Other News In Brief

GEDA Construction Appointed For L'Derry Regeneration Project

GEDA Construction has been appointed to carry out a £1.5 million regeneration project in L'Derry.

The work on Portstewart's promenade is expected to start at the end of this month.

The joint initiative will include £750,000 from the Department for Social Development (DSD), with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council providing equal funding of £750,000.

The regeneration work includes:

• replacement of the existing footways with a new high quality concrete aggregate and granite pavers;

• improved street lighting that will complement the marine environment of the area;

• The installation of stainless steel railings along the entire length of the seafront side of the promenade, and;

• High quality street furniture.

UUP Accused Of Punishing Hard Working Families

The Ulster Unionist Party has been accused of punishing hard working families after the party voted against the Legislative Consent Motion on welfare reform.

Social Development Minister Mervyn Storey is calling on UUP leader Mike Nesbitt to apologise.

Mr Storey said: "Just over two months ago Mike Nesbitt boldly announced the UUP would attend talks because he had a plan to resolve welfare reform. Today Mike led his party through the lobby to oppose a total of £585 million pounds to ensure that Northern Ireland has a welfare reform settlement which is better than any other region of the United Kingdom.

"This is truly the kind of political stunt for which Mike Nesbitt should apologise.

"The proposals include £240milion to help 105,000 hardworking families who would be hit by the recently announced cuts to tax credits. Whilst Danny Kinahan, Reg Empey or Denis Rogan didn’t vote on the tax credit proposals at Westminster, today the UUP MLAs did turn up, but only to oppose helping those low paid workers for whom tax credits can be a vital lifeline.

"Whilst Ulster Unionist policy flip-flops have become so commonplace that they are barely worthy of note, the level of cynicism motivating Mike Nesbitt’s party is significant. The fact the UUP would vote against proposals which will help not those entitled to benefits, but also low paid workers shows that no one is safe in the Ulster Unionist search for relevance and what they think might provide some short-term party political advantage."

Stormont Deal Welcomed

Sinn Féin Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh welcomed the new Stormont deal agreed on Tuesday as an important milestone.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh said: "Now that agreement has been reached I am hopeful that we will be able get on with the important work of building a fairer society for all the people on the island of Ireland.

"The agreement is as Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness described it, evidence of a common commitment to a better future.

"There are of course aspects of the agreement that we may not be overly happy with but there is enough in it that is positive and constructive and allows us to move forward."

(CD)