Other News In Brief

Byrne Calls For Cultural Investment

SDLP West Tyrone MLA Joe Byrne has led an adjournment debate calling for additional investment in the cultural, sporting and tourist life of West Tyrone.

Speaking after the debate, Mr Byrne said: "Many people, including a large number of volunteers, have put a huge effort into making West Tyrone a richly cultural destination, with tourist attractions including the Ulster-American Folk Park in Omagh, the Strule and Dun Uladh cultural centres and the proud ongoing sporting traditions of the county, especially through soccer, rugby, hockey and particularly the Tyrone GAA, which has a mighty reputation across Ireland.

"However, without due investment in these and many other facets of the cultural life of all the people of all the traditions of Tyrone, we run the risk of degrading the local tourist economy and diminishing our collective heritage.

"The Ulster-American Folk Park, as a case in point, has had rising numbers of visitors through its gates, but has recently been turned down for additional funding. This needs to be addressed."

Sinn Féin TD Launches Bill To Repeal The Household Charge

Sinn Féin spokesperson on environment, community & local government Brian Stanley TD has announced that he intends to introduce a bill that will reverse the Household Charge.

Speaking ahead of the launch of the bill, Deputy Stanley said: "The bill, entitled Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012, aims to repeal the household charge and allow the Department to reimburse those households that have already paid it.

"Sinn Féin will be tabling the bill during private members’ time in June. Meanwhile we intend to run a positive, proactive ‘Back the Bill’ campaign. This campaign will be inclusive and community-based. We will be using the next few months to lobby and encourage TDs from all parties, including government parties, to vote for our bill in June.

"To date the household charge has been a disastrous episode for the government and in particular for the Minister of Environment, Phil Hogan.

"The vote in June will give the minister the opportunity to undo some of the damage his charge has inflicted on the coalition. Sinn Féin believes in strong democratic local government."

fuel fraud delegates to Belfast

Fuel Fraud Delegates Welcomed

Justice Minister David Ford has today opened a two-day international fuel fraud event in Belfast.

Organised by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and funded by Fiscalis EU co-operation programme, the event brings together delegates from 24 European countries.

Mr Ford, who is also Chair of Northern Ireland's Organised Crime Taskforce (OCTF) said: "This is a valuable opportunity to strengthen inter-agency co-operation across European borders against organised crime. I commend HMRC for hosting such an important event in Belfast, which has attracted experts from 24 European countries, showing that fuel fraud is an issue not just on the island of Ireland, but across Europe."

(CD/GK)