£4m Extended Funding Secured For NI Roadworks

£4 million of extended funding has been secured to carry out essential roadworks throughout Northern Ireland.

The funding will be used for resurfacing parts of the road network where the need is greatest.

Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy said: "The steps I am taking will allow my Department's essential road resurfacing programme to continue into the Autumn months, as well as providing some immediate respite for the industry. It is a responsible decision in the context of the financial problems facing the Department.

"In light of the need to maintain our road network at a reasonable level and to retain skills and capacity in the local construction industry which is currently facing real difficulties, I have decided to extend funding for structural maintenance until end of October in the expectation of a monitoring round."

Culture Minister Launches Líofa Campaign

Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín has launched the Líofa campaign in Croke Park, with the help of the GAA.

Líofa aims to encourage every citizen, regardless of their background or level of expertise, to embrace the Irish language.

She said: "This launch is linked to the GAA's objective to promote the Irish language within their clubs. Through the GAA, I want to increase the number of people speaking Irish, to improve fluency levels and to broaden the appeal of the language.

"The Irish language is for everyone and forms a vital part of the island’s shared cultural heritage. Through this link with the GAA, I want to increase the reach of the Líofa campaign through sport.

"It is a real pleasure to be here in Croke Park to speak about the Irish language and I thank the GAA and its President Aogán Ó Fearghail for this opportunity.

"When I launched the Líofa campaign in the north, I initially set a target of 1,000 people signing up to the campaign by 2015. This was quickly met and I have revised the target several times since then. The current target is 20,000 people signed up by 2020."

SDLP Renews Call To Review Refugee Places

SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan has renewed his call on British Prime Minister David Cameron to urgently review the places available in the UK for refugees involved in the Mediterranean crisis who are fleeing violence, persecution and suffering in their own countries.

Mr Durkan's renewed call comes after the tiny body of a young migrant boy, Aylan Kurdi, was photographed washed up on the shores of the Mediterranean. Aylan was on an overcrowded dingy with refugees fleeing the war in Syria when it capsized shortly into the crossing to the Greek island of Kos.

Mr Durkan said: "I am deeply shocked and saddened by the image of young Aylan washed up on the shore of Kos.

"I am also deeply concerned that more than 2,500 migrants – not least women and children – have died in 2015 trying to reach Europe.

"Before the summer recess, I joined MPs in calling on the Prime Minister to recognise the fatal impact of the decision last October to cancel Operation Mare Nostrum – which had mobilised extra warships and aircraft to prevent further tragedies in the Mediterranean."

(CD/JP)