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19/10/2016
Other News In Brief
Concerns Raised Over Closure Of Bangor Custody Suite
Concerns have been raised over plans to close Bangor Custody Suite from 01 December.
Alliance Councillor Andrew Muir said it has the potential to leave a major shortage of officers on the ground as they spend time travelling between Bangor and Belfast.
He said: "We have already lost Ards Custody Suite and while we are told closure of Bangor Custody Suite is a temporary measure, elected representatives and local solicitors are rightly concerned that if this proposal is not challenged it could lead to closures of local police stations. An important aspect of policing is visibility to maintain public confidence. We need this facility to remain open and police officers to be available to serve the community. We intend to follow the matter up at all relevant levels to ensure this short sighted decision is reviewed."
Call For NIHE To Be Given More Money To Develop Social Homes
Sinn Féin is calling for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) to be given more financial resources to develop more social houses.
MLA Fra McCann made the call after the opposition in the NI Assembly proposed to build less houses than the Executive.
Mr McCann said: "Demand for social housing is an issue that all elected representatives are familiar with and one which we deal with on a daily basis.
"It was therefore bizarre that the opposition in the Assembly today actually proposed to build less houses than the Executive.
"You couldn't make this up!
"This would be a game changer in terms of the delivery of social housing."
Green Party Welcomes Amnesty International Poll
Green Party Deputy Leader Clare Bailey MLA has today, 18 October 2016, welcomed a new poll commissioned by Amnesty International Northern Ireland indicating that 72% of people in Northern Ireland support reform of abortion laws in cases of sexual crime.
She said: "Currently Northern Ireland has some of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe. Despite successive opinion polls showing that the majority of people want to see the law reformed, we have yet to see a majority of MLAs support this.
"During the last mandate, votes to allow abortion in cases of fatal foetal abnormality lost by 59 votes to 40 and for sexual crime including rape, by 64 votes to 32. This shows how clearly out of step our politicians are with the public mood. We need to keep pressurising Stormont to act on behalf of the people and to trust women.
"Northern Ireland's near total ban on abortion is not fit for purpose. The reality is that women in Northern Ireland are having abortions. In 2015, 833 women travelled to England to access healthcare which is denied to them in Northern Ireland, and between 2010 and 2015, 5,605 women from the island of Ireland accessed abortion pills online.
"Whilst we await the publication of the Fatal Foetal Abnormality Working Group, it is patently obvious that if this group does recommend the most incremental of changes, it will not be enough to catch up with public opinion."
(CD)
Concerns have been raised over plans to close Bangor Custody Suite from 01 December.
Alliance Councillor Andrew Muir said it has the potential to leave a major shortage of officers on the ground as they spend time travelling between Bangor and Belfast.
He said: "We have already lost Ards Custody Suite and while we are told closure of Bangor Custody Suite is a temporary measure, elected representatives and local solicitors are rightly concerned that if this proposal is not challenged it could lead to closures of local police stations. An important aspect of policing is visibility to maintain public confidence. We need this facility to remain open and police officers to be available to serve the community. We intend to follow the matter up at all relevant levels to ensure this short sighted decision is reviewed."
Call For NIHE To Be Given More Money To Develop Social Homes
Sinn Féin is calling for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) to be given more financial resources to develop more social houses.
MLA Fra McCann made the call after the opposition in the NI Assembly proposed to build less houses than the Executive.
Mr McCann said: "Demand for social housing is an issue that all elected representatives are familiar with and one which we deal with on a daily basis.
"It was therefore bizarre that the opposition in the Assembly today actually proposed to build less houses than the Executive.
"You couldn't make this up!
"This would be a game changer in terms of the delivery of social housing."
Green Party Welcomes Amnesty International Poll
Green Party Deputy Leader Clare Bailey MLA has today, 18 October 2016, welcomed a new poll commissioned by Amnesty International Northern Ireland indicating that 72% of people in Northern Ireland support reform of abortion laws in cases of sexual crime.
She said: "Currently Northern Ireland has some of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe. Despite successive opinion polls showing that the majority of people want to see the law reformed, we have yet to see a majority of MLAs support this.
"During the last mandate, votes to allow abortion in cases of fatal foetal abnormality lost by 59 votes to 40 and for sexual crime including rape, by 64 votes to 32. This shows how clearly out of step our politicians are with the public mood. We need to keep pressurising Stormont to act on behalf of the people and to trust women.
"Northern Ireland's near total ban on abortion is not fit for purpose. The reality is that women in Northern Ireland are having abortions. In 2015, 833 women travelled to England to access healthcare which is denied to them in Northern Ireland, and between 2010 and 2015, 5,605 women from the island of Ireland accessed abortion pills online.
"Whilst we await the publication of the Fatal Foetal Abnormality Working Group, it is patently obvious that if this group does recommend the most incremental of changes, it will not be enough to catch up with public opinion."
(CD)
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22 July 2021
Abortion Services Must Be Made Available ASAP
Abortion services must be made available in Northern Ireland no later than 31 March, 2022.
Abortion Services Must Be Made Available ASAP
Abortion services must be made available in Northern Ireland no later than 31 March, 2022.
18 October 2016
Almost Three Quarters Of People Support Changes To Abortion Laws
Almost three quarters of people in Northern Ireland support changes to abortion laws, according to a new poll published by Amnesty International. The results revealed support for abortion in cases of rape, incest and when the foetus will not survive outside the womb.
Almost Three Quarters Of People Support Changes To Abortion Laws
Almost three quarters of people in Northern Ireland support changes to abortion laws, according to a new poll published by Amnesty International. The results revealed support for abortion in cases of rape, incest and when the foetus will not survive outside the womb.
08 October 2019
Abortion Law: Guidance Published For Healthcare Professionals
The Government has published guidelines for medical professionals in Northern Ireland ahead of potential abortion law reforms. Legislation passed in July obliged the UK Government to relax the strict local abortion laws if power sharing at Stormont is not restored by 21 October.
Abortion Law: Guidance Published For Healthcare Professionals
The Government has published guidelines for medical professionals in Northern Ireland ahead of potential abortion law reforms. Legislation passed in July obliged the UK Government to relax the strict local abortion laws if power sharing at Stormont is not restored by 21 October.
16 December 2011
Social Housing Project Boosts Builders
There was a pre-Christmas boost on housing this week with the keys being handed over to residents in one of Northern Ireland's biggest social housing developments to date.
Social Housing Project Boosts Builders
There was a pre-Christmas boost on housing this week with the keys being handed over to residents in one of Northern Ireland's biggest social housing developments to date.
07 July 2011
Builders Get Major House Building Boost
A substantial Co Antrim housing scheme has been launched this week proving much needed good news for the beleaguered construction sector. Stormont Social Development (DSD) Minister Nelson McCausland has officially started the new £18.5m family housing development in Lisburn.
Builders Get Major House Building Boost
A substantial Co Antrim housing scheme has been launched this week proving much needed good news for the beleaguered construction sector. Stormont Social Development (DSD) Minister Nelson McCausland has officially started the new £18.5m family housing development in Lisburn.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
