Other News In Brief

SDLP Welcomes Irish Govt's Commitment To A5 Road Project

The SDLP have welcomed the Irish Government's renewed commitment to the A5 road project.

Party leader, Colum Eastwood was speaking after receiving a letter from Taoiseach Leo Varadkar laying out his government's support for the A5.

It follows Mr Eastwood raising his concerns about delays to the vital work during a meeting in Belfast earlier this month.

Foyle MP Mr Eastwood said: "I welcome the Taoiseach's assurances that the Irish Government remain committed to seeing the A5 road upgrade work carried out. The SDLP has long been campaigning to see this vital project move forward and it's deeply regrettable that it has been beset with delays due to persistent objections and political dysfunction.

"Far too many lives have been lost on the A5. The statistics are harrowing and we have a duty to act before another family loses a loved one. Every single delay is putting the public at risk and we need to see this project progressed as a matter of urgency. A restored Stormont will be best placed to get this over the line and the Taoiseach has been clear that the Irish Government will do everything they can to ensure these improvements go ahead.

"This project should be a testament to the progress we can make when government across the island works together in the interests of people and communities that deserve investment and better infrastructure. It's time to get this done."

West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan said:

"The SDLP is fighting at every level to see this project delivered not just for people in the surrounding areas, but for the North as a whole. I know the toll that the lives lost on this road has taken on our community and we must do everything in our power to see this project delivered at the first opportunity.

"The Irish Government have been clear that they are supportive of the A5 upgrade and we need to ensure that we are in a position to meet them half way and get this work started. People have waited long enough, nobody should have to risk their lives just to travel on this road and I would urge those who continue to object to this project to think about the impact they're having and stand aside so that we can deliver these much-needed improvements for everyone."

Failed Tory Policies Sending Economy Into Recession – Murphy

Northern Ireland's former Finance Minister, Sinn Féin's Conor Murphy, has criticised "failed Tory policies that are sending the economy into recession".

The Newry and Armagh MLA said: "The Tories must reverse their disastrous economic policies that are sending us into recession and putting jobs and business at risk.

"The latest forecasts by the International Monetary Fund prove that the hangover from Liz Truss' disastrous economic policies will leave Britain as an outlier and will mean that it is the only G7 economy which will see its economy shrink this year.

"This recession has been self-inflicted and stems from decisions to champion Brexit, cut public services and hike interest rates, while also topping up bankers' bonuses and failing to tax the extortionate profits of energy companies.

"Workers and families should not be paying the price for Tory government failures and we must look to other countries which are supporting people through inflation and the income crisis."

DUP Aim To Make Glorifying Terrorism A New Offence

The DUP has proposed the creation of a new offence of glorifying terrorism in Northern Ireland.

Proposed by Lord Dodds during the Committee Stage debate on the Government's Legacy Bill, it will also seek to amend the Government bill by making having received immunity under the Government's Legacy Bill an aggravating factor in sentencing.

Lord Dodds said: "We have witnessed obscene acts of glorification of terrorist murderers on a constant basis.

"This has been led by prominent Sinn Fein politicians who continue to re-traumatise innocent victims by acts of glorification and commemoration of blood thirsty terrorist murderers.

"This amendment is designed to try to reign in this kind of obnoxious behaviour.

"We have egregious examples such as Michelle O'Neill commemorating the death of Terrorist Thomas McElwee without mentioning the fact he burned to death a young woman Yvonne Dunlop who was in a shop which he firebombed.

"Innocent victims have seen sports facilities and playparks either being named after terrorists or plaques erected to glorify them.

"For too long apologists for murder have hypocritically mouthed platitudes about human rights whilst defending and eulogising some of the most obscene acts of violence carried out by criminals and mass murderers."