Other News In Brief

Budget Needed To Meet Pay Review Recommendations – Swann

The Health Minister Robin Swann has said that while he accepts the recommendations of pay review bodies he is unable to move forward without an agreed budget.

Minister Swann was speaking following the publication of recommendations by the respective pay review bodies for HSC Agenda for Change and Medical and Dental workforces.

He said: "I wish to thank both NHSPRB and DDRB for their respective reports. I have considered the recommendations made by both bodies and would be content to recommend acceptance of these awards. In relation to the Agenda for Change Pay Award, this would maintain the previous commitments made by the Executive to maintain pay parity with NHS pay in England.

"However unlike my colleagues in other parts of the United Kingdom, I am unable to announce the immediate implementation of these pay awards locally as Northern Ireland still does not have an agreed Executive Budget for 2022/23. Equally I welcome and support the recent letter from the three devolved Finance Ministers asking the Chancellor to increase budgets to address pay and other pressures, including in the Health Service."

Maritime Festival Success Shows Potential Of River Foyle

The success of L'Derry's Maritime Festival shows the potential for utilising the city's river, SDLP councillor Sean Mooney has said.

Councillor Mooney was speaking after the arrival of the Clipper Race fleet attracted huge numbers of visitors to the city at the weekend ahead of the festival.

He called for council to explore further opportunities to get the most out of being situated on the banks of the River Foyle.

Councillor Mooney said: "There was an incredible buzz about the city at the weekend with the arrival of the clipper fleet and large crowds gathering to welcome it on the banks of the River Foyle. The official launch of the Maritime Festival will also attract thousands of visitors to our city and has become one of the highlights of the year with people travelling from near and far to enjoy the festivities.

"Our city has a rich maritime history and I'm glad to see that we are now capitalising on that with this festival and a Maritime Museum set to open its doors in 2025, but there are opportunities being missed to utilise this resource to its full potential to add to our city's tourism offering and to provide an enhanced experience for everyone who lives in our city.

"Work is still ongoing on the new pontoon at Prehen boathouse, with plans for a storehouse also given the go-ahead. I believe we need to prioritise the redevelopment of the boathouse itself if we are ever going to see Derry become a real destination for water-based activities and sports that have proved hugely successful elsewhere.

"From surfing, to scuba diving, canoeing and everything in between, there are no end to the possibilities of what we could do with our river and the associated events and groups we could attract to this area as a result. Since becoming a councillor I have made expanding this offering one of my goals and I will continue to work with council and other stakeholders until we use the river and its associated resources to the maximum."

Alliance Object To Proposed 'Industrial Scale' Puppy Farm

The Alliance Party has submitted an objection to a proposed dog breeding and kennel facility in Co Fermanagh.

The planning application, which was submitted to Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, is for a facility in Fivemiletown which would be large enough to hold 600 dogs, but at any one time could hold over 2,500 dogs when puppies are taken into account.

The South Down MLA has now written to the Council outlining objections, in a letter signed by his fellow Alliance MLAs.

He said: "I am strongly objecting on behalf of myself and Alliance colleagues to this latest planning application for what is essentially a large scale puppy farm.

"While there are numerous major planning issues which I have raised, this is first and foremost an animal welfare issue. This is puppy farming at an industrial scale and another example of profit-making coming before animal welfare. This application should be brought before the Council planning committee for scrutiny and I hope councillors there will do the right thing and reject it.

"My colleague Councillor Stephen Donnelly will be working locally to ensure this happens. Our party will also be looking at how we can ensure greater scrutiny of animal welfare standards through the planning system.

"This is just one issue in what is a much larger problem. We need legislation around minimum staffing ratios of licensed facilities to ensure provision of appropriate levels of exercise, play and socialisation. There also needs to be better inspection of breeding facilities, including better record keeping, and we need Councils well resourced and willing to step in and issue fines and more if required."