2006 Archive >>>

Be a Good Neighbour this Winter – McNeil

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, is urging his constituents to be good neighbours and look out for any elderly or vulnerable people in their street over the winter months... (more)

No Excuses for “Pathetic” Christmas Wife-beaters – McNeil

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, is backing the annual Christmas campaign against domestic violence... (more)

Health Board Can’t Ignore Experts - McNeil

Fears are growing that NHS Argyll and Clyde is going to throw out the Independent Scrutiny Panel’s recommendation that the Community Midwife Unit (CMU) at Inverclyde Royal Hospital be spared... (more)

McNeil Raises BB Gun Menace with Minister

The easy availability of cheap BB airguns on Greenock’s streets has been raised with the Justice Secretary by MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil... (more)

Reality Must Match Rhetoric on Kinship Care, McNeil Warns Minister

The selfless men and women who care for the grandchildren, nieces and nephews whose own parents cannot look after them must not be let down by gaps in a new support system, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has warned... (more)

McNeil Seeks Reassurance over Minor Ailments Scheme

Over half a million Scots* who benefit from the NHS minor ailments scheme must not lose their benefit if planned reforms of prescription charges go ahead, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has argued in the Scottish Parliament... (more)

Just who’s in charge? – Committees’ Bid to Uncover Ministerial Responsibility for Drug Abused Children

Holyrood’s Local Government and Communities Committee Convener, Duncan McNeil, is joining his counterparts from the Health and Justice Committees to grill three Cabinet Secretaries over government expenditure on drug and alcohol abuse... (more)

Holyrood Open for Business

The Scottish Parliament was open late for business earlier this month, when MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, welcomed members of the Greenock Chamber of Commerce for an evening at Holyrood... (more)

McNeil Outraged over SNP Minimum Wage Gaffe

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has accused the SNP of hypocrisy after Nationalist MSP, Jamie Hepburn, left Alex Salmond red-faced in Holyrood over his failure to vote for the National Minimum Wage... (more)

Health Centre Parking Charges Could be Next, McNeil warns Parliament

Patients could be charged for visiting Greenock Health Centre unless NHS parking charge policies are reviewed, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has warned MSPs... (more)

Sign up for Free Minor Ailments Scheme

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, is urging his constituents who receive free prescriptions to sign up for free over-the-counter medicines and treatments... (more)

Kinship Carers Equality Call

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, is encouraged by hints from Minister for Children and Early Years, Adam Ingram, that kinship carers may be given the same rights and support as foster carers. But he has warned that this cannot remain a vague aspiration and that steps must be taken to make it happen... (more)

Commonwealth Comes to Holyrood

Parliamentarians from every corner of the globe are converging on Holyrood to debate ways to strengthen parliamentary democracy in the Commonwealth... (more)

Local Government Committee Bid to Call Gould

Following the publication of the independent report into May’s Scottish elections fiasco, Convener of Holyrood’s Local Government Committee, Duncan McNeil MSP, has today invited inquiry head, Ron Gould, and the Electoral Commission to give evidence to MSPs... (more)

McNeil Keeps up Pressure with Call for Drug Kids Safety Pledge

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, wants to know what action the Scottish Government has taken to protect children forced to live with drug abusing parents, following promises made to him last month... (more)

Minister Refuses to Act to Avert Community Regeneration Funding Crisis

Despite the Community Regeneration Funding crisis deepening, Communities Minister, Stewart Maxwell, is still refusing to act to save vital local projects... (more)

Free Personal Care for Pensioners at Risk Following SNP Inaction

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has slated the SNP for failing to speak up for pensioners after a senior judge blamed SNP Ministers for his decision to exempt a council from paying for free personal care for a pensioner in a private nursing home... (more)

Law Lords’ Blow for Asbestos Victims

The House of Lords is set to deal a severe blow to local asbestos victims, it has emerged. It is believed that the Law Lords will tomorrow uphold a claim by insurance giant Norwich Union and others that pleural plaques is not an injury for which victims can be compensated... (more)

Scrapping of Reparation Orders, a “Slap in the Face” for Decent Communities - McNeil

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has condemned SNP Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill, for scrapping a pilot scheme in Greenock to force neds to clean up the communities they ruin... (more)

McNeil Welcomes “Better Late than Never” Smoking Age Rise

The MSP who successfully changed the law to give Ministers the power to raise the smoking age, Greenock and Inverclyde’s Duncan McNeil, has welcomed today’s overdue passing of the regulations which will raise the minimum age to 18... (more)

