Robinson backs care for veterans

"I am proud to speak in this debate. My late father was a serviceman, and I am a member of the Enniskillen association. I work closely with many members of our armed forces, past and present. I have immense respect for them and the very professional job that they did, and still do, across the world. The debate is also an opportunity to say thank you to the veterans who served their country with dedication and distinction to ensure that we are a free people today."

"I also wish to say that the servicemen and their families who served in Northern Ireland for more than 30 years contributed to our economy and provided much civilian employment for it. I want to put that on record."

The MLA continued: "Members often use the term equality. This debate is about the equality of treatment for our service personnel and their families. The nature of the job that servicemen and women do, and the constant need for them to be posted here, there and everywhere across the world, means that they do not have a stable home in the way that we do. That is no reason for them to be denied the very best care when they need it most."

That is particularly true in respect of service personnel who received the most horrendous injuries while serving their country. Those personnel need and deserve this country's thanks in a tangible way. That can be achieved through giving them easy access to the services that they and their families require.

Injured personnel may be recuperating at home, miles away from where the original treatment was given, but that should not lead to delays in treatment or mean that they are put to the bottom of waiting lists.

We must see them carry their previously designated priority with them. Their country asked them to do a job, and it should look after them when it has to. For veterans, and that term covers former personnel from those in their twenties to those in their nineties, access to medical care is an integral part of that proposal, especially as the years pass and needs increase, perhaps as a result of injury. I have dealt with one veteran who was unable to get NHS dentistry treatment. Is that the correct or moral way in which to treat those brave men and women? For me, the answer is no."

"The families of soldiers, sailors and airmen do have difficulties owing to their constant moving. I have dealt with families of serving personnel and veterans who have been disadvantaged in obtaining health provision when required and to a timescale that matched their previous posting. Delay has not only a negative impact on service personnel but a detrimental impact on the entire family. That is not an equitable state, just because people chose to serve their country. I view the Armed Forces and Veterans Bill as a positive step to ensuring that equality of treatment is given to our servicemen and servicewomen. I wholeheartedly support the Bill and hope that everyone in the Assembly will do so as well. It will ensure equality for our serving personnel, their families and veterans".

Mr David McNarry MLA in summing up the debate noted Ald Robinson's positive contribution.

He stated; "Some who spoke before him seem to have missed the point that I was making about equality. George, I appreciate your helping me with that".

Speaking after the debate Ald Robinson stressed the importance of the bill.

"This bill is all about ensuring that our service personnel are looked after by the country they have served of are serving. Often when we think of veterans we think of those who served in the First and Second World Wars but forget those have also served throughout the world since, including in Northern Ireland during what is politely called "The Troubles". Many of them carry terrible physical and medical wounds from their service and it is only right that we look after them.

It is also very important that we remember and acknowledge the service given by our local regiments at home and farther afield the UDR and RIR".