Other News In Brief

Investigation Launched Following Aggravated Burglary In Newtownabbey

An investigation has launched following an aggravated burglary in Newtownabbey.

The incident happened in the Ravelston Drive area at around 10pm on Thursday night.

Several males entered a house and forced a 32-year-old female and her nine-year-old daughter into an upstairs room. The intruders then waited for a 26-year-old male to return home.  

When he arrived at the address, he was tied up, blindfolded and assaulted during a sustained attack when a suspected firearm was brandished. The man remains in hospital receiving treatment to facial injuries and cuts to his body which, although serious, are not believed to be life-threatening. 

Police are appealing for information.

Committee Launches Consultation On Small-Scale Green Energy Bill

Sinn Féin MLA John O'Dowd has welcomed the Economy Committee's online consultation on his Small-Scale Green Energy Bill. The Committee is currently scrutinising the bill after it passed second stage in the Assembly in September.

The legislation will support individuals to generate their own renewable green energy which can then be sold back to the grid.

The Upper Bann MLA said: "I would encourage as many people as possible to respond to the Committee consultation and play their part in shaping this important piece of legislation.

"Rising energy costs is a very live issue at present as the rising costs of fuels is hitting workers and families hard.

"My bill will give ordinary people and community groups the ability to generate their own green renewable electricity and income, as the green power can be sold back to the grid, this will help energy users to become energy suppliers and will help us move away from fossil fuels.

"I look forward to the Committee scrutinising my Bill over the coming weeks and hopefully the Bill passing all legislative stages so that we can deliver real benefits to workers and families."

Govt Admission On Inability To Implement Tax Policy In NI Is A Shocking Admission Of Failure - Empey

Ulster Unionist Peer, Lord Empey has described the Government's confirmation that it cannot enforce its own tax policy in Northern Ireland without permission from the EU as a shocking admission of failure.

Lord Empey said: "If anyone is still in any doubt as to the impact the Protocol is having on the normal life of the United Kingdom and in the exercise of British sovereignty in Northern Ireland, then this written answer I have received should settle it.

"We have now reached the stage where the United Kingdom Government cannot enforce taxation policy in a part of the UK unless the EU gives permission.

"That is a truly shocking admission of failure which could never be accepted in any sovereign state. Once upon a time a Chancellor of the Exchequer introduced a budget and it was implemented right across this country. Now a Treasury Minister is telling me that the Government is ‘seeking a more flexible settlement with regard to the Northern Ireland Protocol to ensure all of the UK can benefit from tax changes such as the alcohol duty reforms announced at Budget. The Government will continue to discuss the application of the alcohol duty reforms to Northern Ireland with the EU.’

"If Her Majesty's Government really cannot implement tax policies across the UK and requires EU permission to do so in Northern Ireland, then what it is really saying is that Northern Ireland is effectively under some form of joint authority between the UK and the EU."