Ministers’ Dithering Putting Vital Projects at Risk

Vital community projects are under threat because of Ministers’ dithering, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has warned.   The crisis, which has been sparked by confusion over the future of the Community Regeneration Fund, is already forcing important projects in Inverclyde to prepare to issue redundancy notices to staff... (more)

No Excuses: Ministers Must Act on Scotland’s Hidden Drug Abused Children Before it’s too Late

Ministers must step in now to save Scotland’s hidden drug abused children before it’s too late, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has told the Scottish Parliament... (more)

Unidentified, Unprotected: Executive Documents Reveal Plight of Inverclyde’s Hidden Drug Abuse Children

Any number of children in Inverclyde could be at risk from their drug addicted parents and the council has no way of knowing who or where they are, papers newly-released by the Scottish Executive reveal... (more)

McNeil Condemns “Scrooge” Justice Minister

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has condemned the Justice Minister’s decision to pull the plug on moves to give Scotland’s shopworkers a guaranteed day off at New Year... (more)

McNeil to Chair Fuel Poverty Workshop

Fuel poverty will be the burning issue when MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, chairs a workshop session at Citizens Advice Scotland’s annual conference in Edinburgh today (Wednesday)... (more)

Child Poverty tops the Agenda

As part of his commitment to discuss the key issues which come under his Committee’s remit with the main players in the field, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, will welcome two leading children’s charities to Greenock this week to debate tackling child poverty... (more)

Talks Focus on Bridging the Health Gap

Speaking after meeting with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Chief Executive, Tom Divers, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, said... (more)

Anger at Sturgeon Snub on IRH Car Park Charges

On being told by Health Secretary, Nicola Sturgeon, that she was refusing to require any local consultation on the imposition of car parking charges at Inverclyde Royal Hospital, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, said... (more)

Bar to Justice Should be Raised – McNeil

The “prohibitively low” ceiling on the value of claims which can be determined by the Small Claims Court in Scotland is denying people justice and should be raised, says to MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil. .. (more)

Health Funding Must Reflect Need – McNeil

As discussions take place between Scottish Executive Ministers and Health Board bosses over funding allocations, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has called for health cash to be allocated on the basis of need... (more)

Anger as Minister Refuses to Ban Fertility Treatment for Addicts

Public Health Minister, Shona Robison, has sparked outrage by refusing to ban fertility treatment for drug addicts. MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, had demanded that national action be taken following revelations that drug addicts had received fertility treatment on the NHS... (more)

NHS Bosses Launch Review of Fertility Services

Revelations that drug addicts have received fertility treatment on the NHS have prompted NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to launch a high-level investigation into the service... (more)

McNeil Concerned at First Minister’s Cancer Scare Complacency

Commenting after raising the breast cancer scare at Inverclyde Royal Hospital with First Minister, Alex Salmond, at First Minister’s Questions in the Scottish Parliament today, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, said.. (more)

“Every Ounce” of Health Board Capacity Must be Focussed on Reassuring Women – McNeil

Commenting on today’s announcement from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde that the cases of a number of women who had presented for breast cancer tests at Inverclyde Royal Hospital were to be re-examined, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, said... (more)

McNeil New Committee Convener

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, is set to become Convener of Holyrood’s new Local Government and Communities Committee, it has been announced... (more)

IRH Car Park Charge Imposition: Make Health Board Make its Case

Commenting on today’s news that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde will impose car parking charges for patients, visitors and staff at Inverclyde Royal Hospital in early 2008, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, said... (more)

May 2007

25th May

Salmond Refuses to Reassure Tenants on Homes Investment

First Minister, Alex Salmond, has refused reassure council tenants in Inverclyde that the housing stock transfer and record investment for which they voted overwhelmingly in November won’t be delayed or cancelled... (more)

14th May

How Many Addict Babies is the NHS Making?  McNeil Questions Health Chiefs

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, wants health board bosses to reveal just how many more babies the NHS is condemning to a life of danger and squalor at the hands of drug-addict parents... (more)  

2007 Scottish Parliament Election Campaign 

Health Minister to Settle IRH Future

The future of Inverclyde Royal Hospital is settled, Health Minister Andy Kerr is set to announce today.   The Minister will visit the IRH this afternoon and it is understood that he will sign off NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s plans to keep Accident and Emergency, the vast bulk of inpatient services and virtually all outpatient and day services in Greenock... (more)

