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22/05/2024
Other News In Brief
Belfast Man Fined For Operating Unlicensed Taxi
A 50-year-old Belfast has been fined £475 and given six penalty points at Belfast Magistrates' Court for operating a taxi without a license.
Mark Burns, of Springfield Road, Belfast, was fined £75 for using an unlicensed taxi, £75 for not holding a taxi driver's licence, £75 for not holding a taxi operator's licence and £250 plus six penalty points for having no insurance. Mr Burns was ordered to pay the offender's levy and a six-month driving ban due to an accumulation of points.
On Sunday 28 May 2023, plain clothed enforcement officers from the Driver & Vehicle Agency observed a silver car plying for hire along Donegal Street, Belfast. The driver agreed to transport the officers despite the absence of taxi licence plates on his vehicle and when their journey was completed, he was formally interviewed, and his vehicle was seized.
Greens Call For Recognition Of Palestine As A State
The Green Party has urged UK Foreign Minister, David Cameron, to support a UN resolution on the official recognition of Palestine as a State.
Green Party Councillor for Ormiston, Anthony Flynn, made the call after the Irish government officially recognised the State of Palestine.
The Green Party has long supported the Palestinian right to self-determination. The Party called on the rest of the international community to extend recognition to Palestine and support the Palestinian bid to join the United Nations. The decision was announced at a press conference earlier this morning hosted by the three Irish government party leaders.
Cllr Flynn said: "I welcome the decision today by the Irish, Spanish and Norwegian governments to recognise of the state of Palestine. The Green Party is a party of peace and non-violence and we have long held the view that the recognition of a Palestinian state is an important milestone in securing a lasting peace in the region. The UK government must now show it's commitment to a two-state solution by joining the growing list of nations around the world in recognising a Palestinian state."
Senator Mal O'Hara said: "I welcome this announcement today by the coalition partners in recognising a Palestinian state. This decision shows Irelands committment to promoting peace and justice around the world, which must include an end to apartheid and the expansion of illegal settlements into Palestinian lands."
"The Green Party reiterates our call for an end to all violence and the immediate release of all hostages and at the same time provision of humanitarian aid for all those left destitute by the war in Gaza."
Alliance Urge Health Minister To 'Show Leadership"
The Alliance Party has called on the Minister of Health to show leadership and ensure that junior doctors receive pay and working conditions which adequately represent the invaluable role they play in the health service.
Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA made the call following a debate in the Assembly around an Alliance motion recognising how integral junior doctors are in our healthcare system, particularly with the pressures the system is currently under, but also how increasingly untenable their positions are becoming in terms of pay and conditions.
The motion also calls on the Health Minister to keep engaging with the BMA to prevent any further strike action in the future.
The North Belfast MLA said: "I welcome that the Minister found space in his diary this morning to meet with the BMA's Junior Doctor Committee, ahead of the Alliance motion coming to the Assembly, after a number of meeting requests.
"However, continuing to insist that there is simply no money available is not an option. Our health service is already on life support and cannot afford to be hit with industrial action on the scale of the upcoming junior doctor strikes.
"I have consistently called on the Health Minister to prioritise transformation of the health service and find efficiencies to capitalise on, as I understand the difficult financial situation currently facing all Executive departments. Despite this, we are still waiting for significant progress on too many of the Department of Health's transformation projects.
"Now is the time for strong leadership, and the Minister has an opportunity to regain the trust and confidence of the junior doctor workforce. For the sake of the whole health service, I hope he takes it."
A 50-year-old Belfast has been fined £475 and given six penalty points at Belfast Magistrates' Court for operating a taxi without a license.
Mark Burns, of Springfield Road, Belfast, was fined £75 for using an unlicensed taxi, £75 for not holding a taxi driver's licence, £75 for not holding a taxi operator's licence and £250 plus six penalty points for having no insurance. Mr Burns was ordered to pay the offender's levy and a six-month driving ban due to an accumulation of points.
On Sunday 28 May 2023, plain clothed enforcement officers from the Driver & Vehicle Agency observed a silver car plying for hire along Donegal Street, Belfast. The driver agreed to transport the officers despite the absence of taxi licence plates on his vehicle and when their journey was completed, he was formally interviewed, and his vehicle was seized.
Greens Call For Recognition Of Palestine As A State
The Green Party has urged UK Foreign Minister, David Cameron, to support a UN resolution on the official recognition of Palestine as a State.
Green Party Councillor for Ormiston, Anthony Flynn, made the call after the Irish government officially recognised the State of Palestine.
The Green Party has long supported the Palestinian right to self-determination. The Party called on the rest of the international community to extend recognition to Palestine and support the Palestinian bid to join the United Nations. The decision was announced at a press conference earlier this morning hosted by the three Irish government party leaders.
Cllr Flynn said: "I welcome the decision today by the Irish, Spanish and Norwegian governments to recognise of the state of Palestine. The Green Party is a party of peace and non-violence and we have long held the view that the recognition of a Palestinian state is an important milestone in securing a lasting peace in the region. The UK government must now show it's commitment to a two-state solution by joining the growing list of nations around the world in recognising a Palestinian state."
Senator Mal O'Hara said: "I welcome this announcement today by the coalition partners in recognising a Palestinian state. This decision shows Irelands committment to promoting peace and justice around the world, which must include an end to apartheid and the expansion of illegal settlements into Palestinian lands."
"The Green Party reiterates our call for an end to all violence and the immediate release of all hostages and at the same time provision of humanitarian aid for all those left destitute by the war in Gaza."
Alliance Urge Health Minister To 'Show Leadership"
The Alliance Party has called on the Minister of Health to show leadership and ensure that junior doctors receive pay and working conditions which adequately represent the invaluable role they play in the health service.
Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA made the call following a debate in the Assembly around an Alliance motion recognising how integral junior doctors are in our healthcare system, particularly with the pressures the system is currently under, but also how increasingly untenable their positions are becoming in terms of pay and conditions.
The motion also calls on the Health Minister to keep engaging with the BMA to prevent any further strike action in the future.
The North Belfast MLA said: "I welcome that the Minister found space in his diary this morning to meet with the BMA's Junior Doctor Committee, ahead of the Alliance motion coming to the Assembly, after a number of meeting requests.
"However, continuing to insist that there is simply no money available is not an option. Our health service is already on life support and cannot afford to be hit with industrial action on the scale of the upcoming junior doctor strikes.
"I have consistently called on the Health Minister to prioritise transformation of the health service and find efficiencies to capitalise on, as I understand the difficult financial situation currently facing all Executive departments. Despite this, we are still waiting for significant progress on too many of the Department of Health's transformation projects.
"Now is the time for strong leadership, and the Minister has an opportunity to regain the trust and confidence of the junior doctor workforce. For the sake of the whole health service, I hope he takes it."
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
