Other News In Brief

LCC Unveils New Flag

The Loyalist Community Council (LCC) has unveiled a new flag to commemorate the Somme centenary.

The Alliance Party said a cautious welcome could be given to anything which potentially saw the removal of paramilitary flags from street furniture.

South Belfast MLA Paula Bradshaw said the "proof will be in the pudding".

She said: "Any removal of paramilitary flags is a step in the right direction. However, I have been informed of some paramilitary flags still being erected only yesterday, so the proof is going to be in the pudding with this matter.

"There is also a bigger issue here - 18 years after the Good Friday Agreement, paramilitaries should not exist, never mind be giving permission for flying of flags in our communities."

Dublin Energy Firm Acquires Wind Farm In Co Antrim

A Dublin energy firm has acquired a wind farm in Co Antrim.

NTR bought Altaveedan Wind Farm near Loughguile which is under construction by Larne-based developer RES.

The project has already injected almost £4 million into the Northern Ireland economy since it started construction in 2015 and the total capital costs for the project are expected to be over £30 million.

The nine turbine project has generated over £1.3 million of direct investment in Co Antrim and £772,000 spent within a five mile radius of the site.

NTR's Chief Investment Officer, Manus O'Donnell said: "Altaveedan is our third wind project investment in Northern Ireland over the past 18 months and our second with RES who have an outstanding reputation as a renewable energy developer by putting the community and local economy at the heart of their activities. With this investment, over £60 million of capital will be invested into NTR wind projects locally, which together will provide enough clean energy to sustain an estimated 40,000 homes in Northern Ireland."

UUP's Decision To Enter Opposition Was Made By The Electorate - Givan

The Ulster Unionist Party's decision to enter opposition was made by the electorate when it gave them the worst ever vote in an Assembly election, according to Lagan Valley DUP MLA Paul Givan.

Mr Givan said: "During the last mandate the UUP had a Minister in the Executive but behaved as a party outside the Executive and six months before the election walked away.

"Throughout the course of the election Mr Nesbitt could not give a straight answer as to whether people voting UUP were voting for that party to be in Government. The people of Northern Ireland gave them the clear answer by delivering a resounding defeat in every constituency compared to DUP candidates.

"We were elected on the basis of our five-point plan and we are now in a better position to deliver it with this decision. We will work for a good deal on jobs, health, education, infrastructure and family budgets."

(CD)