Michael McGimpsey MLA

McGimpsey congratulates South & West Action Group on success of their cross-community work

Ulster Unionist South Belfast Assembly Member Michael McGimpsey has congratulated the South and West Action Team on their cross community event on the Broadway Roundabout to mark the end of a very successful year of cross community work. The event brought together pupils from a number of schools from both sides of the community on … Continue reading »

McGimpsey welcomes the official opening of Donegall Pass Youth Club

Ulster Unionist Assembly Member for South Belfast, Michael McGimpsey has spoken of his delight at attending the official opening of Donegall Pass Youth Club this evening. The Youth Club that is now housed in the newly refurnished Porters Memorial Assembly Hall received an investment of almost £200,000 from BELB following many years of campaigning by … Continue reading »

The National Conversation

Last week, Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond set out the question he intends to ask voters in a referendum on Scottish independence in a public consultation paper. The public consultation paper – Your Scotland Your Referendum – states that Scots would be asked: “Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country?”. But is … Continue reading »

Carjacking advice

The recent spate of carjackings across Belfast have caused due concern for citizens. Carjacking is the action of violently stealing an occupied car. The majority of these recent incidents have been ‘opportunist’ in nature – so please follow these simple personal security steps from the Police: While driving: Keep your doors locked. Keep windows closed … Continue reading »

McGimpsey sets the agenda on South Belfast primary schools

Adjournment Debate: The amalgamation of the three Inner-South Belfast primary schools (Blythefield, Donegall Road and Fane Street) on a new site at the City Hospital Mr McGimpsey: I am grateful for the opportunity to bring this important issue forward. It is important particularly to communities living in south Belfast, and I am grateful to the … Continue reading »

McGimpsey meets Kennedy over resident parking schemes

South Belfast Ulster Unionist Assembly Member Michael McGimpsey has described his meeting with Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy regarding residents’ parking schemes as very useful and encouraging. The meeting which took place today at Stormont along with representatives from Sandy Row, Donegall Pass and Stranmillis is part of a long campaign by Michael McGimpsey and … Continue reading »

Open must now come home!

In 2002 I as Minister for Culture Arts and Leisure was privileged to launch the Youth Games at Stormont. I was deeply impressed with the young people and their coaching staff. Among all the athletes participating were a group of young golfers. Their coach in particular stood out because of his belief in and optimism … Continue reading »

Marking the 100th anniversary of the Titanic

As we today celebrate one hundred years since the launch of RMS Titanic, we reflect on Northern Ireland’s past position as one of the world’s leading industrial capitals. The ship was launched in Belfast Lough on 31 May 1911 by Harland & Wolff, then the largest shipyard in the world. There are many moments in … Continue reading »

Health Minister’s statement to the Assembly on capital priorities

Everyone in Northern Ireland has the basic right to high quality health and social care services, delivered in modern and well equipped buildings. The significant challenges facing the health and social care service can only be overcome with radical changes to the way services are delivered and configured. Too many of our hospitals and healthcare … Continue reading »

McGimpsey leads delegation against Hillsborough Road planning application

South Belfast Ulster Unionist Assembly Member Michael McGimpsey today led a delegation of Carryduff residents to see Environment Minister Edwin Poots. Local residents are concerned about a proposed 4 storey block of apartments to be built on the former Royal Ascot bar site on the Hillsborough Road, Carryduff. Michael has been meeting with residents and … Continue reading »

McGimpsey praises work of firefighters to control blaze

Michael McGimpsey MLA has praised the work of firefighters tackling the blaze in Boucher Road, Belfast. Seventeen appliances were called to the scene and some 85 firefighters struggled for hours to bring the fire under control at Boucher Road Retail Park. The South Belfast Assembly Member said: “This is a major blaze at a very … Continue reading »

Michael joins protest over spending cuts

Last week I attended the rally at Belfast City Hall, organised by the Trade Union movement against public service cuts. As Minister for Health I make no apology for fighting for increased investment in our Health Service. Everyone is aware that tough decisions will be required over the next few years but cutting the health … Continue reading »

