Other News In Brief

Vehicle Seized Following Incident In L'Derry

The PSNI in L'Derry have seized a vehicle following a road-related incident in the city earlier today, Thursday 05 September.

The seizure follows an incident at approximately 9.35am today when District Support Team officers on patrol in the Southway area in the city were alerted to the way a blue BMW was being driven. They signalled for the driver to stop, but the driver continued on through Creggan where the vehicle mounted a kerb.

As part of enquiries, police arrested a male who was subsequently given a Penalty Notice for the offence of Obstructing Police.

Inspector Pearce said: "Our enquiries into this incident are continuing, and I want to take this opportunity to appeal to anyone who witnessed this incident, or may have captured relevant footage to call us on 101, quoting reference 353 of 05/09/24."

Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org

Still No Governmental Plans And Targets – O'Toole

The Executive has still not provided a clear set of governmental plans and targets, Leader of the Opposition Matthew O’Toole has said.

Mr O'Toole said that after a meeting to agree the overall aspirations in the Programme for Government, Executive ministers held a press conference for waiting media but without the publication of an actual document or any clear indication of specific targets or actions.

The outline agreement comes after more than seven months of delay from the restored Executive and after dozens of non-binding motions from Executive parties. Matthew O’Toole MLA said: "Once again, the Executive has proved adept at PR but deficient at clarity or delivery. Today’s announcement contained no specific targets or actions but rather a press conference in which Executive parties patted one another on the back for agreeing on broad aspirations.

"The public might have expected more clarity not just on vague aspiration but what exactly the Executive intends to do, how and when. What is the target for reducing waiting lists, how will that target be achieved and when can patients expect to see meaningful improvements in the failing health service.

"Until the Executive gets into this level of detail and clarity, after years of collapse and dysfunction, they cannot expect the public to trust this as-yet-unpublished Programme for Government, They cannot expect to be hailed as heroes for simply agreeing vague aspirations. Less waffle, more delivery is needed."

Renewable Energy Progress Welcomed But More To Achieve – Alliance

Alliance Energy spokesperson David Honeyford MLA, has welcomed the progress made in recent years in embracing renewable energy, but said that we still have much more to achieve.

He was speaking after the publication of the Electricity Consumption and Renewable Generation of Northern Ireland report published by the Department for the Economy.

The Lagan Valley MLA has said: "Whilst it is to be welcomed that 46% of our electricity is generated by renewable sources, it's alarming that the pace of change has practically stopped.

"If we are to meet our net zero targets and ensure that 80% of electricity comes from renewable sources by 2030, then action needs to be taken now.

"It is not acceptable that Northern Ireland loses out on investment simply because planning applications get stuck in years of delay through our planning process. The current planning process is not fit for purpose, and the need for planning reforms is urgent.

"Energy is central to all of our lives. We live at an exciting time of opportunity, of transition and of change. At this time, we must position ourselves to take full advantage and deliver the benefits directly to every household.

"Alliance will continue working towards the ambition of making Northern Ireland a world leader in energy efficiency and green technologies, and in achieving our net zero targets."