Other News In Brief

Green Party Welcomes Introduction Of Safe Access Zones

The Green Party has welcomed the news of the introduction of Safe Access Zones for all NI Trust areas from Friday, 29 September.

The party's councillor for Botanic Áine Groogan said: "It is great to see Safe Access Zones are finally being established, after the passing of Green enabling legislation from the previous assembly mandate.

"No-one should be forced to endure a torrent of abuse or harassment whilst trying to access legal healthcare anywhere in Northern Ireland, thankfully this legislation provides the means to achieving that.

"The Safe Access Zones Act was the product of having Green MLA's in the assembly, fighting to change peoples lives for the better and will be a lasting legacy of the incredible work of Green Party MLA's. I want to pay huge kudos to Clare Bailey, her team, and campaigners who organised for years to make this change happen.

"Now, it is for the department, under the direction of either the permanent secretary or the secretary of state to finally establish services for providing abortion healthcare to all who need it. So that everyone across NI has Free, Safe, Legal and Local access to abortion, as is their right."

Appeal For Information On Car Fire In L'Derry

Police in L'Derry have issued an appeal for information following a car fire in the city on Monday, 25 September.

Making the appeal, Inspector Robb of Ballyarnett Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "This incident occurred on Drumleck Drive and it's believed this occurred sometime between 7pm yesterday evening and the time it was reported to police at 8.40pm. From our enquiries to date, it's believed a petrol bomb was used to start the fire. Anyone who witnessed what occurred is asked to call police on 101, quoting reference 1994 of 25/09/23."

Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Alliance Backs Smoke-Free Northern Ireland Goal

Alliance Party Health Spokesperson, Paula Bradshaw, has endorsed the goal of a smoke-free Northern Ireland within twelve years, as Action on Smoking and Health, a coalition of organisations, launched its vision at the Cancer Focus headquarters in Belfast this morning.

Speaking at the event the South Belfast MLA, who chairs the All-Party Group on Cancer at Stormont, said: "I fully endorse this vision and strategy to reduce smoking prevalence to below 5% by 2035.

"We should not underestimate the benefits of attaining this goal. Smoking is associated with poor air quality, with numerous cancers, with greater risk of heart disease, and with poorer health outcomes.

"I share a desire to see the actions in the strategy which fall within the Executive’s remit implemented swiftly, including a new Tobacco Control Strategy, legislation around the sale of vapes and similar products, licensing of retailers, more wide-ranging smoke-free environments, and improved enforcement alongside campaigns to raise awareness of how and why to quit smoking.

"The Health Service needs to stop seeing interventions, such as programmes aimed at helping people quit, as ‘low-hanging fruit’ when it comes to budget cuts. These are essential preventative steps towards a population which is healthier and a health service which is under less strain in the future.

"I very much hope we will have an Executive functioning soon to put in place the appropriate policies and legislation."