Statement by Cllr Brian Collins , Braid representative for TUV:
“For too long those who served their country in the Armed Forces have been dealt a raw deal in Northern Ireland. This region of the UK is the only one where the Armed Forces Covenant has not been enacted by the devolved government.
“We all know why that is – simply because we have the puppet of a terrorist organisation sitting in the government of our country – a terrorist organisation which sought to kill not just only those brave men and women who served their country, but also the men, women and children to which those in the armed services were deployed to protect.
“This motion is a reminder that our government fails in its duty to our Armed Forces.
“Whether a serviceman served in Northern Ireland, the Falklands, Afghanistan or Iraq – it is of no relevance when it comes to looking after each and every one of them when they return home. There needs to be equality for each member of the Armed Forces across the UK .
“I hope this motion will go some way to achieving that.
“A Community Covenant complements, at a local level, the Armed Forces covenant and its aim is to encourage local communities to support the armed forces community within their area and promote understanding and awareness amongst the public of issues affecting the armed forces community.
“After hosting Armed Forces Day last year this motion is the natural progression to show this councils continued support for our Armed Services.
“Through the Community Covenant we can continue to build the understanding of the Armed Forces in our community and is a very positive declaration of intent to ensure those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces and their families are not disadvantaged by that service.
“TUV welcome the opportunity to support this motion.”
Note to Editor:
Motion in Mid and East Antrim Borough Council:
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council adopt a community covenant.
A Community Covenant complements, at a local level, the Armed Forces covenant and its aim is to encourage local communities to support the armed forces community within their area and promote understanding and awareness amongst the public of issues affecting the armed forces community. Signatories to a Community Covenant have access to a grant scheme of £10 million per year as part of the Community Covenant Grant Scheme.
The Community Covenant is about building understanding of the Armed Forces in our community and is a positive declaration of intent to ensure those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces and their families are not disadvantaged by that service.