No Roundtable Talks Until Thursday

Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry has said there will be no all-party roundtable until Thursday at the earliest, which "doesn't inspire confidence" in the ongoing talks process.

Dr Farry said despite the talks only resuming after the General Election, there already seemed to be a lack of momentum from several quarters.

He said: "This has been branded an intensive three-week process. However, no roundtable between the parties until Thursday at least means the first week will have effectively passed by without meaningful discussions between the parties at the same table.

"Alliance has met with the two Governments and also asked each of the main parties to meet as well. While separate bilateral meetings are useful, it's not until you get an all-party meeting around the same table that you get a true sense of everyone's intentions.

"I understand there is a new UK Government and changes in the Government in the Republic but there remains no impetus to this process, which doesn't inspire confidence. We need people to step up to the plate and do so without delay. The consequences of not doing so are too severe."

NI Water Spends Over £5m Clearing Blockages Over Two Years

Over the last two years, more than £5 million has been spent clearing blockages from the sewer system, for which 70-80% are caused by Fat, Oil and Grease (FOG) and inappropriate items, NI Water has revealed.

The firm also revealed it took workers five hours to clear at blockage in a manhole at Buttercrane Quay in Northern Ireland.

Jim McElrath, Wastewater Area Manager for the area, said: "FOG in its liquid form may not look harmful, but it becomes a major problem once in our drains. Even when hot water or soap is poured down the sink – the fat, oil and grease will still harden.

"Detergents and bleach may also appear to work, but this is only temporary. Each year, NI Water spends valuable resources fixing avoidable problems.

"We would appeal to all our customers, especially food outlets, to dispose of their FOG appropriately. For householders, let it cool and then scrap it into the bin. Alternatively, pour it into a disposable container and take it to your local oil bank.

"Businesses also risk blocking their own drainage systems, which results in extra costs being incurred in clean-up efforts. These fat blockages can not only result in out of sewer flooding, but odour problems and the risk of rat infestations both near and beyond your premises. Ways to dispose of FOG include fitting a grease trap, using an enzyme dosing system or recycling it."

Work To Start On Resurfacing Project In Portaferry

Work is to start on a £225,000 road resurfacing project in Portaferry.

The work will commence on the Shore Road on Monday, 26 June.

Preparatory work has already begun which will improve the strength and surface quality of the footways and 850m of carriageway on the coastal road in Portaferry. It is expected to be substantially completed by mid-July 2017.

Local access will be maintained and all diversions and restrictions will be clearly signposted.

(CD/JP)