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08/08/2018
Other News In Brief
Concerns Raised Over A5 Project In Antrim
Concerns have been raised over the A5 project in Antrim after the Department for Infrastructure decided not to appeal against a Court ruling overturning its decision to grant permission for a £240 million waste incinerator in Mallusk.
Sinn Féin MP Órfhlaith Begley said the concerns are "understandable" however the two projects are "very different cases".
She said: "The court was clear that Hightown needed Executive approval because it was a 'controversial and cross-cutting' project. The A5 is in a very different position because it already has Executive approval. In fact, it is an Executive flagship project and the last minister Chris Hazzard put clear directions in place for the Department to proceed. There is therefore, no need for officials to take a different approach from that which has already been clearly set out.
"I have been in contact with the Department for Infrastructure and they remain confident that they still have a very strong case with regard to the current legal objections before the courts. Providing that case is resolved as expected, there is no reason why the A5 cannot proceed as planned."
NI Misses Out On HPV Vaccine For Boys
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said she is baffled after it was confirmed Northern Ireland will not join other UK regions in introducing the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine for boys as well as girls.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation recommended the HPV vaccine be issued for 12 to 13-year-old boys throughout the UK, as well as girls, who already routinely receive it. However, Northern Ireland will not, Ms Bradshaw said, after she wrote to the Department of Health requesting an update.
"I recently wrote to the Department of Health asking for an update and was astonished to find Northern Ireland still considers the implementation of the HPV vaccine a 'possibility' when every other jurisdiction in the UK is moving to introduce it," said Ms Bradshaw.
"That Northern Ireland should remain in line with the rest of the UK on this issue is obvious, given there is free movement. People should be protected by the same vaccines, and in the case of HPV it is now clear from the expert evidence boys should be protected as well as girls. There should be no delay in implementation.
"It is also peculiar the Chief Medical Officer can direct Trusts with regard to surgical treatment, as he rightly did recently with regard to suspending vaginal mesh procedures, but not vaccination."
Call For Inquest Block To End
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon has said the decision by the Cunningham family to withdraw their application for a new inquest is evidence of the impact that the DUP's blocking of the Lord Chief Justice legacy plans is having on families.
The party's victims spokesperson said: "Henry Cunningham, a 16-year-old boy, was shot dead by the UVF on the M2 motorway whilst travelling on a bus bringing workmen home from a building site in Belfast.
"There has never been a proper police investigation or inquest into his murder.
"His family have long campaigned for a new inquest to be held and were given renewed hope that this would happen when the Lord Chief Justice put forward his proposals for fresh legacy inquests.
"As First Minister, Arlene Foster blocked the Lord Chief Justice’s plan to resolve the backlog of legacy inquests, denying justice to victims and their families in the process.
"This move was subsequently ruled unlawful by the High Court which also reminded the British Government of their legal obligations to provide effective, independent and timely investigations into State killings
"Despite this, the funds requested by the Lord Chief Justice have still not been released by the British Government and families continue to suffer as a result.
"It is now well over two years since the Lord Chief Justice forwarded his proposals and it is appalling that families are still suffering because of the DUP and British government prevarication. This needs to end."
(CD)
Concerns have been raised over the A5 project in Antrim after the Department for Infrastructure decided not to appeal against a Court ruling overturning its decision to grant permission for a £240 million waste incinerator in Mallusk.
Sinn Féin MP Órfhlaith Begley said the concerns are "understandable" however the two projects are "very different cases".
She said: "The court was clear that Hightown needed Executive approval because it was a 'controversial and cross-cutting' project. The A5 is in a very different position because it already has Executive approval. In fact, it is an Executive flagship project and the last minister Chris Hazzard put clear directions in place for the Department to proceed. There is therefore, no need for officials to take a different approach from that which has already been clearly set out.
"I have been in contact with the Department for Infrastructure and they remain confident that they still have a very strong case with regard to the current legal objections before the courts. Providing that case is resolved as expected, there is no reason why the A5 cannot proceed as planned."
NI Misses Out On HPV Vaccine For Boys
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said she is baffled after it was confirmed Northern Ireland will not join other UK regions in introducing the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine for boys as well as girls.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation recommended the HPV vaccine be issued for 12 to 13-year-old boys throughout the UK, as well as girls, who already routinely receive it. However, Northern Ireland will not, Ms Bradshaw said, after she wrote to the Department of Health requesting an update.
"I recently wrote to the Department of Health asking for an update and was astonished to find Northern Ireland still considers the implementation of the HPV vaccine a 'possibility' when every other jurisdiction in the UK is moving to introduce it," said Ms Bradshaw.
"That Northern Ireland should remain in line with the rest of the UK on this issue is obvious, given there is free movement. People should be protected by the same vaccines, and in the case of HPV it is now clear from the expert evidence boys should be protected as well as girls. There should be no delay in implementation.
"It is also peculiar the Chief Medical Officer can direct Trusts with regard to surgical treatment, as he rightly did recently with regard to suspending vaginal mesh procedures, but not vaccination."
Call For Inquest Block To End
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon has said the decision by the Cunningham family to withdraw their application for a new inquest is evidence of the impact that the DUP's blocking of the Lord Chief Justice legacy plans is having on families.
The party's victims spokesperson said: "Henry Cunningham, a 16-year-old boy, was shot dead by the UVF on the M2 motorway whilst travelling on a bus bringing workmen home from a building site in Belfast.
"There has never been a proper police investigation or inquest into his murder.
"His family have long campaigned for a new inquest to be held and were given renewed hope that this would happen when the Lord Chief Justice put forward his proposals for fresh legacy inquests.
"As First Minister, Arlene Foster blocked the Lord Chief Justice’s plan to resolve the backlog of legacy inquests, denying justice to victims and their families in the process.
"This move was subsequently ruled unlawful by the High Court which also reminded the British Government of their legal obligations to provide effective, independent and timely investigations into State killings
"Despite this, the funds requested by the Lord Chief Justice have still not been released by the British Government and families continue to suffer as a result.
"It is now well over two years since the Lord Chief Justice forwarded his proposals and it is appalling that families are still suffering because of the DUP and British government prevarication. This needs to end."
(CD)
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Ministers Discussing Introduction Of Mandatory Vaccine Passports
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and 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.
