North council move welcome

The proposals announced on Tuesday to revamp council, education and health systems in the Six Counties have been welcomed by Sinn Féin MLAs.

The party said the new seven-council model would remove layers of bureaucracy, protect minority communities and give local government greater control over government policies.

Sinn Féin's Alex Maskey said the setting up of new authorities to oversee health and education could deal with the restructuring needed in these areas, but that it would be scrutinising the review recommendations to ensure democratic accountability and equality were at their core.