Other News In Brief

SF Welcomes 'Another Positive Step' For The Bloody Sunday Families

Sinn Féin has welcomed "another positive step" for the Bloody Sunday families, following a ruling at L'Derry court.

Pádraig Delargy said: "Today's court ruling is another positive step for the Bloody Sunday families in their ongoing efforts to achieve justice. 

"I want to again commend the steadfast, dignified and determined campaign that they have spearheaded for over five decades.

"We will continue to stand with the families as they continue in their pursuit of justice for their loved ones.

"The British Government are attempting to close the door on families ever getting truth and justice through the courts with its flawed legacy bill that is a cynical attempt to let British state forces off the hook.

"They should listen to the voices of victims and families and bin this flawed legislation without any more delay and get on with implementing the legacy mechanisms agreed at Stormont House almost 10 years ago."

DUP Welcomes Response To Propose Free Travel Cuts

The DUP has welcomed the public's response to proposed cuts to free bus and rail travel for people aged 60 or over.

This option was being considered as part of the Department for Infrastructure's consultation on changes to the concessionary fares on public transport, which closes today. The DUP has published its response.

Commenting, DUP's Infrastructure Spokesman Phillip Brett, said: "Free and discounted travel provides enormous benefits to society and our economy and it is entirely unacceptable that this is viewed as a soft target for short-term and short-sighted budget cuts.

"Removing the cost of accessing public transport means more people use bus and rail services, reducing our reliance on cars and protecting the environment. It also enables older people, and those with disabilities, to commute to work, attend GP and hospital appointments, visit family or friends or simply do the shopping. For many, this is a lifeline not a luxury, as it allows them to retain independence for longer and stay involved in their local community.

"The Department would be wrong to turn its back on these benefits. As the Party that introduced concessionary fares for senior citizens, we believe this policy strikes to the heart of what it means to promote a fair, compassionate and inclusive society - one where everyone is valued. For that reason we will continue to lobby for its retention."

East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell was the Minister who introduced free travel for senior citizens (65+) in 2001.

He added: "The case for rolling-back this Scheme simply does not stack up. Over 29 million public transport journeys were made by non-fare paying passengers in 2021-22. These costs are reimbursed by DfI on top of further significant subsidies from the public purse. Without this, a high proportion of Translink's services would become unviable, including in rural and hard-to-reach areas.

"Any abandonment of the scheme would therefore result in a massive decrease in journeys, reducing revenue and putting existential pressures on vital routes and Translink's future viability. This is not to mention the knock-on impact for both our economy and health service from reduced footfall on our high streets and higher rates of social exclusion.

"Concessionary travel is a devolved policy and any changes should ultimately be subject to the will of a future Executive and Assembly. We will not tolerate a situation where protections for some of the most marginalised in our society are used as cannon fodder to deflect from the Government's failure to address the chronic underfunding of our public services."

One Young World Reveal Summit Line-Up

The organisers of the One Young World gathering, taking place in Belfast, has revealed the line-up of influential political, business and humanitarian leaders who will be Counsellors at the Summit.

The One Young World Summit will bring together delegates from over 190 countries and more than 250 organisations to confront the biggest challenges facing humanity and accelerate social impact.

In June it was announced that former Chelsea star, Didier Drogba will be a Counsellor at the Summit and NI star of Oscar winning film, An Irish Goodbye, James Martin will also take his place alongside some of the world's most influential leaders.

Most recent announcements include star of Netflix show, The Umbrella Academy, Aidan Gallagher, who will join journalist and author, Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe who was detained in Iran in April 2016 and was held hostage for six years, Maria Juliana Ruiz, the former First Lady of Columbia and Dr James Doty, Professor of Neurosurgery at Stanford University.

From the world of professional sport, delegates will be counselled by former professional footballer Rio Ferdinand OBE, two South African Rugby World Cup winners, Francois Pienaar and Tendai Mtawarira, and Olympic gold medal swimmer, Mark Tewksbury.

Over 2,000 delegates will come to Belfast for four life-changing days of knowledge-sharing and networking with the eyes of the world focused on Northern Ireland during this time. Young leaders from Northern Ireland set to join include Matthew Taylor, Co-founder of PureMental, Fatima Sarwari, Chairperson of the Afghan Association of Northern Ireland and Ciaran Ferrin, Chair of the Belfast Climate Commission's Youth Working Group, to name just a few.