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28/04/2016
Other News In Brief
Call For Oil Drilling At Woodburn Forest To Stop
The Green Party in Northern Ireland is calling for the oil drilling at the Woodburn Forest site near Carrickfergus to stop.
The party said Part 16 of the Planning (General Permitted Development) Order (NI) 2015 needs to be removed.
Green Party leader Steven Agnew said: "It is an unfair and undemocratic piece of legislation which denies citizens and communities the right to participate in decisions which directly affect them.
"Permitted development is for temporary and non-contentious structures. I would like to know why 2000m of concrete and a drill is not considered contentious.
"We believe this planning rule is in contravention of the Aarhus Convention which secures citizens rights to environmental information and to participate in environmental decision making.
"It allows for officials and oil / mining companies to take clandestine decisions on drilling behind closed doors. Only in Northern Ireland do we have regulations which exclude the public from such decisions.
"The secretive nature of the decision making process under Part 16 causes community mistrust of elected decision makers and councils, undermining an open and transparent approach to decision making promised as part of Local Government Reform."
Farmer Fined At Ballymena Magistrates Court
A Ballymena farmer has been convicted for three charges of failure to notify the births of three animals, two charges of failure to notify the movement of two animals onto his holding and three charges of failure to notify the movement off his holding or the deaths of three animals.
Mr Jonathan Campbell pleaded guilty and was fined £1,600 plus £28 costs and a £15 offenders levy at Ballymena Magistrates Court.
The case arose from discrepancies found at a Cattle Identification Inspection of Mr Campbell's herd carried out by Veterinary Service Enforcement Branch.
SDLP Accused Of 'Playing Fantasy Economics
Alliance South Belfast Assembly candidate Paula Bradshaw has said the SDLP is "playing fantasy economics" after the party's manifesto was exposed as being uncosted, despite previous claims to the contrary.
The South Belfast Councillor was speaking after an appearance by the party on the Nolan Show on Radio Ulster, during which it was revealed only the SDLP's headline pledges had been costed.
"The SDLP has made a song and dance throughout this campaign of their claim to have a costed manifesto - Daniel McCrossan said on television last week theirs was the only such one, citing a figure of £217 million," said Councillor Bradshaw.
"In addition, senior SDLP representatives, including the leadership, have stated on social media the manifesto was costed at £217 million. That has now been exposed as a total fallacy to the electorate."
(CD)
The Green Party in Northern Ireland is calling for the oil drilling at the Woodburn Forest site near Carrickfergus to stop.
The party said Part 16 of the Planning (General Permitted Development) Order (NI) 2015 needs to be removed.
Green Party leader Steven Agnew said: "It is an unfair and undemocratic piece of legislation which denies citizens and communities the right to participate in decisions which directly affect them.
"Permitted development is for temporary and non-contentious structures. I would like to know why 2000m of concrete and a drill is not considered contentious.
"We believe this planning rule is in contravention of the Aarhus Convention which secures citizens rights to environmental information and to participate in environmental decision making.
"It allows for officials and oil / mining companies to take clandestine decisions on drilling behind closed doors. Only in Northern Ireland do we have regulations which exclude the public from such decisions.
"The secretive nature of the decision making process under Part 16 causes community mistrust of elected decision makers and councils, undermining an open and transparent approach to decision making promised as part of Local Government Reform."
Farmer Fined At Ballymena Magistrates Court
A Ballymena farmer has been convicted for three charges of failure to notify the births of three animals, two charges of failure to notify the movement of two animals onto his holding and three charges of failure to notify the movement off his holding or the deaths of three animals.
Mr Jonathan Campbell pleaded guilty and was fined £1,600 plus £28 costs and a £15 offenders levy at Ballymena Magistrates Court.
The case arose from discrepancies found at a Cattle Identification Inspection of Mr Campbell's herd carried out by Veterinary Service Enforcement Branch.
