Menu
07/09/2021
Other News In Brief
Schools Need Support To Remain Open Safely - Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan has said Thursday's recall of the Assembly is an opportunity to make it clear to the Education Minister that schools need support to remain open safely.
The party's education spokesperson said: "I welcome the endorsement of Sinn Féin's proposal to recall the Assembly on Thursday over the need for clear guidance and support for our schools over rising Covid19 cases.
"This is an opportunity for MLAs to make it clear to the education minister Michelle McIlveen that keeping our schools open in a safe way is a priority.
"To ensure that our schools do remain open, they need to be properly resourced and supported with clear guidance from the Department of Education. That’s the clear message we will give the minister on Thursday."
Continued 'Can-Kicking' Does Not Provide Certainty Our Economy Requires
Continued "can-kicking" does not provide the certainty and stability our economy requires, Alliance MP Stephen Farry has said, following the extension of the current grace periods around the Northern Ireland Protocol.
The move, confirmed by the UK Government via a written ministerial statement, will indefinitely continue the current UK Approach to the Protocol, which in effect unilaterally extends the current periods.
"This should have been a formal statement subject to scrutiny in Parliament rather than being issued via a written ministerial statement,” said the North Down MP.
"Alliance is conscious while the Northern Ireland Protocol is the outworking of the UK’s decisions on Brexit and the resultant need to address the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland, it does provide some significant challenges.
"In the absence of wider agreement on how to address the issues being faced by businesses, consumers and others, the current grace periods do need to be extended. This is far better done by mutual agreement between the UK and the EU rather than unilateral action.
"Continued can-kicking doesn’t provide the certainty and stability that our economy requires. While these moves by the UK Government may provide some short-term relief, longer term solutions on areas such as SPS check and medicines are already available. This requires flexibility and creativity on the part of both the UK and EU. There also needs to be relaxations to assist with labour market pressures in Northern Ireland, and across the UK."
Concerns Raised Over Ticket Prices For NI Matches
The DUP has raised concerns over ticket prices for Northern Ireland International matches with the Irish Football Association.
East Antrim MLA David Hilditch said: "I have been inundated with complaints from disgruntled supporters in relation to the increasing cost of a ticket to the forthcoming internationals and the range of pricing for the games, including the membership of GAWA Official payment to access tickets.
"The cost for a family can now be in the excess of £200 which is totally unfeasible and this significant hike in cost is outpricing dedicated supporters. I have contacted the Chief Executive of the IFA and requested a meeting urgently to discuss the concerns raised by the football fraternity."
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan has said Thursday's recall of the Assembly is an opportunity to make it clear to the Education Minister that schools need support to remain open safely.
The party's education spokesperson said: "I welcome the endorsement of Sinn Féin's proposal to recall the Assembly on Thursday over the need for clear guidance and support for our schools over rising Covid19 cases.
"This is an opportunity for MLAs to make it clear to the education minister Michelle McIlveen that keeping our schools open in a safe way is a priority.
"To ensure that our schools do remain open, they need to be properly resourced and supported with clear guidance from the Department of Education. That’s the clear message we will give the minister on Thursday."
Continued 'Can-Kicking' Does Not Provide Certainty Our Economy Requires
Continued "can-kicking" does not provide the certainty and stability our economy requires, Alliance MP Stephen Farry has said, following the extension of the current grace periods around the Northern Ireland Protocol.
The move, confirmed by the UK Government via a written ministerial statement, will indefinitely continue the current UK Approach to the Protocol, which in effect unilaterally extends the current periods.
"This should have been a formal statement subject to scrutiny in Parliament rather than being issued via a written ministerial statement,” said the North Down MP.
"Alliance is conscious while the Northern Ireland Protocol is the outworking of the UK’s decisions on Brexit and the resultant need to address the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland, it does provide some significant challenges.
"In the absence of wider agreement on how to address the issues being faced by businesses, consumers and others, the current grace periods do need to be extended. This is far better done by mutual agreement between the UK and the EU rather than unilateral action.
