Other News In Brief

Over 100 School Pupils Participate In City Hall Language Event

Belfast City Hall has hosted more than 100 school pupils have participated in Seachtain na Gaeilge, part of the council's Language Strategy to reflect on, and celebrate, the diverse nature of the city and its different languages and cultures.

The schools enjoyed Irish language song and story workshops with performances from musicians Cormac 'Buzz' Ó Briain and Aodhán Mac Sheafraidh.

Schools attending were Scoil na Fuiseoige, Scoil an Droichid, Gaelscoil Éanna, Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagáin, St Malachy's College and St Dominic's Grammar.

Lord Mayor, Councillor Ryan Murphy, who opened the event, said: "I'm delighted to be at this special event to mark Seachtain na Gaeilge.

"Irish language impacts on all communities in the city and it is a huge part of the rich, shared history of Belfast.

"It's wonderful to see so many school pupils here today who not only speak the Irish language but want to ensure it develops and is integrated in communities.

"It is these young people with their vibrant and positive attitudes who will continue to boost and promote language diversity in our city.  This event is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate all that is great about the Irish language.

"As a council, we are committed to Belfast becoming a more inclusive city, as outlined in the city's community plan, Belfast Agenda, and are delivering on ensuring language equality and diversity be at its forefront."

The event in City Hall is among the council's St Patrick's Day programme of events for Belfast.

Spraoi Cois Lao - an Irish language fun day – took place at Custom House Square last weekend, organised by Conradh na Gaeilge and Feile an Phobail.  The event featured musicians, dancers, activities, games, food and entertainment, all celebrating the Irish language.

NI Green's Leader To Stand For Election In The Seanad

The Green Party has announced that Mal O'Hara, the party's leader in Northern Ireland, will stand as a Seanad candidate.

If elected, O'Hara would be the first elected senator who classified himself politically in the North as "other" which means he does not exclusively represent either nationalist nor unionist traditions. It would also ensure that Northern representation continues.

O'Hara was previously nominated by the Green Party's Seanad Election Task Force and the Executive Committee and will now be the party's candidate when the Seanad fills the position created by the resignation of Sinn Fein's Niall Ó Donnghaile.

The Green Party currently has four senators in the upper house: Pippa Hackett, Pauline O'Reilly, Roisin Garvey and Vincent Martin. O'Hara comes from North Belfast and has been the Leader of the Green Party Northern Ireland since August 2022. He was deputy leader from 2019. Before entering politics, he worked in the community and voluntary sector for almost two decades, addressing inequality and building peace in the most deprived areas of Belfast. He was previously the health manager at Ireland's largest LGBTQ+ organisation, is the former Vice-Chair of the Equal Marriage Campaign in the North, was a board member for both a local and regional mental health charity and a former Harbour Commissioner.

Party leader Eamon Ryan said today that: "Mal's nomination is a proud moment for the Green Party both north and south of the border and strengthens the all-island nature of our party. As a senator, Mal could be a strong voice for all communities across the North as well as the disadvantaged, the LGBT community and, of course, the environment."

Alliance Welcomes New recycling And Waste Management Proposals

The Alliance Party's Agriculture and Environment spokesperson. John Blair, has welcomed new recycling and waste management proposals as "fantastic news for the environment".

Mr Blair was speaking after the Alliance DAERA Minister launched a 12-week consultation entitled 'Rethinking Our Resources: Measures for Climate Action and a Circular Economy in NI.'

"The consultation launched by Minister Andrew Muir is fantastic news for the environment as it contains 26 proposals which allow for greater opportunities to maximise recycling. Included are proposals for a wider variety of materials in kerbside bins and enhancing food waste collections," Blair said.

"Northern Ireland has made significant progress in recycling over the last twenty years. Now, through this consultation, we can potentially increase our household recycling rate from 51 per cent to 74 per cent. Achieving these rates is vital to not only hitting but exceeding the targets set out in the Climate Change Act. Doing so is, ultimately, essential to protecting our environment.

"I am pleased the Minister chose to launch this consultation at Bryson Recycling, located in my constituency of South Antrim. When I visited Bryson Recycling last year, I saw demonstrated how a bottle of Baileys can be bottled in South Antrim, consumed in South Antrim and then, because we have separation of recycling in this area, be collected by Bryson Recycling in Mallusk who then send it on to Enva in Toome, then to Encirc's NI location, before ending up back in Mallusk as a new bottle ready to start the process again.

"This is a perfect example of a circular economy in action, which also has a significant positive impact on the environment. We must ensure, however, this is not a solitary example and Northern Ireland can lead the way regarding recycling. I would, therefore, encourage everyone to respond to the consultation."