Latest news with #JohnO'Dowd
Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Four arrested and three cautioned following protests against pro-Gaza march
Four men have been arrested in Co Down following what police have termed a minor disorder associated with a protest against a march for Gaza. Activists took part in a Great March for Gaza event on Saturday from Lurgan to Omeath, designed to symbolise the length of the Gaza Strip during a demonstration and fundraising event. However, disorder broke out as the march passed through the village of Scarva where a counter-protest was held. Police said four men were arrested following minor disorder associated with the Scarva portion of the event. Three men were also cautioned in relation to public order offences at the towpath between Portadown and Newry. In Newry, a flag believed to be associated with a prescribed terrorist organisation was removed from a parade participant by police. Superintendent Norman Haslett said it was an appropriate and proportionate operation. "Police officers were in attendance at an event which commenced in Lurgan and continued into Newry on Saturday June 7," he said. "We were also present at a number of protests that were held in connection with this event. "Three males were cautioned in relation to public order offences at the towpath between Portadown and Newry and four males were arrested following minor disorder associated with a protest held at the Main Street in Scarva. "These protests had not been notified to the Parades Commission as required by law and officers issued warnings to this effect. "An evidence-gathering operation was in place and we will now review the footage gathered and consider any potential offences. "In Newry, a flag believed to be associated with a prescribed terrorist organisation was removed from a parade participant by police and this is subject to an ongoing police investigation. "This was an appropriate and proportionate policing operation to ensure that the safety of everyone involved was maintained and that the law was upheld." Sinn Fein Upper Bann MLA John O'Dowd commended the Lurgan branch of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) for organising the march. "On Saturday, thousands walked the equivalent length of the Gaza Strip to show our support for the defenceless civilians of Palestine who continue to face displacement, ethnic cleansing and starvation," he said. "It is no longer acceptable to stand by while Israel commits war crimes. Those complicit must finally act to end this campaign of murder and terror. "I want to commend Lurgan IPSC and all who helped make Saturday's march a success. "Unfortunately, a number of Israeli flags were placed along the route, as well as some protesters, but this did not affect the spirit or determination of those taking part. "We must continue to increase pressure on the international community to isolate Israel through boycott, divestment and sanctions until its systematic genocidal policies are brought to an end."
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
UK government in 'solution-finding mode' on Casement Park
The UK government is in "solution-finding mode" when it comes to resolving funding for the redevelopment of Casement Park, Stormont's finance minister has said. John O'Dowd was speaking after a meeting in London with Treasury officials ahead of next week's Spending Review. The GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) ground has been lying derelict for more than a decade. Negotiations have been ongoing to determine if the government will make a contribution to the west Belfast stadium. A Spending Review, expected on Wednesday 11 June, will see the government lay out its financial plans for day-to-day spending for the next three years. It has largely been viewed as the juncture when it confirms whether or not it will make a financial contribution to help deliver the stalled plans to redevelop the Gaelic games venue. It is estimated that it would cost at least £260m to build a new stadium, but only around £120m is currently available. Stormont's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has promised £62.5m from the Stormont executive, the GAA say it will pay £15m while the Irish government has pledged around £43m.
Western Telegraph
7 days ago
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Sinn Fein minister urges BBC to ‘learn lessons' from Gerry Adams libel case
Stormont's Finance Minister John O'Dowd said he welcomed the outcome of the high-profile case. Former Sinn Fein leader Mr Adams took the BBC to court over a 2016 episode of its Spotlight programme, and an accompanying online story, which he said defamed him by alleging he sanctioned the killing of former Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson, for which he denies any involvement. I think the upper echelons of the BBC in the north and the reaction to the court judgment shows that they're unwilling to learn lessons Finance Minister John O'Dowd A jury at the High Court in Dublin awarded Mr Adams 100,000 euro (£84,000) when it found in his favour on Friday after determining that was the meaning of words included in the programme and article. It also found the BBC's actions were not in good faith and the corporation had not acted in a fair and reasonable way. Mr Donaldson was shot dead in Co Donegal in 2006, months after admitting his role as a police and MI5 agent over 20 years. Mr Adams' legal team said the verdict of the jury was a 'full vindication' for their client while the BBC said it was 'disappointed' with the outcome, warning it could have 'profound implications and potentially 'hinder freedom of expression'. Following the jury's decision, Mr Adams said his case had been about 'putting manners' on the BBC. The veteran republican claimed the corporation upheld the ethos of the British state in Ireland and was 'out of sync' on many fronts in relation to the Good Friday peace agreement. The National Union of Journalists has described those remarks as 'chilling'. Seamus Dooley, Irish secretary of the NUJ, also said the case showed the need for reform of Ireland's defamation laws. Gerry Adams outside the High Court in Dublin after he was awarded 100,000 euro (£84,000) in damages after winning his libel action against the BBC (Brian Lawless/PA) However, Mr O'Dowd said the BBC reaction to the case indicated it was 'unwilling to learn lessons'. 'I welcome the judgment,' he told BBC Radio Ulster. 'I think it's a timely reminder that everyone has the right to defend their name in court. Gerry has been successful in his case and I think the BBC have lessons to learn, and they should instead of the knee-jerk reaction that we've heard thus far from them, I think they should take a time of reflection and reflect on that court judgment.' The minister was asked if Mr Adams' claims about the BBC upholding the ethos of the British state and being out of sync with the Good Friday Agreement reflected Sinn Fein's position on the broadcaster. 'I think it's a position that many in society hold,' he replied. 'There are many, many fine journalists from the BBC – there's no question about that. But I think the upper echelons of the BBC in the north and the reaction to the court judgment shows that they're unwilling to learn lessons. 'They're unwilling to reflect on their own role and responsibility. So, I think … this is a time for the BBC to reflect, and the upper echelons of the BBC to reflect, rather than some of the knee-jerk reactions we've seen from them thus far.'
