DUP criticised for ‘blocking’ rates bill

Sinn Féin MLA John O’ Dowd has criticised the DUP for blocking a bill at Stormont that he claims would have delivered rates relief for amateur and community sports clubs across Upper Bann and beyond.

By The Newsroom

Published 29th Oct 2015, 08:00 BST

Mr O’Dowd said, “I don’t think anyone could say that our sporting clubs, made up largely of thousands of volunteers, giving hundreds of hours a year, could not benefit from smaller rates bills.

“Local DUP MLAs need to explain to local boxing, rugby, GAA and soccer clubs why they blocked legislation which would have been of huge benefit to amateur sport.”