Other News In Brief

SDLP Urges Agreement To Avoid University Strike Action

The SDLP has called for an agreement to prevent lengthy strike action by university staff.

Higher Education Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin made the call as University and College Union (UCU) members at Queen's (QUB) and Ulster University (UU) announced dates for 18 days of strike action.

Ms McLaughlin expressed concern around the impact of the strikes on students and urged the universities to work with the UCU and the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) to reach a solution.

Foyle MLA Ms McLaughlin said: "This plan for unprecedented strike action follows a refusal by universities and the government to address the pressures facing university staff and their concerns around fair pay, working conditions and pensions. The SDLP stands firmly behind staff as they fight for a resolution to these issues which they have been raising for some time.

"If these strikes go ahead, they have the potential to seriously disrupt the education of our students and this is particularly concerning after the massive disruption experienced in recent years due to the coronavirus pandemic. While I know that students will stand in solidarity with staff, every effort must be made to avoid this interruption.

"University staff are experiencing the same pressures as everyone else in our society and we need to see this acknowledged by the individual University Vice-Chancellors and the UCEA. People cannot be expected to work to the best of their ability while they are plagued with concerns around how they will pay their bills or if they will receive an extension to their temporary contracts. We need to immediately see a deal reached which recognises the contribution and concerns of staff while preventing this negative impact on students' experiences."

Alliance Reiterates Call For Action On NI Organ Donation System

Alliance MLAs have reiterated their calls for the Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris to intervene to ensure an 'opt-out' organ donation system can be introduced in Northern Ireland. Changes introduced by the Organ and Tissue Donation Act were due to come into force this Spring, but are unable to progress without necessary secondary legislation.

In a response to a written question from Stephen Farry MP, Mr Heaton-Harris acknowledged that "the absence of Northern Ireland Assembly business is causing unnecessary delays in the introduction of this life-saving legislation", but did not commit to taking action.

"This will be a further disappointment to campaigners like Máirtín MacGabhann and his son Dáithí, who were instrumental in seeing this legislation pass in the first instance. I hope that the Secretary of State will indeed meet with the family to explain his reluctance to intervene," said Paula Bradshaw MLA, Alliance's Health Spokesperson.

"I appreciate that this secondary legislation should come from the Assembly, but Mr Heaton-Harris should act, given the support the Bill received from all parties last year and its life-saving potential. It is an overdue change which is already in place across the rest of the UK, and it is my understanding the Department of Health is ready to press ahead."

Connie Egan MLA added: "It is clear for anyone to see that there are consequences for the DUP's refusal to engage in our political institutions. Whilst, I urge the Secretary of State to intervene in this instance, the status quo of ransom politics cannot continue. 

"We need a functioning Executive as a matter of urgency, not just to see the introduction of 'opt-out' organ donation, but to transform our health system, tackle the cost of living crisis and address all the other mounting pressures that our constituents rightly expect the Assembly to act upon."

SF To Challenge BBC Over Radio Foyle Cuts

Sinn Féin Mayor of Derry & Strabane Sandra Duffy will challenge bosses at the BBC in London over plans to axe jobs and services at Radio Foyle.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Councillor Duffy said: "I will meet with BBC bosses in London tomorrow to tell them that plans to cut jobs and services at Radio Foyle must be scrapped.

"The people of Derry have relied on Radio Foyle for decades for news and to share our story and be the community’s voice.

"It is unthinkable there will not be a local news programme until 1pm on Radio Foyle, and I will make it clear that axing the award-winning Breakfast Show is unacceptable.

"I will again invite the BBC bosses to visit Derry to meet with local people and recognise the huge place that our radio station has in the community.

"As Mayor of Derry & Strabane, I will continue to fight to protect jobs and oppose attempts to strip away services at Radio Foyle."