Other News In Brief

Dept For The Economy Cuts 'Short-Sighted And Counterproductive'

Cuts to skills, further education and higher education would be "short-sighted and counterproductive", Alliance Lagan Valley MLA Sorcha Eastwood has said.

The MLA was speaking following reports that the Department for the Economy needs to make savings of £130m.

The proposed cuts include ending all age apprenticeships, budget reductions for arms-length bodies, and reduced support for the path to net zero energy strategy.

Ms Eastwood said: "If we are to embed a culture of lifelong learning, improve educational underachievement, ensure people can adapt and excel in an ever changing workplace, and get jobs that are fulfilling and rewarding, investment in skills is essential.

"For this reason, Alliance is focused on pursuing a prosperity agenda and securing an invest to save package that would transform our public services and the lives of our citizens.

"Last year DfE published a new Skills Strategy, which laid out the work that needs to be done over the next ten years to ensure Northern Ireland becomes one of the world's leading small economies.

"With invaluable access to both the UK and EU markets and the United States willing to invest time and money, Northern Ireland has the potential to strengthen its position, however that will only be the case if we have a stable government and investment to grow.

"Speaking with businesses in Lagan Valley and across Northern Ireland, skills support is one of their top concerns and these cuts will set us back years, at a time when the opportunities are clear.

"They are only achievable however with functioning political institutions, restored on a permanent basis, and with ministerial direction, and we’re faced with yet another reason in an incredibly long list of why it’s imperative that the DUP end their boycott immediately."

23-Year-Old Fined For Illegal Fishing In Carrickfergus

A 23-year-old man has been fined for fishing offences at Laganside Magistrates Court.

Aurel Ciurar, of Ava Park, Belfast, was convicted, in his absence, of five breaches of legislation as prescribed under the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966 and Public Angling Estate (PAE) Byelaws 2005.

The breaches were unlicensed fishing; fishing on DAERA's waters without a permit; failing to provide his name and address; obstructing and impeding an authorised person, and using un-permitted fishing methods.

On the 29 April 2022, DAERA Fisheries Protection Officers were on routine patrol of the Public Angling Estate (PAE) at North Woodburn Reservoir, Carrickfegus when they observed Mr Ciurar along with another unidentified male fishing with a number of fishing rods.

Both men refused to provide officers with their details, to enable checks to take place to ensure they had the correct fishing license and permissions to fish legally at the location. Their fishing equipment was seized as a result of failing to provide their names and addresses.

They were also found to be using sweetcorn as bait, which is not permitted.

Officers were able to identify Mr Ciurar by using the registration details of the vehicle the men used to leave the location. The identity of the second man has never been confirmed.

The total fine of £541 included:

• £50 for the use of a vegetable matter (sweetcorn) as bait; 

• £75 for possession of an unlicensed fishing engine;

• £75 for fishing on the department's waters without a permit;

• £150 for obstructing and impeding an authorised officer, and

• £150 for failing to provide name and address along with court costs of £26 and an offender levy of £15.

DAERA Inland Fisheries enforcement is committed to pursue those who fish illegally. If you are aware or suspect illegal fishing, you should contact DAERA Inland Fisheries on 0300 200 7860 or outside office hours contact 0800 807 060.

InvestNI Establish New Office In Milan, Italy

Invest Northern Ireland has established a new presence in Milan, Italy, in an expansion of its global network.

The office based in the British Consulate in Milan, will be led by Invest NI's new Regional Trade Manager, Alex Mason, and has been made possible via New Deal for Northern Ireland funding from the Northern Ireland Office.

Speaking from Milan, Steve Harper, Invest NI's Executive Director of International Business said: "Our new presence in Milan will support the growth of our economy by attracting new FDI and assisting Northern Ireland companies to access opportunities in the Italian market and ultimately grow their exports here.

"The Windsor Framework gives Northern Ireland a unique position as the only region with access to both the UK home market and the EU single market. This market access for goods to the EU single market makes it easier for Italian companies to buy goods from Northern Ireland, therefore providing us with significant opportunities to develop and increase our exports to the EU. 

To mark its latest expansion, Invest NI is hosting a trade mission in Milan with eight of Northern Ireland's finest distilleries. The Northern Ireland Spirits Showcase Event is enabling the eight companies to showcase their products including whiskey, rum, gin and poitín to Italian buyers and distributers.

Steve continued: "I am immensely proud of the world-class capabilities that Northern Ireland already offers the world. I am confident there are opportunities here for Northern Ireland companies and my visit this week is to strengthen and build relationships to support companies, like the eight we have in the market today, to do business here.

"Our new Regional Trade Manager, Alex Mason, is already providing the right advice and guidance to these companies which we hope will lead to Italian success. As well as building a strong network of stakeholders and partners to benefit trade development, Alex will also work to identify potential investors in the region."