Latest news with #Inquiry
Belfast Telegraph
5 days ago
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Planning appeals decision numbers up almost 50% in last year
Some 309 cases were dealt by the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) during 2024/25 – up considerably on 213 during the previous year. However, the average time taken to clear appeals has increased – up to 72.7 weeks from 71 weeks a year earlier. 'We have increased the numbers of appeal decisions issued year-on-year,' the PAC said in its annual report. 'We have also implemented an action plan to lead to more timely decisions.' The PAC says that the commission has moved to deal with other 'hear and report' cases, following the suspension of the major public inquiry into Dalradian's plans for a gold mine in Co Tyrone. However, it was revealed in October last year that fresh planning appeal requests for major schemes from Stormont were 'on hold' until a report into the gold mine is completed or more resources become available. The inquiry was postponed earlier this year after the Department for Infrastructure requested that the commission suspend the inquiries to allow transboundary consultation to take place. 'The resourcing implications of the Dalradian Inquiry continue to pose a challenge,' the PAC said in its annual review. 'It is important that the inquiry recommences at the earliest opportunity, but this is largely outside the control of the commission and is subject to external factors which have caused delay. 'While we have taken steps to allocate other 'hear and report' cases in light of the suspension of all works on the Inquiry; we must be mindful of the implications of its recommencement on commission resources in all forward planning.' Speaking about its performance over the last year, the PAC's chief commissioner, Andrea Kells, said by the start of this year it returned to a full workforce of commissioners. 'This is the first time that we have been in this position since I was appointed in 2017,' she said. 'Accordingly, and given ongoing training and development we have seen significant improvements in performance. 'We have made significant progress this year and can look forward to the future with a positive mindset. We will continue to deliver to the best of our ability in line with the resources we have available.' The PAC said out of the 109 cases in the system at the start of the financial year 'a small number remain'. 'Of these, the majority have been delayed for justifiable reasons, such as the submission of updated environmental information 'One action plan objective was to reduce the in-hand cases down to pre-COVID levels (201cases) by the end of the 2024/25 financial year. This was achieved by November 2024 with 191 cases in hand. We continue to improve in reducing the number of in-hand cases with 149 cases at year end.'
BBC News
6 days ago
- BBC News
David Fuller's crimes could be repeated
Mortuary crimes committed by necrophiliac killer David Fuller, who abused at least 100 deceased women and girls, could be repeated, an inquiry has was jailed in 2021 after a trial which heard he had filmed himself abusing female bodies at two Kent hospital mortuaries over 12 final report of an inquiry sparked by his crimes found that "current arrangements for the regulation and oversight of the care of people after death are partial, ineffective and in significant areas completely absent".Inquiry chair Sir Jonathan Michael said: "Despite the lack of legal status for the deceased, we all expect our loved ones, and indeed ourselves, to be looked after with the same security and dignity after death as whilst alive."
Newsroom
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsroom
The Secret Diary of .. the Royal Commission Inquiry into Covid
MONDAY Thank you everyone for coming along to this excellent use of public spending. As head of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Covid-19, I shall investigate, and investigate fully, the claims of those who say the government's handling of the Covid-19 crisis was a crime against humanity and was led by Jacinda Ardern who is not actually human but some sort of lizard with speech and hair extensions. We will now hear from an authority on the subject, and indeed on a great many subjects, Heather du Plessis-Allan from Newstalk ZB. She wishes to put forward the argument that Jacinda Ardern should attend the inquiry. 'She's making money off books and all sorts while many businesses here never recovered from lockdowns. Isn't a little truth-telling in order?' Thank you. That's very helpful. TUESDAY We will now hear from someone with an audience of 15 people, down from 17 last week, but who has insisted on making his views heard and is indeed frothing at the mouth. Could someone please pass Ryan Bridge from Herald Now a tissue? That's better. Mr Bridge wishes to jump on the bandwagon about Jacinda Ardern attending the inquiry. 'I was one of just a handful of interviewers who grilled her on a weekly basis during this time period. I'm saving the best bits for a book one day, but there was image and stage control happening behind the scenes you wouldn't believe.' Thank you. We cannot wait for the book. Will you write it? WEDNESDAY We will now hear, inevitably, from Stuff content provider Paddy Gower. Mr Gower wishes to crush the Jacinda Ardern bandwagon beneath the weight of his polemic aimed at the lowest common denominator. 'How good would it be if Dame Jacinda Ardern fronted up to the Covid inquiry? It would be really good for New Zealand, in my opinion.' Thank you. God almighty. Are we done yet? THURSDAY We shall now hear from Voices for Freedom. They signal they have very important information concerning the real figures of how many people died from Covid. Data from the World Health Organisation shows there had been more than 7 million Covid-19 deaths reported as of 22 June this year. What the hell does the WHO know about anything, contend Voices for Freedom, who stand before the Inquiry in a fetching array of tinfoil hats. Thank you for coming today. Are you nervous? Is that froth? We have run out of tissues. Mr Bridge had great need. Please compose yourself as best you can. Down to business. Many thousands of people around the world died, particularly in that early period, but do you dispute that? 'No doubt there were, as there are every year with flus and things like that, and yes, it might have been a particularly bad instance of that.' Thank you. Could someone please hand over a defibrillator? Or some heroin. I am losing the will to live. FRIDAY The Inquiry is pleased to announce that Jacinda Ardern says she will provide evidence to the second stage of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Covid-19. I shall investigate, and investigate fully, the decisions she made which helped to save the lives of an estimated 20,000 New Zealanders. Such an outcome must never happen again. It won't with this government.
