Other News In Brief

Infrastructure Minister Refuses To Discuss Grass Cutting Issue In Belfast

NI's Infrastructure Minister has refused to attend a meeting to discuss the lack of grass cutting in Belfast.

Alliance Councillor Michael Long accused Minister Chris Hazzard of "hiding in the long grass".

Mr Long made the request after raising constituents' concerns with the Department over the overgrown grass throughout Belfast, which has led to a number of dangerous situations.

However, Minister Hazzard has replied to state that due to an allocation of extra money to roads maintenance activities, "a meeting would not be beneficial at this time".

Mr Long said: "While it is welcome that more money is being diverted to maintaining our roads and associated issues, the Minister needs to realise there must be wider solutions developed that prevents situations such as overgrown grass becoming such a big issue every year.

"It is therefore disappointing the Minister has refused to meet, particularly given the number of constituents that have come to me with their concerns. While it may not sound like a major issue to some, overgrown grass can lead to dangerous situations such as drivers being unable to see around corners, as well as aesthetic problems."

Exploris Aquarium To Officially Open Following Refurb Work

Refurbishment work at the Exploris Aquarium in Portaferry, Co Down, has been completed.

The aquarium is to officially open on Monday, 15 August.

It has been fully renovated as part of a joint investment of almost £2million by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Ards and North Down Borough Council and Crumlin Road Gaol Ltd, who will also be operating the facility.

As well as new and improved enclosures for the wide range of fishes and aquatic species the aquarium previously accommodated, the new Exploris retains the seal sanctuary and incorporates specially constructed living environments for otters and, for the first time in Northern Ireland, a Nile crocodile.

Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Michelle McIlveen recently visited the aquarium on the shores of Strangford Lough.

She said: "I was impressed by the high quality attraction it has now become while retaining at its core an educational experience. There is something for visitors of all ages.

"My Department has invested more than £900,000 in the renovation works, and will also be making an annual contribution of up to £120,000 towards the running costs of the seal sanctuary."

Call For Irish Passport Office To Be Opened In Belfast

Sinn Fein is calling for an Irish passport office to be opened in Belfast after figures revealed there were 46,257 passport applications from the six counties between January and July this year.

Dublin South West Sinn Féin TD, Seán Crowe, said: "The huge increase in citizens in the North looking for an Irish Passport, particularly following the Brexit vote, merits a new approach, and in my opinion, a new office being opened to meet this growing demand.

"There were 46,257 passport applications from the Six Counties between January and July of this year, that's an 18.85% increase on the same time last year. After the EU referendum result some post offices in Belfast ran out of passport forms such was the rise in demand.

"With passport applications continuing to rise it is clear that a passport office in Belfast makes practical and logistical sense. It would also make the application process much easier for Irish citizens based in the North of Ireland."

(CD/JP)