Other News In Brief

Concerns Raised Over Community Halls Scheme

Concerns have been raised over the DUP's Community Halls scheme.

Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney said further revelations pose major questions about the role of institutionalised bigotry within the political process.

The South Antrim MLA said: "It has been suggested that this scheme was in place to help groups which would not apply for funding from the Lottery scheme, reportedly because of a ‘faith based’ reluctance to benefit from gambling.

"This explanation simply does not stack up particularly following the revelations that Orange lodges and other groups which had supposedly not applied for Lottery funding did in fact do so.

"It now transpires that the Randalstown Ulster Scots Cultural Society will receive £8,500 in Big Lottery Funding for improvements to Randalstown Memorial Orange Hall despite already receiving £25,000 from the Community Halls scheme.

"Under a DUP Minister the Community Halls scheme budget has almost quadrupled from £500,000 to £1.9million. By contrast the same Minister was responsible for cynically stopping the £50k Líofa Gaeltacht Bursary scheme before last Christmas. Now the department itself has since admitted that funding awards from the Community Halls scheme have been allocated disproportionately in favour of applications from one section of the community. In fact only two GACs have successfully qualified for financial assistance.

"This situation suggests that the Community Halls scheme has been operated on a differential basis with no regard for objective need criteria or equality. It is a further example of the DUP's cavalier approach to management of public finances."

UUP Criticises NI's Licensing Laws

Andy Allen MLA, Ulster Unionist Communities spokesperson, has criticised the lack of progress in modernising Northern Ireland's licensing laws.

Mr Allen said: "The perennial issue of Northern Ireland’s highly restrictive entertainment and liquor licensing laws is again a matter of public debate this Easter. It is doubly frustrating for those of us who wish to see the law reformed and modernised that there is no functioning Assembly and Executive to progress legislation.

"The Committee for Communities were in the middle of carrying out important amendments to the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill when the Assembly was brought down in January. This issue must be returned to - preferably by a new Assembly - or alternatively through the NIO under Direct Rule.

"It has to be said that the Bill as introduced by the Communities Minister was minimalist and needed significant amendment, but there was an emerging consensus on the Committee on how the Bill could be improved and made fit for purpose.

"Issues around licensing laws are not restricted to Easter opening hours. Another matter is the need for recognition for micro-breweries, who produce local, home grown craft beers and ciders. These local companies are being massively restricted by our current licensing laws, and there are solid grounds for introducing a new category of licence to permit small brewers to apply for permission to sell at source, as well as an option to apply for occasional extensions to sell at local events.

"It must be emphasised that problems with alcohol abuse- which are numerous and serious- cannot be laid at the door of licensed premises. The Department of Health's 2013 survey showed that 65% of alcohol consumption happens at home, with only 20% in a pub, and 17% in a restaurant."

Murphy Meets With Business Leaders At Stormont

Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy met with business leaders at Stormont to update them on the ongoing political talks.

He said: "The surest route to political stability is an Executive that respects diversity, treats all of its citizens equally, and conducts itself with integrity.

"This is what Sinn Féin are working for in the political talks.

"An Executive that disrespects the Irish identity, denies equal marriage, and is constantly undermined by financial scandals will not provide stable or effective government.

"We want to see good government based on the principles of equality, integrity and respect."

(CD/MH)