Other News In Brief

Sinn Fein Slammed Over Hypocrisy On Welfare

SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan has described Sinn Féin's sudden concern over the impact of welfare reforms as "rank hypocrisy" after the party ignored SDLP objections to the measures and voted them through the Assembly.

Mr Durkan said that it was "disingenuous in the extreme" for MP Elisha McCallion to attack the Universal Credit rollout after her party was responsible for giving welfare powers to the Tories.

He said: "The rollout of universal credit has been an unmitigated disaster. In England, Scotland and Wales, new welfare rules have shunted more and more families into poverty, forcing them to turn to food banks and loan sharks for basic living essentials. All parties should be doing all we can to avert that hardship falling on people here.

"But it is rank hypocrisy for Sinn Féin MPs to cry crocodile tears over Universal Credit and welfare reform after they berated and bemoaned these very concerns when the SDLP raised them throughout the legislative process. Worse than that, they were complicit in the shameful return of welfare powers to this Tory government.

"It is disingenuous in the extreme for MPs like Elisha McCallion to now try to whitewash Sinn Féin's welfare shame. Even more so given that she will not stand against the Tories at Westminster where this has all been decided, thanks to her party."

Safety And Quality Of Drinking Water In NI Remains High

The safety and quality of drinking water in Northern Ireland remains high, according to a new report.

The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), which is responsible for regulating drinking water quality, has published its Annual Report for 2016.

The results are based on samples taken from water treatment works, service reservoirs and consumers' taps. The latest DWI report reveals that in 2016, overall compliance was reported as 99.86% in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) Chief Executive David Small said: "The Drinking Water Inspectorate's latest report is reassuring for consumers and confirms that the standard of our drinking water, which must meet strict regulatory standards, remains consistently high.

"It is the Drinking Water Inspectorate's role to provide independent assurance to consumers that NI Water continues to meet its regulatory responsibilities. Their aim is to safeguard the delivery of safe, clean drinking water for consumers, through the independent and effective regulation of drinking water quality."

Sinn Fein Condemns Barcelona Attack

Sinn Féin leader in the north Michelle O'Neill has condemned the Barcelona attack as a "horrific attack on men, women and children".

Expressing sympathy and solidarity with the families of those killed and injured, she said: "The horrific attack in Barcelona was an appalling and indiscriminate slaughter of men, women and children.

"The scale of the devastation caused is heart-breaking.

"It is sickening to think that people deliberately set out to kill and maim people who were simply out enjoying a summer evening in one of the world's most beautiful and welcoming cities.

"My thoughts are with the families and friends of all those who have lost loved ones and those who were injured, as well as the emergency services who attended the scene."

(CD/LM)