Other News In Brief

Two More People Die As A Result Of Covid-19

Two more people have died as a result of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours.

Another 2,272 cases of the virus were also reported by the Department of Health here in the same period.

O'Neill Expresses Condolences Following Death Of Sean Donnelly

Sinn Féin Leas Uachtarán Michelle O'Neill has expressed condolences following the death of Fermanagh and Omagh Sinn Féin councillor Seán Donnelly.

She said: "I'm deeply saddened to hear that Councillor Seán Donnelly has passed away today.

"Seán was a lifelong Republican and Gael who worked tirelessly for the local community to deliver better services and facilities for families.

"First elected to Omagh District Council and then Fermanagh and Omagh Council, he represented the people of Loughmacrory for over ten years as an elected representative.

"I had the pleasure to visit Seán recently at his home following Tír Eoghain's historic All-Ireland win. He was so proud of our county.

"My thoughts are with his wife Ita, his children Tanya, Shane, Eunan and Caoimhe and the wider family, but also with his friends and colleagues on the council."

Ministers Called To Resolve NI Water And Translink Funding Crisis

Alliance Infrastructure Spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA has called upon the Infrastructure and Finance Ministers to urgently work together to resolve the critical financial position Northern Ireland Water now finds itself in, with real problems also on the horizon for the Public Transport provider Translink.

MLA's attending the Assembly Infrastructure Committee on Wednesday, 01 December were provided with a budget briefing by Departmental officials where need for additional funding for Northern Ireland Water by second week of January was detailed otherwise clean drinking water and wastewater treatment may be imperilled alongside possibility that Translink may be unable to retain going concern status if funds are not secured in next financial re-allocation exercise in January known as the Monitoring Round.

Commenting on the developments, Andrew Muir MLA stated: "I have been extremely concerned about these serious issues ever since news surfaced a few weeks ago, with questions already raised with the Minister in the Assembly Chamber last week and meeting held with Senior NI Water Management.

"Just a few weeks after COP26 Climate Summit it’s scandalous to see both NI Water and our Bus & Rail provider plunged into financial uncertainty with the most basic of services under threat such as provision of clean drinking water and processing of waste water with sharp increase in pollution incidents now on the horizon. The future ahead is both stark and bleak if urgent action is not taken to provide financial support to Northern Ireland Water within a matter of weeks."