Latest news with #JohnO'Dowd
Belfast Telegraph
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Sinn Féin Minister calls for redevelopment or relocation of ‘militarised' police station
Sinn Féin MLA John O'Dowd said the current building is a 'large, outdated and militarised structure that many in the local community view as completely out of step with modern 21st century policing'. 'Its scale and appearance have been repeatedly raised with me as a barrier to the wider regeneration of Lurgan – particularly efforts to attract investment, grow footfall, and create a town centre that is vibrant, welcoming, and fit for families, shoppers and workers,' he said. 'There is strong and growing local ambition to revitalise Lurgan, and there are real opportunities to do so. But the existing station, sitting in such a prominent location, stands in stark contrast to that vision and acts as a visual barrier to progress.' The Upper Bann representative has asked the Jon Boutcher to explore the option of relocating to a modern, fit-for-purpose facility elsewhere in the town, claiming that suitable alternative sites exist which could meet operational policing needs while contributing positively to the local environment. 'Modern policing should reflect and support the communities it serves,' Mr O'Dowd said. "A new, purpose-built facility on the current site or at an alternative location could do just that.' Who is Rory McIlroy and what is golf's Career Grand Slam? The minister concluded by stating his willingness to work with the PSNI and other partners to ensure that both policing needs and town development goals are met. 'Lurgan deserves a town centre that inspires confidence and ambition,' Mr O'Dowd added. 'I am ready to work with all involved to help deliver that.'
ITV News
30-06-2025
- Business
- ITV News
Police recovery funding to be prioritised in future monitoring rounds – O'Dowd
Funding to boost PSNI recruitment numbers will be prioritised in future monitoring rounds this year, Finance Minister John O'Dowd has said. Mr O'Dowd also said that the Department of Justice is to receive £5 million to cover unforeseen costs for the police from dealing with recent rioting. The Executive has agreed allocations of over £78 million resource and £40 million capital funding as part of the June 2025/26 monitoring round. Monitoring rounds provide a system to review spending plans, including allocating new money which flows from Westminster spending decisions. Mr O'Dowd said the Executive had agreed to provide £25 million for health, £25 million for education to include funding for special educational needs and childcare and additional funding for ending violence against women and girls. He said: 'In line with our commitment to make childcare more accessible and affordable the £50 million set aside in Budget 2025-26 for the early years and childcare strategy, as well as the further £5 million being committed to in-year is now being formally allocated.' The Finance Minister added: '£5 million is being allocated to cover unforeseen costs facing the PSNI in dealing with the recent deplorable public disorder. 'Recognising the importance of investing in our police workforce we have also agreed the Department of Justice will be given first call of up to £7 million on funding in future monitoring rounds this year for PSNI recruitment. 'I look forward to working with (Justice) Minister (Naomi) Long and the Executive on progressing on delivery of the PSNI Workforce Recovery Plan as part of the multiyear Budget process.' Mr O'Dowd said a further £11 million will be provided to the Department for Infrastructure for water with £9 million being provided to create more social, affordable and sustainable housing. He added: 'Looking forward my department's focus will now turn to the multi-year budget. 'With public expenditure likely to be constrained for some time, transformation must be an essential part of this Budget if the Executive is to deliver its ambitions within the funding available. 'This will be the first multi-year budget in over 10 years. 'This will provide an important opportunity to put our finances on a more sustainable footing and, along with the Programme for Government, will set the longer-term strategic direction.'
Belfast Telegraph
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Stormont Executive has failed A5 victims and cost of putting a wrong right is spiralling
The High Court judge ruled that the decision to give the go-ahead for the dual carriageway scheme was rendered 'irrational' by previous pledges on climate control. The Department for Infrastructure failed to convince the High Court that upgrading the road would not prevent Northern Ireland meeting the net-zero target by 2050, a pledge made in the 2022 Climate Change Act. Former Stormont Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd gave the go-ahead for the 53-mile development between Derry and Aughnacloy in October last year, he has since handed over to party colleague Liz Kimmins. Sinn Fein also voted in favour of the climate act that the High Court now states is incompatible with the current A5 build. The was a face-off in court between locals and landowners v politicians and bears a remarkable resemblance to the court cases mounted by residents that prevented the building of Casement Park back in 2014. The initial approval was quashed by a judge following a legal challenge from residents who were concerned about the stadium's size and potential impact on their area. As a result the build was delayed and costs spiralled, with a huge funding deficit still holding back the project. Earlier this year the Executive agreed a Programme for Government 2024-2027, which outlines its priorities and is a delivery plan for the remainder of this Assembly mandate. It included a pledge that: 'Actions will include progressing delivery of the A5 Western Transport Corridor and publishing an annual Action Plan to support the Road Safety Strategy'. Given the High Court judgment this week it would seem almost impossible to meet that commitment. Solicitor for Alternative A5 Alliance: Quashing of road upgrade is an "extraordinary accomplishment" Timing is key as was noted in the ruling , with the judge saying there was a 'failure to properly show consideration of human rights issues in not imposing a time limit for construction'. Time limits for any building works in Northern Ireland are notoriously difficult to pin down. Perhaps the most startling line of that ruling were the acknowledgement of potential fatalities. 'It is likely that delays in the progression of this scheme will coincide with the occurrence of further loss of life and serious injury on the existing road', said Mr Justice McAlinden. It is already too late for the 57 people who have died on the stretch of road since 2006. 'I am acutely aware that this decision will bring significant, fresh anguish to the doors of those who have been injured and maimed and those who have lost loved ones as a result of road traffic accidents on the existing A5 road,' the judge added. They include Marie O'Brien, whose daughter Caoimhe died in a crash on the A5 in 2016 — she described the ruling as a 'punch in the gut' — and the family of Tyrone Gaelic footballer John Rafferty, 21, killed in a crash in October 2022. The A5 Enough is Enough group set up after his death said the road is 'a death trap'. The judge in this case could only rule on the law in front of him and not the emotions of the case, this was clear in his judgment. The ruling leaves the upgrade of the road in limbo, with no clear path as to how the minister can deliver the pledge to upgrade the road. It will require a community to look inward and decide what they prioritise in terms of the future and if those who oppose the build now consider what they would accept in terms of a future upgrade. But it also raises questions about the ability of Stormont to deliver. The A5 is still a dangerous road, the cost of upgrading it — like the Casement build — will only increase with further delays, and yet as of now the Executive and minister are on a road to nowhere and will need to have a serious rethink about how to deliver on this key PfG pledge.
