Other News In Brief

Executive Must 'Start Delivering' – SDLP

The SDLP has said that the Executive must "start delivering for people across the North".

SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA made the call during a debate on the Spring Supplementary Estimates in the Assembly on Tuesday.

Mr O'Toole urged the Executive to outline a Programme for Government and the Finance Minister to bring forward a budget.

On Monday, First Minister Michelle O'Neill told the SDLP Opposition "let's not be in a hurry".

South Belfast MLA Mr O'Toole said: "Despite the Assembly returning over two months ago, we are none the wiser when it comes to the Executive's priorities for a Programme for Government or a financial plan to deal with the issues impacting families across the North. The Spring Supplementary Estimates before the Assembly today were a technical exercise around money that we have already committed, but this is the position we are in due to the continued political dysfunction that left us with no institutions for five of the past seven years.

"The financial matters before the Assembly today were one of the few issues we have debated with substantive legal effect. Since restoration we have seen Executive parties line up to introduce motion after motion on everything from childcare to holiday hunger and Lough Neagh, with glossy videos produced implying to the public that some action would be taken on these issues, but still we know nothing of what the Executive plans to do about any of these issues.

"The SDLP Opposition has consistently called for a clear plan via a Programme for Government and a multi-year budget. Not only do we not have one, Ministers are non-committal about when they might actually have a plan to present to the public. Yesterday, First Minister Michelle O'Neill said there should not be a hurry to get a programme agreed. Sinn Féin and other Executive parties have been having meetings on priorities for more than two years. The people of Northern Ireland deserve better."

Alliance Congratulate Simon Harris On Appointment At Taoiseach

Alliance Party leader, Naomi Long, has congratulated Simon Harris on his official appointment at Taoiseach.

Mr Harris has become Ireland’s youngest ever Taoiseach after TDs backed his nomination.

Mrs Long said: "I want to congratulate Simon Harris on becoming Taoiseach and wish him all the best in his new role. "The tenure of his predecessor Leo Varadkar saw a close and productive working relationship further progressed between Northern Ireland and the Republic, and I am confident Mr Harris will continue to nurture this positive partnership between the North and South.

"In the coming days and weeks ahead, we will continue to work together with those across the political spectrum with the aim of strengthening co-operation across the island of Ireland, and I look forward to working with Mr Harris as part of that."

PSNI Seize Scrambler Motorbike In Waterside Area Of L'Derry

The PSNI's Waterside Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) have seized a scrambler motorbike after reports of its being ridden on the road and along footpaths in Currynierin yesterday, Monday 8th April.

Wateside NPT officers attended the scene and observed a male on a scrambler who made off across fields. Checks of the area, including use of a Police drone, resulted in officers locating the scrambler, which had been abandoned in a field between Currynierin and Tullyally. The scrambler was seized and enquiries continue to locate the male rider.

Constable Merron from Waterside NPT said: "Local residents have raised this issue with us over the past number of weeks. We will continue to monitor the area and deploy resources to remove these machines when they are found to be being used illegally. If anyone has information about yesterday's incident we'd urge them to report it on 101, quoting reference 1271 of 08/04/24 or make a report online via https://www.psni.police.uk/report You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. "

Constable Merron added: "When these machines are being driven at speed, creating a nuisance in built-up areas, close to people and homes, it's really dangerous. As well as serious safety concerns, there's also the impact on people's lives in the community.

"It's also important to highlight that some scramblers do not comply with Construction and Use Regulations and Vehicle Safety Standards and therefore are restricted to "off-road” use only. This does not mean that they can be driven anywhere off-road. These vehicles should only be driven on private land where the landowner has given permission and should not be driven on pavements, roads, public property or parks. Insurance and safety equipment must be complied with as well in order to drive these vehicles legally.

"To anyone thinking about buying these vehicles, in particular parents for their children, we urge them to first think about where it is going to be used and the legalities surrounding its' use."