Sinn Féin MLA Condemns Burning of Racist Bonfire in Moygashel

Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has strongly condemned the burning of a racist bonfire in Moygashel, which occurred last night. The pyre notably included an effigy of refugees in a small boat, alongside other explicitly racist displays, drawing widespread criticism.

The Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA stated that the bonfire was "clearly intended to dehumanise people who come to our island seeking a better life," describing the effigies and displays as "abhorrent, driven by vile, far-right and racist attitudes." He welcomed the news that police are treating the incident as a hate crime, stressing the importance of accountability for those responsible.

Mr Gildernew concluded by affirming that "diversity, inclusion and equality must always triumph over xenophobia and hate," reinforcing the party's stance against such discriminatory acts.

SDLP Calls For Action Over Health Minister's 'Reset Plan'

SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has voiced strong concerns regarding the Health Minister's latest 'Reset Plan', stating that while it may "sound good on paper," it critically lacks the tangible action required to address the deep-seated issues within the health service. Mr McGrath emphasised that a plan alone cannot alleviate the fears of those in desperate need of healthcare. The South Down MLA insisted that what is truly needed is "direct action" to achieve shorter waiting lists, ensure fair pay for staff, and secure sustained investment in community services. He expressed alarm at the idea of reforming healthcare through budget cuts or introducing charges for prescriptions or home care without proper public consultation, highlighting the plan's ambitious scope but limited detail on delivery.

Mr McGrath concluded with a stark warning, asserting that while the Minister deems this a "defining year" for the health service, it is equally a defining year for the Executive. He stressed that failure to deliver on these plans and promises would leave a legacy of "dither, delay, missed opportunities and letting the public down."

New Interactive Dashboard Enhances Northern Ireland's Bathing Water Information

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has launched a new interactive Bathing Water Quality Dashboard, designed to help the public make well-informed decisions about where and when to swim across Northern Ireland's 33 designated bathing sites. This initiative marks a significant step towards greater public access to vital environmental data.

The user-friendly dashboard features an interactive map, comprehensive search and filter tools, and displays weekly sampling results for each location. It also provides direct links to detailed Bathing Water Profiles and includes a clear notice to explain that the data, while regularly updated, is not real-time, ensuring users understand the context of the information provided.

Minister Muir stated that the new dashboard "reflects our commitment to public health and environmental transparency," empowering communities with the necessary tools to confidently and safely enjoy Northern Ireland's bathing waters. The dashboard is now readily available to the public via the DAERA website.