Other News In Brief

Proposed Newry Park A 'Tribute To Hard Work Of Campaigners'

The Alliance Party has welcomed progress on a new city park for Newry as a "tribute to the hard work of campaigners".

The party's Newry and Armagh spokesperson Jackie Coade said the proposal for £16.2 million to be provided towards creation of the Albert Basin Park was a move in the right direction. It is part of the Executive's draft Budget, which is going out to consultation today (Monday), and would also see money provided by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.

Ms Coade said: "This is great news and a step closer to the realisation of this dream.

"It is also a tribute to the hard work of so many campaigners over a number of years. It has taken many sleepless nights to get to this stage and now we are nearer to the people of Newry having a much-needed green space in the city.

"I want to express my deep gratitude to my Alliance colleague Patrick Brown for bringing the original motion to Council calling for this park, and to my party colleague Helena Young for advocating so passionately on this issue.

"Alliance's Green New Deal talks about the use of green spaces to not only help people's health but promote the local economy. The realisation of the Albert Basin Park is an opportunity for the people of Newry to have that same chance."

Public Consultation Launches On Draft NI Budget

Finance Minister, Conor Murphy, has announced a public consultation on the Draft Budget, calling on citizens, communities and businesses to "have their say".

Launching the public consultation in the Assembly, Minister Murphy said: "The move from a single-year budget to a three-year budget provides an opportunity to plan, reform and improve public services.

"As an Executive we have publicly committed to make health our top priority. This draft Budget honours that commitment."

"Prioritising health does however present significant challenges for other departments and I will work with other Ministers to find solutions to those challenges.

Encouraging people to participate in the consultation, Minister Murphy continued: "This budget will shape public services for the next three years. It is vital people get involved and make their voices heard."

The consultation on the 2022-2025 Draft Budget is now open at www.finance-ni.gov.uk/budget-consultation and will run until 7 March 2022.

Green Party Push For Stronger Dog Breeding Regulations In NI

Ards and North Down Borough Council has backed a call from the Green Party NI for the introduction of 'Lucy's Law', to improve the regulation of dog breeding in Northern Ireland.

Last week, Belfast City Council passed a similar motion brought by Green Councillors.

Holywood and Clandeboye Green Party Councillor Lauren Kendall, who proposed the motion, said: "Lucy's Law will make it illegal to sell puppies and kittens younger than six months through a third-party seller, such as a pet shop or a commercial dealer. England, Scotland and Wales have already enacted this law, but we are still lagging behind in Northern Ireland.

"We cannot stand by whilst large numbers of puppies kept in filthy, unsanitary, squalid conditions. Estimates suggest that over 37,000 puppies are smuggled out of Northern Ireland to GB every year. Puppy prices skyrocketed during the pandemic, which means that unscrupulous breeders will be making a fortune from misfortune.

"Budgets are stretched, and councils needs more resources in order to tackle this extremely lucrative industry for criminals who will try any and all avenues to evade statutory bodies. Our councils are responsible for licencing and regulating registered dog breeding establishments. But councils have insufficient powers and resources to regulate this in the way that is required to ensure animal welfare is protected.

"Minister Poots must do his duty to protect animals and introduce laws and regulations to give councils the powers to set licence fees set at an appropriate level. This will act as a deterrent to puppy farming and provide councils with adequate resourcing to monitor and enforce animal welfare effectively.

"We all have a role in stopping cruelty wherever possible. If you are going to get a dog this Christmas, go to your local adoption centre, as there are many throughout Northern Ireland with thousands of pups that deserve a loving home."