Concerns Raised Over Irish Language Strategy Delay

Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has criticised the Communities Minister for failing to provide a timeline for delivering an Irish language strategy, despite the Minister having been in office for 17 months. Mr Gildernew's comments follow confirmation that Conradh na Gaeilge has lodged a judicial review application regarding the absence of the strategy. He suggested the continued delay reinforces a view that the Minister's focus is on preventing Irish language use, citing efforts to block Irish signage in Grand Central Station. Sinn Féin stated they will persist in pushing for the strategy's implementation.

DUP Leader Dismisses United Ireland Cost Estimates

DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP has reaffirmed his commitment to a prosperous Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom, responding to a new academic report from Dublin City University and Ulster University estimating the costs of a united Ireland.

Mr Robinson dismissed the speculation, asserting that the majority in Northern Ireland wish to remain part of the UK. He expressed scepticism about the report's assumptions, particularly regarding a future UK Government covering public sector pensions and debt, noting that other economists have estimated potential costs as high as €400 billion over two decades.

Robinson highlighted Northern Ireland's integration into the UK economy and the destabilising, regressive nature of major constitutional change, also raising concerns about the toleration of Unionist culture in a 'new Ireland'.

He concluded that the DUP remains focused on "delivery" for working families and public services, rather than a divisive border poll.

Urgent Action Demanded on Northern Ireland Waste Crime

Robbie Butler MLA, the Ulster Unionist Party's spokesperson for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, has called for immediate and decisive action following a critical Northern Ireland Audit Office report on waste crime.

Mr Butler warned that NI is being exploited by organised criminals due to weak enforcement and lax penalties, with an estimated £34 million annual cost associated with such crime. He highlighted that court fines since 2019 have amounted to only £1 million, a fraction of the £17m it would cost to legally dispose of the same waste. Butler also raised concerns about cross-border illegal dumping and called for a "polluter pays" approach with stringent penalties, alongside a clear Ministerial Statement, a recovery plan for inspections, and a cross-border enforcement strategy.