Other News In Brief

Action Needed For Downpatrick Recovery – SF

Sinn Féin has called for an action plan from the Department for Communities to ensure Downpatrick fully recovers from flooding.

Making the call, South Down MLA Cathy Mason said: "The flooding in Downpatrick was devastating for local businesses and workers. It placed businesses under extreme pressure, some of whom have been trading in the town for decades.

"The British government's support scheme was inadequate, and I welcome the swift action from the Economy Minister, Conor Murphy. He has acted quickly to ensure traders have access to proper funding and support.

"I hope the council now works at speed to ensure applications for support are processed quickly, ensuring financial help quickly reaches the affected businesses.

"We need a multi-agency approach to a flood mitigation and defence strategy for the Quoile to ensure we aren't faced with this again.

"We also need to see a plan from the Department for Communities for the town, to ensure Downpatrick and its small and independent traders fully recover from the flooding. One that promotes sustainable tourism and focuses on strengthening the local economy.

"Sinn Féin will continue working to support Downpatrick to keep the town moving forward."

Alliance Calls For Legacy Act To Be Suspended Pending Appeal

Alliance has called for the UK government's Legacy Act to be suspended pending its appeal, following a court ruling conditional immunity for Troubles-era crimes in it is in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

The Belfast High Court made the ruling relating to the Act, which would see inquests and civil actions relating to the Troubles era outlawed in future.

Alliance Deputy Leader and North Down MP Stephen Farry said: "We have been consistently clear the Legacy Act was unwanted, unworkable and contrary to European and international human rights standards.

"It therefore comes as no surprise the Act is unpicked at its first legal challenge. The Government has previously said the Independent Commission on Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) as framed by the legislation would struggle to work without the immunity element of the Act. The ICRIR itself has said that it only wants to proceed on the basis of compliance with the ECHR.

"Alliance is calling on the UK Government to suspend implementation of the Legacy Act pending the outcome of further steps in the legal process. Crucially, the looming deadline for inquests should be lifted. Similarly, the ICRIR should not proceed with any further work.

"This Act and the continuing uncertainty around its implementation are causing untold and unjustifiable stress and anxiety for victims and survivors of Troubles incidents.

"Today's ruling should therefore be a prelude to repeal of the Legacy Act and a replacement which has the confidence of local parties and especially victims."

Assembly Backs SDLP Motion On All Island Strategic Rail Review

The Assembly has backed an SDLP Opposition motion, calling for a costed implementation plan for the All Island Strategic Rail Review.

SDLP Opposition Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan said that a plan must be in place by the end of 2024.

Foyle MLA Mr Durkan said: "The SDLP in government delivered the all island rail review because we know it has the potential to bring our towns and cities closer together, supercharge local economies and help us to tackle the climate crisis. In Opposition we are determined to see these proposals improved upon and delivered, we can't see this going the way of so many Executive plans and being left on a shelf somewhere to gather dust.

"The Irish Government, British Government and the Executive should all work together to progress these plans, but the Executive must take responsibility, their first port of call cannot always be to push major projects on to someone else. Minister O'Dowd needs to work with his counterparts and have a fully costed plan in place by the end of this year, we cannot afford to lose the momentum that has been built around improved rail links and the difference it will make for communities here.

"I welcome the support for today's motion despite attempts to remove a commitment to expanding our rail network to every county in Ireland. If we're ever going to address regional imbalance then we need to have ambition for every part of our island. An accessible, affordable rail network that meets the demands of modern life would create new opportunities for people to live and work outside our major population centres and completely transform our public transport infrastructure."