Other News In Brief

Alliance Offers 'Cautious Welcome' To SONI Report

The Alliance Party has welcomed the expectation that Northern Ireland's electricity supply is expected to be sufficient to meet demand over the 2023/24 winter period.

Energy and Climate Change spokesperson Danny Donnelly welcomed the publication of SONI's Winter Outlook, which indicates that there will be sufficient generation available to meet consumer demand in Northern Ireland this winter. However, due to recent changes within the system, margins may be tighter compared to previous years, though this is not expected to disrupt the electricity supply.

"Today's announcement from SONI is a welcome indicator that Northern Ireland's electricity supply should be sufficient to meet the demand of our homes and businesses over the coming winter months," said Mr Donnelly.

"Unfortunately, it's likely to be another difficult winter for many people, given the pressures of the cost of living crisis, which have been exacerbated by the lack of a functioning Assembly and Executive. Demand will be higher over the winter due to the colder weather, and it is essential that people are able to heat their homes and places of business during the challenging months ahead.

"The Winter Outlook also highlights the importance of moving towards more sustainable forms of energy in order to combat the climate crisis and meet our commitment for a Net Zero economy by 2050, as outlined in the Climate Change Act. Greater focus on the potential of wind power, among other renewable energy sources, is just one of the ways we can work towards making our energy consumption more sustainable.

"However, significant progress on renewable energy and meeting our climate commitments is undeniably dependent on the restoration of our political institutions, with appointed ministers who are able to take strategic decisions to deliver on these commitments. This is yet another reason why Stormont must be restored immediately."

Man In Critical Condition Following Motorcycle Collision

The PSNI have issued an appeal for information and witnesses following a collision involving a motorcycle and a van on the outskirts of Londonderry.

A man, aged in his 20s, is in a critical condition in hospital after the motorcycle he was riding was involved in collision with a van on the Old Fort Road in Strathfoyle at around 5.10pm on Monday, 16 october.

Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or any drivers who might have dash-cam footage is asked to contact police.

Green Party 'Unequivocally Condemns' Ongoing Conflict In Israel & Palestine

The Green Party Northern Ireland has said that it "unequivocally condemns the killing of civilians by Hamas and by the State of Israel".

In a statement on the ongoing conflict, the Party said: "We recognise that this conflict has emerged from years of injustice, the illegal occupation of Palestine, and the cruel conditions in which Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank are forced to live.

"Renewed efforts to find peace must be a priority, and true and lasting peace means a just settlement. The current apartheid system will continue to bring harm to Israeli and Palestinian civilians alike as long as it persists. 

"As a party committed to non-violence, our thoughts and compassion extend to all those who have lost loved ones. We call on the international community to hold the State of Israel and Hamas to international human rights standards and international humanitarian law. The Geneva Conventions must always be respected. 

"We urge Israel to immediately cease retaliatory attacks on Gaza and its people, and we urge Hamas to release the people taken hostage. The atrocities committed by Hamas are utterly wrong, and collective punishment carried out on innocent Palestinians must never be accepted or allowed to be normalised. 

"Today's call to move 1.1 million people from one part of Gaza to another within 24 hours, with the threat of violence, amounts to ethnic cleansing. The international community must act to prevent this threat from becoming a reality."