Other NI News In Brief

Van Bans Booze

Those attending UK gigs headlined by the legendary Ulster singer Van Morrison are gong to have a dry night - the singer has banned alcohol from all his concerts. The Belfast-born musician believes it is "distracting" when members of the audience leave a concert to get drinks. Morrison, whose hits include Brown Eyed Girl and Moondance, said people leaving his gigs for alcohol spoiled the experience for everyone. Earlier this year, he was slated by critics after imposing a similar alcohol ban on audiences in America.

Enniskillen Hospital Project Boosted

A successful tenderer to build a new £267 million acute hospital in Enniskillen has been named. The Western Health & Social Care Trust will now work with the Northern Ireland Health Group, a private sector consortium, to build the facility. Making the announcement the NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said: "The new acute hospital will provide the people of the South West with a modern, state-of-the-art healthcare facility that will be fit for the 21st Century. I am delighted to see the project progress to this key stage. The appointment of the Northern Ireland Health Group means that the hospital is very much on schedule for 2012."

NI Property Market To Fall (Much) Further

A top London financier has warned that some Northern Ireland house prices could drop by a startling 80% in value. Jonathan Davis, who was "laughed off" a BBC NI current affairs programme in early 2007, when he predicted the property market collapse, has said Ulster prices are set to drop much further than the rest of the UK. The Armstrong Davis Managing Director said he "wouldn't touch property with a barge pole", despite developers' claims that the market was at "rock bottom". Mr Davis reiterated his earlier predictions that most Northern Ireland properties would fall by 50% in value, and that some of the most overvalued homes in the Province would drop further.

Food On Agenda

NI Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew met recently with Aidan Cotter, Chief Executive of An Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board. They discussed the benefits of collaborative working arrangements with the merits of logos that provide consumers with greater reassurance about where their food comes from. Speaking after the meeting which took place during the Terra Madre Food festival in Waterford, the Minister said: "I welcomed the opportunity to discuss how DARD and An Bord Bia can work together with other support organisations and industry stakeholders to get the best returns from the market place for farmers and growers. I look forward to further discussions between DARD and Bord Bia and the strengthening of the working relationships."

(BMcC)