Other News In Brief

Pedestrian Safety Improvement Scheme Underway In Dunmurry

A £500,000 pedestrian safety improvement scheme has gotten underway at the McKinstry Road Roundabout in Dunmurry.

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said: "I am committed to ensuring our infrastructure is inclusive for all our citizens and I am pleased to announce that my Department will be delivering improvements to the roundabout which will include significant safety improvements for pedestrians.

"The scheme will see the realignment of the roundabout and the provision of three new PUFFIN controlled pedestrian crossings on Creighton Road, McKinstry Road and Stewartstown Road. The aim is to improve road safety for pedestrians and in particular vulnerable road users such as children, the elderly, those who are visually impaired and those with a disability.

"This is a busy thoroughfare carrying some 20,000 vehicles per day and close to a Glider Halt, Business Park, School and the new McDonald’s Drive Thru Restaurant. I gave a commitment to residents, to local young people in particular, that we would work exceptionably hard to accelerate a scheme at this location and we have done just that.

"The crossings will also improve active travel opportunities in the area, providing safer access to those wishing to walk, wheel or cycle.

"I am confident the new crossings will make a big difference to the local community and visitors to the area.

"I would ask the public for their patience while these works are completed."

Alliance Calls For Flexibility On Booster Jabs

Alliance Health spokesperson, Paula Bradshaw, has called for flexibility on the six-month restriction on booster jabs, as people seek third doses prior to the Christmas season.

The South Belfast MLA said the option should be made open to all adults as soon as possible.

Making the call, she said: "There is increasing evidence from across Europe protection from full vaccination wanes from earlier than six months after the second dose, so there is no reason to be absolutely insistent on a gap of at least six months.

"This is particularly so when, for example, someone is assisting a family member attend a practice or a pharmacist for their booster jab. If one family member is at seven months and another at five-and-a-half, it would make sense in terms of efficiency and efficacy simply to offer the vaccine to both.

"The early results from the booster trials are extremely encouraging and it is essential we get as many people through the system before Christmas. For that reason, I hope the system will be opened up to all adults imminently, and will be made subject only to a recommended six-month gap between second and third dose with reasonable flexibility and common sense built in, to ensure as many people who want to get their booster before the end of the year can do so."

Finance Minister Has 'Serious Questions To Answer' Over Rates Bill

The Finance Minister, Sinn Féin's Conor Murphy, has "serious questions to answer" over the non-domestic rates valuations bill, SDLP Finance Spokesperson Matthew O'Toole has said.

Mr O'Toole said it was only right and proper that the bill goes through the proper channels and the Finance Committee is given the opportunity to scrutinise it.

The South Belfast MLA said: "The SDLP were unable to back giving this bill accelerated passage today as Minister Murphy still has a number of serious questions to answer around its potential impact. While we accept similar legislation is progressing in parts of Britain, none of them have received accelerated passage and are currently undergoing thorough scrutiny and the same must be the case here. I would also ask why this bill is only coming before us now when the British government started proceeding with similar legislation in March 2021.

"The fact that an alleged whistleblower has come forward and made a number of claims relating to this legislation underlines the importance of ensuring that we dedicate the proper time to going through it and ensuring we emerge with a robust and thorough bill. Minister Murphy must clear this matter up and tell us if he knew there was a problem around rates, what has he done to address it and what impact will it have on our budget.

"The Minister has made serious claims relating to the financial consequences of reviewing the value of non-domestic properties impacted by Covid-19. Given the serious damage done to these institutions by the RHI scandal and the erosion of public confidence in Stormont as a result, we cannot allow legislation like this to go through on the nod. I am surprised that the Minister responsible for implementing many of the RHI Inquiry reviews would seek to progress legislation in this way in the first place.

"The SDLP is prepared to give this legislation the scrutiny it deserves, even if that means additional sittings of the Finance Committee or the Assembly because we are serious about good governance. We would welcome a similar approach from Sinn Féin and those in the Alliance Party who voted in favour of ramming this through with zero scrutiny."