People Encouraged To Have Open Conversation About Sexual Health

People in NI are being encouraged to have an open conversation about sex and sexual health, as Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw welcomes as Sexual Health Week.

With this year's theme of 'Let's Talk Sex', Ms Bradshaw said that the stigma around discussing sex contributes to poor sexual health, with many being too embarrassed to seek the help they need.

Ms Bradshaw said: "We should not be shy about talking with medical professionals, sexual partners or others about what is a healthy and important function for our bodies.

"Health problems do not often go away simply by ignoring symptoms, nor are they found if regular check-ups are not carried out.

"As a society, we need to encourage healthy conversations about sex and this should start at a young age. Too few schools are preparing young people to engage in healthy relationships across the spectrum of sexual orientation or based firmly on the principle of consent. It is staggering our Education Minister does not acknowledge that improvement is needed.

"This Sexual Health Week, I encourage people to speak more openly about sex and to thank charities, like Informing Choices NI and Positive life, for all they do to ensure people are empowered to look after their sexual health."

North-West Rail Connectivity Feasibility Study Completed

The Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has reaffirmed her commitment to North-West rail connectivity, welcoming the completion of a Feasibility Study into Phase 3 of the track renewal project on the Derry-Coleraine section of rail line.

Minister Mallon said: "Investing in rail connectivity is key to delivering greener and cleaner transport but it also opens up opportunities for connectivity and economic growth. The North West needs to benefit from our green recovery and I’ve made it clear that I am determined to deliver lasting change and economic equality for our citizens across the North. This work builds on the all island strategic rail review, the first in over 100 years, that I am currently carrying out in partnership with the Irish Government. This strategic review will explore rail connections across the island, including to and from the North West. The people of Derry and the wider North West deserve to have access to enhanced rail connectivity. They have waited for far too long."

Green Party Welcomes Passing Of Onshore Fracking Bill

The Green Party NI has welcomed the Onshore Fracking Bill passing the Second Stage in the Assembly, but raised concerns about its limited scope.

North Down MLA Rachel Woods said: "A Green Party NI motion in favour of banning fracking was first passed by MLAs in 2011, and the Assembly again voted for moratorium on petroleum licensing and drilling in 2020, after I brought forward a motion which received cross-party support. Despite these clear expressions of the will of the Assembly over the last decade, we are only now seeing draft legislation come before the Assembly.

"In its current form, this Bill is not enough, but it is a start. By not introducing a ban on offshore petroleum exploration and extraction, it is more limited than the comprehensive legislation we need and I urge the Executive to bring this forward.

"I don't need to list the potential harms to public health that fracking and drilling brings. We, and local communities who are already impacted by exploration, know about the chemicals, the noise, the pollution, the dangers of releasing certain substances, and the detrimental impacts that all of these things can have on people's health, not to mention wildlife, habitats and our natural environment.

"We are in a climate emergency. We must reduce our emissions and not allow for more fossil fuel extraction. It's time to invest in renewables and consign outdated and destructive fossil fuels to the past."