Belfast 'Open For Business' During G8

Belfast's new Lord Mayor, Councillor Máirtin Ó Muilleoir, says the G8 summit will be an "opportunity to show it can handle global events with all the world leaders passing through the city and one or two of them planning to stop off along the way."

The comments follow a meeting of representatives from the statutory and business sector to outline what the 2013 G8 Summit could mean mean for Belfast.

The G8 Summit is an annual meeting of the leaders of eight of the world's most powerful countries; the USA, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Canada and Russia. This year's meeting is being held in Fermanagh.

The Summit always attracts protestors from across the world, who demonstrate in opposition to what they see as the uneven distribution of power and money between international nation states.

"There will be inconveniences for our citizens as they try to get to and from work and go about their daily business, but it is only for a short period of time and the city will remain open for business," the Lord Mayor said.

"It is vital that we balance the need for security and safety with the opportunity to build on the image and reputation of Belfast which has been transformed during the past 15 years as a great place to live, invest, work and visit and I think we are well placed to seize that opportunity."

Dr Anne Wilson, Consultant in Health Protection, Public Health Agency, and who has been leading on the Health Operational Planning for the G8 Summit, said: "Health and social care organisations are working with statutory partner organisations including the PSNI, local government and other statutory agencies to help ensure that, during the G8 Summit, there will be minimal disruption and it will be 'business as usual' where possible within health and social care across Northern Ireland.

“In addition, should visitors to the area during the Summit need to avail of healthcare services, arrangements are in place to direct them to the appropriate services and ensure they have a positive experience.”

Chief Superintendent Alan McCrum added: "Extensive planning has been undertaken and a range of contingencies are being put in place to keep any disruption to the city to a minimum. We are working closely with Translink and Roads Service to ensure that transport networks operate and that people can access public transport to get into and out of the city.

"Naturally, the increase in visitor numbers will result in some disruption. People travelling to the city that weekend (Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th June), and on Monday 17th June are being advised to leave extra time for their journey."

(IT/CD)