Latest news with #Kimmins
Belfast Telegraph
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
New laws around school buses to be introduced across NI after tragedy
Legislation prohibiting the overtaking of school buses while they are stopped to drop off or pick up passengers is to be introduced, the Infrastructure minister has confirmed. Liz Kimmins said she was bringing in the measures to 'improve safety for children here' and said the introduction of new legislation came in the aftermath of 'recent tragic events'. In March, 11-year-old Caitlin-Rose McMullan, a first-year pupil at St Pius X College in Magherafelt died from her injuries after being struck by a car after she got off her school bus. In the aftermath of the tragedy, her mother Stella later called for the authorities to do more to save lives. Today, Ms Kimmins said she was 'committing to introducing legislation to help prevent more lives being devastated'. Minister Kimmins said: 'Road safety is a priority for me, and recent tragic events have highlighted the need for all of us to be cognisant of the safety of children when they are getting on or off school buses. 'Having asked officials within the Department to explore the issue, it is now my intention to introduce legislation which will prohibit the overtaking of school buses. "It is incumbent on drivers to take extra care around buses, and this was highlighted by my Department's most recent advertising campaign. However, I believe strengthening the law around this issue is an important step in further improving safety for children here. 'Too many families have had their world shattered by receiving the worst possible news after a loved one has set out on a routine journey. 'I have met grieving families and heard their heartbreaking stories. I am committing to introducing legislation to help prevent more lives being devastated. 'Whilst legislation is being prepared, there are actions we can all take that will help us reach our goal - take more care on the roads, slow down and ignore our mobile phones. 'Have conversations about our shared responsibility as road users with our family and friends to ensure road safety messaging reaches as wide an audience as possible.' The Minister added: 'The Department is using other measures to improve road safety including 20mph zones around schools and work on the delivery of the Graduated Driver Licensing scheme." Minister Kimmins has also confirmed measures will be put in place to reinforce existing policy around the proper use of signs and lights on buses carrying children to and from school. The minister explained under the new measures, fixed penalty notices will be issued to drivers who fail to operate these lights as required. The department said it is intended that these new fixed penalties will be available for use by the beginning of the new school term in September.
BBC News
30-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Belfast Grand Central Station: No Irish signage for at least six months
Work to install Irish language signs at Grand Central Station in Belfast will not go ahead for at least six months, the High Court has heard. Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson is challenging Sinn Féin Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins' decision to approve the £150,000 scheme at the city's new public transport court was told on Wednesday it was not necessary to impose an interim order against any changes to signs as the procurement process would take six months.A barrister representing the minister indicated Mr Bryson could face a claim for damages if he lost his case. "Let's say the costs of IT or signage goes up by £50,000 and the case fails, we need to know… if that will be met," Tony McGleenan KC judge, Mr Justice Scoffield, asked Mr Bryson if he was prepared to give assurances over any financial damages or losses if he sought and obtained an injunction in an ultimately unsuccessful Bryson replied that he would. "If I was not confident in my own case I would not be here", he added. Judicial review proceedings were issued after Kimmins announced in March that Irish signage would be installed at Grand Central and on ticket vending minister said she was "committed to the visibility and promotion of Irish language" and it was important that Grand Central Station was "reflective of all citizens".The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) said the signs would cost about £150,000. Work to introduce the bilingual signs had been put on hold until 1 May because of the legal action. Representing himself in the case, Mr Bryson contends that Kimmins unlawfully breached the ministerial code by failing to refer the issue to the full Stormont Bryson said Kimmins had made it clear she did not believe it was a controversial decision. "She is not for turning…and it is precisely the type of case where the court should intervene," he said. Mr Justice Scoffield declined to impose any interim order."The main reason why I'm not going to do that is it would put you at risk if it comes to a cross-undertaking in damages," he said."Secondly, I've been told by senior Crown counsel, acting on instructions, that the practical position is that nothing is going to happen in the near future.""It is unnecessary for me to exercise the court's coercive powers."The judicial review application for hearing has been listed as 9 May.
Belfast Telegraph
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
No work to install Irish language signs at Belfast station for at least six months, court told
Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson is challenging Sinn Fein Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins' decision to approve the £150,000 scheme at the city's public transport hub. But a judge was told today that it was unnecessary to impose an interim order against any changes to signs in the station due to the timeframe for a procurement process. Counsel for the Minister also indicated that Mr Bryson could face a claim for damages if he does seek an injunction and ultimately loses his case. Tony McGleenan KC submitted: 'Let's say the costs of IT or signage goes up by £50,000 and the case fails, we need to know… if that will be met,' he said. Judicial review proceedings were issued after Ms Kimmins announced in March that Irish signage would be installed at Grand Central and on ticket vending machines. She said the decision was based on a commitment to promotion of the language and the importance of the station reflecting all citizens. Representing himself in the case, Mr Bryson contends she unlawfully breached the Ministerial Code by failing to refer the issue to the Executive Committee for discussion and agreement. Under Stormont rules any significant, controversial or cross-cutting decision should be tabled for consideration by the power-sharing cabinet. Work to introduce the bilingual displays had been put on hold until May 1 due to the legal action. At a preliminary hearing today, the department insisted there was no need for Mr Bryson to seek any further injunctive relief. 'The progression of any changes on signage at Grand Central Station will be the subject of a procurement exercise before any works can actually take place to the signage and associated IT,' Mr McGleenan disclosed. 'The projected timescale for that is about six months, there will be no physical changes until that process has been completed.' Confirming the challenge is being resisted, Mr McGleenan highlighted that a TUV petition in the Assembly against the dual language signage attracted no signatures from any other MLAs. But according to Mr Bryson the petition was a political development irrelevant to his case. 'They ought to have signed it, but legally it has no consequence,' he submitted. He claimed Ms Kimmins has made clear she does not believe it was a controversial decision. 'She is not for turning… and it is precisely the type of case where the court should intervene,' the activist said. 'The Minister has somewhat defiantly in a PAP (Pre-Action Protocol) response set out that she is not referring the matter back, she is defending her position.' At one point the judge asked if he was prepared to give assurances over any financial damages or losses incurred if sought and obtained an injunction in an ultimately unsuccessful challenge. 'Yes I would give such an undertaking,' Mr Bryson confirmed. 'If I was not confident in my own case I would not be here.' Listing the judicial review application for hearing on May 9, Mr Justice Scoffield declined to impose any interim order. He told the activist: 'The main reason why I'm not going to do that is it would put you at risk if it comes to a cross-undertaking in damages. 'Secondly, I've been told by senior Crown counsel, acting on instructions, that the practical position is that nothing is going to happen in the near future. 'It is unnecessary for me to exercise the court's coercive powers.'
