Other NI News In Brief

Historic Abuse Probed

The Stormont Executive has announced the establishment of an inquiry into historical institutional child abuse. First Minister Peter Robinson (pictured) said: "This inquiry will be given the necessary statutory powers to compel people and documents. We will be taking forward legislation in the Assembly to confer statutory powers on the Inquiry and Investigation into Historical Institutional Child Abuse - but it could take up to two years before the legislation is complete, however this will not delay the Investigation and Inquiry's work," he said. "We will [therefore] not be waiting two years to start the process and we intend to start as soon as possible with the other elements of the Inquiry and Investigation. This includes the forum, which will enable survivors and victims to come forward to recount their experiences and the research on investigatory stages," he added.

PSNI Tackle 'Catholic Barriers'

Around 100 Catholic schools in Fermanagh, Londonderry, north and west Belfast, and some parts of Tyrone are being targeted by visits by the Police Service NI (PSNI) in an attempt to overcome traditional barriers between them and officers. It is hoped that the initiative will ultimately lead to more Catholic recruits joining the PSNI. The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS), bishops and the PSNI have been negotiating for months on how best to roll out the project.

Blaze Home Re-opens

An overnight blaze that led to the evacuation of a nursing home is not being treated as suspicious and residents are now moving back in the premises. Twenty-seven people had to be moved from the home on the Keady Road while the fire service dealt with the incident. However, several of the residents and 10 police officers were treated for the effects of breathing in smoke during the emergency evacuation that is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault.

Civil Service Boss Named

Dr Malcolm McKibbin is to be the new Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service. He is currently Permanent Secretary in the Department for Regional Development and will succeed Sir Bruce Robinson. The First Minister and acting Deputy First Minister have announced the appointment and said: "We very much welcome Malcolm's appointment and have every confidence in his ability to lead the Civil Service." Commenting on his appointment Dr McKibbin said: "I am honoured to have this opportunity to work with Executive Ministers and the staff of the Northern Ireland Civil Service as a whole. I am confident that the ability, skills and commitment of the staff throughout the NICS will endure during what are undeniably very challenging times."

Justice Sought For Disputes

Justice Minister David Ford has re-iterated his support for the promotion of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). The Minister was addressing the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Irish Branch and NI Chapter) Cross-Border Conference at a Belfast hotel and acknowledged the valued work they do by providing training and skilled professionals to deliver Alternative Dispute Resolution in civil disputes. The Minister outlined some of the key conclusions and recommendations contained in the Access to Justice Review report that he published on 13 September for consultation. "The Review report makes important recommendations for the development and promotion of ADR, ranging from ensuring that the public has the necessary information on all the options available to them, to addressing training and accreditation standards for mediators," he said.

InterTrade Ireland Briefs Cmmtee

The Assembly Committee for Enterprise Trade and Investment held a meeting in Newry this week hosted by InterTradeIreland, the cross-border trade and business development body. The Committee, chaired by Alban Maginness, was welcomed to Newry by InterTradeIreland's Chief Executive, Liam Nellis. The Committee was informed of the recent findings from the All Island Business Monitor survey which reported that nearly half (48%) of small businesses with less than 10 employees were contracting, trying to survive or winding up. "We are launching a number of new supports that are designed to help small businesses diversify their market, product and service portfolios. These include the InterTradeIreland Innovation Challenge Programme which aims to help firms transform their business prospects in just nine months," he said. "Reversing the process of decline for small firms is a key focus for InterTradeIreland and we believe that the Irish market offers a significant opportunity for small firms in Northern Ireland to identify new markets and increase their sales to be officially launched next month."

(BMcC/GK)