Other News In Brief

City Hall And Grounds Closed Amid Strike Action

Belfast City Hall and its ground have been closed to the public amid strike action, it has been reported.

Council staff launched strike action on Monday, which is scheduled to last until 08 May in a dispute over pay.

A range of council services, including waste collection, are to be affected during the strike.

It is understood that registration services are still operating, but the Hall, alongside its visitors attractions are currently closed to the piblic.

DAERA Announce End Of Avian Influenza Restrictions

The Department for the Environment, Rural Affairs and Agriculture (DAERA) has confirmed that the housing measures which were introduced to help stop the spread of avian influenza will be lifted from 00:01 on Monday 2 May 2022.

Poultry and other captive birds will no longer need to be housed and will be allowed to be kept outside. As infection may still be circulating in the environment, scrupulous standards of biosecurity remain essential. The enhanced biosecurity requirements that were brought in as part of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) currently remain in force and all poultry gatherings remain banned.

Those who intend to allow their birds outside are advised to use the upcoming days to prepare their outside areas for the release of their birds. This will include cleansing and disinfection of hard surfaces, fencing off ponds or standing water and reintroduction of wild bird deterrents.

Excellent biosecurity remains the best defence for reducing the risk of transmission of avian influenza to poultry or other captive birds. More information on biosecurity and a self-assessment tool to aid flock keepers in the review of their biosecurity arrangements.

DUP: Border Poll 'Last Thing NI Needs'

Sinn Fein's call for a date to be set for a border poll is "the last thing Northern Ireland needs", the DUP's Strangford candidate Peter Weir has said

Peter Weir said: "It is now confirmed that if Sinn Fein win this election, they will seize this as a mandate for a border poll to be called.

"Central in their manifesto launch was setting a date for a border poll. With Northern Ireland just emerging from effects of covid and a cost of living crisis as a result of the war in Ukraine, the last thing we need is a divisive border poll.

"No matter how Sinn Fein dress it up, a Sinn Fein win will place a focus on a divisive border poll and take Northern Ireland in the wrong direction.

"If unionists want to see us focus on the cost of living and our health service within the Union they need to vote to secure that by giving the DUP a first preference vote."