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10/09/2008
Alliance Fermanagh Candidate Weighs In On Environment
A contender for the coveted Fermanagh by-election seat has picked-up the 'green' mantel, and lambasted the Stormont Executive for failing to install an independent environment agency.
Alliance candidate Dr Kumar Kamble said a vote for his party is a vote to protect the environment.
Dr Kamble is hoping to secure the Enniskillen ward seat, left vacant by the late councillor Joe Dodds.
However, Dr Kamble faces strong competition for the seat in the form of Sinn Fein's Debbie Coyle and DUP Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster.
Former Environment Minister Ms Foster has came under particular criticism from Dr Kamble, who believes an independent Environment Protection Agency should have been launched by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Instead, incumbent minister Sammy Wilson installed a government-backed agency, which many environmental commentators suggested was merely a re-branded Environment and Heritage Service.
Dr Kamble said: "Environmentalism is particularly important because Fermanagh's vital tourism industry relies on the area's natural beauty.
"Fermanagh is an area of outstanding beauty, and the scenery and nature are vitally important to our tourism industry.
"The local environment simply has to be protected in order to ensure that the area's economy can benefit long into the future."
Dr Kamble claimed that the Alliance Party was the main opposition at the Northern Ireland Legislative Assembly.
"The DUP, Sinn Fein, Ulster Unionists and SDLP are in the Executive and they have failed badly on the issue of environmentalism.
"They had a golden opportunity to create an independent Environmental Protection Agency, but refused to do so.
"All Northern Ireland has been left with is a flimsy organisation which has little power to act on green issues. This shows people how little the four tribal parties care about environmentalism."
The assembly's only Green Party MLA, Brian Wilson has previously voiced similar views.
Mr Wilson backed calls for an independent agency, soon after securing his North Down seat last year.
See: SDLP Fermanagh By-Election Candidate Confirmed
See: Sinn Fein Picks Fermanagh Council Candidate
See: Foster Selected For 'Too Close To Call' By-Election
(PR/JM)
Alliance candidate Dr Kumar Kamble said a vote for his party is a vote to protect the environment.
Dr Kamble is hoping to secure the Enniskillen ward seat, left vacant by the late councillor Joe Dodds.
However, Dr Kamble faces strong competition for the seat in the form of Sinn Fein's Debbie Coyle and DUP Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster.
Former Environment Minister Ms Foster has came under particular criticism from Dr Kamble, who believes an independent Environment Protection Agency should have been launched by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Instead, incumbent minister Sammy Wilson installed a government-backed agency, which many environmental commentators suggested was merely a re-branded Environment and Heritage Service.
Dr Kamble said: "Environmentalism is particularly important because Fermanagh's vital tourism industry relies on the area's natural beauty.
"Fermanagh is an area of outstanding beauty, and the scenery and nature are vitally important to our tourism industry.
"The local environment simply has to be protected in order to ensure that the area's economy can benefit long into the future."
Dr Kamble claimed that the Alliance Party was the main opposition at the Northern Ireland Legislative Assembly.
"The DUP, Sinn Fein, Ulster Unionists and SDLP are in the Executive and they have failed badly on the issue of environmentalism.
"They had a golden opportunity to create an independent Environmental Protection Agency, but refused to do so.
"All Northern Ireland has been left with is a flimsy organisation which has little power to act on green issues. This shows people how little the four tribal parties care about environmentalism."
The assembly's only Green Party MLA, Brian Wilson has previously voiced similar views.
Mr Wilson backed calls for an independent agency, soon after securing his North Down seat last year.
See: SDLP Fermanagh By-Election Candidate Confirmed
See: Sinn Fein Picks Fermanagh Council Candidate
See: Foster Selected For 'Too Close To Call' By-Election
(PR/JM)
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