Other News In Brief

Farmer To Pay £18,000 Confiscation Order

A Co Down farmer has been ordered to pay a confiscation order for £18,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 at Downpatrick Crown Court.

William James Gill, 31, was also sentenced to six months imprisonment suspended for two years for permitting controlled waste to be deposited on farmland controlled by him.

The NIEA Environmental Crime Unit conducted a financial investigation where it was calculated that Mr Gill had benefitted from his criminal conduct by around £18,000. He was ordered to pay the confiscation order within three months.

During November 2013, officers from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency investigated farmland controlled by Gill at Raffery Road Killinchy Co Down. Officers noted that Controlled waste being plastic bags, food packaging, car parts, plastic piping, red brick, concrete blocks, shredded plastics, carpet and mixed wastes had been deposited.

Call For Minister To 'Come Clean' Over Threat To Mine Lignite

The Environment Minister is being urged to "come clean" over the threat to mine lignite in north Antrim.

Ulster Unionist MLA Robin Swann made the call following the publication of the Northern Area Plan.

During Question Time at Stormont, the North Antrim MLA asked Minister Mark H Durkan: "Will he assure the House that the Area plan will ensure that lignite mining and fracking will not proceed in the area?"

The Minister replied: "As regards the issues that the Member raises, the area plan does not deal with such things."

Mr Swann said he is completely dissatisfied with the Minister's response and has requested an urgent meeting to discuss the issue.

Mr Swann said: "The Northern Area Plan which he formally adopted on Tuesday 22nd of September clearly states, 'The lignite deposit in Ballymoney Borough is recognised as an important and valuable mineral resource, part of which has been proven to be of internationally recognised standards. The Plan safeguards this resource, to ensure the reserves remain exploitable if and when the need arises'.

"This is in black and white on page 60, Volume 1 of the Strategic Plan Framework.

"So the plan absolutely does deal with mineral exploitation and mining, but not in a way which gives reassurance to the general public in North Antrim. Previous planning applications which had the potential to mine lignite were refused. These applications have been strongly opposed across all political parties in the area."

Health Minister Urged To Ban Smoking In Cars With Children

SDLP Health Spokesperson and South Belfast MLA Fearghal McKinney has called on the Health Minister to stop party politicking and sign off on a ban on in-car smoking with children.

Mr McKinney said: "It is disappointing that this ban has not been included in today’s Bill presented to the Health Committee. Unless the Health Minister intervenes immediately, smoking with children in cars will not be banned across the North for the foreseeable future.

"We have already seen England and Wales move on implementing a ban, which will come into effect next week. Scotland and the Republic have also made moves to legislate on the issue. But in Northern Ireland, the ban has faced considerable delay and now we are left with no Health Minister to move this vital piece of legislation."

(CD/MH)