2004 Archive >>>

Whinhill Investment Teed Up

Welcoming today’s announcement by sportscotland that £29,400 is to be invested in Whinhill Junior Golf, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, said... (more)

MSP, Duncan McNeil, is warning drivers in his Greenock and Inverclyde constituency that driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs this festive season is a deadly shortcut to a jail sentence... (more)

Look Out for Each Other over Winter

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, is urging his constituents to look out for their neighbours as Greenock and Inverclyde prepares for one of the coldest winters in years... (more)

Help is at Hand for Your Festive Blues

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has added his voice to the Samaritans’ winter advertising campaign, which is highlighting its 24/7 helpline for anyone with emotional problems, including suicidal feelings, which they want to talk about... (more)

McNeil Joins Usdaw’s Santas to Protect Shopworkers’ Christmas

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has joined shopworkers’ leader John Hannett and a host of Santas at the Scottish Parliament to campaign to protect shopworkers’ Christmas and New Year... (more)

McNeil Thanks Royal Mail Workers

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, visited Royal Mail staff at Greenock’s Knowe Road Delivery Office this morning to thank them for all their hard work over the festive season... (more)

Commenting on the Audit Scotland’s follow-up Best Value audit of Inverclyde Council, published today, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, said... (more)

Sign up to Save Lives

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, says moves to modernise the law on organ donation present an ideal opportunity to ensure that people know the importance of signing up to the NHS organ donor register... (more)

Do you Remember John McNeil?

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, is asking for help in assisting a Californian family find out more about their – and perhaps his – family history... (more)

McNeil Votes for Tough New Alcohol Licensing Laws and Greater Say for Local Communities

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, last night voted for tough new laws which will shorten the hours retailers are allowed to sell alcohol; allow the police and licensing boards to use underage volunteers to target retailers selling alcohol to under 18s; and give communities more powers to have their say on local licensing... (more)

New mandatory part-time 20mph zones around schools on the A78 are good news for pupils’ safety, says MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil... (more) 

Schools Claims “entirely without foundation” – Peacock

Education Minister, Peter Peacock, has dismissed as “entirely without foundation” claims by Convener of Inverclyde Council’s Education Committee, Cllr Jim Mitchell, that he has already reached a decision on the Council’s school re-organisation plans... (more)

£14.6 Million Regeneration Plan a “Big Step on the Road to Regeneration” – McNeil

Welcoming today’s announcement that Communities Minister, Malcolm Chisholm, has given the green light to a three-year, £14.6 million plan to improve the lives of people in Inverclyde's most disadvantaged areas, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, said... (more)

"Earn as you Learn" Scheme an "Overwhelming Success" - McNeil

200 young people in Inverclyde are taking advantage of Education Maintenance Allowances and staying on at school, new figures have revealed... (more)

Shielhill Walkers Take a Different Route

Members of local walking group, the Shielhill Wednesday Club, were slightly off their usual track today, when they visited the new Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh... (more)

Rail Powers Transfer Give Gourock Redevelopment a Boost

Today’s transfer of new rail powers to Scottish Ministers is good news for the redevelopment of Gourock, says MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil... (more)

Greenock and Inverclyde’s Smokers Urged to “Quit with Us”

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has issued a call to local smokers to stub out their deadly habit and has highlighted the local services which are available to support anyone who needs help to quit for good... (more)

East End Safety Plans Get Moving

The bid to create an East End Safety Initiative is moving forward, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has said... (more)

Channel Island Experts to Make Case for Smoking Age Rise

The Expert Group examining whether Scotland should raise the legal minimum age for purchasing tobacco from 16 to 18 is to hear from representatives of the Guernsey Adolescent Smoke-free Project (GASP) about the impact the move has had on their island since its introduction in 1996... (more)

McNeil Sets his Sights on 2007

Local labour MSP, Duncan McNeil, has launched his bid to be re-selected to contest his Greenock and Inverclyde seat at the 2007 Scottish Parliament elections... (more)

Larkfield residents are looking forward to today's re-opening of the Cumberland Walk pharmacy... (more)

Duncan McNeil MSP today joined with the national youth information agency, Young Scot, to call on local retailers that sell cigarettes, alcohol and other age-restricted products to ask for proof-of-age carrying the PASS hologram from younger customers... (more)

Executive Officials Dispatched to Gourock Development Crunch Talks

Scottish Executive officials are being dispatched to a key summit on the future of the Gourock transport interchange, it has been revealed... (more)

Health Board Forced into Children’s Ward U-Turn

Soon-to-be-axed NHS Argyll and Clyde bosses have been forced into a humiliating u-turn after yet another consultation shambles... (more)

Volunteer Nominations for Royal Award

The people of Greenock and Inverclyde have the chance to nominate the local voluntary organisations which make a real difference for a prestigious award... (more)

IBM staff at Greenock’s Spango Valley plant are set to have safer journeys to and from work, following the announcement of new road safety measures... (more)

Justice Minister, Cathy Jamieson, is to see Greenock’s pioneering weapons court in action... (more)

McNeil Launches Knife Crackdown Petition

Local people are being asked to back moves to get knives off Inverclyde’s streets.  MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has today launched a petition demanding that the Scottish Executive... (more)

