Allister Thanks Respondents to Special Adviser Consultation
09 January 2012
Statement by TUV leader and North Antrim MLA Jim Allister:
“Last October, accompanied by Ann Travers, I launched the consultation process as the first stage of a Bill to ban people convicted of serious offences from holding the position of Special Adviser. At the time I said: “I would appeal to people across Northern Ireland to respond to the consultation on the Bill. Every response which is received in support of these proposals – be it from an organisation or individual – will show support for the Travers family who have suffered so much as a result of Sinn Fein/IRA’s heartless appointment.”
“I am delighted to say that the response has been overwhelming. In total, 818 responses were received. Of those, over 98% supported the vast majority of my proposals.
“To receive 818 responses to a consultation on a proposed private members bill really is remarkable. HM Government’s national consultation on the devolution of corporation tax to Stormont attracted “over 700” responses according to the Treasury’s website while OFMdFM’s high profile consultation on the Cohesion, Sharing and Integration Strategy resulted in just 285 replies.
“Response were received from organisations, including some political parties but the vast majority came from ordinary members of the public who were disgusted by the appointment of convicted murderer Mary McArdle to such a post.
"The next stage in the process is to consult further with the Assembly's Bill Office on some finer details before seeking the authority of the Speaker's Office for the Bill to be formally drafted.
“I am very grateful to the public who have so magnificantly played their part, now, shortly it will be over to the MLAs. It is incumbent upon all democrats to see to it that these proposals make it on to the statute book so that a great wrong can be righted."
