Other News In Brief

Call For Action To Be Taken Over Mountains Of Waste In South Belfast

Belfast SDLP Councillor Gary McKeown says action needs to be taken as residents face renewed misery over "mountains of waste" in the south of the city.

Cllr McKeown said: "Residents in areas suc as Stranmillis village, the Holylands and lower Lisburn Road are at their wits' end at the appalling fly-tipping that is taking place. I am absolutely livid at people having to face mountains of waste outside their own homes. Some of the examples I have dealt with have been frankly unbelievable until you see them. This is no way to have to live, so we need firm action to tackle it.

"Every year we see the fly-tipping plague reach fever-pitch in July and August with house clearances, but just because it happens regularly doesn't make it right and doesn't make it acceptable. It is causing misery to residents and is a health hazard.

"The disregard for neighbours by some tenants and landlords, and the expectation that council staff will clean up after them is completely out of order. I want to commend council staff who do a fantastic job at clearing this waste, but they shouldn't have to do it.

"We are rightly putting a focus on the challenges faced by our city centre in terms of cleansing and safety, but it is important that we also take proactive steps to deal with similar waste and cleansing issues in pockets of our suburbs.

"I have written to the council Chief Executive and the departmental Director seeking a meeting to examine how we can beef up the response to these issues, including looking at targeted investigation, enforcement and prosecution to deal with those responsible and send out a clear message that it has to stop."

Beattie Congratulates Swann On Politician Of The Year Award

Ulster Unionist Party Leader Doug Beattie MC MLA has congratulated his party colleague Robin Swann on receiving the Politician of the Year award from the 'Civility in Politics organisation'.

He said: "The Civility in Politics Awards are designed to encourage, reward and celebrate thoughtful, reflective public debate that reaches across the aisle and seeks to improve our civil discourse. This evening Robin has received an award as has the Labour MP Chris Bryant.

"It is absolutely no surprise to me that Robin Swann has been recognised on a national stage for his dedication and commitment to public service in Northern Ireland.

"Robin has led the Health Service through the most trying of times and I would like once again to pay tribute to Robin and all the Health Service staff who have been an example to us all as they went above and beyond to keep the public safe."

Call For Varadkar To Reflect On Ideology Of Powersharing

DUP East Antrim MLA Gordon Lyons has said the Republic of Ireland's Tánaiste Leo Varadkar should reflect on the ideology of powersharing and if he has no interest in the views of unionists then he should just be honest and call for majority rule.

Mr Lyons said: "Leo Varadkar has consistently behaved like the proverbial bull in a china shop when it comes to powersharing. His latest BBC interview was essentially a call for majority rule. If that’s his considered position then, as the incoming Taoiseach, he should be honest about his ultimate departure from the Belfast and St Andrews Agreements.

"Rather than trying to build a consensus and work for an outcome that unionists can support, Leo Varadkar ignores the fact that no unionist MLAs support the Protocol. Progress has only ever been in Northern Ireland with the support of unionists and nationalists.

"Leo Varadkar has consistently played fast and loose with the principles of powersharing as expressed in the Belfast and St Andrews Agreements. Indeed, he has never apologised or even admitted his gross error in distributing an Irish Times news article about a bombed checkpoint.

"By distributing such a news story he was arguing that unless fellow EU members backed his political approach, then further such incidents would take place. It was an outrageous act to leverage support and gave zero consideration for victims of terrorism. The threat of violence should never have a seat at the negotiating table.

"Before Leo Varadkar spouts more views on Northern Ireland, he should recognise his leadership errors in the past and be honest about what his commitment to powersharing in the future."