Other NI News In Brief

Review Bonuses, Says Sinn Féin

The Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew has said that there should be a review of bonuses paid to senior civil servants. The Stormont Agriculture Minister said: "There is widespread public anger at the large bonuses being paid to public servants who are already on substantial incomes. I share this concern and want a review to be undertaken on this matter. My party colleague, Mitchel McLaughlin, the Chairperson of the Assembly Finance Committee has indicated that he intends to instigate a far-reaching review of the Senior Civil Servants bonus system. I believe that we need to see a transparent and accountable system covering the whole area of civil service pay."

Third Case Of Swine Flu Confirmed

A third case of human swine flu has been confirmed in the Irish Republic. Department of Health spokesperson Dr Tony Holohan aid that a woman who has recently returned from New York has influenza A(H1N1). The women who lives in the east of the country is being treated with anti-virals and is recovering at home. The case is believed to be unconnected with the case confirmed yesterday where another woman who also recently travelled from New York was found to be carrying the virus.

Jobs Boost From Medical Firm

Some 50 jobs are to be created soon thanks to a medical equipment manufacturer's plans to develop its business in Northern Ireland. Lir-Med, which produces equipment for surgical procedures, will initially employ 10 people at new premises in Craigavon from June. Over the next two years they expect a further 40 jobs will be created.

Armagh Investment Announced

Invest Northern Ireland has secured a 10 acre site in Armagh as part of a £3million project to support future investment opportunities in the region. The site at Edenaveys is the first to be purchased as part of Invest NI's land acquisition strategy which aims to secure industrial land in four priority areas across Northern Ireland.

Organ Donors Wanted

The NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has encouraged the public to register on the Organ Donor Register. The Minister was speaking following an announcement by NHS Blood and Transplant that increasing numbers of organ donors helped to deliver a record high in transplantations last year. But there are still more than 10,000 people across the UK in need of an organ to transform or save their lives. "Sixty-two Northern Ireland residents received transplants last year, but some 256 people here are still waiting for an organ transplant and last year 13 died while waiting," he said. "Across the UK about three people a day die in need of a transplant. I strongly urge all Northern Ireland residents who support organ donation to register on the Organ Donation Register and to discuss their wishes with friends and relatives."

Cod Recovered Plan Slammed

Concerns have been expressed at the highest level over the impact of a European plan to conserve cod. Northern Ireland's Fisheries Minister Michelle Gildernew has attended the Fisheries Council in Brussels, where the main topic on the agenda was the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. "I expressed serious concerns about the impact of the Cod Recovery Plan and restrictions it placed on the number of days that can be fished by the local fleet. I urged the Commissioner to take stock of those impacts before fishing opportunities are determined for 2010," she said after.

FUSION Gets Investment

InterTradeIreland has announced it is investing nearly £12m in 180 cross-border research and development projects, by 2010, through its FUSION programme. This scheme matches companies with universities or colleges that have the specialist expertise they need and high calibre science and technology graduates. Welcoming the announcement the NI Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster said: "In these challenging times, it is more important than ever that we encourage and support companies to put innovation at the heart of their business. By working in partnership with academics and high quality graduates they can improve and adapt their products and processes and take advantage of new market opportunities."

(BMcC/JM)