SDLP Accused Of 'Playing Fantasy Economics
Alliance South Belfast Assembly candidate Paula Bradshaw has said the SDLP is "playing fantasy economics" after the party's manifesto was exposed as being uncosted, despite previous claims to the contrary.
The South Belfast Councillor was speaking after an appearance by the party on the Nolan Show on Radio Ulster, during which it was revealed only the SDLP's headline pledges had been costed.
"The SDLP has made a song and dance throughout this campaign of their claim to have a costed manifesto - Daniel McCrossan said on television last week theirs was the only such one, citing a figure of £217 million," said Councillor Bradshaw.
"In addition, senior SDLP representatives, including the leadership, have stated on social media the manifesto was costed at £217 million. That has now been exposed as a total fallacy to the electorate."
(CD)
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12 May 2003
Enlarged EU will see NI slip in importance
UUP MEP Jim Nicholson has warned that EU enlargement will see Northern Ireland slip down the scale of importance. Mr Nicholson revealed that 162 new members would be joining existing MEPs as observers in the European Parliament this week, taking their places in Committees and political groups with the right to speak but not vote.
Enlarged EU will see NI slip in importance
UUP MEP Jim Nicholson has warned that EU enlargement will see Northern Ireland slip down the scale of importance. Mr Nicholson revealed that 162 new members would be joining existing MEPs as observers in the European Parliament this week, taking their places in Committees and political groups with the right to speak but not vote.
07 November 2002
Crompton report hailed as a 'breakthrough' in policing
The recommendations of the Crompton Report have been broadly hailed as a "breakthrough" in Northern Ireland policing. SDLP leader Mark Durkan said that the external report by HM Inspector of Constabulary Dan Crompton illustrated that the Policing Board was conclusively dealing with the issue of Special Branch.
Crompton report hailed as a 'breakthrough' in policing
The recommendations of the Crompton Report have been broadly hailed as a "breakthrough" in Northern Ireland policing. SDLP leader Mark Durkan said that the external report by HM Inspector of Constabulary Dan Crompton illustrated that the Policing Board was conclusively dealing with the issue of Special Branch.
04 October 2016
James Brokenshire To Address Conservative Party Conference
Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire is to address a Conservative Party conference in Birmingham later on today, 04 October. He is expected to say that Northern Ireland will make a success of Brexit and also talk about the border with the Rupublic of Ireland (RoI).
James Brokenshire To Address Conservative Party Conference
Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire is to address a Conservative Party conference in Birmingham later on today, 04 October. He is expected to say that Northern Ireland will make a success of Brexit and also talk about the border with the Rupublic of Ireland (RoI).
20 October 2006
Sinn Fein to start consultation on policing
Following yesterday's meeting of the Sinn Fein leadership with the 53-member Ard Chomhairle in Dublin, the party have begun a consultation process before making a decision whether or not to support the PSNI. If a decision is reached to change their current policy on policing, an Ard Fheis will be held in order to make the change official.
Sinn Fein to start consultation on policing
Following yesterday's meeting of the Sinn Fein leadership with the 53-member Ard Chomhairle in Dublin, the party have begun a consultation process before making a decision whether or not to support the PSNI. If a decision is reached to change their current policy on policing, an Ard Fheis will be held in order to make the change official.
21 November 2023
Alliance Party Attends Transgender Day Of Remembrance Event
Alliance Party representatives have attended a Transgender Day of Remembrance event at Belfast City Hall, described as "an important occasion for reflection on the tragic loss of members of the transgender and gender-diverse community from violence or suicide, and to continue the push to end discrimination".
Alliance Party Attends Transgender Day Of Remembrance Event
Alliance Party representatives have attended a Transgender Day of Remembrance event at Belfast City Hall, described as "an important occasion for reflection on the tragic loss of members of the transgender and gender-diverse community from violence or suicide, and to continue the push to end discrimination".
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy. Also mainly dry at first this evening but then occasional outbreaks of rain developing overnight. Light southwest winds, and staying mild. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