Massive Investment for New Affordable Homes in Inverclyde

Communities Minister, Rhona Brankin, today announced a record £23.5 million spending for affordable housing in Inverclyde over the next year.   This is an increase of 70%, compared to the funding announced at this time last year... (more)

"Picture Inverclyde, See the Potential", Holyrood Told

Inverclyde Camera Club are at the Scottish Parliament today, promoting their recently launched exhibition ‘Picture Inverclyde’, which presents one hundred positive photographic images of Inverclyde... (more)

“All the Best for the Next 150 Years” – McNeil’s Birthday wish to Tele

Sending 150th birthday wishes to the Greenock Telegraph, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, said... (more)

McNeil Backs Liberals’ Carrier Bag U-Turn

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has welcomed today’s news that retailers have agreed to reduce the overall impact of their carrier bags by 25% by the end of next year.  The move was announced by Environment Minister, Ross Finnie, and spells the end of his Lib Dem colleagues’ bid, led by Mike Pringle MSP, to hike up weekly shopping bills with a tax on every single plastic bag... (more)

McNeil Welcomes Health Board Backing for IRH Future

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has welcomed today’s endorsement by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde of plans to secure the future of Inverclyde Royal Hospital... (more)

How to Beat the Bank Robbers: McNeil Launches Guide to Reclaiming Excessive Bank Charges

As the UK's top banks prepare to report combined profits of £38bn for the past year, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, is helping his constituents fight back against excessive bank charges.  He says that punitive fees levied for going overdrawn, exceeding an agreed overdraft limit, or having a transaction declined are not enforceable in law and that many customers have already received substantial refunds... (more)

Is Addicts’ Rights Culture Risking Inverclyde Kids’ Lives?  McNeil Demands Urgent Investigation

Action must be taken now to ensure that children in Inverclyde are not being put at risk by a culture of protecting drug addicts’ rights, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has told Minister for Education and Young People, Hugh Henry... (more)

Don’t Die of Embarrassment, McNeil Urges Constituents

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, today urged his constituents not to die of embarrassment as he launched the Beating Bowel Cancer Loud Tie Campaign with clinicians at Inverclyde Royal Hospital... (more)

Inverclyde TV Launched

Inverclyde TV was today launched by MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil.  Created by Prime Space TV, Inverclyde TV broadcasts into a number of libraries in the area and on the internet (www.inverclyde.tv)... (more)

McNeil Welcomes Doubling of NHS Budget

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has welcomed today’s news that investment in Scotland’s NHS has doubled since the creation of the Scottish Parliament in 1999... (more)

Gourock Development Can’t Hit the Buffers

Commenting on today’s announcement that the new £20 million Gourock transport interchange project is finally moving forward, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, said... (more)

Don’t Target Hardworking Families, McNeil Warns Minister

Greenock and Inverclyde’s hardworking families should be valued, not targeted as a soft touch, MSP Duncan McNeil has told Liberal Democrat Deputy Finance and Public Service Reform Minister, George Lyon... (more)

Pioneering Health Project for Greenock

A pioneering approach to healthcare could be on its way to Greenock, the Scottish Parliament has been told.   Under questioning from MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, Deputy Health Minister, Lewis Macdonald, revealed that the Greenock and Inverclyde area is under active consideration to host one of the forthcoming wave of pilot “anticipatory health care” programmes... (more)

Nuclear Waste of Police on Agenda with Rae

Police officers being taken out of Inverclyde to deal with the year-long Faslane blockade will be top of Duncan McNeil MSP’s agenda when he and colleagues from the Strathclyde area meet Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police, Sir Willie Rae QPM, at the Scottish Parliament tonight... (more)

New Cal Mac HQ Must Stay in Inverclyde, McNeil tells Minister

The headquarters of Caledonian MacBrayne must stay in Inverclyde when the current building at Gourock is demolished, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has told the Finance Minister... (more)

Local Youngsters Get Moving for Less

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, says the new Concessionary Travel Scheme for young people will make it easier for youngsters to get out and about and broaden their horizons... (more)

McNeil Condemns Nuclear Waste of Police Time

Condemning the fact that police officers are being taken off Greenock and Inverclyde’s streets to police the Faslane 365 demonstration, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, said... (more)

McNeil to Quiz First Minister on Date for Smoking Age Rise

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, will quiz Jack McConnell on when the age for buying tobacco will be raised to 18 at First Minister’s Questions on Thursday... (more)