Other News In Brief

Witnesses Sought To Ballymena Road Traffic Collision

An appeal has been issued for witnesses to a serious road traffic collision in Ballymena.

The incident took place at on Cullybackey Road at approximately 9am yesterday, Thursday 07 October 2021.

In a statement, PSNI Mid & East Antrim said: "Were you travelling on Cullybackey Road or Fenaghy Road at approximately 9am, did you witness the road traffic collision?

"Do you have dash cam footage?

"If you have any further information in relation to the Road traffic collision please contact us on 101 and quote reference number 354 from 07 October 2021."

Grants Support Scheme Launches For Local Fishing Businesses

A new £1.9 million grant has been introduced to support local fishing businesses across Northern Ireland.

The Maritime and Fisheries Fund for Northern Ireland replaces the now fully-committed European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. Financial support totalling £1.9million for fishing and aquaculture stakeholders is available up to 31 March 2022. The new funding is designed to deliver benefits to fishermen, processing and aquaculture businesses, port authorities, inland fishers and stakeholders with environmental interests.

Announcing the opening of the Scheme during a visit to Portavogie harbour, Fisheries Minister Edwin Poots said: "I am pleased to announce the opening of the £1.9m Maritime and Fisheries Fund (Northern Ireland) with immediate effect. As the funding has been provided by HM Treasury as a 'one-year settlement' only, I would encourage stakeholders to engage with my Department promptly in order that applications can be submitted as soon as possible as this funding must be utilised by 31 March 2022.

"During my visit to Portavogie harbour I have seen the benefits of such schemes to our local fishermen and businesses, such as investing in new machinery and infrastructure, which in turn enables them to continue to remain competitive within the industry during these challenging times."

Minister Poots added: "My Department will be delivering this Scheme in tandem with the development of a five year strategy for future fisheries support from April 2022 onwards which will be reflective of the current focus on sustainability, green growth, blue economy, resilience and adapting to the post-Brexit landscape."

The 2021/22 support is similar to the previous EMFF funding programme in terms of making applications and aims to support safer fishing initiatives, investments on board fishing vessels, innovative projects and processes, marketing initiatives and research; more selective fishing gear and practices, and ports infrastructure developments as well investment by fish processors and aquaculture operations.

DUP Calls For Irish Sea Border To Be Removed

DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP has called for the Irish Sea border to go during a meeting with Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin this morning, 08 October.

Speaking about the meeting, Sir Donaldson said: "I gave an honest appraisal of serious challenges lying ahead for Northern Ireland and north-south relations.

"The decision by President Higgins to boycott the cross community centenary service was ill-judged and has set back the relationship. When contrasted with Her Majesty the Queen's visit to the Republic of Ireland, Michael D Higgin’s approach to the centenary has been driven more by civil war politics than by reconciliation in 2021. He failed to either consider or else ignored the offence to unionists.

"I recognise and welcome that both Irish government parties will send representatives to the cross-community service, but the damage has been done and will take time to heal.

"On the Protocol, I reminded the Taoiseach that the Irish Sea border must go. Northern Ireland must be free to trade with the rest of the United Kingdom.

"Whilst six months ago the EU was denying there was a problem and refusing to even consider change, the acceptance that change is now necessary is welcome and a vindication of our approach.

"I recognise that there has been a change in language from Brussels and London but it is action we require. Time is short. This Protocol is undermining the Union and is costing our economy £850m per year. This is not a time for tweaks or tinkering. Legislative change is required.

"With every elected unionist calling for change, if London and Brussels fail to take action, I reminded the Taoiseach that I will not hesitate in taking the matter to the electorate and asking the people to register their opposition to the Protocol at the ballot box."