Other NI News In Brief

PSNI May Strike Over Pay

According to the Chairman of the Police Federation, police officers have not ruled out taking industrial actional in an ongoing dispute over pay. Speaking at their annual conference in Belfast on Wednesday, Terry Spence warned Home Secretary Jacqui Smith not to ignore the recommendations of the Police Arbitrition Panel. The Police Federation has demanded a 3.5% rise for personnel and are not satisfied with the less than 2% offer put forward by the UK Government. In a clear message to Northern Ireland Secretary of State Shaun Woodward, who was in attendance, Mr Spence hinted strike action could be a possibility as the dispute intensifies: "If this is the only way that we can get the message across to you and your Cabinet colleagues, that we were unfairly treated last year and again this year then so be it," he said. "The annual pay award has become an intolerable charade because of your unwillingness to recognise the just position of our pay claim."

Its A Gas! Underground CO2 Disposal Probed

An important step has been taken in investigating the viability of capturing and storing CO2 gases underground in Northern Ireland. The cross-border study aims to find alternative storage possibilities for renewable energies, and has been welcomed by Economy Minister Arlene Foster. The Geological Surveys of Northern Ireland (GSNI), Republic of Ireland (GSI) and the British Geological Survey (BGS), have worked with economists and engineers to assess locations where carbon dioxide (CO2) could be stored safely underground. The rocks that underlie the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland are the subject of a range of studies by academia, industry and Government, into carbon capture and storage research.

Planners Boosted

The backlog in the Northern Ireland planning process has prompted the heads of the Executive to make new appointments to the Planning Appeals Commission. First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have just announced a number of appointments to the Planning and Water Appeals Commissions. The appointments, which take effect during this month, are in line with the Government's earlier commitment to enable the Planning Appeals Commission to address the current backlog of planning appeal cases. Alistair Beggs, Rosemary Daly and Mandy Jones have been appointed as Senior Commissioners to the Planning and Water Appeals Commissions.

Donaghadee High School To Close

A decision to close a Co Down school has been taken by Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane. The move, to close Donaghadee High School followed a proposal by South Eastern Education and Library Board. The Minister said: "Donaghadee High School has provided an important service to the community of Donaghadee and wider afield, but in recent years there has been a fall in numbers attending. Unfortunately the school is no longer sustainable and I must consider the best interests of the pupils currently enrolled. Closing a school is never an easy decision to take but the needs of the pupils cannot be met in a school in decline."

HIV Testing Welcomed: SF

Sinn Féin MLA and Vice-Chair of the Assembly Health Committee Michelle O'Neil has welcomed the launch of a new, confidential Rapid HIV Testing Service by the HIV Support Centre. Speaking today Ms O'Neill said: "The launch of the new Rapid HIV Testing Centre is to be welcomed. It will provide an essential service promoting sexual health across the North of Ireland. Its obvious strengths are that it is both confidential and community based which will lead to greater accessibility for local people wishing to avail of its services."

(BMcC)