Other News In Brief

DSD Must Act Swiftly To Crack Down On Underage Gambling

Cllr Kelly was speaking after a BBC Spotlight programme broadcast highlighted the issue.

He said: “I have been championing a crackdown on underage and illegal gambling for some time now but last night’s Spotlight programme hammered home the message to a much broader audience.

“To see a 17 year old boy from my hometown with five years of gambling addiction already under his belt was heartbreaking.

“The Department of Social Development needs to crack down hard on those who willfully permit access to gaming machines and other modes of gambling to under-18s, as well as those who facilitate unlicensed gambling.

“I would be very interested to know the current figures on arrests made for illegal gambling and permitting access to gambling to minors and would call on the Minister to disclose them now, along with a viable strategy for tackling this societal scourge.”

Lyttle Commends Department For Employment And Learning For Shared Future Proofing Their Policies

Alliance Employment and Learning Spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has commended the Minister for Employment and Learning for committing to shared future proof all decisions that his Department will take. His Department will use this tool to steer away from policies that reinforce divisions in our society. The Department is now implementing this policy and the Department of Justice will also shortly introduce it.

Chris Lyttle MLA: "I would like to commend Ministers Farry and Ford for willing lead actions in their Departments to play their part in implementing a shared future. Alliance has always been committed to community relations and by introducing this appraisal scheme in their Departments it shows that we are genuinely interested in the development of a shared future.

"This is another example of Alliance willing to make tough decisions to deliver positive politics and change the status quo.

"With the cost of division estimated to cost Northern Ireland around £1 billion every year, we need to ensure that Departments try to steer away from making decisions that maintains our divided society and instead favour policies that will advance a Shared Future.

"While others parties have made gestures towards a Shared Future, only Alliance have actually committed themselves to working towards it. For instance, the Justice Minister David Ford has been able to open gates in two peace walls and has ensured that no new peace wall has been built during the two years he has been in office.

"I would ask the other Ministers to follow our lead and implement this policy in their Department. If other parties want to do more than just make gestures towards a Shared Future then they would support an idea like this."

Copeland Welcomes Developments In Family Law

Ulster Unionist Michael Copeland has welcomed the Children and Families Bill as outlined today in the Queens Speech as part of the legislative plan of the UK Government over the next year.

The East Belfast MLA said: "in the Queen’s Speech it was outlined that the Coalition Government will be taking forward a Children and Families Care Bill. The Bill will cover a wide range of issues such as speedier adoptions, more flexibility as regards parental leave as well as ensuring decisions of the family courts on whether a child should be taken from their parents and placed in care are taken within six months. Families will also get more choice on education for pupils with special educational needs. However, perhaps the most important change would be that the law will be strengthened to make sure children continue to have a relationship with both parents if it is in their best interests.’

‘These proposals would only be applicable to England and Wales, however, I believe that family law in Northern Ireland is also in drastic need of a fundamental review. Family law currently resides within the Department of Finance and Personnel and a planned review has been delayed on number of occasions."