company Airtricity has bought over the Phoenix Natural Gas supply business.

The East Belfast MLA, who is his Party’s Social Development spokesperson, said:

“Although there are concerns about some aspects of the Airtricity/Phoenix announcement, the reality is that ordinary consumers are less concerned about who is delivering their energy than they are about the costs, especially in the current economic climate.

With so many households living in fuel poverty, any avenue which has the potential to reduce the costs of fuel must be explored.

In the longer term this development may make Dual fuel purchases possible in Northern Ireland for the first the first time, with electricity and gas coming from a single supplier, thereby providing choice and convenience for consumers. If this is the case, it will slow down the rate of increase in fuel costs and perhaps even create real savings, helping the fight against fuel poverty.”

Ulster Unionist reaction to Airtricity purchase of Phoenix gas supply

Ulster Unionist Party Energy Spokesperson, Sandra Overend MLA has reacted to the news that the supply of Phoenix Natural Gas has been bought by Airtricity, subject to competition commission referral.

The Mid-Ulster MLA said:

“The gas supply industry has been quite volatile in recent weeks what with the ongoing dispute between Phoenix Natural Gas and the Utility Regulator and the referral to the competition Commission regarding price setting.

We also know that Firmus supply of gas in Northern Ireland is on the market for sale.  Meanwhile, we listen to various and continued calls from large manufacturing businesses in the west of Northern Ireland who are being crippled by enormous energy bills, and therefore, would dearly love to be able to avail of gas supply, something that would cut energy costs by at least 20%.

Airtricity already supply electricity across the border in the Republic of Ireland as well as in Northern Ireland. This move into the supply of gas in Northern Ireland is an interesting one, as will be the effect which this transaction will have on the gas supply market here.  I would appeal to the Enterprise, Trade & Investment Minister to update us on her energy strategy arising out of these movements, and provide some much needed clarity for the future.

The gas market in Northern Ireland is still a relatively new concept and with so much uncertainty in recent times it may prove difficult for local consumers to invest in.  I would question if this take over by Airtricity has the ability to bring some much needed stability to the scene.”

Hussey expresses sympathy to families affected by news that Police retained body parts and tissue samples.

Ulster Unionist Policing Board representative Ross Hussey has expressed his sympathy to the families of the 67 victims of suspicious or unexplained deaths whose body parts and tissue samples were retained by the Police without notifying relatives.     

 The West Tyrone MLA said:

“This news will no doubt have come as a great shock to a great number of families. I welcome the fact that the PSNI have appointed 14 family liaison officers who are in the process of contacting the families affected, and I would ask that those families have their privacy respected as they come to terms with this news.

I also understand that there was an announcement planned for Monday which would have given the Police time to contact the families affected, but due to the leaking of this information, this process has had to be brought forward.  

Some of these cases date back over 50 years to a very different era. No matter what details emerge in the coming days, it is extremely important that the families affected are treated with the utmost sensitivity and that robust mechanisms are put in place to ensure this situation cannot happen again.”

Hussey hails RUC Part Time Officers generosity

Ulster Unionist MLA Ross Hussey has hailed the generosity of the members of former RUC Part-Time Officers who have donated over £7,000 to charity today (Friday).

The West Tyrone MLA said:

“Recently at PSNI Headquarters in Belfast, the RUC GC Part Time Officers Welfare Group handed over a total of £7,000 to four nominated charities. 

The money was raised through donations from former officers following the payment of the gratuity and the presentation was made at the RUC GC Memorial Garden at Police Headquarters in Belfast. The four charities to benefit were the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice, the Chest Heart and Stroke Association, Macmillan Nurses and the Royal British Legion.”

Friday 11th May saw the final chapter of the long running RUC Reserve Gratuity saga when cheques totalling £7000 were presented to 4 charities by Ross Hussey MLA the Chairman of the Royal Ulster Constabulary GC Association Part Time Officers Welfare Group. 

Mr Hussey said

“We fought a campaign for nearly 12 years to have the service of the part time RUC Reserve recognised and late last year the payments were finally released.  We had hoped with 6000 recipients that we could have created a charity fund of over £60000 to distribute to worthy causes but the Justice Department refused to send appeal letters out with the payment notices as they feared this would be a breach of the Data Protection Act. 

I have to say that we sought legal advice at the time which did not agree with the rationale used by the Department and we made our views known to the Minister at the time to no avail.  However I am delighted that we are able to be here today to hand back something to the community.

 I also wish to put on record our appreciation of the support that has been given to our campaign for many years by the Newsletter who have supported us by publishing articles and by printing letters on this subject.

I pay tribute to the gallantry of the Royal Ulster Constabulary GC who throughout a campaign of terror unmatched in these islands managed to hold the 'thin green line'.

I pay tribute to the families of those who were so brutally murdered and who have loyally and respectfully remembered their loved ones with pride and I pay tribute to all who were prepared to serve this community as part time police officers in 'our darkest hours'. 

These donations to the Royal British Legion,  NI Children's Hospice, Chest Heart and Stroke and MacMillan Nurses are a small token of our appreciation of those who volunteer for others.

 We chose non-police charities specifically to give something to the local community who have for many years supported the Police.

I close by thanking my Committee, David, James, Brian, Tom, Paul, Hazel, Jenni, Terry and Olive and we remember our friend Olwyn Hazelton who died in December for her unstinting support throughout.'