13/02/2024
Other News In Brief
Assembly Finance Committee Urged To Prioritise Funding Formula Inquiry
The Alliance Party has called on the Assembly Finance Committee to prioritise an inquiry into Northern Ireland's funding formula.
The party's Finance spokesperson, Eóin Tennyson, made the call ahead of the first meeting of the Finance committee on Wednesday.
The Upper Bann MLA said: "Northern Ireland is the only devolved administration which has been funded below its independently assessed level of relative need, as attested to by the Fiscal Council.
"Alliance has been making this case for some time and it is welcome the UK Government has finally conceded a change in approach is required.
"However, the proposed adjustment to our funding formula falls far short of what is required to remedy the issue. Rather than replicating the Welsh-style fiscal floor, the formula instead acts as a fiscal ceiling, slowly lifting Northern Ireland's funding to a point below which it should never have been permitted to fall in the first place.
"There are a number of arguments for the adjustment to be higher than the 124 per cent outlined. Properly accounting for Northern Ireland's policing and justice would lift the floor to 127 per cent and there are a number of reasons why the floor should be higher still.
"Ensuring our funding formula properly reflects relative need is essential if we are to deliver sustainable public finances and properly fund public services for the people of Northern Ireland. It is imperative therefore the Finance Committee initiates an inquiry into this issue as its first priority."
SF Welcomes Investment In Addressing Potholes Across NI
Sinn Féin has welcomed the announcement by the Department for Infrastructure of an additional £1 million investment in NI's road network, with a specific priority to address potholes.
The party's transport spokesperson, MLA Cathal Boylan, said: "I welcome today's announcement by infrastructure minister John O'Dowd to help improve our roads and fix potholes.
"This is an important and quick intervention by the minister to invest in our roads, to address the backlog in road maintenance work and make our roads safer."
PSNI Appeal For Information On Theft Of Ewes From Claudy Farm
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information following the theft of 13 pregnant ewes from a farm in Claudy.
It was reported to police, that sometime between 10am on Wednesday 07 February and 10.30am on Thursday 08 February, 13 Suffolk/Texel-cross ewes expecting lambs were taken from a field at the junction of Kilcreen road and Altinure Road. The ewes all had red markings on their left side.
Sergeant Johnston of Sperrin Neighbourhood Policing Team in Strabane said: "The removal of these ewes would have required planning and the use of a vehicle, for example a trailer, to transport the animals away from the area. I'm appealing to anyone who recalls seeing any unfamiliar vehicles in the area, between last Wednesday morning and 10:30am the next day, to call us.
"The theft of these ewes will be of a significant loss to the farmer. Not only is there the value of the ewes and the lambs, but there is also the cost involved in rearing and farming the animals. We're urging anyone with information about the animals' whereabouts, or who took them, to get in touch. It may be a detail that you think is insignificant, but it could make a difference."
The number to call with information is 101, quoting reference 1564 of 09/02/24, or make a report online via www.psni.police.uk/report. Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Sergeant Johnston continued: "Last month we received a report of 50 Texel and Suffolk-bred ewe lambs, with orange markings, taken from a field on Teenaght Road in Claudy sometime between 7pm on Thursday, 25th January and 7am on Friday 26th January. Enquiries are ongoing in relation to this, including to establish if this is linked with the theft on Kilcreen Road.
"In the meantime, to work to prevent these type of thefts, there are a number of steps farmers can take to reduce the risk including padlock field gates, ensure stock is clearly marked and records are up to date, check stock regularly, vary times of feeding/check-ups and ask neighbours to report any sightings of unusual vehicles loading sheep.
"The tighter your farm security, the more difficult it will be for thieves to steal your livestock, or equipment."
The Alliance Party has called on the Assembly Finance Committee to prioritise an inquiry into Northern Ireland's funding formula.
The party's Finance spokesperson, Eóin Tennyson, made the call ahead of the first meeting of the Finance committee on Wednesday.
The Upper Bann MLA said: "Northern Ireland is the only devolved administration which has been funded below its independently assessed level of relative need, as attested to by the Fiscal Council.
"Alliance has been making this case for some time and it is welcome the UK Government has finally conceded a change in approach is required.
"However, the proposed adjustment to our funding formula falls far short of what is required to remedy the issue. Rather than replicating the Welsh-style fiscal floor, the formula instead acts as a fiscal ceiling, slowly lifting Northern Ireland's funding to a point below which it should never have been permitted to fall in the first place.
"There are a number of arguments for the adjustment to be higher than the 124 per cent outlined. Properly accounting for Northern Ireland's policing and justice would lift the floor to 127 per cent and there are a number of reasons why the floor should be higher still.
"Ensuring our funding formula properly reflects relative need is essential if we are to deliver sustainable public finances and properly fund public services for the people of Northern Ireland. It is imperative therefore the Finance Committee initiates an inquiry into this issue as its first priority."
