Bradshaw Welcomes Identity and Language Appointments

Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has welcomed the appointments of Dr Katy Radford as Director of the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression (OICE), and the new Language Commissioners, Pól Deeds and Lee Reynolds. The South Belfast MLA, who chairs the Executive Office Committee, stated that all three appointees must now be allowed to get on with their work without further delay, noting the legislation is already three years old. Ms Bradshaw stressed the importance of allowing all three, including the five new OICE Board members, to get up and running as quickly as possible. Alliance stands ready to help facilitate the promotion of cultural expression across Northern Ireland’s diverse communities. The party hopes the new appointments will assist in fostering understanding, mutual respect, and the delivery of further reconciliation in society. She concluded that she looks forward to hearing from Dr Radford once she has had time to start work in the post.

MLA Warns DfI Against Further Delay to Kilrea Bridge Reopening SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter has welcomed the confirmation that the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) is taking steps to progress essential work on the River Bann bridge in Kilrea, but has warned that there can be no further delays in getting the vital crossing reopened. The bridge, which links Kilrea to County Antrim, has been closed since September due0 to structural concerns, causing major disruption and significant financial losses for local businesses and residents. Ms Hunter stated that the people of Kilrea need more than reassurances; they need "dates, deadlines and delivery." She highlighted that small businesses in the town are watching their livelihoods "unravel," with shop owners reporting dramatically dropped takings and having to cut staff hours, especially heading into the Christmas season. Ms Hunter has pledged to continue pressing the Infrastructure Minister to ensure the issue is treated with the urgency it deserves, arguing that rural communities should not be treated as an afterthought.

Sinn Féin Questions Minister Givan Over Israel Visit

Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason has written to the Education Minister and submitted a series of questions regarding his recent trip to Israel. The South Down MLA criticised Minister Paul Givan’s decision to visit Israel at a time when she stated that the state is "committing genocide against the Palestinian people," while schools in Northern Ireland "continue to lurch from crisis to crisis." Ms Mason has requested clarification on who funded the trip and whether it was undertaken in an official ministerial capacity. She also questioned whether elements of the visit were carried out with departmental support and, if not, requested an explanation as to why departmental social media was used to comment on elements of the trip. The MLA concluded that "Teachers, children and parents deserve answers" regarding the Minister’s engagement in the context of the ongoing conflict.