Other News In Brief

Defective Buildings Legislation Must Include Victoria Sq Owners – SDLP

Any legislation introduced to address defective buildings must be designed to allow Victoria Square owners to resume their action, South Belfast MLA and Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole has said.

The Communities Minister has pledged to introduce new legislation to increase the so-called 'limitation period' in the Limitation (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 in line with the extension in England and Wales, allowing claims for 30 years rather than only six.

Mr O'Toole has consistently called for the proposed legislative change but has been clear that the new law must specifically be designed to allow Victoria Square owners to restart the legal action against the building's developers recently rejected in the High Court.

Matthew O'Toole MLA said: "I have called consistently for action to address this anomaly and so I welcome the Minister's statement today and the work which he and his Executive colleagues have done to change the limitation period.

"But since the case that brought this to public attention was that of Victoria Square, it is vital that the new law is specifically designed to allow the Victoria Square owners to restart the legal action that only fell because the law had not been updated.

"I specifically pressed the Minister for clarity on this today and look forward to getting confirmation from him, so that the exhausted and anxious Victoria Square owners can be reassured they will be able to seek proper legal recourse."

SF Call On Education Minister To Outline Affordable Childcare Timeline

Sinn Féin have called on the Education Minister to provide a timeline to deliver high quality and affordable childcare.

The party's childcare and early years spokesperson, Cathy Mason, said: "Cutting childcare costs and delivering high quality, affordable childcare must be a priority for the education minister.

"I am calling on him to publish a timeline for the delivery of a childcare strategy to support children, families and providers.

"Parents are rightly frustrated with the lack of communication from the department on the urgent need to deliver affordable childcare.

"Sinn Féin are committed to working with all parties to deliver high quality, affordable childcare.

"Families and providers cannot wait any longer. There should be no more delays."

DUP Welcomes UU Commitment To Coleraine Campus

The Ulster University's commitment to the longterm future of the Coleraine Campus has been welcomed by DUP Chair of the Economy Committee Phillip Brett MLA.

Mr Brett alongside East Londonderry MLA Maurice Bradley met with the leadership of the University in Coleraine.

Commenting after the meeting he said: "The multi-campus nature of Ulster University makes it a vital asset to communities right across Northern Ireland.

"We all want to see investment in, and growth of, student numbers at all of these campuses.

"The Coleraine Campus is a world leader in research and development, playing a vital role in the economic life of the region.

"I warmly welcome the clear and unambiguous commitment from the Vice Chancellor to see additional student numbers in Coleraine, something local DUP representatives have championed.

"As a Party, we fully support the the multi-campus growth and investment plans, to ensure all communities in all parts of Northern Ireland have access to first class educational opportunities."