Otago Daily Times
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
The secret diary of . . . Royal Commissioner Grant Illingworth KC
MONDAY Thank you everyone for coming along to this excellent use of public spending. As head of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Covid-19, I shall investigate, and investigate fully, the claims of those who say the government's handling of the Covid-19 crisis was a crime against humanity and was led by Jacinda Ardern who is not actually human but some sort of lizard with speech and hair extensions. We will now hear from an authority on the subject, and indeed on a great many subjects, Heather du Plessis-Allan from Newstalk ZB. She wishes to put forward the argument that Jacinda Ardern should attend the inquiry. "She's making money off books and all sorts while many businesses here never recovered from lockdowns. Isn't a little truth-telling in order?" Thank you. That's very helpful. TUESDAY We will now hear from someone with an audience of 15 people, down from 17 last week, but who has insisted on making his views heard and is indeed frothing at the mouth. Could someone please pass Ryan Bridge from Herald Now a tissue? That's better. Mr Bridge wishes to jump on the bandwagon about Jacinda Ardern attending the inquiry. "I was one of just a handful of interviewers who grilled her on a weekly basis during this time period. I'm saving the best bits for a book one day, but there was image and stage control happening behind the scenes you wouldn't believe." Thank you. We cannot wait for the book. Will you write it? WEDNESDAY We will now hear, inevitably, from Stuff content provider Paddy Gower. Mr Gower wishes to crush the Jacinda Ardern bandwagon beneath the weight of his polemic aimed at the lowest common denominator. "How good would it be if Dame Jacinda Ardern fronted up to the Covid inquiry? It would be really good for New Zealand, in my opinion." Thank you. God almighty. Are we done yet? THURSDAY We shall now hear from Voices for Freedom. They signal they have very important information concerning the real figures of how many people died from Covid. Data from the World Health Organisation shows there had been more than 7million Covid-19 deaths reported as of 22 June this year. What the hell do the WHO know about anything, contend Voices for Freedom, who stand before the Inquiry in a fetching array of tinfoil hats. Thank you for coming today. Are you nervous? Is that froth? We have run out of tissues. Mr Bridge had great need. Please compose yourself as best you can. Down to business. Many thousands of people around the world died, particularly in that early period, but do you dispute that? "No doubt there were, as there are every year with flus and things like that, and yes, it might have been a particularly bad instance of that." Thank you. Could someone please hand over a defibrillator? Or some heroin. I am losing the will to live. FRIDAY The Inquiry is pleased to announce that Jacinda Ardern says she will provide evidence to the second stage of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Covid-19. I shall investigate, and investigate fully, the decisions she made which helped to save the lives of an estimated 20,000 New Zealanders. Such an outcome must never happen again. It won't with this government. By Steve Braunias
Scoop
10-07-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Former Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern To Give Evidence To Covid Response Inquiry
Former Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern will provide evidence to the Royal Commission investigating New Zealand's Covid-19 pandemic response. The inquiry is looking into the government's response to the pandemic and its effects. This week's hearings have concentrated on the impact of the extended lockdown in Auckland and Northland in 2021 and on vaccine mandates and safety. RNZ previously reported that the commission had requested Ardern to give evidence at a public hearing in August. But the commission said no decisions had been made about who would appear. "The witness list is still under consideration, and it is not appropriate to make further comment about it at this stage," they said in a written statement. "The Inquiry will share the witness list and more information about the planned August public hearing in due course." A spokesperson for Ardern said she will provide evidence to assist the commission meet its terms of reference and are in discussions about the best way for that to happen. She provided testimony to the first phase of the Inquiry, the spokesperson said. "She is also happy for the commission to access her previous testimony," the spokesperson said. The first phase was conducted behind closed doors with conclusions and recommendations made public afterwards. The impact of the extended lockdown in Auckland and Northland in 2021 has been the main topic of discussion at this week's hearings. On Tuesday, Dr Antje Deckert told the Inquiry that 63,000 lockdown breaches were reported to police by citizens during levels 4, 3 and 2. Police road stops were also counterproductive because officers were often unclear on how to enforce lockdown rules, she said. Deckert said people found it difficult balancing government messaging of being kind while also enforcing lockdown rules. Representatives from the disabled community have revealed they were often a target of abuse during lockdowns. A Pasifika health expert said the Pacific population was over-represented in all aspects of the pandemic. Auckland Council disability advisory group co-chair Barry De Geest said because disabled people were often mask or vaccine exempt, it led to cases of discrimination. "The number of people we had crying because they'd been uptown or done something and they were being abused by people saying you know 'put your mask on', you know 'think of us', you know so there was so much of that."