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pedestrianisation plans delayed by 'austerity' would cost £5k
Pedestrianisation plans for a Belfast city centre street that a Stormont minister says have stalled due to "austerity by the British government" would cost about £5,000. The proposals to ban cars from Hill Street in the city's Cathedral Quarter - a narrow, cobbled street that runs through a popular nightlife area - have faced years of delays. Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said her department "remains committed" to the project but it has "competing business priorities and reduced staffing levels". Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) assembly member Phillip Brett said the Sinn Féin minister's stance looked "frankly ridiculous". The estimate emerged amid a dispute between DUP and Sinn Féin over the minister's plans to spend about £150,000 on Irish language signage at the city's Grand Central Station. "£5,000 pales into insignificance when compared to other announcements made by the minister in recent weeks, undermining her argument even more," Brett said. Green Party leader Mal O'Hara said he believes it is right to have dual language signage at Grand Central Station, but added that it should also be possible to pedestrianise Hill Street. "There is enough money. It's just about political will and priorities and in this instance the minister lacks political will." Hill Street, which contains many bars and restaurants, was pedestrianised for a trial period in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. But plans to permanently close the street to vehicles have been long delayed. Belfast pub owner Willie Jack said the cars on Hill Street were a "safety issue". "Come down here on a Saturday and have a look and tell me any reason why it isn't pedestrianised," he said. "It's dangerous. It's dangerous and it's an accident waiting to happen." Mr Jack added that other cities, like Galway, are pedestrianised in the city centre. In September last year, then infrastructure minister John O'Dowd said the proposals had been "put on hold". Kimmins became infrastructure minister in February after a Sinn Féin reshuffle. She said a detailed cost estimate had not been completed for the project but it was "likely to be in the region of £5,000". "The impact of over 14 years of underfunding and austerity by the British government has left the department experiencing significant staff shortages," she said. "This has meant that work is limited and can only proceed on the basis of prioritisation. "While the cost of the scheme in and of itself may be low, the wider funding challenges for the department restricts the level of staff needed to carry out the necessary work." Kimmins was responding to written questions submitted by Brett in the Northern Ireland Assembly. The DUP assembly member said "attempting to blame UK government austerity" was "never going to stand up to basic scrutiny, but now looks frankly ridiculous". The infrastructure minister said her department "remains committed to progressing the pedestrianisation of Hill Street". She said they were "exploring different options to try to satisfy all stakeholders' needs in order to facilitate completion of the necessary legislative process". King Charles and Michelle O'Neill meet during NI royal visit Kimmins 'stands firm' over Grand Central Irish language signage
BBC News
04-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Belfast pedestrianisation plan hit by 'austerity' would cost £5k
Pedestrianisation plans which a Stormont minister says have stalled due to "austerity by the British government" would cost around £5, proposals to ban cars from Hill Street in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter - a popular nightlife area - have faced years of Minister Liz Kimmins said her department "remains committed" to the project but it has "competing business priorities and reduced staffing levels".Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) assembly member Phillip Brett said the Sinn Féin minister's stance looked "frankly ridiculous". The estimate emerges amid a dispute between DUP and Sinn Féin over the minister's plans to spend about £150,000 on Irish language signage at the city's Grand Central said: "£5,000 pales into insignificance when compared to other announcements made by the minister in recent weeks, undermining her argument even more."Hill Street, which contains many bars and restaurants, was pedestrianised for a trial period in 2020 during the Covid-19 plans to permanently close the street to vehicles have long been delayed. In September last year, then infrastructure minister John O'Dowd said the proposals had been "put on hold".Kimmins became infrastructure minister in February after a Sinn Féin said a detailed cost estimate had not been completed for the project but it was "likely to be in the region of £5,000"."The impact of over 14 years of underfunding and austerity by the British government has left the department experiencing significant staff shortages," she said."This has meant that work is limited and can only proceed on the basis of prioritisation."While the cost of the scheme in and of itself may be low, the wider funding challenges for the department restricts the level of staff needed to carry out the necessary work." 'Frankly ridiculous' Kimmins was responding to written questions submitted by Brett in the Northern Ireland DUP assembly member said "attempting to blame UK Government austerity" was "never going to stand up to basic scrutiny, but now looks frankly ridiculous".The infrastructure minister said her department "remains committed to progressing the pedestrianisation of Hill Street".She said they were "exploring different options to try to satisfy all stakeholders' needs in order to facilitate completion of the necessary legislative process".