"Continued can-kicking doesn’t provide the certainty and stability that our economy requires. While these moves by the UK Government may provide some short-term relief, longer term solutions on areas such as SPS check and medicines are already available. This requires flexibility and creativity on the part of both the UK and EU. There also needs to be relaxations to assist with labour market pressures in Northern Ireland, and across the UK."
Concerns Raised Over Ticket Prices For NI Matches
The DUP has raised concerns over ticket prices for Northern Ireland International matches with the Irish Football Association.
East Antrim MLA David Hilditch said: "I have been inundated with complaints from disgruntled supporters in relation to the increasing cost of a ticket to the forthcoming internationals and the range of pricing for the games, including the membership of GAWA Official payment to access tickets.
"The cost for a family can now be in the excess of £200 which is totally unfeasible and this significant hike in cost is outpricing dedicated supporters. I have contacted the Chief Executive of the IFA and requested a meeting urgently to discuss the concerns raised by the football fraternity."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
27 May 2022
Finance Minister To Ensure Energy Payments Are Made In NI
Finance Minister, Conor Murphy, has said that he is committed to working with Treasury to ensure the Energy Bills Support Scheme will provide assistance to citizens here given the absence of an Executive.
Finance Minister To Ensure Energy Payments Are Made In NI
Finance Minister, Conor Murphy, has said that he is committed to working with Treasury to ensure the Energy Bills Support Scheme will provide assistance to citizens here given the absence of an Executive.
11 August 2022
UUP Welcomes Commitment To Energy Bill Support Scheme
The Ulster Unionist Party has welcomed a renewed commitment from the Chancellor of the Exchequer that equivalent support under the energy bills support scheme will be delivered to households in Northern Ireland East Belfast MLA and Communities Spokesperson, Andy Allen, said: "Since the energy bills support scheme was announced by the then Chancello
UUP Welcomes Commitment To Energy Bill Support Scheme
The Ulster Unionist Party has welcomed a renewed commitment from the Chancellor of the Exchequer that equivalent support under the energy bills support scheme will be delivered to households in Northern Ireland East Belfast MLA and Communities Spokesperson, Andy Allen, said: "Since the energy bills support scheme was announced by the then Chancello
03 July 2003
Independent examiner praises NI agencies' complaint systems
Both the Northern Ireland Child Support Agency and the Social Security Agency have been praised for their quality of service to customers. Independent Case Examiner, Ms Jodi Berg, praised both agencies in today's published Annual Report, the second of its kind, into complaints made about their work.
Independent examiner praises NI agencies' complaint systems
Both the Northern Ireland Child Support Agency and the Social Security Agency have been praised for their quality of service to customers. Independent Case Examiner, Ms Jodi Berg, praised both agencies in today's published Annual Report, the second of its kind, into complaints made about their work.
23 February 2022
Latest Round Of Mental Health Support Fund Announced
Charities and organisations working across Northern Ireland to help and support people with their mental health and wellbeing are set to benefit from the latest round of awards under the Mental Health Support Fund. Health Minister Robin Swann recently confirmed that he had secured an extra £6.02m to be allocated to the Mental Health Support Fund.
Latest Round Of Mental Health Support Fund Announced
Charities and organisations working across Northern Ireland to help and support people with their mental health and wellbeing are set to benefit from the latest round of awards under the Mental Health Support Fund. Health Minister Robin Swann recently confirmed that he had secured an extra £6.02m to be allocated to the Mental Health Support Fund.
20 May 2014
VSNI Boss Loses Job Over Staff Complaints Of Mistreatment
A series of complaints from current and former staff of Victim Support Northern Ireland over how they were treated has lead to the head of the organisation, Susan Reid, losing her job.
VSNI Boss Loses Job Over Staff Complaints Of Mistreatment
A series of complaints from current and former staff of Victim Support Northern Ireland over how they were treated has lead to the head of the organisation, Susan Reid, losing her job.
-
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.
