Fire Service running scared
11 October 2007
Statement by Jim Allister MEP:
"I wrote a letter of complaint to the Chief Fire Officer following the disgraceful episode in Enniskillen where a photographic tribute to victims of the infamous IRA bombing in 1987 was removed.
I am appalled by the revelation in the reply that there may be other emblems, plaques or displays in other Fire Stations which may now be taken down as a result of the compliant in Enniskillen and that the Fire Service is reviewing its guidance to staff on these matters. It seems to me that the Fire Service is running scared of a republican campaign of harassment.
The Fire Service has informed me that they have received advice from the Equality Commission about this matter. I therefore await with interest the response of the Commission to my complaint about this matter.
In spite of Dr Paisley and Martin McGuinness’s assurance on Monday that victims are “important” to them I still to receive a response from them on this issue, particularly in regard to the need to review equality guidance, if it can indeed give rise to preposterous decisions such as that in Enniskillen."
