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01/03/2022
Other News In Brief
'Small Explosion' Reported In Attempted Cash Machine Theft
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information on a suspected attempted cash machine theft in north Belfast.
According to reports, a "small explosion" was reported to police at about 1am on Tuesday morning in the Ballysillan Road area.
Upon investigation, police reportedly found a "detonated suspect device" close a badly damaged cash machine. Police have said that that they believe a device was exploded in an attempted to dislodge and remove the cash machine.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact police.
SDLP Welcomes Backing Of School Age Bill
The SDLP has welcomed the news that the Assembly has backed the new School Age Bill.
The Bill will allow parents of children born between April 1 and July 1 to decide for their children to start school in the September following their fifth birthday.
Education Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan said the increased parental choice would result in better experiences for children.
West Tyrone MLA Mr McCrossan said: "This legislation has been in the works for almost a decade and I'm glad that children across the North will now benefit as a result of this increased parental choice. While some may feel comfortable to continue with the old system, not every child will be ready to start school at such a young age and this extra year of development could make all the difference to their educational experience.
"Starting school can be a very difficult time for children, it's a significant change to their lives and we must make every effort to ensure they are properly supported. Nobody will know better than parents when the time is right for their children to begin school and it's only right they will now have greater choice around it.
"Despite the best efforts of staff, our education system has been stale and inflexible for too long. These are the kind of changes we need to see more of in the coming years if we are truly to build a modern education system in the North that caters for the needs of children, while allowing them space to achieve their full potential."
SF Urge Irish Govt To Open Passport Office In NI
Sinn Féin has called on the Irish government to open a "much-needed" Irish Passport Office in Northern Ireland.
Sinn Féin's Leader in the Seanad Niall Ó Donnghaile was speaking after official figures suggest that more than a third of the north's population hold an Irish passport.
Niall Ó Donnghaile said: "A passport office in the north just makes sense.
"Fresh data from the Department of Foreign Affairs shows that 24,643 people this year were issued with Irish passports in the north - more than 400 every day - through Passport Express which is available at post offices in the north.
"Given that the Department of Foreign Affairs have acknowledged the ‘unprecedented demand' on workers, opening an office in the north could help alleviate some pressure from passport office and post office workers.
"These figures do not include Irish citizens in the north who apply for their passports directly from Dublin.
"I will again be raising this campaign in the Seanad and would call on the government to engage positively, prepare and deliver for citizens."
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information on a suspected attempted cash machine theft in north Belfast.
According to reports, a "small explosion" was reported to police at about 1am on Tuesday morning in the Ballysillan Road area.
Upon investigation, police reportedly found a "detonated suspect device" close a badly damaged cash machine. Police have said that that they believe a device was exploded in an attempted to dislodge and remove the cash machine.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact police.
SDLP Welcomes Backing Of School Age Bill
The SDLP has welcomed the news that the Assembly has backed the new School Age Bill.
The Bill will allow parents of children born between April 1 and July 1 to decide for their children to start school in the September following their fifth birthday.
Education Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan said the increased parental choice would result in better experiences for children.
West Tyrone MLA Mr McCrossan said: "This legislation has been in the works for almost a decade and I'm glad that children across the North will now benefit as a result of this increased parental choice. While some may feel comfortable to continue with the old system, not every child will be ready to start school at such a young age and this extra year of development could make all the difference to their educational experience.
"Starting school can be a very difficult time for children, it's a significant change to their lives and we must make every effort to ensure they are properly supported. Nobody will know better than parents when the time is right for their children to begin school and it's only right they will now have greater choice around it.
"Despite the best efforts of staff, our education system has been stale and inflexible for too long. These are the kind of changes we need to see more of in the coming years if we are truly to build a modern education system in the North that caters for the needs of children, while allowing them space to achieve their full potential."
SF Urge Irish Govt To Open Passport Office In NI
Sinn Féin has called on the Irish government to open a "much-needed" Irish Passport Office in Northern Ireland.
Sinn Féin's Leader in the Seanad Niall Ó Donnghaile was speaking after official figures suggest that more than a third of the north's population hold an Irish passport.
Niall Ó Donnghaile said: "A passport office in the north just makes sense.
"Fresh data from the Department of Foreign Affairs shows that 24,643 people this year were issued with Irish passports in the north - more than 400 every day - through Passport Express which is available at post offices in the north.
"Given that the Department of Foreign Affairs have acknowledged the ‘unprecedented demand' on workers, opening an office in the north could help alleviate some pressure from passport office and post office workers.
"These figures do not include Irish citizens in the north who apply for their passports directly from Dublin.
"I will again be raising this campaign in the Seanad and would call on the government to engage positively, prepare and deliver for citizens."
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Alliance Warns Of Post Office Closure Impact On Vulnerable
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04 May 2022
Irish Passport Applications Higher Than British For First Time
More people in the north have applied for an Irish passport than a British passport for the first time on record, according to figures released to the Irish Times under a Freedom of Information result.
Irish Passport Applications Higher Than British For First Time
More people in the north have applied for an Irish passport than a British passport for the first time on record, according to figures released to the Irish Times under a Freedom of Information result.
11 July 2014
SF Calls For NI Irish Passport Office
West Tyrone Sinn Féin MLA Barry McElduff has called on the new Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan to open an Irish passport office in Northern Ireland. Mr McElduff said: "My office in Omagh has been inundated with calls in recent weeks from people looking for assistance with Irish passport applications.
SF Calls For NI Irish Passport Office
West Tyrone Sinn Féin MLA Barry McElduff has called on the new Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan to open an Irish passport office in Northern Ireland. Mr McElduff said: "My office in Omagh has been inundated with calls in recent weeks from people looking for assistance with Irish passport applications.
23 April 2018
SDLP Welcomes Border Force Removing Irish Passport Holder Restriction
The Border Force agency has been accused of "covering the British Government's tracks" for its "shoddy thoughtless policy". SDLP Brexit Spokesperson Claire Hanna MLA made the comments following reports that Border Force have now rolled back on its bar on Irish passport holders.
SDLP Welcomes Border Force Removing Irish Passport Holder Restriction
The Border Force agency has been accused of "covering the British Government's tracks" for its "shoddy thoughtless policy". SDLP Brexit Spokesperson Claire Hanna MLA made the comments following reports that Border Force have now rolled back on its bar on Irish passport holders.
11 November 2014
Mother And Children Hit By Car
A mother and her six children have been hit by a car while walking to school in Cloughmills, County Antrim. The group was on the Loughill Road just after 08:30 when the incident occurred. The woman and three children were taken to hospital. It is reported that the mother is in a serious condition and that one child is in a very serious condition.
Mother And Children Hit By Car
A mother and her six children have been hit by a car while walking to school in Cloughmills, County Antrim. The group was on the Loughill Road just after 08:30 when the incident occurred. The woman and three children were taken to hospital. It is reported that the mother is in a serious condition and that one child is in a very serious condition.
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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.