Irish Examiner
24-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Funding awarded for project to improve air quality across island of Ireland
A cross-border partnership aimed at tackling air pollution challenges across the island of Ireland has been awarded €6.5m of funding. The impact of agricultural ammonia emissions on health and ecosystems will be among the subjects investigated by the Peace-Air partnership, which aims to improve air quality through engagement, research and activities supporting policies and actions. It has been awarded €6,499,957 of Peaceplus funding. Peaceplus is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and represents a funding partnership between the European Union, the Irish and UK governments and the Northern Ireland Executive. It has a total value of €1.14bn. Partners in Peace-Air include University College Cork, Donegal County Council, Queen's University Belfast, Technological University Dublin, University of Galway, Ulster University, Institute of Public Health, Trinity College Dublin and Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council. CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY HUB The partnership aims to provide scientific evidence on air pollution sources to inform emission reduction policies and to raise awareness on the detrimental health effects of air pollution and its causes. The project will be structured into three main areas of work: Solid fuel burning will be tackled through cross-border monitoring campaigns, community surveys and the establishment of an all-island solid fuel testing laboratory. Transport-related air pollution in cross-border towns will be monitored using low-cost sensor networks and chemical speciation techniques, with citizen scientists engaged to raise awareness. The impact of agricultural ammonia emissions on health and ecosystems will be investigated through field studies, and the current monitoring networks will be assessed in a cross-border context. Public expenditure minister Jack Chambers said the Environmental Protection Agency has reported that 1,600 premature deaths annually can be attributed to poor air quality in Ireland. He said: 'The cross-border €6.5m Peace-Air project will bring new strategic engagement to improve air quality right across the island. 'Focusing on collaboration and research across both jurisdictions, Peace-Air will develop an evidence base to inform policy development and lead to better health outcomes. Stormont Finance Minister John O'Dowd has welcomed the funding boost (Liam McBurney/PA) Stormont finance minister John O'Dowd said: 'This initiative is a positive example of cross-border co-operation, and it will work to improve air quality through strategic engagement, research and resultant actions across the island of Ireland. 'The project will inform the work of policymakers in both jurisdictions in promoting more effective ways to address air pollution to improve health and wellbeing.' SEUPB chief executive Gina McIntyre said: 'Peace-Air will be the first cross-border collaboration of its kind to tackle common air pollution challenges. 'It delivers unique scientific capability from across the island of Ireland, ensuring inclusive geographic coverage of Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.' 'This funding demonstrates Peaceplus in action, bringing experts together to work on delivering positive change which will benefit the lives of so many people across our programme area by protecting and enhancing our natural environment.' Read More Former Tánaiste and MEP Frances Fitzgerald joins consultancy group Teneo
The Irish Sun
16-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Abandoned 34,500-seater football stadium that had been tipped to host Euro 2028 matches lands £50m towards restoration
AN abandoned stadium that was set to host Euro 2028 matches has received a huge boost over its future. The 3 Casement Park has been left to rot for ten years Credit: AFP 3 There were plans to bring the stadium back to life for Euro 2028 Credit: AFP 3 Demolition work has begun at the site Credit: Sportsfile Belfast's But it has since been axed from Euro 2028 due to funding issues and Northern Ireland will no longer be a host nation. Despite that, redevelopment of Casement Park is still going ahead and the government have confirmed that they are making a £50million contribution to the project. But there is still a £90m shortfall as Stormont chiefs and the Gaelic Athletic Association can only find £120m of the £260m required. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Northern Ireland's finance minister John O'Dowd welcomed the government's backing and encouraged everyone to "now work together" to get the stadium built. Incredible photos show the stands rotting and the pitch overgrown. The ground welcomed 31,000 supporters back in its pomp for hurling and Gaelic football matches. Most read in Football JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS The derelict site has received planning permission to be modernised and early demolition work has begun. But some have called for the proposed design to be axed to allow for a cheaper build to be made. Northern Ireland currently play their home games at the 18,500-seater Windsor Park. Uefa require all grounds for major tournaments to be able to hold 30,000 fans. The Irish FA have ruled out expanding Windsor Park. Euro 2028 Stadiums London: Wembley and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Birmingham: Villa Park Manchester: Etihad Stadium Liverpool: Everton's Bramley-Moore Dock Newcastle: St James' Park Cardiff: Millennium Stadium Dublin: Aviva Stadium Glasgow: Hampden Park
