Other NI News In Brief

Jobs For Lisburn

The NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster is pictured here with Bob Gilligan, Vice President, GE Energy Services Digital Energy Business as she announced a multi-million pound investment by GE, supported by Invest NI which will create 104 jobs in Lisburn. GE is a diversified global infrastructure, finance and media company, which serves the energy sector by developing and deploying technology that helps make efficient use of natural resources. Through a multi-million pound investment, GE plans to expand its Northern Ireland based, Kelman Ltd electrical transformer monitoring business, with support from Invest Northern Ireland. Invest NI has offered £981,000 towards the projects which will create 104 high quality jobs, generating £2.5million annually in additional salaries. Positions will include advanced manufacturing, research and development and technical support roles and will draw on disciplines such as mechanical and electrical engineering, chemistry, physics, software and computer sciences.

Charles On The Farm

The Prince of Wales has visited the national award-winning Barnwell Farm in the heart of the Ards Peninsula. He was greeted by Roy McClenaghan, Deputy Secretary, Service Delivery Group, Department of Agriculture and Michael Calvert, the farm owner to hear how Mr Calvert won the 2009 National Nature of Farming Award for his management of the Greyabbey farm that can trace its heritage back over 200 hundred years. Earlier, the National Trust enjoyed a boost as Price Charles began his second day of engagements with a visit to Mount Stewart House and Gardens to meet staff and volunteers of the National Trust. Prince Charles became Patron of the conservation charity in 2003, supporting its role to promote the permanent preservation for the benefit of the nation of places of beauty or historic interest. He was welcomed to the estate by David Lindsay Lord-Lieutenant of Co Down and then met Roy Bailie, National Trust Regional Chairman, Hilary McGrady Northern Ireland Director, Jon Kerr Property Manager and Eoin Lane, Lead Gardner.

Therapy Bus

Former GMTV presenter, Fiona Phillips joined NI Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey at Belfast City Hall yesterday to officially unveil the 'Fold Brain Bus' initiative. Ms Phillips been vocal about her experiences in caring for her father with dementia. With its distinctive pink and purple exterior, the mobile unit has been designed to help raise awareness of dementia and dementia-related issues. "There has been so much negativity surrounding the significant challenges to our society posed by dementia," said Eileen Askham, Director of Care Services at the launch. "But today we are launching a new support alternative that can make a real difference to people with dementia. Helping them to maintain their independence, and giving them more choice and control over their lives."

Businessman Fined For Waste

George Morrow, trading as North Down Recovery of Main Street, Millisle, has been fined a total of £3,000 and £22 costs at Newtownards Magistrates' Court for a breach of waste management legislation. Officers of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) investigated the above site, where Mr Morrow operates a garage, on 1 October 2008 where a quantity of controlled wastes in the form of end of life vehicles and parts of end of life vehicles was deposited. The site did not have a waste management licence or a licence to operate as an authorised treatment facility for end of life vehicles. Mr Morrow pleaded guilty to three charges and was fined £1,000 under each charge.

Roads Service Reports On Magherafelt

NI Transport Minister, Conor Murphy has welcomed the successful completion of Roads Service's 2009/2010 programme of works and the planned £2.4million for structural road maintenance in the Magherafelt District Council area this year. Speaking ahead of a meeting between Roads Service and Magherafelt District Council, the Minister said: "A range of local schemes has been delivered successfully by Roads Service in the past year. While the tightening public expenditure environment in the year ahead will be challenging, Roads Service remains committed to ensure it can make best use of our resources and continue to deliver quality public services."

(BMcC/GK)