Alliance Urge Executive To 'Take The Lead' On Legislation

The Northern Ireland Assembly "cannot constantly be playing catch-up with other jurisdictions" after new regulations came into force making it illegal to smoke in a car with children.

Calling for the Executive to "take the lead" on legislation, Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw said: "I am pleased these measures will finally be coming into force today. It is something I have been campaigning for, alongside our local charities, since becoming an MLA.

"This ban in private vehicles will help to safeguard children from dangerous second-hand smoke that puts them at a higher risk of breathing problems, asthma and allergies. By coupling this with a prohibition on the sale of e-cigarettes to under-18s, young people are further protected and hindered from developing a reliance on nicotine in the first instance.

"However, that said, small legislative changes like these should not take years to be realised and if devolution is to work, the Assembly cannot constantly be playing catch-up with other jurisdictions on these islands. We need to take more opportunities to take the lead on preventative health policy."

SDLP Calls For Action On Continued Energy Price Hikes

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has been urged to take the plight of people here seriously in the face of yet another price hike.

Making the call, SDLP Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan said that gas suppliers have contacted customers this week warning of a 33.57% tariff increase in addition to already record high energy costs.

Mr Durkan said Minister Hargey needs to act now to ensure the £55m Energy Payment Support Scheme is open before the planned timeframe of mid-March.

The Foyle MLA said: "If the Minister is serious about protecting vulnerable people and their families she must issue fuel support payments now to allow people to get the best value for money rather than just filling the coffers of energy companies.

"The latest gas tariff increase will mean an average annual increase of over £300 per household and that is in addition to multiple in recent months. Sky-high wholesale gas prices will undoubtedly drive people into poverty. Already struggling households are bearing the brunt of the cost of living crisis and these spiralling costs are completely unsustainable.

"The Minister has a duty to act now to soften the blow of the latest gas hike. People cannot afford to wait until March, they need financial support in their hands now."

Green Party Welcomes Net Zero Amendment

Green Party NI leader Clare Bailey has welcomed the passage of an amendment to set a net-zero emissions target for Northern Ireland.

Clare Bailey said: "The majority of MLAs have made it clear that Northern Ireland will no longer be the only region in these islands without a net-zero emissions target.

"The passage of this Green Party NI amendment has significantly increased the ambition of the Climate Change (No.2) Bill, and is an important step towards ensuring we have strong and robust climate legislation.

"Following this clear expression of the will the Assembly, I hope that we will now see this net-zero climate legislation come into force in the coming months.

"I hope MLAs will now back the Green Party NI’s other amendments to further strengthen the Bill, by ensuring it establishes independent oversight of climate policy, and enshrines principles of a just transition, where no one is left behind. This includes a Green Party NI amendment to establish a Just Transition Fund for Agriculture, to ensure farmers are financially supported in the transition to net-zero."