The Northern Ireland gay blood ban looks set to continue with the news from the DUP’s health minister, Edwin Poots MLA, that he has received some new research strengthening his position. As reported on the BBC, the minister says he … Continue reading Continuing NI gay blood ban continues the prejudice
Once again, Northern Ireland lags behind progress in the rest of the United Kingdom. The health minister at Stormont, Edwin Poots MLA of the DUP has said that he will not be rushed on lifting the ban on gay men giving blood. Last October, he was quizzed by the health committee in the Northern Ireland Assembly and told them, I am not going to be rushed, pushed or harassed on an issue that is about public safety The Minister continued to state his position: We are not west Brits here: we are Northern Ireland, and we are a devolved Administration. … Continue reading Dispicable blood ban must be lifted in Northern Ireland
Once again it seems that Northern Ireland is going to be left behind by a Minister who has delayed policies in the past in another department. Today Edwin Poots MLA, our Health Minister informed the Health Committee in the Assembly that the lifetime ban on gay men donating blood was not going to be lifted, unlike what is happening in the rest of the United Kingdom. It is clear that the Minister is not really taking the same advice as his counterparts across the water. A number of organisations and political parties have been making comments. Are we expected to be self-sufficient … Continue reading Another policy, another delay: Poots does it again
By now we should be well down the road for reorganisation of the local district councils in Northern Ireland from the 26 current district councils to the 11 council model. Sadly for some, though better for actual local democracy and relation of councillor to constituent, this has not happened. According to the BBC, Northern Ireland’s Minister for the Environment, Edwin Poots, of the DUP, said that he remained committed to reforming local government Committed to reforming local government he may be, but not committed to bringing forward the legislation necessary to enable this to be done. For Mr Poots has … Continue reading councils delay has gone to Poots
Gyronny Herald 