Other News In Brief

Infrastructure Minister In Orkney For Islands Forum

Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has travelled to Orkney for the inaugural meeting of the UK Islands Forum.

Minister O'Dowd represented the interests of Rathlin Island at the forum where the theme was "net zero islands".

Speaking after the Forum Minister O'Dowd said: "Island environments face unique challenges and the forum provided a valuable platform for those communities to share their experiences with the UK government and each other in areas such as connectivity, infrastructure and depopulation, while also identifying solutions to common issues together.

"As the North's only inhabited island, not only was this an opportunity to listen and learn from other island communities, but also for Rathlin to showcase the positive steps being taken to become carbon neutral by 2030.

"It is vital that we all take urgent action to mitigate climate change and we can learn from the experience of island communities as they take on the challenge.

"Attendance at this Forum was an important opportunity to meet with the new Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Levelling Up Housing and Communities, Dehenna Davison MP. I put across the case for the North and called for more projects to be funded under phase two of the Levelling Up Fund.

"We need improvements in transport infrastructure as well as regeneration of our towns. Unfortunately, the absence of a functioning Executive in the midst of a cost of living crisis continues to make our challenges greater.

"I have raised this again with the Westminster Government and asked again that they to do all in their power to restore the political institutions here without further delay."

SDLP Urges Chancellor To Protect Homeowners

The SDLP has called on the Chancellor to ensure that people are protected amidst the ongoing cost of living crisis and uncertainty around the future of mortgage rates.

South Belfast MP Claire Hanna urged the Treasury to meet with financial institutions to see what additional protections could be afforded to homeowners.

Speaking after a response to her parliamentary questions to the Treasury, Ms Hanna said: "We are the middle of a perfect storm affecting many families and we expect things to get even harder over the coming months as a direct result of this government’s economic policy and actions. Uncertainty around mortgage rates is now causing a lot of anxiety, with the possibility that people could see their mortgages jump significantly because of the disastrous Tory budget.

"People are not seeing their incomes increase and are facing a situation where they may no longer be able to afford their mortgage. People will no doubt also be forced into overdraft on bank accounts as they struggle to balance essential outgoings against income.

"The Treasury has said that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has guidance that requires firms to offer tailored forbearance options to mortgage borrowers and overdraft users that are in financial difficulty. Financial institutions must ensure that they play their part fully and I hope that mortgage providers will work constructively with borrowers to offer solutions that work for people, such as a payment holiday, partial payment, or extension of mortgage term.

"People are already suffering as a result of the actions of this Government, and we need to ensure that further blows are not caused by additional financial penalties or people being put at risk of losing their homes."

Green Party Express 'Dismay' At Tree Removal

The Green Party have expressed their "sadness and dismay" that the area around one Northern Irelands most picturesque train stations will soon be unrecognisable with the planned removal of up to 141 trees by contractors working on behalf of Translink.

Councillor Barry McKee, said: "The safety of rail users and the continuity of the railway is very important but the removal of so many important trees in the Carnalea area is a price too high to pay for nature.

"Northern Ireland is the twelfth place in the world for biodiversity loss and what we will see here will be a significant loss of biodiversity. There are plants and animals that rely on these trees for cover and habitat, not to mention the amenity they provide to commuters and residents.

"I have met with Translink to share my concerns and the anger of residents. These works will not only remove important trees and animal habitat but will result in months of overnight disturbance to sleep of residents in the area with chainsaws and excavators used in the works.

"Translink justifies these planned works as their way to eliminate risk, but I have to question why such a large number have to be removed in one go when for decades these trees have been able to grow without any attempt to undertake maintenance or stop these risks developing.

"Although a number of the trees scheduled for felling have Tree Preservation Orders, safety concerns mean that the orders cannot prevent the trees from being removed.

"Translink have applied to ANDBC to remove protected trees, but they do not plan to replace them with new trees in the area, instead they will be planting trees in Lisburn which is of no comfort to resident or the animals whose habitat has been lost. I have contacted the Council to ask them to ensure that they mandate Translink to replant trees in Carnalea to replace the ones that will be felled."