Other News In Brief

Infrastructure Minister Meets New Vehicle Examiners

Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has met a group of new vehicle examiners during a visit to DVA's Newtownards Test Centre. They are among approximately 40 new recruits undergoing training following a recent recruitment competition.

Minister O'Dowd visited the centre as part of a series of visits to meet DfI staff.

Newtownards is DVA's largest test centre and carries out approximately 150,000 vehicle tests each year. Approximately 6,000 driving tests are also carried out each year at the centre.

The Minister said: "The Department has been recruiting a number of vehicle examiners in recent months as part of its commitment to reduce MOT waiting times. I was delighted to meet some of those new recruits and to hear about their training. On successful completion of their training, they will be deployed to test centres across the north from mid-September."

SDLP Welcomes Commitment To Addressing Deepfake Technology

The SDLP has welcomed the UK government's commitment to addressing fake videos and images on online platforms.

East Derry MLA Cara Hunter had written to the government, expressing her concern at the rise in deepfake technology.

Welcoming the government's response, Ms Hunter said: “I welcome confirmation from the UK’s Minister for the Future Digital Economy and Online Safety, Baroness Maggie Jones, that the British Government will endeavour to prevent the dissemination of deep fakes on online platforms. Deep fake technology poses an existential threat to democracy and I welcome that the government plans to push through legislation to hold online platforms responsible for hosting fake content aimed at destabilising the democratic process and spreading disinformation.

“Moreover, I welcome the confirmation that the government will hold good to their manifesto commitment to ban the sharing of sexually explicit images, including altered and deep fake videos, and hold those who manufacture such material accountable.

"Whilst progress on these important issues is vital, the murder of Montserrat Martorell Elias in Derry at the weekend is another tragic reminder of the work that must be done to tackle gender-based violence. Shamefully, Northern Ireland has among the highest rates of femicide in Europe. The Executive and the British Government must now demonstrate that ending societal misogyny and violence against women is a top priority, both online and offline."

DUP Respond To PM Budget Speech

The DUP has said that the Prime Minister's comments of the "painful choices" to be made in the next budget "should come as no surprise to anyone – including himself".

The party's Finance Spokesperson, Sammy Wilson, made the comments following a speech the Prime Minister gave ahead of the upcoming Budget.

The East Antrim MP said: "At Prime Minister's Questions prior to the election, I heard him referencing the "black hole" in the UK's finances, yet during the election campaign he conveniently forgot about this and made promises there would be no tax rises, that action would be taken on energy bills and winter fuel payments would be protected.

"People recognise the impact of decisions made by the previous government, but Labour's ability to blame everything on the Tories is undermined entirely by their pre-election promises.

"Whilst Labour have punished everyone else, the Government's only focus has been on hammering out pay settlements with their Union paymasters. The impact will be felt on the budgets for devolved administrations, and it will necessitate a focus of minds on what funding is directed towards. Whether in London or Belfast, there surely can be no money available for political vanity projects."