Other News In Brief

Lack Of Budget Could Lead To Harmful Consequences - Alliance

The continued lack of an Executive to set a local Budget could have many unprecedented and harmful consequences, Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA has said.

Mr Muir was speaking after asking the Department for Infrastructure its reaction to having its Budget set by Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris late last year. In the reply, Department Permanent Secretary Dr Julie Harrison stated the Budget falls 'far short' of what is required to meet all the pressures identified.

Alongside other approaches, the letter states if further savings are required, the only other options left open to the Department are 'in the realms of what would previously have been unthinkable'. including significantly reducing the road gritting programme or switching off street lights.

Mr Muir said the resulting impact on public health and safety in such a scenario could be catastrophic.

"We all know the perilous state of public finances and realise difficult times are ahead," said North Down MLA Mr Muir.

"It is deeply regrettable thanks to the DUP’s deadlock the Secretary of State had to set the Budget for Executive Departments in the first place. It means there is no strategic approach to allow for reform or long-term planning, leading to short-term patch-ups and potential ‘unthinkable’ options being considered by the Department.

"Not only could the short-term impact on public health and safety of these be catastrophic, but there would be resulting immediate pressures put on other aspects of public services as a consequence, which would be deeply harmful in some circumstances.

"It is vital the DUP's boycott of the institutions is ended and the Executive restored in order to tackle our public finances, set strategic Budgets and priorities for Departments, and prevent the situation getting even worse."

Call For Govt To Open Irish Passport Office In NI

Sinn Féin's Leader in the Seanad has called on the government to open a much-needed Irish Passport Office in the north.

Seanadóir Ó Donnghaile was speaking after it emerged that the Irish Passport Office has temporarily suspended posting passports to the north and to Britain.

Niall Ó Donnghaile said: "News that the Irish Passport Office has temporarily suspended posting passports to the north clearly highlights once again the need for the government to open a passport office here.

"As we head into the new year and people plan their holidays this is already causing much uncertainty and concern for travellers.

"This news comes on the back of another record-breaking year just under 128,000 of applications (50,000 of which were first time applications) coming from the north.

"A passport office in the north just makes sense."

Ulster Unionists Remember Kingsmills Massacre

Ulster Unionist Councillor David Taylor said: "My thoughts are with the Kingsmills families and sole survivor Alan Black today on this 47th Anniversary of the Kingsmills Massacre. We remember the 10 innocent Protestant men murdered by the IRA as they returned home from their day’s work. This was one of the most shocking and cruel incidents carried out by Republicans during the troubles and left a lasting impact on the Protestant community in South Armagh.

"I was privileged to attend a service at the Kingsmills roadside memorial organised by FAIR this morning to mark the Anniversary."