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08/02/2010
Taoiseach Welcomes New SDLP Leader
The Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, has welcomed Margaret Ritchie as the new leader of the SDLP.
Yesterday, Ms Ritchie made history by becoming the first woman elected to lead the Social Democratic and Labour Party.
The long serving MLA was the Stormont Executive's Social Development Minister and replaces the outgoing Foyle MP Mark Durkan at the helm of the nationalist party.
Speaking today, Mr Cowen passed his "warmest congratulations" to Margaret Ritchie on her election to the post.
"In assuming the office of SDLP leader, she follows in one of the most distinguished lines in Irish political history. I am sure she will continue that proud tradition into the future," the Taoiseach said.
He added: "She has shown as Minister for Social Development that she has the values and the leadership skills that Northern Ireland needs to build a better future. I look forward to working with Margaret as we continue to work together for lasting peace and prosperity throughout Ireland. I also send my best wishes to Alasdair McDonnell, who fought a vigorous and noble campaign".
Last night, the Taoiseach also attended the SDLP conference in Newcastle, Co Down, where he paid tribute to the outgoing party leader, Mark Durkan MP MLA.
The 51-year-old South Down Assemblywoman beat SDLP deputy leader, and South Belfast MP, Dr Alasdair McDonnell in a vote during the party's annual conference in Newcastle.
Ms Ritchie is the first woman to lead a dominant Northern Ireland political party. Dawn Purvis currently leads the fringe-loyalist Progressive Unionist Party, serving as its sole MLA.
In a proposition paper, disclosed to www.4NI.co.uk news last week, Ms Ritchie put forward radical changes under her leadership mandate.
She outlined several steps aimed at restoring "the publics' faith" in Northern Ireland politics.
This will include the SDLP voluntarily publishing the names of all political donations over the threshold of £5,000 from 1 April.
Ms Ritchie will also call for a review of the Planning Legislation to ensure that planning officials and elected representatives publicly detail all their contacts with developers and resident groups on any particular planning application.
"There is no legitimate reason why there shouldn’t be complete transparency in the planning process," she said.
"If everything is being done above board, then there's nothing to hide. If anything unscrupulous is going on, the public deserves to know."
Ms Ritchie continued: "I am committed to transparency in politics, and as SDLP Leader and I will take a lead to ensure that an atmosphere of openness becomes the norm rather than the exception in Northern Ireland."
(DW/BMcC)
Yesterday, Ms Ritchie made history by becoming the first woman elected to lead the Social Democratic and Labour Party.
The long serving MLA was the Stormont Executive's Social Development Minister and replaces the outgoing Foyle MP Mark Durkan at the helm of the nationalist party.
Speaking today, Mr Cowen passed his "warmest congratulations" to Margaret Ritchie on her election to the post.
"In assuming the office of SDLP leader, she follows in one of the most distinguished lines in Irish political history. I am sure she will continue that proud tradition into the future," the Taoiseach said.
He added: "She has shown as Minister for Social Development that she has the values and the leadership skills that Northern Ireland needs to build a better future. I look forward to working with Margaret as we continue to work together for lasting peace and prosperity throughout Ireland. I also send my best wishes to Alasdair McDonnell, who fought a vigorous and noble campaign".
Last night, the Taoiseach also attended the SDLP conference in Newcastle, Co Down, where he paid tribute to the outgoing party leader, Mark Durkan MP MLA.
The 51-year-old South Down Assemblywoman beat SDLP deputy leader, and South Belfast MP, Dr Alasdair McDonnell in a vote during the party's annual conference in Newcastle.
Ms Ritchie is the first woman to lead a dominant Northern Ireland political party. Dawn Purvis currently leads the fringe-loyalist Progressive Unionist Party, serving as its sole MLA.
In a proposition paper, disclosed to www.4NI.co.uk news last week, Ms Ritchie put forward radical changes under her leadership mandate.
She outlined several steps aimed at restoring "the publics' faith" in Northern Ireland politics.
