Other News In Brief

Call For Abortion Law to Be Changed Immediately

Changes to abortion law in Northern Ireland should not be held up by party politicking, Naomi Long MLA has said.

The East Belfast MLA was speaking after sources revealed to the BBC a group set up to examine the law has recommended legislative change in cases of fatal foetal abnormality (FFA).

"This issue has already been ducked once, when the Executive failed to support David Ford MLA's proposed changes to the law, largely because some parties were conscious of the upcoming election and were afraid to tackle the issue," said Mrs Long.

"Now the DUP appear to want more time to consult within their party before even making the findings of the working group public. We all know legislative change is needed - we knew that before the election as well.

"The Health Minister and Justice Minister ought to have published the report and started work on implementing it immediately rather than allowing this to be delayed further. David Ford has proposed a private member's bill seeking similar reform on FFA, which is ready to proceed and Stewart Dickson MLA has submitted an urgent question to the Minister asking her to publish the findings of the group immediately, in order to address the issue instantly."

Two Additional Electricians To Be Recruited For Street Lightening Maintenance

Two additional electricians will be recruited to help with street lightening maintenance in Newry and Armagh.

The electricians in Transport NI's Southern Division will help offer flexibility within the system so that more individual defects can be repaired more quickly.

Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard said: "Street lighting maintenance and repairs are vital for towns and cities right across the north. They help provide safety for drivers, riders and pedestrians. While priority is given to repairing emergency defects which can pose an electrical or physical hazard, we rely on the public to inform us of any defects or maintenance requirements in all areas across the north.

"I am constrained by budget pressures right across the department, however, safe, cost effective and energy efficient street lighting must remain one of my priorities and the additional recruitment of electricians is good news for the people of this area."

Pope Frances To Visit Ireland In 2018

SDLP North Belfast MLA Nichola Mallon has welcomed news that Pope Francis is to make a visit to Ireland, north and south in August 2018.

Ms Mallon, a former Lord Mayor who welcomed Queen Elizabeth to Belfast, said that a papal visit to the North will make an important contribution to the process of healing and reconciliation across the island.

She said: "Pope Francis' papacy has been characterised by a steadfast focus on challenging poverty, exclusion and social injustice and a concern more about the plight of the vulnerable across the world than with the auspices of his position or his institution. That should be an example to us all.

"I'm delighted that Pope Francis will visit Northern Ireland in 2018. The previous visit of Saint John Paul during the darkest days of conflict was a symbol of hope at a time when the people of Ireland needed it most. We’ve come a long way since then but we have so much ground left to travel. His visit to the North will, I believe, reignite reconciliation between communities across this island, providing a new imperative not only to heal the wounds of our past but to work in partnership to tackle the injustice that endures in our society."

(CD)