McGimpsey calls for cross government support for Sure Start provision in Belvoir

Ulster Unionist Assembly Member for South Belfast, Michael McGimpsey, has called for cross government support for the proposal to introduce Sure Start Services to the Belvoir and Milltown areas of South Belfast. His comments follow a meeting with the Minister for Social Development, Nelson McCausland to discuss support to tackle social deprivation in Belvoir and … Continue reading »

McGimpsey hits out at plans to close Newtownbreda High School

Ulster Unionist Assembly Member for South Belfast, Michael McGimpsey has spoken of his disappointment at proposals to close Newtownbreda High School as part of an amalgamation with Knockbreda High School. His statement follows a public meeting at Newtownbreda High School last week where at least 250 parents attended to hear from SEELB officials of the … Continue reading »

McGimpsey questions DSD Minister on Multiple Deprivation in Belvoir and Milltown

Ulster Unionist Assembly Member for South Belfast Michael McGimpsey has questioned the Minister for Social Development on what he intends to do to tackle pockets of multiple deprivation in Milltown, Belvoir and Newtownbreda Village. The Assembly Member raised the issue during question time in the Assembly on Monday and follows his contribution to a recent … Continue reading »

McGimpsey calls for investment in Finaghy High Rise Flats

Ulster Unionist Assembly Member for South Belfast, Michael McGimpsey has written to the Minister for Social Development calling for funding to be made available to complete a major Renovation of the exterior of the high rise flats in Finaghy. His call for investment in Moveen and Moylena House comes after meeting with local residents who … Continue reading »

Ni Cuillin should take action on plight of Lough Neagh Eel Fishermen – McGimpsey

Ulster Unionist Culture Spokesperson, Michael McGimpsey, has urged Minister Caral Ni Cuillin to take action to mitigate the effects of proposals to suspend commercial eel fishing in Europe which would have a hugely detrimental effect on the Lough Neagh eel fishery. The South Belfast MLA said; “The Minister`s response to the situation which the eel … Continue reading »

McGimpsey hits out at Ni Cuillin’s failure to nominate for Queen’s Honours

Ulster Unionist Culture Spokesperson, Michael McGimpsey, has criticised the Sinn Fein DCAL Minister Caral Ni Cuillin for failing to nominate a single person for an Honour within the Queen’s New Year Honours which was published on 31st December 2012. The South Belfast MLA said; ‘Following a written Assembly Question which I tabled on this matter … Continue reading »

Lack of World Police and Fire Games venue ‘deeply disturbing’ – McGimpsey

Ulster Unionist Culture, Arts and Leisure Spokesman, Michael McGimpsey, has described the situation whereby a venue is yet to be confirmed for the opening ceremony of the World Police and Fire Games as ‘deeply disturbing’. The South Belfast MLA commented: ‘’The World Police and Fire Games will take place from 1st – 10th August and … Continue reading »

McGimpsey welcomes progress with flood prevention in the Upper Lisburn Road area

Ulster Unionist Assembly Member for South Belfast, Michael McGimpsey has welcomed the work done to date on reducing the risk of flooding in the Upper Lisburn Road area including Sicily Park where major flooding occurred last summer. His comments follow a meeting with the Regional Development Minister, Danny Kennedy where he received an update from … Continue reading »

McGimpsey calls for Education Minister to take urgent action to employ newly qualified teachers

The Ulster Unionist Party’s South Belfast MLA Michael McGimpsey has accused the Departments of Education and Employment & Learning of failing the hundreds of newly qualified teachers who are unable to find jobs when they qualify from teacher training colleges. Mr McGimpsey said; “At Assembly Questions this week I asked the Education Minister how many … Continue reading »

McGimpsey concerned by latest phase of Belfast on The Move

Ulster Unionist Assembly Member for South Belfast Michael McGimpsey has written to the Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy raising his concerns at the latest phase of ‘Belfast On The Move’. In a statement Mr McGimpsey said, “I have written to the Minister for Regional Development as I am very concerned by the impact the latest … Continue reading »