Report 'Completely Vindicates' Warnings On Energy - Chambers

The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee Inquiry and Report into the Electricity Sector "completely vindicates the concerns raised at Stormont by the Ulster Unionist Party before the Executive fell", UUP Economy Spokeperson Alan Chambers MLA has said.

Mr Chambers said: "The warnings we gave about the threat to security of electricity supply have been reiterated in the Report, which clearly identifies the need for new generating capacity within Northern Ireland.

"When we put forward and debated a motion on this subject at Stormont in November 2016, we faced a hostile reaction from the massed ranks of the then partners in the DUP/ Sinn Fein Executive, who accused us of scaremongering and worse. Where are those voices of complacency and denial now, when we have another Report which states we are heading to a situation where, if decisions are not made now, we will struggle to keep the lights on after 2021?

"The problem is that we have had energy reports and recommendations before. Just one example was the Energy and Manufacturing Advisory Group (EMAG) report which contained 24 recommendations and was presented to the Minister at Stormont last April. Despite repeated questions, no official response has emerged from a Department embroiled in the RHI debacle. So we have had reports, we have had debates, but we have had no action from government and a vacuum where an energy policy for Northern Ireland should exist."

Flying Of SAS Flag Condemned

Sinn Féin's Mickey Brady has condemned the flying of an SAS flag at Loughgall as insensitive which will add further distress to the families of the nine men who were killed there 30 years ago.

Republicans recently held a commemoration in Cappagh to remember the fatal events of 08 May 1987 when eight IRA Volunteers and civilian Anthony Hughes were shot dead by the SAS in the village.

He said: "Having recently attended a commemoration to mark the 30th anniversary of the Loughgall massacre, I'm appalled to learn that a British SAS flag has been reported as flying in the village.

"This shameful act of glorification will only serve to add further distress to the families of the nine men as we approach the 30th anniversary."

Lack Of Agreement On Posters Is 'Disappointing' - Alliance

Alliance Lagan Valley Westminster candidate Aaron McIntyre has said the lack of a local agreement on posters in the constituency is disappointing, after the DUP put up its posters in the area without attempting to discuss the matter with other parties.

It follows an agreement between the main parties for March's Assembly election, which saw no posters until the day before the election, when they were placed around polling stations.

He said: "The recent no-poster agreement in Lagan Valley in the Assembly election received a positive response from the people of the constituency. As a result, Alliance was open to negotiations to participate in a similar agreement for this campaign.

"It is therefore disappointing the DUP decided to go ahead and place their posters up already throughout Lagan Valley. The expensive boards for posters have now been ordered, so we are past the point of no return and unfortunately we will be unable to have an agreement this time."

(CD)