Other News In Brief

Translink Warns It Needs Additional £12m Next Year

A reported £12 million shortfall facing public transport operator Translink is the direct result of Tory austerity supported by the DUP, according to Sinn Féin Transport spokesperson Sean Lynch.

Translink warned that it needs an additional £12m next year in order to continue operating services at current levels.

He said: "Sinn Féin are committed to accessible and sustainable public transport,” he commented.

"We have met with both Translink and the Department for Infrastructure to raise our concerns about current funding and the negative impacts upon rural and accessible transport for disabled people.

"However, lets be clear. The current funding shortfall facing Translink is a direct result of Tory austerity cuts which have now been bolstered by support from the DUP."

Number Of Complaints Received Over Lack Of Bin Collections In Belfast

Alliance Belfast City Councillor Michael Long has secured a meeting with senior Council officers after receiving a number of complaints about lack of bin collections in the city.

Councillor Long was contacted by constituents worried about bins not being collected in the Lisnasharragh area of East and South Belfast. He will now be meeting Belfast City Council about the issue, with a view to getting it resolved as soon as possible.

He said: "In recent months, Alliance has received a big increase in the number of complaints from residents in relation to issues with their bin collections. I have made the Council aware of these criticisms and the Council now recognises there has been a spike in complaints.

"As a result, the Council is now introducing several remedial measures and I will be meeting with them tomorrow to discuss specific problems with senior officers. I understand staffing, resourcing and contractor issues can strike any organisation but it is vital residents are given information and bins are emptied."

DUP Condemns Pipe Bomb Attack In L'Derry

Foyle DUP MLA Gary Middleton has condemned those responsible for a pipe bomb attack at a house in L'Derry.

He said: "This activity is wreckless and senseless. Paramilitary activity has no place in our society today and those who still continue to cling to criminality and violence are to be unequivocally condemned for their actions.

"Thankfully the pipe did not go off or today we could be dealing with the loss of life. Those responsible intended to cause harm and intimidate. It is truly sickening that some people believe this is acceptable behaviour.

"Our communities have suffered too much in the past to have this type of activity present in our towns in 2017. I totally utterly condemn those responsible, they clearly place no worth on the safety of our community. They are not representative of the vast majority of Northern Ireland, who want to move forward and live in peace."

(CD)