Speaking after the visit of Shadow Secretary of State Vernon Coaker MP, Margaret Ritchie MP said;

“This was the first of the Shadow Secretary of State’s visits to South Down. On this visit, given the upcoming St Patrick’s Day celebrations, we visited a number of the sites associated with St Patrick in and around Downpatrick,. I also arranged a meeting with a number of community, tourism and business representatives to give a full picture of the economic potential of St Patrick and our tourism product here in Downpatrick and Down District.

It is vital that we spread the word within political circles that Dowpatrick and South Down not only are home to a great tourism product, but that we are eager to grow and expand our tourism industry.

The Shadow Secretary of State was very supportive of our efforts to promote the local tourism industry and agreed that the benefits of tourism, as with any other economic investment, should be spread equally throughout Northern Ireland. I welcome his commitment to pursue an even spread of tourism and economic investment

On the Shadow Secretary of States next visit I hope to bring him to the Mournes to expand on our tourism offering and reflect the entire tourism product of South Down”

“I welcome very much Ministers Farry’s positive and practical response to our calls to assist with training for the off shore industry, I look forward to the establishment of this pilot and I welcome the assurance from the Minister that he sees this as a very important issue and has instructed his officials to make sure it is given the priority it deserves.

Job opportunities currently exist in the off-shore industry and with a minimal amount of training local people could avail of these job opportunities, particularly those previously employed at sea.

One interested employer is Atlantic Marine Services from the Netherlands. Companies like AMS see the potential in employees from fishing communities and are interested in the skills and background already acquired in the industry from working at sea or on shore in the Marine industry. However, in order to meet standards required training is required and this can be costly.
We must continue to find new and innovative ways to create employment for our community and I will continue to pursue this training project to completion.”

“Following my visit to Kitty’s Road Community Association along with Cllr Sean Rogers, where we witnessed first hand the great range of services that are provided through the Community Centre for the local community, I requested that Council look at ways of ensuring the future provision of Services at Kitty’s Road.

I am pleased to report that following representations, Newry& Mourne Council have confirmed that it is their intension to provide a new modular building to replace the existing building and to provide play units in the playground. Council Officers will now prepare a Business Case for the building and play equipment, to go before Council for the November estimates meeting.

Further to this, in the meantime Council will provide a walk in lock up for the purposes of storage.

Kitty’s Roads Community Association, through their endless efforts have succeeded the proving that there is a need for community provision at Kitty’s Road and have placed this project on a sound footing for the future..

I will continue to pursue the Council on the delivery of this project.”

Margaret Ritchie said

“I was delighted to take an opportunity to visit the new Medical Centre in Clough on Saturday 4th March 2012. Many local people came to visit the Centre and were extremely enthusiastic about the facilities that were on offer to the local population.

This state of the art facility offers a new health and medical centre with a range of GPs, Treatment room, Conference room and minor injuries unit. In conjunction with that facility, one will find a Pharmacy, Podiatrist, Physiotherapist, and Optometrist. I am told that the Dentist will be available in the near future.

This one stop shop for medical and health provision in the Clough/Dundrum/Seaforde area of South Down will ensure local accessibility to a range of GP and allied medical services for the broad spectrum of the population – babies to more aged members of our population.

I would like to congratulate all those involved with the design, construction and development of this facility and those who will work in this new building”.

“The Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission has confirmed that the Equality Commission will be taking the following action;

The Equality Commission will be meeting with the Department of Health to discuss the policy proposals, including the extended period of time and various impact assessments proposed. The Equality Commission wish to discuss with the Department the evidential basis for the selection of the Centre of Excellence Model for shared services. The commission will be discussing the importance of further analysis of those staff who may be required to move to an office some distance from their current one and/or change their current work activity. The Commission considers there should be further consideration and clarity around mitigating measures and want detail on the measures being taken to accommodate staff who may wish to retrain and stay in their current location.

I am pleased that my concerns and those of the staff, regarding by the Equality Impact Assessment and this process to date, have been taken on board by the Equality Commission and I look forward the outcome of their discussions with the Department. I reiterate my call that this process must be halted and a full review carried out by the Department.”

“Roads Service listened to the concerns of local residents regarding the speed of traffic and the requirement for street lighting in the area leading into Greencastle. Roads Service have undertaken to liaise with the PSNI to see if an extension of the 30mph limit can be granted. Roads Service will also look at improving roads markings and conduct an assessment for street lighting in the area.

I will continue to pursue this matter with Roads Service and await the outcome of the investigations and assessments now being undertaken.”

“I was delighted to meet and welcome the Occupational Therapy and Nursing Students from Michigan, USA at the Downe Hospital, Downpatrick on Saturday 3rd March.

The enthusiastic bunch of young men and women saw at first hand the range of services that are provided in the new Downe Hospital, and the potential for the provision of other services.

One of the young students – Erin Quinn – has a direct connection with Downpatrick in that her father emigrated from the town in the early 1960s.

I was able to explain to them the origins and rationalse for the hospital campaign and also to underpin that our tourism industry was based on our greatest import, and greatest export – St Patrick.

This was an important exchange by young students who were appraised of the latest medical and nursing developments in the Downe Hospital by a senior member of the management team”.

Following further representations to the Minister for Regional Development, the Minister has confirmed that the formal business case process should be approved by the end of April 2012, and it is then hoped to engage Marine Consultants to assist with the procurement and design of the new ferry by the end of 2012.

It is vital during these testing economic times that government move ahead with capital projects such as the Strangford ferry, in order to sustain the position of the community and to improve future prospects.

I will continue to pursue the delivery of this new ferry and look forward to the benefits it will bring to the community and visitors to the area.”

This road requires upgrading in order to improve both travel times and safety.While this road is through the rural hinterland it is a main route for traffic in South Down and it must be given priority in terms of upgrade and road safety.

In response to my request the Minister has agreed to undertake a review of the B8 Hilltown to Newry route. I welcome this progress and look forward to the outcome of the review and to what I hope will be meaningful outcomes that will improve this stretch of road for local and visiting traffic.”

Ms Ritchie said, “Terry George has received the most prestigious award in picture in recognition of his short film “The Shore”. This is a wonderful accolade not only for Mr George and his daughter Orlaigh who produced the film, but also for Northern Ireland and its people. It is a particular honour for Coney Island in my own constituency of South Down where most of the film is shot.

The film, and subsequent critical acclaim will put Coney Island on the map and show to the world the breathtaking scenary and natural beauty that is on show in County Down.

I have written directly to the Speaker of the Assembly urging him to hold a reception in acknowledgment of this incredible achievement for Terry George and his family.”