SF Welcomes News QUB To Introduce Irish Language Accommodation

Sinn Féin has welcomed the new Queens University will introduce a scheme for Gaeilgeoirí to be housed together in its onsite accommodation.

West Belfast MLA Aisling Reilly said: "I welcome the announcement that Queen's University will deliver a residency scheme for Gaeilgeoirí.

"This is a really positive move and will help ensure increase the visibility of the language on campus.

"I wrote to the Vice-Chancellor urging the university to implement this scheme and I'm delighted have confirmed their intention to do that.

"I want to commend the ongoing campaign by students and staff, and in particular An Cumann Gaelach QUB, who worked so hard to make this happen."

Lord Mayor In Dublin For Two Day Visit

Belfast's First Citizen, Lord Mayor Councillor Kate Nicholl is in Dublin for a series of engagements as part of a two day visit, following an invite from Dublin Lord Mayor, Councillor Alison Gilliland.

During the visit, Councillor Nicholl is attending the launch of a new exhibition at the Little Museum of Dublin as well as visiting a needle exchange project to learn what is being done to help tackle drug addiction and homelessness in Dublin city centre.

Councillor Nicholl said: "I was delighted to receive an invitation from Dublin's Lord Mayor to spend time in the city. Over the last few months, we have had some really useful discussions around the issues affecting our respective cities, many of which have been exacerbated by the ongoing pandemic – and many of which we share in common.

"I think it is so important to look outwards sometimes, to share learning and ideas; and particularly this visit is about demonstrating how important it is to collaborate with our neighbours and to open up conversations."

Councillor Nicholl will also join the Lord Mayors of Dublin, Manchester and Liverpool for a virtual meeting about how the four cities can strengthen future links and collaborate on key issues.

The exhibition at the Little Museum of Dublin, which is a cross-border partnership with National Museums NI, is entitled 'You Say You Love Me but You Don't Even Know Me'.

Featuring 35 artefacts from the collections of National Museums NI the exhibition explores different perspectives of 'Irishness' and the island's complex shared history.

"As we reflect on 100 years since partition, I think it has brought a renewed focus to our shared history and opened up conversations around identity and belonging, as people tell their own stories. Our history is complex and no two people's story is the same, and that is what makes us so unique," said Councillor Nicholl.

"This exhibition will give people the opportunity to explore and learn about both our shared and individual identities. Cross border collaboration is vital on this island and You Say You Love Me But You Don't Even Know Me is a wonderful example of how this can manifest itself in a creative and compelling way. I'd like to congratulate all those involved in curating this very impressive collection."

SDLP Blame DUP For Remaining Restrictions

The SDLP have said that the DUP are to blame for NI 's remaining Covid-19 restrictions.

Deputy Leader Nichola Mallon expressed deep frustration that restrictions cannot be easily lifted as a result of the DUP's boycott of Executive responsibility.

The SDLP's Minister said that people are being punished and will rightly be angry that the DUP has prioritised selfish political games over Covid recovery.

Nichola Mallon MLA said: "The Former First Minister Paul Givan should explain why selfish political games are more important than our recovery from this pandemic. He should explain why he resigned from office knowing what would happen. Every DUP public representative should be forced to account for political decisions that have put their own interests above the needs of people.

"They just don't get it. People are under so much pressure as a result of this pandemic and these restrictions. They deserve a government, and political parties, who will put their interests first."