Other News In Brief

European Commission Abolish Roaming Charges

SDLP MLA for Mid-Ulster Patsy McGlone has welcomed the European Commission's decision to completely abolish roaming charges in 2014.

Mr McGlone said: "I have been highlighting for some time the arbitrary effect on mobile users of roaming charges. Such charges have a particularly adverse effect on people living in border areas and results in exorbitant phone bills for many.

"There have been recent steps to eradicate roaming charges but the latest announcement by Neelie Kroes, the European Commissioner for Digital Affairs will hopefully see these invidious charges confined to the dustbin.

"I welcome the legislation being brought forward by the European Commission which aims to reduce consumer charges and bring a range of new rights for users and service providers."

Call For Extension n Common Funding Scheme

The Ulster Unionist Party's Education spokesperson Danny Kinahan MLA has called for an extension to the Education Department's current consultation regarding changes to the Common Funding Formula which allocates money to school budgets.

The South Antrim MLA, who is also vice-chair of the Stormont Education committee said "It is only recently that the true extent of John O’Dowd’s proposals to slash the budgets of literally hundreds of primary schools across Northern Ireland has been revealed.

"Using the amount of Free School Meal pupils as a very crude yardstick, the Sinn Fein Minister is proposing to quite literally rob Peter to pay Paul by depriving thousands of children of money to which they are entitled.

"670 out of 832 primary schools could have less money to spend on teaching staff, classroom assistants and teaching resources and some schools will lose as much as £40,000.

"It is absolutely essential that people participate in this consultation exercise and make their feelings known."

Off-The-Road-Deadline Must Be Extended - Ellis

Sinn Fein Transport spokesperson Dessie Ellis TD has called on the Minister for Environment to issue an order to extend the deadline for people to declare their cars off the road in order to avoid back dated tax brought about by new legislation. He made his comments as many Motor Tax offices have reported large queues and backlogs which will not be cleared before the deadline on the 1st of October.

Deputy Ellis said: "I welcomed this change in policy which will help to cut out the ability for people to evade tax owed on cars they are falsely claiming off the road. It is a good policy but the deadline appears to have been to set too early and the ability for Motor Tax offices to deal with the backlog has been over estimated.

"People who have not yet reported their vehicle off the road are not facing back dated taxes despite large numbers attempting to do so but unable due to the backlog."

(CD)