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‘Even the Queen wouldn’t back spend’ - McLaughlin

Thursday, 9 February 2012

Sinn Fein Cllr Cathal McLaughlin and fellow Cllr Philip McGuigan are opposed to a £20,000 spend to mark the Queen’s jubilee, labelling it ‘ludicrous’ that the rate payer will be responsible.

A SINN FEIN Cllr has called into question a proposed spend of £20,000 by Ballymoney Borough Council to mark the Queen's jubilee, remarking that in the state of the economy would the queen herself give backing for the spend? Speaking at Monday night's Full Council Meeting held in Riada House, Ballymoney, Cllr Cathal McLaughlin said that although he had a 'bit of admiration for the woman' after she visited G.A.A. grounds and spoke in the Irish language, he said the fact that £20,000 was being proposed for the event would not 'go down well' in the Borough.
The recommendation, proposed as part of the Events Working Group, also included a proposal that Council reserve two tables at a County Antrim Dinner, at a cost of £500.00 per table, plus up to £20,000 for events proposed, which might include exhibitions, historic walk and talk, sport, art, film and music events, community celebration lunch, garden party, tree plant, civic service and jubilee beacon.
Ludicrous spend
Fellow Sinn Fein Colleague Cllr Philip Mc Guigan had earlier said he was happy for representatives of Council to attend a Co.Antrim Dinner held to celebrate the jubilee, but wasn't happy that rate payers money was paying for it.
Cllr McGuigan labelled the proposal as 'ludicrous' adding, "This party certainly couldn't agree. This is not good value for money. As far as I'm aware there are funds available for groups of people if they want to celebrate this and I would suggest that if people want to make inquiries they should be assisted by the Council. This party is opposed to everything proposed within [the minute] in its entirety."
Not denying heritage
Cllr McLaughlin said that although he was not denying anyone celebrating their culture, as he enjoyed and looked forward to celebrating his, he was also not criticising what the event was for, he said he was quite sure that the Queen knows the state of the economy and he wondered whether or not she would give backing for the budget herself.
The Sinn Fein man said he could picture the news being broken to ratepayers that their rates were going to be hiked up to pay for said events.
UUP Alderman Bill Kennedy said that as far as he was aware the £20,000 had been made available for all community groups in the entire Borough, and if nobody applied then the money wouldn't be spent. He reiterated that it was made available to the entire community.
DUP man and Chair of the Development Committee Cllr John Finlay said he expected the remarks from the Sinn Fein camp, adding "A leopard doesn't change its spots! But given the service Her Majesty has given, there's little less we can do."

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