News
3rd November 09
11/3/2009
Following on from the welcome news that former RUC officers and Royal Irish members will receive gratuity payments, Ulster Unionist Party MLA Tom Elliot has said it is time the Government recognised the efforts of all security forces personnel.
Following on from the welcome news that former RUC officers and Royal Irish members will receive gratuity payments, Ulster Unionist Party MLA Tom Elliot has said it is time the Government recognised the efforts of all security forces personnel. The UUP believes that all service men and women should be acknowledged for their commitment during the troubles not just those who served on a full time basis.
Commenting on the issue the former UDR man said; "It is time the dedication and commitment of part time officers in both the UDR and RIR was recognised. It is important that we acknowledge the high standard of service that they provided during the troubles and the sacrifices they made personally and socially.
"Those who served on a part time basis did so with the same courage, honour and devotion, many paying the ultimate sacrifice, yet this has not been recognised in the form of a gratuity payment. The UUP is asking therefore that these individuals receive equal recognition and we will be seeking to meet with representatives of the UDR and Royal Irish Home Service groups. The statistics sadly show that the IRA did not discriminate between those who served in a full or part time basis when targeting the security forces. The terms of contracted hours did not matter to those wives and families whose loved ones never came home. Therefore the Government should not allow those who have suffered at the hands of terrorism to be forgotten."
Another former UDR member Cllr Bert Wilson said: "A number of people served in the Ulster Defence Regiment and Royal Irish Regiment from 1970 with the same selfless service and are not going to receive any recognition. It is important that these members are acknowledged and rewarded in the same manner to illustrate our appreciation of their dedication."
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