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Budget 25/26 will make a real difference to people's lives, O'Dowd says
The Executive has prioritised funding in its Budget to areas which make a real difference to people's lives across society, Finance Minister John O'Dowd has said. MLAs in the Northern Ireland Assembly backed the 2025-26 Budget following a lengthy debate on Monday. The SDLP opposed the spending plan, but it passed with 57 votes in favour out of 67 votes cast. Ministers in the powersharing Executive agreed its Budget in April, with increased investment pledged to tackle hospital waiting lists and support parents with the cost of childcare. Mr O'Dowd opened the Assembly debate on the spending proposals. He said: 'The agreement of this Budget shows this Executive's determination to work together and do things differently, using our limited resources to deliver what matters most. 'It reflects our Programme for Government, having specifically ring-fenced some £441 million for our shared priorities. 'While the funding received following the Chancellor's spring statement could not be included in the formal departmental budget outcomes, the Executive did agree how this money would be allocated in June monitoring. 'Including these indicative June monitoring allocations, this Budget provides departments with £19.3 billion, which will be spent on running our public services and investing in our infrastructure. '£16.8 billion of this has been provided for day-to-day services, including £1.2 billion earmarked for specific purposes and £15.6 billion of general allocations which may be spent at the discretion of individual ministers. 'With health receiving £8.5 billion, education receiving £3.3 billion and justice receiving £1.4 billion, these three departments alone account for some 80% of the funding for day-to-day spending available, providing vital funding for our health service, schools, policing and the wider justice system.' Mr O'Dowd said 'significant challenges' remain for ministers delivering public services with stretched resources. He said: 'I believe the 25/26 budget prioritises the funding we have available to make a real difference for the betterment in people's lives across society. 'This Budget provides record levels of funding for our public services and helps facilitate the delivery of our Programme for Government priorities.' He added: 'Simply put, additional funding for one area means less for another. 'Articulating problems is very, very easy. 'Working together to address them is what we are elected to do.' The SDLP published its own five-point plan to improve the Budget, with proposals including ensuring that at least 10% of departmental spending must be ring-fenced and matched to Programme for Government priorities, and securing Executive control over more tax, borrowing and spending powers. Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole claimed the Budget represented 'drift, inaction and distraction by the Executive'. He said: 'The Executive has received record levels of funding, the question today is what have they done with it? 'How clear and specific are the targets set out in this document, the second full-year document the restored Executive is laying out? 'How ambitious, realistic, those plans are? The answer, I am afraid, is not at all. 'There has been consistent drift and inaction from the minister.' Mr O'Toole added: 'I would expect to see, from a republican finance minister, a little more ambition than to simply say London isn't giving us enough money, therefore we can't take action. 'The test of people in power is not what they do to blame others for the limitations on their power. 'This document does not have the level of ambition we need for our public services, it doesn't come near to the kind of aspiration we should have for our people.' Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Increasingly difficult' for Stormont to mitigate decisions made at Westminster
It is becoming 'increasingly difficult' for the Stormont Executive to mitigate decisions being made at Westminster, Northern Ireland's Finance Minister has said. John O'Dowd said decisions, such as the recent hike in employers National Insurance contributions, are having a 'significant impact' in the region. Appearing before the Assembly Finance Committee, he said the Ulster University's Cost of Doing Business Review this week gave a 'timely insight' into the challenges faced by businesses in Northern Ireland and said he has forwarded a copy to the Chief Secretary of the Treasury. Stormont Finance Minister John O'Dowd appears before the Assembly Finance Committee on Wednesday afternoon (NI Assembly/PA) 'Decisions that are being made in Westminster are having significant impacts here and I am confident that when these decisions are being made in Whitehall departments, they're not taking into account the needs of the local businesses and communities here,' he told MLAs. ADVERTISEMENT 'It is becoming increasingly difficult, if not impossible, for the Executive to mitigate against the decisions that are being made at Westminster.' Previously the Executive has intervened on some decisions, including mitigating cuts to some benefits. But Mr O'Dowd said 'decades of underfunding and new decisions that are being made are putting more and more pressure on Executive budgets', and suggested further Executive financial assistance may not be plausible. Mr O'Dowd earlier reiterated to MLAs that it is essential that the Executive is 'funded fairly and sustainably' to deliver public services. He hailed an independent assessment of need in Northern Ireland being undertaken by Professor Gerald Holtham, and said he hopes to have a final draft of that report next week. 'This work is close to being finalised in the coming days and I will of course share with the committee at the appropriate juncture,' he said. ADVERTISEMENT 'I have already engaged with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury in respect of this and will be immediately engaging further on receipt of the report.' He also said that work has started on multi-year budgets for Northern Ireland, which he said have the 'potential to be a game changer and enable departments to plan on a longer-term strategic basis'. But he warned the benefits 'will only be realised if the Westminster Government use the Spending Review as an as opportunity to invest in public services'. 'I have made this clear in my meetings with the British Government,' he added.
