Other News In Brief

Mallon Re-Elected As Chair Of NI Assembly All Party Group On Housing

SDLP MLA Nichola Mallon has been re-elected as the Chair of the NI Assembly All Party Group on Housing.

The All Party Group, which is made up of MLAs from all parties and is supported by Radius Housing, brings together politicians and representatives from the private housing sector, housing associations and advice sector to look at the main policy issues and best practices in housing.

Ms Mallon said: "Housing is one of the most important issues we face, and this All Party Group is an essential forum for MLAs to engage with key figures in the housing sectors. In the last mandate we already saw a huge appetite to deal with some of the key issues in both private and social housing, and I know that members are keen to keep up this programme of work over the coming months and build on the work already completed in the last year."

Denise Burns from Radius Housing, said: "We are delighted to take on the role of Secretariat of the NI Assembly All Party Group on Housing for the new mandate, and look forward to supporting Members as they begin their work to understand and improve housing policy. As a leading social housing provider, Radius knows how important housing is and the All Party Group is an invaluable resource for the whole sector to engage with MLAs."

Beattie Nominated As UUP Candidate For Upper Bann

Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie MC, has today been officially nominated as the Ulster Unionist candidate for Upper Bann in the forthcoming General Election.

Mr Beattie said he was "delighted" and "determined to change the shape of the UK".

He said: "I encourage everyone to ensure they are registered to vote and it is essential for your children's future that you actually turn out and vote.

"Upper Bann is a unionist seat. Almost inevitably some people will try to claim that a spilt in the unionist vote could allow Sinn Fein to be elected. These claims were also made in 2015. Voters in Upper Bann should see this for what it is - a crude scare tactic, designed to engender fear and drive you to vote against what you know is best for Northern Ireland.

"The only way Sinn Fein could be elected in Upper Bann is if those who believe in the union, or those who want a voice that can truly represent them, fail to turn out and vote. Staying at home is a vote for Sinn Fein and erodes your representation at Westminster."

Eastwood Meets With EU's Lead Negotiator On Brexit

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has met the EU's lead negotiator on Brexit Michel Barnier in Dublin.

The SDLP Leader spoke to Mr Barnier about the need for a special dispensation for Ireland in the Brexit negotiations and thanked the EU negotiator for making it an early priority.

He said: "This island has strong allies in Europe. Where Theresa May has run a coach and horses through the delicate and complex circumstances in Northern Ireland, EU leaders have demonstrated an immense understanding of this place and a willingness to protect the progress we have made.

"Michel Barnier gets it. He understands that the Tory attempt to press for a hard Brexit and a hard border in Ireland will devastate not only border communities but our wider economy.

"I left Mr Barnier in no doubt that the SDLP will fight a hard Brexit tooth and nail."

(CD)