Other News In Brief

Common Sense Needed To Ensure Rural Areas Receive High Speed Broadband

Common sense needs to be applied by the Economy Minister to ensure rural areas receive access to high speed broadband, Alliance North Antrim MLA Patricia O'Lynn has said.

The Alliance MLA was speaking after being contacted by constituents being "denied access" to internet providers under the Department for the Economy's Project Stratum, which was designed to connect thousands of rural homes and businesses to full fibre broadband.

Ms O'Lynn said due to administrative errors, that had not been the case.

"Investment in our infrastructure, especially our digital infrastructure, is vital to the future economic success of Northern Ireland.

"In the current world, it is also vital for people staying connected to their work, friends and family. It is therefore deeply disappointing a number of my constituents have been denied access to providers under Project Stratum due to administrative errors. They include addresses being recorded wrongly or their households being recorded as new builds, when they are old properties.

"Some constituents have been told they will need to pay thousands of pounds to secure new connectivity, which is not only unreasonable but also unfair. I have written to the Economy Minister Gordon Lyons to outline this problem and urged him to apply common sense in this matter.

"It is even more important in a cost of living crisis rural dwellers are not left behind or be forced to pay extra money to be connected. We have an opportunity to prioritise rural access to broadband and we need to make sure everyone benefits."

Call For New PM To 'Bin' Flawed Legacy Legislation

Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has said the incoming British Prime Minister must now listen to the voices of victims and families and bin the flawed legacy legislation without delay.

Speaking ahead of a major demonstration taking place in Belfast on Sunday 11 September, the North Belfast MLA said: "On Sunday 11 September families bereaved by the British state will be hosting a rally at Belfast City Hall to express their total opposition to the Tory government’s amnesty bill.

"This Bill will provide an amnesty for British state forces and deny families their basic legal rights to an inquest, an independent investigation and to pursue civil actions.

"This Bill prioritises the demands of the British military over the legal rights of victims of state violence. It really is another slap in the face to the many victims and families, some of whom have been campaigning for over 50 years, for truth, justice and acknowledgement as it seeks to cover up Britain’s dirty war in Ireland.

"It is deeply concerning that despite victims and families, political parties, the Irish government, the Human Rights Commission and leading figures in both the US and EU highlighting major flaws with this legislation, the British government has ploughed ahead unilaterally and fast-tracked this Bill through Westminster.

"Families are in no doubt that the main objective of the legislation is to close down any further independent scrutiny or investigation, and cover up the role of British state forces in the conflict.

"Any approach to legacy matters must be human rights compliant, must uphold the rights of victims and must uphold the rule of law.

"What families need to hear is that their legal rights will be protected and they also need the mechanisms agreed at Stormont House in 2014 by political parties and the Irish and British governments implemented in a human rights compliant manner."

Abuse At Royal Black Preceptory Feeder Parade Should Be Condemned

DUP Newry and Armagh MLA William Irwin has said those hurling abuse at the Royal Black Preceptory feeder parade in Armagh on Saturday should be condemned by all political leaders.

Mr Irwin said: "I have watched the footage uploaded by those hurling the abuse. It is sickening and outrageous. We will be reporting the incident to the police. These people are stirring up tensions and it is a credit to those on parade that the matter was handled in a sensible manner.

"There were children in the parade and to be subjected to this abuse is vile.

"This is what Michelle O'Neill's leadership delivers. Constant glorying in the PIRA leads to this type of behaviour. It's causing more division.

"If political leaders have no problem shouting “up the ra” then what else is to be expected from their supporters. Michelle O’Neill should publicly acknowledge her "there was no alternative" statement was wrong. Such a position will take Northern Ireland backwards not forwards.

"We need leaders in all political parties to condemn this and give leadership. It is dangerous for the next generation to believe that the actions of the PIRA were glorious but it is equally dangerous for the next generation to feel able to hurl abuse at people in this manner."