Other News In Brief

Call For Parties To Resolve Current Welfare Crisis

All parties are being urged to resolve the current crisis over welfare.

Alliance Party Leader David Ford has warned that putting a deal off until after the election will see £18 million of vital public spending lost in fines to Westminster.

Mr Ford MLA said: "The decision by the SDLP to withhold their support for welfare legislation, and Sinn Fein's U-turn two weeks ago, has once again created doubt over Northern Ireland's political and economic future.

"If we don't resolve this issue before the election, then we will waste a further £18million in fines that we will be forced to pay to Westminster. This is £18million that we could have spent on protecting the vulnerable - the very same people that Sinn Fein and SDLP MLAs claim they are trying to help."

New Chairman Of The Board Of Tourism NI Appointed

Terence Brannigan has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Board of Tourism Northern Ireland with effect from 1st April 2015.

His appointment is for a three year period.

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said: "I look forward to working with the new Chairman and Board members who bring a strong mix of skills with them and I am confident that they will help to build the value of tourism to the local economy."

New Developments To Be Built In Bangor

Over 70 apartments and 8 houses are to be developed in Bangor, Northern Ireland.

The new dwellings are part of a major regeneration scheme at Queen's Parade. A recommendation to give planning approval from the Department of the Environment, was endorsed by North Down Borough Council's Planning Committee at its meeting yesterday.

The approval gives permission for the development of:

• 72 apartments;

• 8 terraced dwelling houses;

• A flexible theatre/performance space;

• New business/office space;

• A range of new hotel accommodation;

• New restaurants/cafes;

• A multi-storey car park comprising 351 spaces;

• New accesses at King Street and Southwell Road;

• Creation of new open shared space along Marine Gardens and;

• Relocation of Project 24's colourful art pods and covered event space.

(CD/MH)