This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7591597.stm
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 4 | Version 5 |
---|---|
Belfast 'yes' for forces welcome | |
(20 minutes later) | |
Belfast City councillors have voted in favour of a reception for members of the armed forces serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. | |
Councillors voted 26 to 20 in favour of the event. | Councillors voted 26 to 20 in favour of the event. |
It will coincide with a homecoming parade organised by the armed forces. The events are due to take place on 2 November. | It will coincide with a homecoming parade organised by the armed forces. The events are due to take place on 2 November. |
Sinn Féin voted against, the Alliance Party, which holds the balance of power on the council, voted in favour. | Sinn Féin voted against, the Alliance Party, which holds the balance of power on the council, voted in favour. |
The DUP's Nigel Dodds said: "I am delighted that Belfast City Council has agreed to civic hospitality on the occasion of the special event for our troops and servicemen who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. | The DUP's Nigel Dodds said: "I am delighted that Belfast City Council has agreed to civic hospitality on the occasion of the special event for our troops and servicemen who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. |
"It's a great pity that nationalists couldn't bring themselves to support what is not a political event, but is something which is simply giving thanks and praise to God for their safe return." | "It's a great pity that nationalists couldn't bring themselves to support what is not a political event, but is something which is simply giving thanks and praise to God for their safe return." |
Sinn Féin's Paul Maskey said the council "now endorses the war in Afghanistan and Iraq". | |
"I think it's a very poor decision, and what this has also done is create a division within this city," he said. | |
"We in Belfast City Council have worked very hard over recent years to bring all communities together, and what this has done is send out all the wrong messages." | |
Last month, a council committee voted to host a parade and civic reception for the personnel. | Last month, a council committee voted to host a parade and civic reception for the personnel. |
However, that decision had to be ratified at Monday night's full council meeting. | However, that decision had to be ratified at Monday night's full council meeting. |