This will include the SDLP voluntarily publishing the names of all political donations over the threshold of £5,000 from 1 April.
Ms Ritchie will also call for a review of the Planning Legislation to ensure that planning officials and elected representatives publicly detail all their contacts with developers and resident groups on any particular planning application.
"There is no legitimate reason why there shouldn’t be complete transparency in the planning process," she said.
"If everything is being done above board, then there's nothing to hide. If anything unscrupulous is going on, the public deserves to know."
Ms Ritchie continued: "I am committed to transparency in politics, and as SDLP Leader and I will take a lead to ensure that an atmosphere of openness becomes the norm rather than the exception in Northern Ireland."
(DW/BMcC)
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16 August 2010
SF Opposes Ritchie Calls For Police Primacy
Sinn Fein have condemned a nationalist call for the North's police to again run secret anti-terror operations. The party's policing spokesman was commenting in the wake of the SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie's news that she is seeking urgent meetings with both the Irish Republic's Taoiseach, Brian Cowen and the NIO Secretary of State Owen Paterson.
SF Opposes Ritchie Calls For Police Primacy
Sinn Fein have condemned a nationalist call for the North's police to again run secret anti-terror operations. The party's policing spokesman was commenting in the wake of the SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie's news that she is seeking urgent meetings with both the Irish Republic's Taoiseach, Brian Cowen and the NIO Secretary of State Owen Paterson.
17 August 2010
SDLP Leader Slammed For MI5 Comments
There has been an angry response to yesterday's call to give the North's police back its former lead role in intelligence gathering. Speaking after SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie claimed that MI5 should hand over dissident republican intelligence to the PSNI as it had failed to prevent terror attacks across NI.
SDLP Leader Slammed For MI5 Comments
There has been an angry response to yesterday's call to give the North's police back its former lead role in intelligence gathering. Speaking after SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie claimed that MI5 should hand over dissident republican intelligence to the PSNI as it had failed to prevent terror attacks across NI.
11 November 2009
Ritchie Launches Leadership Bid
Margaret Richie has launched her SDLP leadership campaign, promising to rebuild the party. Outlining her ambitions this week, Ms Ritchie said her leadership would be bound by three pillars. She told supporters in Belfast these would centre on "a prosperous, increasingly independent economy that lifts the lives and wellbeing of all.
Ritchie Launches Leadership Bid
Margaret Richie has launched her SDLP leadership campaign, promising to rebuild the party. Outlining her ambitions this week, Ms Ritchie said her leadership would be bound by three pillars. She told supporters in Belfast these would centre on "a prosperous, increasingly independent economy that lifts the lives and wellbeing of all.
07 May 2010
Ritchie Win Underlines Leadership
A Sinn Fein Stormont Minister has been displaced by an Assembly Executive colleague. The SDLP's new leader Margaret Ritchie has held on to the South Down Westminster seat held by her party's outgoing MP, Eddie McGrady, (both pictured here).
Ritchie Win Underlines Leadership
A Sinn Fein Stormont Minister has been displaced by an Assembly Executive colleague. The SDLP's new leader Margaret Ritchie has held on to the South Down Westminster seat held by her party's outgoing MP, Eddie McGrady, (both pictured here).
09 December 2009
SF Backs Ritchie Justice Nomination
Sinn Féin has backed the SDLP's potential nomination of Margaret Ritchie for the job as the Stormont Justice Minister. The SDLP leadership is expected to formally put Ms Ritchie forward for the post later this week. She has reportedly been selected ahead of the party's current justice spokesman, Alban Maginness.
SF Backs Ritchie Justice Nomination
Sinn Féin has backed the SDLP's potential nomination of Margaret Ritchie for the job as the Stormont Justice Minister. The SDLP leadership is expected to formally put Ms Ritchie forward for the post later this week. She has reportedly been selected ahead of the party's current justice spokesman, Alban Maginness.
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