Belfast City Council Votes In Favour Of Same-Sex Marriage

Belfast City Council has voted in favour of same-sex marriage.

Following a meeting on Monday evening, 38 councillors voted in favour of the motion, with 13 against. Two abstained during the vote, meaning the motion was carried.

It is understood to have been moved by Alliance councillor Emmet McDonough-Brown.

Of those in attendance, councillors from Sinn Féin and Alliance voted in favour, as did all but two SDLP councillors. The PUP and the Green Party also supported the motion, while all but three Ulster Unionists voted in favour. The DUP councillors at the meeting also voted against.

The two councillors that abstained from the vote were from the SDLP.

In a tweet, McDonough-Brown said after the meeting: "Delighted @belfastcc supports my #MarriageEquaility motion. It's always impossible until it's done. Proud to support those I admire and love."

The vote follows a referendum in the Republic of Ireland last month regarding the legalisation of same-sex marriage. Of those who voted, a majority were in favour of same-sex marriage.

New Nursery Unit To Be Established In Rathfriland

A new part-time nursery unit is to be set up at a primary school in Rathfriland.

Education Minister John O'Dowd said: "The evidence clearly demonstrates that there is a need for more pre-school places for the benefit of the children in the Rathfriland area.

"However, I am mindful that the current admissions process for 2015/16 pre-school places is nearing completion and I do not wish to impact on the decisions already made for those pupils.

"In addition, the necessary infrastructure cannot be in place for this September so I am therefore modifying the proposal to be implemented from 1 September 2016, or as soon as possible thereafter."

Public Consultation On Extending Clare's Law To Be Introduced

The Minister of Justice is to introduce a public consultation on extending Clare's Law in Northern Ireland.

The deputy leader of the SDLP Dolores Kelly also negotiated with the Minister of Justice to introduce Domestic Violence Protection Orders and Notices.

Mrs Kelly said: "It is estimated that one in four women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime and it accounts for 20% of all recorded violent crime in Northern Ireland. It is further estimated that in the UK two women a week die at the hands of a former or current partner.

"Attitudes around domestic violence have progressed but they have not progressed far enough. When faced with incidents of domestic abuse, the first question that comes to many people's mind is 'Why doesn't she leave?' rather than, 'Why does he do it?' or even, 'How does he get away with it?'

"That is why the SDLP saw this Bill as an opportunity to introduce provisions that would provide greater protections for those suffering domestic violence and those at risk of domestic abuse.

"I am therefore glad to have successfully persuaded the Minister to issue instructions to legislative counsel for the introduction of Domestic Violence Protection Orders and Notices.

"The DVPNs will enable police to ban a perpetrator from returning home and from contacting the victim of domestic abuse for up to 48 hours, and DVPOs give magistrates the power to do that for up to 28 days."

(CD/JP)