Statement

WEIR WELCOMES DEAL ON SPED FINANCE 

Posted on: September 14, 2009

“I welcome the news that the Executive has reached an agreement that will allow immediate funding for the SPED scheme which will enable the properties encompassed by the scheme to be purchased with immediate effect. I believe that this will be of great relief to those who are currently under threat. They have a right to expect the help of the Executive in the appalling position that they have been put in, and I believe that we have seen a victory for common sense. Along with everyone in North Down, I owe a great debt to the security forces, who for decades have protected us  from the ravages of terrorism. They deserve our support. 

It is a disgrace that these officers and their families have been put through such unnecessary stress before today’s solution. I am deeply disappointed that this crisis was created by the failure of the Department of Social Development to prioritise funding for the SPED scheme, and a failure to face up its statutory. It took the intervention of First Minister Peter Robinson and Finance Minister Sammy Wilson to sort out this problem but nevertheless the key people in this crisis has been the security force members under threat and their families, from North Down and beyond, and today’s agreement will give them the much needed support and help that they require.”