Protecting the Union 🇬🇧

Cross community group interested in promoting the benefits of the Union in Northern Ireland.

[Protecting the Union 🇬🇧 @NoBorderPoll]

@CroebRuad @MrVirtueSignal @MichealMartinTD @SimonHarrisTD Ok ignore the facts in front of you

[Mr Virtue Signal @MrVirtueSignal]

Really wanting to hear from all those folk who think that that football game in October is incredibly important.

[Protecting the Union 🇬🇧 @NoBorderPoll]

Imagine this…Ireland supplying both the IRA & Russia in war. So much for neutrality @MichealMartinTD @SimonHarrisTD

[Caolan @CaolanReports]

I’ve been investigating the russian refinery for days now and the story gets darker and darker. The shipments are sent to Siberia, smelted, and sold to the russian company ‘ASK’. This company distributes aluminium directly to Russia’s missile & drone manufacturers.

[Caolan @CaolanReports]

I’ve been investigating the russian refinery for days now and the story gets darker and darker. The shipments are sent to Siberia, smelted, and sold to the russian company ‘ASK’. This company distributes aluminium directly to Russia’s missile & drone manufacturers.

[Protecting the Union 🇬🇧 @NoBorderPoll]

@StephenNolan I applaud the PM for doing the right thing. When will the IRA & @moneillsf do the same?

[Protecting the Union 🇬🇧 @NoBorderPoll]

@BBCNewsNI SF has had this bill for 2 years and want to rush it through & threaten consequences without consulting businesses. Sounds like the Climate Bill all over.

[Protecting the Union 🇬🇧 @NoBorderPoll]

@castlerock965 @BBCNewsNI They actually care what business thinks and see the mess the ClimateBill caused.

[Protecting the Union 🇬🇧 @NoBorderPoll]

@News_Letter Lovely that @LizKimminsSF can scrape up the money for a small minority, but rail & bus lines will be cut for the majority!

[Belfast News Letter @News_Letter]

Grand Central Station Irish signs plan could cost up to £3m court is told https://t.co/MwI07MnrgB

[Paddy Shanks @PaddyShanks]

Tariffs & anti Israeli policies coming home to roost in Ireland, and this is only the start.
"Ireland's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) plunged a record 12.1% in the first quarter. This sharp decline was primarily driven by an unwinding of volatile multinational pharmaceutical exports and a 35% contraction in the globalized industry sector."
https://t.co/j5EYsN4ZM4

[Sage Despatches @SageDespatches]

Ex-Sinn Féin press officer aims to lift lid on ‘where it all went wrong’ for Mary Lou McDonald | Belfast Telegraph https://t.co/62ziYtt8hU

[Protecting the Union 🇬🇧 @NoBorderPoll]

@BBCNewsNI How odd that no one from SF & the SDLP are not using them considering how ‘green’ and all they claim to be 🤣

[Protecting the Union 🇬🇧 @NoBorderPoll]

@BelTel What does SF think the jobs easier 🙄

[Aaron Rankin @Aaron_R_Rankin]

First off, I think they need to get another quote as whatever contractor gave them that price is clearly ripping Stormont off

Second, why wasn’t this “issue” raised during the initial construction phase when the nationalist SDLP were in charge of the Department for Infrastructure?

[Robbie Butler MLA @RobbieButlerMLA]

Accountability, transparency and truth are important.

As a recent convert to EV car travel, I have made occasional use of the charging facilities for partial charging, however my main vehicle charging is always done at home.

I have claimed only those allowances available under the rules agreed by the Assembly. The Assembly Travel Allowance is not a mileage reimbursement or a direct repayment of fuel or electricity costs. Rather, it is intended to contribute towards the general costs of travel associated with attending Parliament Buildings, including vehicle wear and tear, insurance, motor tax, maintenance and depreciation.

The provision of workplace EV charging is fully compliant with Assembly policy and HMRC guidance. Across the UK, workplace EV charging is treated as a separate tax-exempt benefit and does not affect entitlement to travel expenses or allowances. It is also a UK Government wide policy ambition to move to greener and more sustainable transport systems.

The EV charging infrastructure has been introduced by the Assembly Commission in 2015 as part of its wider environmental ambition to reduce emissions, support more sustainable travel choices and encourage the transition to lower-carbon transport options.

However, recognising the public interest in this matter, I have ceased using the facility and I look forward to an updated policy which continues to recognise the environmental benefits of EV travel while also maintaining public confidence and appropriately balancing the interests of taxpayers.

As an individual, and in line with my party’s wishes, I believe it is important to maintain public confidence in the proper use of public funds. While I have acted fully within the rules and any benefit received was legitimately accrued under the arrangements in place, I am happy to engage with the Assembly authorities on this matter, including consideration of repaying any benefit deemed appropriate.

[Protecting the Union 🇬🇧 @NoBorderPoll]

@Jim_Giraffe_ @NewsLetter_Pols @JonBurrowsMLA Mileage covers wear and tear of your car, insurance etc. If your employer offered a freebie don’t act like you wouldn’t take it.

[Protecting the Union 🇬🇧 @NoBorderPoll]

@BelTel @LizKimminsSF can find £3M for something that a very few will utilize, but she’s ok cutting rail and bus service for the majority 🤷‍♂️

[Richard Garland @richardtgarland]

It isn’t good enough to hide behind the Alliance Party line that elected politicians “operated within the rules”.

This is a matter of credibility and it is absolutely right to expect members who claimed for electricity they received for free to repay the public purse.

[Protecting the Union 🇬🇧 @NoBorderPoll]

@NewsLetter_Pols In all fairness it’s not just Robbie, and it’s crazy there’s been no rules on this for 10 years. Good to see the DUP & UUP are asking for change and reimbursement.