Stormont House Legacy Mechanisms Must Be Implemented In Full – SF

The Stormont House legacy mechanisms need to be implemented in full, Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has said.

Calling on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to "listen to the voices of victims" following comments from British Secretary of State about legislation for an amnesty for British state forces.

The north Belfast MLA said: "The British secretary of state has once again laid bare what victims know, the British government will put British state forces above the law and above the needs of victims.

"British armed forces cannot be placed above the rule of law and accountability.

"And victims of the conflict and their families cannot be denied access to the courts in pursuit of truth and justice.

"Boris Johnson's Tory government needs to listen to the voices of victims and their families.

"They should withdraw their controversial amnesty proposals for state forces outlined in his government's command paper on the 14th July and instead commit to fully implementing the Stormont House Agreement in a human rights compliant manner."

Artwork Explores History And Heritage Of Belfast City Cemetery

School children's artwork exploring the history and heritage of Belfast City Cemetery has been unveiled as part of a £2.8 million heritage project.

130 children aged between 8 and 16 worked with local artists Frankie Maher and Robert Peters on the project, which involved the young people learning about the history and heritage of the cemetery and producing paintings inspired by it and the notable figures buried within its walls.

The initiative is part of the City Cemetery Heritage Project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Belfast City Council. It involves construction of a new visitor centre, restoration of some of the cemetery's key listed assets, installation of new interpretive signage throughout the site, and delivery of an activity programme which aims to attract more visitors.

Councillor Áine Groogan, Chair of Belfast City Council's Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, said: "There is a wealth of history and heritage within City Cemetery, so it is fantastic that so many young people have been educated through this arts project, while also producing some very impressive paintings.

"Thanks to the investment by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Belfast City Council in the City Cemetery Heritage Project, we have ambitious plans to attract thousands of additional visitors annually in the years ahead including schools, youth groups, local and international visitors.

"The new visitor centre, along with interpretive signage across the site, will transform how people interact with the cemetery, helping to unlock its many stories. Our outreach and activity plans will also help to increase visitor numbers through regular guided tours, a schools programmes, workshops and volunteering opportunities."

Dating back to the 1860s, Belfast City Cemetery is one of the oldest public cemeteries in the city. It is the final resting place of many notable figures including Edward Harland, co-founder of Harland & Wolff; Margaret Byers, suffragist and founder of Victoria College and Sir William Pirrie, chairman of Harland & Wolff and former Lord Mayor of Belfast.

The site also contains many points of historical interest, including the poor ground where over 80,000 souls lie in unmarked graves and an underground wall, which was built in Victorian times to separate Protestant and Catholic graves. The cemetery also has a number of key listed heritage assets including the central steps, Victorian fountain and Jewish Cemetery.

Groups who took part in the art project include Matt Talbot, Holy Trinity, St John's, Newhill and St Teresa's youth clubs, Upper Springfield Streetworks, Education Authority, Cumann Oige Naomh Gall, Gaelscoil na bhFál, Springfield and John Paul ll primary schools.

Lord Frost Comments On NI Trade 'Chilling' – SDLP

The UK Brexit Minister Lord Frost stating that the growth in North-South trade is a problem that the government must work quickly to resolve has been described as "chilling", by SDLP Brexit spokesperson Matthew O'Toole.

Lord Frost reportedly made the comments at a Tory conference fringe event last night.

Matthew O'Toole MLA said: "To hear David Frost rail against the EU is nothing new, but to hear him state clearly and coldly that he wants to damage north-south trade and stop Northern Ireland's growing exports to the EU single market is sickening and chilling. It is clear Frost isn't looking for solutions to smooth the flow of goods from GB into NI – which we all want to see – but is determined to destroy the unique economic advantage that Northern Ireland now has.

"We have been among the least productive regions in these islands for most of our history. Brexit has posed huge threats to our society and economy, but the dual market access under the Protocol offers us a rare and unique opportunity to be at the crossroads of two major markets. As Lord Frost himself acknowledged in his remarks, the statistics show that trade from NI to the Republic is increasing positively – but he wants to end that.

"To hear a British minister state coldly and clearly they want to harm our small chance at prosperity is utterly shocking, though hardly surprising. Unionist politicians should now be clear that the upshot of what they are asking for is damage to the Northern Ireland economy they profess to care about so much."