Other News In Brief

UUP Express 'Strong Opposition' To Lurgan Campus Closure

The Ulster Unionist's have expressed their "strong opposition" to the decision taken by the Education Department's Permanent Secretary to close the Lurgan Campus of Craigavon Senior High School.

Ulster Unionist Party Leader and Upper Bann MLA Doug Beattie MC said: "Over a protracted period the Lurgan community has fought to find a solution to the threatened closure of the Lurgan Campus of the Craigavon Senior High School, that kept the children in Lurgan and maintained a clear educational pathway. Unfortunately, against the wishes of the community, academics, local councillors and the Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council's own Community Plan, the Permanent Secretary for the Department of Education has decided that he would rather bus the children from Lurgan to Portadown than find a Lurgan solution.

"This will be a bitter blow to some of the most educationally vulnerable in Lurgan and shows a real lack of vision on the part of the Education Department. This is compounded by the very fact that when we did have an Executive, a Minster for Education refused to make a decision on this development proposal although pressed on it multiple times.

"The reality is that the children of Lurgan have been failed over many years by the Education authority and when there was an opportunity to put education first, they decided to take the route of least resistance ignoring all other options."

SF Welcomes EU Move On Veterinary Medicines

Sinn Féin have welcomed confirmation from the EU Commission that the supply of veterinary medicines to the north will be extended.

The party's Brexit spokesperson MLA Declan Kearney said: "Confirmation that the supply of veterinary medicine supplies will be extended is very welcome. The Commission's decision will provide reassurance and certainty to those directly affected.

"Once again this demonstrates the EU's commitment to delivering practical solutions to ensure progress on the Protocol.

"The British government must show similar flexibility and engage positively with the EU to reach a durable, pragmatic resolution which ensures all our businesses have certainty and stability."

NI Chamber Welcomes US Special Envoy Appointment

The Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NI Chamber) has welcomed the appointment of Joe Kennedy as the new US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland,

Gillian McAuley has said: "NI Chamber welcomes the appointment of Joe Kennedy III as US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland.

"US trade and investment has played a vital role in bringing prosperity to Northern Ireland. We look forward to working with Joe Kennedy III to see that economic relationship flourish, to the benefit of businesses and households across Northern Ireland."