Other News In Brief

Concerns Raised Over Chair Of The Arts Council

Concerns have been raised following reports the Chair of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland did not enjoy the full confidence of his board.

The move followed comments by John Edmund about the "high level of dependency" in the arts sector, which were interpreted by many as him supporting the predicted cuts to arts.

Eight of the 10 members of the Arts Council Board subsequently signed a statement saying the comments don't reflect official policy.

Alliance South Belfast MLA Paula Bradshaw said: "The truth is the arts are funded in Northern Ireland at a significantly lower level than elsewhere on these islands," said Ms Bradshaw.

"Wales, for example, receives £10.03 per capita while Northern Ireland receives £5.31 and the past six years have seen a near 40 per cent cut in funding. This has been under both DUP and Sinn Féin ministers, and appears to be a conscious political choice."

Dawson WAM Starts Work To Improve Sewerage Infrastructure In Belfast

Contractors Dawson WAM have started work on a £5 million scheme to improve the sewerage infrastructure in Belfast.

The upgrade work is taking place in the Ormeau area, which will include Ormeau Avenue, Dublin Road, Bruce Street, Sandy Row and sections of the lower Ormeau Road.

The project will reduce the risk of out of sewer flooding in the part of the sewerage network during periods of heavy rainfall.

Environmental pollution will also be reduced, and the scheme will significantly improve the water quality in the River Lagan. Initial works are now underway and include site set-up at the new Wastewater Pumping Station site on Hardcastle Street.

The first phase of construction on the road works will commence on 05 February on Adelaide Street, with work progressing from the Ormeau Avenue end.

Diversions will be put in place during the works.

Ó Muilleoir urges support for Acht Gaeilge protest

Call On Irish-Language Activists To Support Acht Gaeilge Protest

Sinn Féin MLA Máirtín Ó Muilleoir has called on Irish-language and equality activists to back the Acht Gaeilge protest at 11am in Stormont on Thursday, 01 February.

He said: "There is a clear and growing demand for an Irish language act from across public sectors and political parties.

"No one has anything to fear from the Irish language or an Irish language act.

"The Irish language is an integral part of the lives of a growing number of people who use it daily and their rights should be protected.

"There are language protections in place in England, Scotland, Wales and for all south of the border, they need to be extended to the North.

"The denial of basic rights on language, marriage and access to a coroner’s court is not acceptable anywhere else on these islands and their denial here should not be acceptable. Prejudice and discriminations should never be tolerated."

(CD)