Other News In Brief

Alliance Calls On Heaton-Harris To Urgently Meet With Transport Unions

The Alliance Party has called on the Secretary of State, Chris Heaton-Harris, to urgently meet with unions in an effort to avoid any further public transport strikes.

Making the call, the party's Transport Spokesperson David Honeyford said: "We are under no illusion about the justified frustration felt by transport workers on poor pay and conditions arising from the ongoing lack of investment in our public transport infrastructure.

"We recognise that this frustration is only exacerbated by the decision to instruct Departments to consult on revenue-raising measures such as removing concessionary fares when those are not going to have the necessary impact to deliver longer-term funding for public transport and accessible travel.

"The Secretary of State has it in his power, either by reforming the institutions to enable them to sit or by investing to improve pay and conditions to enable public transport to play its role in improving the economy more effectively, to address the issues justifiably raised by the Unions.

"For as long as the Secretary of State refuses to reform the institutions to enable restoration of devolution and for as long as he feels he has a role in revenue raising, then he also has a role in resolving pay and conditions.

"No one wants these strikes to take place, and therefore I would call on the Secretary of State to meet the Unions urgently to find a resolution."

DUP Will 'Continue To Stand Up For Households' To Oppose Water Charges

The DUP has claimed that it will "continue to stand up for households" and oppose the introduction of water and sewerage charges in NI.

Following the launch of a consultation by the Department for Infrastructure on options for introducing charges, the DUP's Infrastructure Spokesman Phillip Brett said: "The people of Northern Ireland already pay for their water through their Rates Bill and any further attempt to introduce another tax by stealth, will simply not fly.

"The current underfunding of Northern Ireland Water is yet another symptom of the failure by HM Government to fund public services here based upon objective need.

"It is neither fair nor sustainable for Northern Ireland to be funded below need, the solution to this problem requires the underfunding of public services here to be addressed by the Treasury.

"The DUP has been highlighting this problem consistently and we will continue to press this matter in our ongoing discussions with the Government, to ensure key public services are properly funded both now and in the future."

Suspected Cocaine, Cannabis And Diazepam Seized In Newcastle

A 22-year-old man has been arrested and quantities of cocaine, cannabis and diazepam have been seized following a search operation in the Newcastle area.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Support Team officers, assisted by local Neighbourhood Policing Team officers, conducted a search at a property in the Newcastle area, on Thursday 7 December.

As a result of the search suspected drugs and a sum of cash was seized. A 22 year old man was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including possession of class A, B and C drugs, possession of class A, B and C drugs with intent to supply and possessing criminal property. The man was questioned and later released on bail to allow for further police enquiries to be conducted.

Newry, Mourne & Down District Commander, Superintendent Norman Haslett said: "This search and arrest demonstrates our commitment to keeping our local communities safe from this type of criminality and removing dangerous, illegal substances from our streets. I would ask anyone with concerns or information about the supply or use of illegal drugs to contact police on 101. A report can also be made online using our non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org/."