O'Neill Updates Assembly On December Fisheries Summit
Fisheries Minister Michelle O’Neill today updated the Assembly on the outcome of the December Fisheries negotiations. Minister O’Neill said: “The Commission proposed a 19 per cent cut in Nephrops contrary to the robust scientific advice available. Working closely with my counterpart in the south, Simon Coveney TD, an alternative approach was presented to the Commission which took account of the scientific advice and demonstrated healthy stock levels and effectiveness of current management arrangements. The Commission was persuaded by our arguments and as a result the level of quota was maintained. This was an excellent outcome, and means that fishing opportunities for 95 per cent of our local fleet will be maintained for 2012.
Read more: O'Neill Updates Assembly On December Fisheries Summit
Ballynahinch Head Master voices his fear over latest ruling
The new Government's public sector pension cuts was ruled lawful by the High Court on Friday (2 December), one County Down Head Master speaks out about the injustice of this decision. The cuts now save the government many millions of pounds in the coming years and is a major area of disagreement within the public sector pensions dispute, writes Anne O'Hare.
Read more: Ballynahinch Head Master voices his fear over latest ruling
Hamilton Says Retail Is Big Key To Economic Regeneration
STRANGFORD MLA Simon Hamilton has told the Retail NI Conference that the retail sector will play an important role in regenerating the local economy.
Speaking at the conference at the Stormont Hotel, Simon Hamilton, who is the Assembly Private Secretary to the Finance Minister, said, “I think that sometimes retail is viewed unfairly as inferior to all other forms of employment and that it’s contribution to the economy is second rate to say manufacturing.
“What is often overlooked is the sheer size of the retail sector in Northern Ireland. Some 18% of all employees work in retail related companies while nearly 9% of all businesses are retail ones. A sector that size can in no way be described as second rate.
Survey Shows Small Firms Get Small Change From Banks
THE success rate of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises that applied for a bank loan fell from 92% in 2007 to 65% in 2010, according to new figures released today.
This compared to a fall from 88% to 65% in the UK over the same period.
The Northern Ireland survey of Business Access to Finance is part of an EU wide survey of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs).
The Northern Ireland survey also included coverage of the micro business population. This showed that the bank loan success rate for such businesses (0-9 employees) halved over the period (from 89% to 45% of applicants).
Margaret Ritchie Launches St Patrick Tourism Initiative
“Our greatest import can be our biggest export too,” were the powerful words spoken by South Down MP Margaret Ritchie describing the legend of Saint Patrick at the launch of one of the biggest tourist initiatives in Downpatrick for years writes Anne O’Hare
Ms Ritchie was a key player in driving the launch event held on Thursday 27th October 2011 in the Saint Patrick’s Centre which now shines a spotlight on all the monastic heritage treasures around County Down, and in turn hopes to use our sacred spaces such as Inch Abbey, Struell Wells, St Patrick’s Grave and Saul church as a marketing tool to draw people from across the globe to Co Down.