Royal College Agrees to Extend IRH Children’s Ward Accreditation

The Royal College of Paediatrics has agreed to extended the current accreditation for the paediatric ward at Inverclyde Royal Hospital, it has been revealed... (more)

Bid to Raise Smoking Age

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has launched a bid to raise the legal age for buying tobacco from 16 to 18... (more)

No Complaints about Knowing Your Rights

Inverclyde’s taxpayers are to find out more about their rights to complain when public services don’t come up to scratch... (more) 

£600,000 to Promote Financial Inclusion in Inverclyde

The 1 in 7 Inverclyde households who don't have a bank account or savings will find it easier to access financial services, thanks to a cash injection announced today... (more)

Damning Report “Lifts the Lid” on Unprecedented Level of Failure

Commenting on today’s publication by the Accounts Commission of its Best Value report on Inverclyde Council, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, said... (more)

Kerr Report to be Unveiled

Health Minister, Andy Kerr, is expected to outline the findings of Professor David Kerr’s group on the future shape of the health service to MSPs in the Scottish Parliament later today... (more)

Keep it Quiet – MSP Demands Action on Noise

As part of Noise Action Week (23rd - 27th May) MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, is hoping to raise awareness of the services provided to tackle noise.   Mr McNeil is also highlighting the new powers available under the Antisocial Behaviour Act which can be used to tackle persistent offenders... (more)

McNeil Welcomes Minister’s “Bold Move” on NHS Argyll and Clyde

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has welcomed this morning’s parliamentary statement by Health Minister, Andy Kerr, on NHS Argyll and Clyde as a “bold move which puts health services in Greenock and Inverclyde on the road to quality and security.” ... (more)

You Can Help Shape Animal Welfare Reforms

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, is urging his constituents to help shape the Scottish Parliament’s plans to strengthen animal welfare legislation... (more)

Fast and Full Disclosure Only Way to Reassure Community over Infant Mortality, McNeil Tells Minister

Only the swift, full and frank disclosure of the findings of the investigation into Inverclyde’s infant mortality rates will reassure a worried local community, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has told Deputy Health Minister, Rhona Brankin... (more)

Infant Mortality Investigation: McNeil to Update Health Working Group

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, will update today’s Health Working Group meeting on the progress being made in investigating Inverclyde’s baby death figures... (more)

James Watt Music Centre to Hit Right Note with Minister

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Patricia Ferguson, will see for herself the exciting work being done at James Watt College's state-of-the-art Music & Arts Centre this Friday... (more)

Baby Death Investigation “Long Overdue” – McNeil

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has said that NHS Argyll and Clyde’s eventual agreement to investigate thoroughly the unacceptably high levels of baby and infant deaths is “long overdue.” ... (more)

McNeil Sends Best Wishes to Charles and Camilla

Speaking ahead of the Royal wedding, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, today said... (more)

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, was delighted to welcome pupils from King's Glen Primary School, Greenock, to the Scottish Parliament last week... (more)

Commenting on the publication of the Registrar General's provisional figures for vital events registered during 2004, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil said... (more)

Energy Policy

Commenting on a Liberal Democrat MP’s claim that his party in Holyrood would  block any attempt to build a new nuclear power station in Scotland, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil said... (more)

Public Invited to Take Part in Holyrood Health Debate

Members of the public from across Scotland are to be invited by the Scottish Parliament's Health Committee to take the seats of MSPs at Holyrood and take part in the debate on the future of Scotland’s NHS... (more)

McNeil Comments on Licensing Bill

Commenting on today’s publication of the Licensing (Scotland) Bill, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, said... (more)

£3.6 Million to Tackle Antisocial Behaviour in Inverclyde

Inverclyde is set to receive £3,665,000 to help in the fight against antisocial behaviour, it has been announced.  The announcement comes on the same day as the Council takes up new powers to impose £100 on-the-spot fines on noisy neighbours... (more)

Withdraw Cal Mac Tender Notice – McNeil

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, is calling for the withdrawal of the invitation to tender for the Caledonian MacBrayne Gourock–Dunoon service until assurances around the workforce’s terms and conditions are given... (more)

Health Minister Heads to Greenock for NHS Summit

Health Minister, Andy Kerr, is to hold talks on the future of Argyll and Clyde Health Board in Greenock later this month, it has been revealed... (more)

£600,000 to Cut Wait for Digital Hearing Aids

People with hearing problems in Inverclyde could see their waiting time for a digital hearing aid slashed, thanks to a £600,000 cash injection from the Scottish Executive... (more)

McNeil Comments on Marches and Parades Report

Commenting on the independent report by former Strathclyde Chief Constable, Sir John Orr, reviewing the handling of marches and parades, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil said... (more)

Deputy First Minister and Minister for Enterprise, Jim Wallace, will meet Lenovo bosses when he visits China next week, it has been revealed. The Minister undertook to hold talks with the Chinese company, to whom 500 IBM staff are set to transfer in April, following a meeting with MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, in the Scottish Parliament today... (more)

Investment in Inverclyde’s schools has rocketed since the creation of the Scottish Parliament, according to official figures published today... (more)

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, says a £128,542 award to improve discipline in local schools will make it easier for Inverclyde’s children to succeed in the classroom... (more)

The new national transport agency will be up and running by the end of the year, the Scottish Executive has announced. This, says MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, brings the introduction of a national concessionary fares scheme for older people another step closer... (more)