Other NI News In Brief

RIR Troops Recovering After 'Friendly Fire' Incident

The Royal Irish Regiment's service in Afghanistan is back in focus today with news that three soldiers have been injured in a so-called friendly fire incident. A member of the Afghan National Army was also killed and five of his colleagues were hurt in the same incident in Helmand province. They were shot by the crew of an Apache helicopter, which they had called in to support them after a Taliban ambush. The three RIR soldiers have already been flown back to Britain for treatment and they are said to be making a good recovery while the MoD has launched a full inquiry.

Top Marks For School Builders

A Northern Ireland company has set new standards in construction by designing and building seven new schools from scratch in a record 24 weeks. Coalisland firm Western Building Systems Ltd handed over the new design and built schools in record time to the Department of Education and Science in the Republic of Ireland, in time for the new school term. The €25 million contract involved the design and construction of the new schools from initial greenfield site to fully completed turnkey buildings in a timescale which is unprecedented in the history of the company. The family run Northern Ireland firm said it was was "challenged to the limit" with the project - its largest contract to date.

Public Taken 'To Book'

The search is on for members of the public with the skills, interest and commitment to participate in the management of the NI public library service. The move is against a background of significant development. The Libraries Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 changes the way the public library service will be delivered, and from 1 April, responsibility for delivering and managing a unified library service for all Northern Ireland will transfer to a new Library Authority. The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) is therefore now seeking to appoint members of the Board of the Library Authority. The appointments are being advertised this week. Culture Minister, Gregory Campbell said: "We are entering a new era for public libraries with this unique and innovative model for the delivery of the library service. The Board will bring together people with a range of skills and expertise with the goal of improving front-line library provision and ensuring the success of this important new body."

Local TV Faces Cuts

Local company, UTV is facing a cut as the number of programmes it is required to produce by the UK'ss broadcasting regulator is reduced. Ofcom has said that from early next year it will only need UTV to supply 5.5 hours of programming a week. In implemented, that amounts to a cut of around 40% from present levels. However, core news and current affairs programmes have been 'protected' under the plans. They have yet to be ratified.

See: Plans For ITV To Reduce Public Service Broadcasts

See: ITV 'Compromise' Over News Services

(BMcC)