Other News In Brief

Lough Neagh Failure 'Another Broken Promise By Executive' – SDLP

The failure to agree a plan of action on Lough Neagh has been described as "another broken promise by Executive parties", by SDLP Opposition AERA Spokesperson Patsy McGlone.

The Mid Ulster MLA was speaking after the Executive's failed to agree a report brought forward by the AERA Minister which outlined more than 30 recommendations to address the problem.

Mr McGlone said: "Earlier this year I welcomed the AERA Minister's stated commitment to addressing the ecological crisis in Lough Neagh as a year one priority for the Executive. However, he needs the agreement of his Executive colleagues to deliver on that commitment.

"The Executive's failure today to agree the report and its recommendations is deeply disappointing. It is another broken promise by Executive parties who all expressed their concern at the ecological crisis in the Lough and declared it to be a priority for their parties.

"Responsibility for dealing with the crisis in Lough Neagh is shared between departments and it needs a united Executive approach. The failure to agree to the report's recommended actions will condemn Lough Neagh to further decline.

"The SDLP is willing to work constructively with the AERA Minister and his Executive colleagues to properly address the ecological crisis in Lough Neagh, but they are the parties responsible for taking action on the Lough and we will hold them to account if they fail to do so."

UVF 'Show Of Strength' Condemned As 'Incredibly Disturbing'

The Alliance Party has said that a so-called UVF 'show of strength' is incredibly disturbing.

Alliance East Belfast MLA Peter McReynolds, who also sits on the Policing Board, was speaking following reports that the PSNI have been asked to investigate the incident that occurred on 15 June, during which around 1,500 people lined the streets of East Belfast in commemoration of UVF figure Robert 'Squeak' Seymour.

Mr McReynolds has said: "Whilst the turn of phrase being used to describe this disturbing event is 'a show of strength', I'd go so far as to say that what we saw was actually a show of fragility, and the growing rejection of such toxic, regressive worldviews by the general population.

"The people of East Belfast, and Northern Ireland at large, are sick of such acts of intimidation and sinister attempts to mark out territory. Most simply have no interest in what these groups have to say or claim to represent, and wish for all of them to exit the stage once and for all.

"We must firmly reject any attempts to drag us back to the darkest, most turbulent days of our recent past. I will be raising this incident at the next meeting of the Policing Board and will assist in any way I can to ensure a full and rigorous investigation is carried out."

DUP Urges Next Govt To Take Action On Cost Pressure On Motorists

The next Government must do more to alleviate the cost pressures on motorist, South Antrim DUP Westminster candidate Paul Girvan has said.

Mr Givan said that the pressure could be eased by maintaining a freeze on fuel duty whilst also ensuring fairness in fuel pricing through a more robust investigation of pricing by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

Mr Girvan also said the DUP would support a more robust investigation into the insurance industry, given the rise in the cost of car insurance premiums.

Paul Girvan said: "Motorists are still feeling the pain of high petrol and diesel prices at the pump, and it can be a major contributor to the financial pressures faced by many households across Northern Ireland.

"In the last Parliament, DUP MPs were consistent in opposing any rise in fuel duty and we made that argument effectively to the Government in the interests of all drivers. We were also at the forefront of raising the very valid concerns of motorists relating to the extreme hikes in the cost of car insurance premiums.

"With the polls predicting a Labour Government after 4th July, it is deeply concerning that Keir Starmer has not ruled out the potential for increases to fuel duty. That is why a strong DUP voice in Parliament will be needed, putting forward the case for Northern Ireland’s motorists. This cost pressure is particularly pertinent here given our dependence on the car, due to the lack of public transport alternatives in many rural areas. We will stand strong against any rise in fuel duty.

"Furthermore, we will advocate for the Competition and Markets Authority and Financial Conduct Authority to launch a full investigation into sky-high insurance premiums, particularly being levied upon young drivers. Greater transparency in pricing is essential, and we must remove barriers to young people being able to drive safely on our roads.

"We have worked hard on these issues during the last Parliament, but much more work is needed to ensure the needs of motorists in Northern Ireland are heard by the next Government. Costs must be kept under control, or the very real prospect of being priced off the road will be faced by more people in Northern Ireland."