Donald Crawford, TUV.


Q: “Would you back the removal of free prescriptions if the money saved was then invested in the health service?”

A: “I back the introduction of a modest charge for prescriptions with an exemption for those on benefits, the elderly, children and pregnant women. The current system is unsustainable.”

Q: “How will you stop schools in Fermanagh from being closed or merged with others?”

“This is a huge issue in Fermanagh. Shamefully that ship has sailed in relation to the Collegiate, a school with an academic reputation second to none. One of the things that people can do is return MLAs and parties who care passionately about local schools. I was shocked to hear the leader of the UUP say on BBC Talkback that he didn't know enough about the schools in Fermanagh to express an opinion. Such ignorance is unacceptable, particularly when he claims that education is his party's top priority.”

Q: “Will you stand up for all victims of the Troubles, including those who suffered at the hands of loyalists?”

“TUV is the friend of innocent victims, regardless of whether they suffered at the hands of Republicans or Loyalists. The legislation which TUV brought in in the last Assembly baring terrorists from posts as Special Advisers applies to all terrorists. We want to see the definition of a victim changed in law so that the innocent victim is not classed the same as the terrorist injured by his own bomb and would seek to bring forward legislation to that end in the new Assembly.”

Q: “How will you help women who may come to you for advice on terminating their pregnancy?”

“The first thing to say is that if someone came to me in those circumstances I would have to redirect them as I am not a medical professional but a politician.

In terms of what politicians can do for people in such circumstances I believe that support is vital for women who find themselves in a crisis pregnancy. There is a need for property funded support mechanism within the NHS to support women who are in such a situation. That should be the route of help for women in such circumstances. They should also be fully advised of the services of adoption agencies. That, of course, raises another issue which is the cumbersome process which prospective adoptive parents have to go through. This is another area which I as a legislator would be able to look at.

I am opposed to any liberalisation of the abortion laws. No one looking at the wording of the 1967 Act could have imagined that it could lead to eight million abortions.”

Q: “How will you improve the economy in Fermanagh-south Tyrone?”

“Agriculture is key to our economy. As a farmer I know only too well the importance of farmers getting a fair price for their produce and I campaign for that if elected.

In the new Assembly I will fight to ensure that Invest NI focuses on the West of the Province. For far too long there has been too great a focus on Belfast and as a result our young people are moving away to find employment. Reversing this trend is a top priority for me.

We need to put the breaks on the assault on our education system. We cannot afford to be loosing top class schools if we are going to attract high quality jobs.

Finally, we need to maximise the potential of our beautiful countryside and do more to promote attractions like the Fermanagh lakes, the Marble Arch caves and the golfing opportunities which Fermanagh affords. Currently this is hampered by Tourism Ireland which markets Ireland as a single holiday destination on the world market and gives Northern Ireland less than 10 per cent of the publicity in spite of the fact that we contribute 33 per cent of the running costs.”