Sinn Féin Councillor for the Mournes Willie Clarke has said press statements by SDLP MLA Sean Rodgers over the Rates Support Grant “shows a lack of understanding of the situation.”
Cllr Clarke said: “The claims, issued to the press recently, by the SDLP MLA Sean Rodgers regarding the Rates Support Grant in South Down display a total ignorance of this issue.
“The fact is that this grant is controlled by the Department of the Environment and as recently as last month Minister Mark H Durkan said publicly that it has been protected for this year.
“Sean Rodgers would do well to talk to his party colleague in the Executive before trying to hoodwink the electorate in a blatant election stunt.
“He clearly is unaware of what is going on within the Department and within his own party.”
“Please see link to Minister Mark H Durkan’s comment on the rates”.