SF Welcomes Investment In Addressing Potholes Across NI
Sinn Féin has welcomed the announcement by the Department for Infrastructure of an additional £1 million investment in NI's road network, with a specific priority to address potholes.
The party's transport spokesperson, MLA Cathal Boylan, said: "I welcome today's announcement by infrastructure minister John O'Dowd to help improve our roads and fix potholes.
"This is an important and quick intervention by the minister to invest in our roads, to address the backlog in road maintenance work and make our roads safer."
PSNI Appeal For Information On Theft Of Ewes From Claudy Farm
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information following the theft of 13 pregnant ewes from a farm in Claudy.
It was reported to police, that sometime between 10am on Wednesday 07 February and 10.30am on Thursday 08 February, 13 Suffolk/Texel-cross ewes expecting lambs were taken from a field at the junction of Kilcreen road and Altinure Road. The ewes all had red markings on their left side.
Sergeant Johnston of Sperrin Neighbourhood Policing Team in Strabane said: "The removal of these ewes would have required planning and the use of a vehicle, for example a trailer, to transport the animals away from the area. I'm appealing to anyone who recalls seeing any unfamiliar vehicles in the area, between last Wednesday morning and 10:30am the next day, to call us.
"The theft of these ewes will be of a significant loss to the farmer. Not only is there the value of the ewes and the lambs, but there is also the cost involved in rearing and farming the animals. We're urging anyone with information about the animals' whereabouts, or who took them, to get in touch. It may be a detail that you think is insignificant, but it could make a difference."
The number to call with information is 101, quoting reference 1564 of 09/02/24, or make a report online via www.psni.police.uk/report. Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Sergeant Johnston continued: "Last month we received a report of 50 Texel and Suffolk-bred ewe lambs, with orange markings, taken from a field on Teenaght Road in Claudy sometime between 7pm on Thursday, 25th January and 7am on Friday 26th January. Enquiries are ongoing in relation to this, including to establish if this is linked with the theft on Kilcreen Road.
"In the meantime, to work to prevent these type of thefts, there are a number of steps farmers can take to reduce the risk including padlock field gates, ensure stock is clearly marked and records are up to date, check stock regularly, vary times of feeding/check-ups and ask neighbours to report any sightings of unusual vehicles loading sheep.
"The tighter your farm security, the more difficult it will be for thieves to steal your livestock, or equipment."
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19 September 2018
Up To 100 Roads Closed As Storm Ali Hits NI
A growing number of roads across Northern Ireland are closed due to adverse weather conditions as a result of Storm Ali.
Up To 100 Roads Closed As Storm Ali Hits NI
A growing number of roads across Northern Ireland are closed due to adverse weather conditions as a result of Storm Ali.
02 March 2018
Schools Closures Across NI
The Department of Education have published a list of all schools across that have confirmed they will be closed today, Friday 2nd March, 2018 due to the adverse weather conditions.
Schools Closures Across NI
The Department of Education have published a list of all schools across that have confirmed they will be closed today, Friday 2nd March, 2018 due to the adverse weather conditions.
20 September 2018
Number Of Roads Remain Closed Following Storm Ali
A number of roads remain closed across Northern Ireland following the damage caused by Storm Ali. The following roads are still closed, however the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) is working to clear the obstructions along with its multiagency partners.
Number Of Roads Remain Closed Following Storm Ali
A number of roads remain closed across Northern Ireland following the damage caused by Storm Ali. The following roads are still closed, however the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) is working to clear the obstructions along with its multiagency partners.
05 January 2006
Road death figures are lowest in 50 years
Figures released today by the Department of the Environment have revealed that road deaths in Northern Ireland last year were at the lowest level in 50 years. The total number of road deaths in 2005 totalled 136, the lowest number since 1952 when 133 people lost their lives at at time when there was one eighth of the number of vehicles on the road.
Road death figures are lowest in 50 years
Figures released today by the Department of the Environment have revealed that road deaths in Northern Ireland last year were at the lowest level in 50 years. The total number of road deaths in 2005 totalled 136, the lowest number since 1952 when 133 people lost their lives at at time when there was one eighth of the number of vehicles on the road.
01 June 2017
Man Dies In Workplace Accident In Co Armagh
A man has died in a workplace accident in Co Armagh. It is believed the man was crushed by a road roller while a new road surface was being laid on the Bog Road, Forkhill, on Wednesday, 31 May. Police and the Health and Safety Executive have launched an investigation.
Man Dies In Workplace Accident In Co Armagh
A man has died in a workplace accident in Co Armagh. It is believed the man was crushed by a road roller while a new road surface was being laid on the Bog Road, Forkhill, on Wednesday, 31 May. Police and the Health and Safety Executive have launched an investigation.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.