Other News In Brief

Public Urged To Sign Petition Calling For Ban On Hunting With Dogs

Alliance has called on the public to sign a petition calling for a ban on hunting with dogs in Northern Ireland.

MLA John Blair made the call after his historic Bill to ban the hunting of wild mammals with dogs, was blocked by Stormont. The proposed legislation was debated in the Assembly on Monday 6 December, when it was defeated by 45 votes to 38. The majority of the opposition was from Sinn Féin MLAs.

Mr Blair, who also chairs the All-Party Group on Animal Welfare, expressed his disappointment, but said he was not "deterred" and hopes to re-introduce the Bill to ban on hunting with dogs in Northern Ireland in the new Assembly mandate.

He said: "Animal welfare will remain a high priority for the Alliance Party, and I will, if re-elected, take the earliest opportunity to bring this Bill forward again and reform legislation on hunting wild mammals with dogs in Northern Ireland, and bring our legislation in line with that in England, Scotland and Wales where the practice has been illegal for close to 20 years.

"The result of the debate is contrary to the views of the public, and that's why I am urging the public to add their voice to this campaign to outlaw the cruel and unnecessary sport of hunting with dogs."

USPCA Chief Executive Brendan Mullan, said: "Hunting wild mammals with dogs is sadistic and cruel and has no place in an advanced and compassionate society. We are staggered that half the members of the Assembly do not share this view and have allowed this barbaric 'sport' to continue here in Northern Ireland. By signing this petition, members of the public can put on record their opposition to hunting wild mammals with dogs, sending a clear message to the Assembly to end this cruel practice which causes unthinkable pain and suffering for innocent wild animals."

SDLP: Emergency Plan Needed To Keep Schools Open After Christmas

The SDLP has said that an emergency plan must be developed to keep schools open following the Christmas break.

The party's Education Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan said that due to the threat posed by the Omicron variant DUP Education Minister Michelle McIlveen must act now to ensure children's education is not disrupted.

He has written to the minister outlining a number of proposals designed to keep children safe.

West Tyrone MLA Mr McCrossan said: "Throughout the pandemic successive DUP Education Ministers and their department have failed to act, despite all warnings and our children and their education have suffered as a result. Our schools are already under extreme pressure and the alarm bell has been sounded about the Omicron variant – we need to do everything we can now to ensure our schools can reopen safely in the new year.

"Our current teachers and school staff are being badly stretched as they do their best to try and keep schools open despite the pressure they are facing. Many teachers and pupils are being impacted by Covid and I am aware of schools already having to rotate year groups attendance at school, while others have decided to return to remote learning. There has also been significant disruption to exam modules.

"I have written to DUP Minister McIlveen outlining a number of emergency proposals I believe give us the best chance of protecting children and staff. We need to see a reserve list of qualified teachers drawn up from education bodies and the department so they can be deployed to cover classroom shortages and a reserve list of other education staff including classroom assistants, administrative staff and cleaners who can help out when needed.

"I am also proposing an immediate reintroduction of mitigations including cleaning regimes, safe travel to and from school, ventilation, contact tracing and ensuring the current isolation guidance is followed. I would be more than willing to work with the minister and her department to facilitate these measures and will do whatever necessary to protect our children and their education.

"Minister McIlveen must be clear, we are facing a very difficult second term in our schools and the current measures will be inadequate to protecting wellbeing and education. The time has come for decisive action – children must come first."

Green Party Condemn Reports Of Attacks On Healthcare Workers

'No one should face abuse or be attacked in their workplace, least of all the healthcare workers', Green Party NI Leader Clare Bailey has said following the reports of attacks on workers.

She said: "As we enter a difficult winter period, with the emergence of the Omicron variant, it is vital that workers in our health and care system are supported, and protected from attacks and abuse.

"This is clearly a widespread issue, with thousands of staff from all parts of our health and emergency services affected. The Green Party NI stands in solidarity with all of those impacted, and condemns all attacks on workers.

"We also encourage members of the public to take practical steps to protect our health system this winter, including getting fully vaccinated, maintaining good hand hygiene, and wearing a mask in crowded and indoor spaces.

"The Green Party NI supports the HSC Chairs' Forum's 'Support our Staff' campaign, and we call for the Executive to co-ordinate a multiagency approach to addressing attacks on health workers. Ministers need to ensure that their Departments, the Courts and the PSNI are working together to ensure that there is an effective response to this issue."