Monthly Archives: March 2012

Published on Saturday 10 March 2012 00:00 FAILURE to impose a moratorium on drift and bag netting off the Antrim coast could leave the Northern Ireland Executive open to EU fines, Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs Jnr has claimed. DCAL minister Caral Ni Chullin has deferred a decision on licensing commercial salmon fishing pending talks between the operators and Department officials and a proposal by the fishermen to voluntarily quit fishing this year. However, during a Stormont debate on fish stocks, Mr Beggs urged the Sinn Fein minister to take “decisive action” to conserve native wild salmon after figures showed less than five per cent are returning to local rivers to spawn. He told the Assembly that the Glens Angling Club introduced a catch-and-release scheme a number of years ago, as well as improving spawning grounds and maintaining an accurate fish count. “It is unsurprising that the only sizeable run … Continue reading →

Published on Friday 9 March 2012 10:23 A POLITICAL row is gathering momentum over who secured the go ahead for the A2 upgrade. The war of words was sparked after Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson took a sideswipe at the UUP when welcoming last month’s multi-million announcement for the long-awaited scheme. Hitting back, UUP MLA Roy Beggs also drew in DUP rival Sammy Wilson MLA. Mr Wilson, who is also Finance Minister and the MP for East Antrim, responded this week by accusing Mr Beggs, whose party colleague Danny Kennedy is Roads Minister, of marring a good news story for the area. Mr Wilson asked: “Must he reduce everything to petty point scoring about who did what, who is the greatest and who cares most about the East Antrim constituency? The fact of the matter is that there was extensive lobbying for the A2 from citizens, businesses, the traders association, the … Continue reading →

The incident – which involved the Stena Feronia and the ‘Union Moon’ cargo vessel – happened at 7.45pm on Wednesday evening close to the Fairway Buoy on the Co Down coast. The ferry had left the Merseyside’s Birkenhead on a morning sailing and was on the final stretch to Belfast when the collision took place. Fifty-one passengers and 47 crew onboard have been taken off the Stena Feronia, a spokesperson from the company has confirmed. There are no reports of any injuries at this stage. It is understood the Stena ferry has now docked at the Stena terminal, while the other vessel remains at the scene as instructed by Belfast Harbour. Police are assisting the Maritime and Coastguard agency to investigate the incident. Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs said: “First and foremost there will be a great deal of relief that this incident did not result in casualties as we … Continue reading →

Published on Friday 9 March 2012 00:00 EAST Antrim MLA Roy Beggs Jnr has raised concerns at Stormont over speed restriction on the Larne railway line. The Ulster Unionist representative said he has learned through Assembly questions that two speed restrictions currently apply to the line – one at Glynn where there is a 40mph restriction due to the condition of the track, and another at Cloghan Point, where because of a slip in the cutting there is a restriction of 30mph. At the regional development committee at Stormont, Mr Beggs raised the issue of European funding for the line, given its status as a core part of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). He asked Transport Minister Danny Kennedy: “You indicated that you are applying for European funding for the Coleraine to Londonderry line and Portadown station. What is the position with the Larne line? My reason for querying that … Continue reading →

A 55-year-old man who was on board the Union Moon cargo vessel was arrested after it collided with the Stena Feronia on Wednesday evening. An inquiry has been launched into the incident which happened close to the Fairway buoy on the Co Down coast, at around 7.45pm. There were 51 passengers and 47 crew members on board the ferry. No injuries have been reported at this stage. The ferry had left the Merseyside’s Birkenhead on a morning sailing and was on the final stretch to Belfast when the collision took place. The cargo boat was left badly damaged. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency will now carry out an investigation. Diane Poole from Stena Line told UTV all passengers were discharged safely. She said: “The staff looked after the customers extremely well onboard. “There was nothing else that the staff could have done for them and I hope they find comfort … Continue reading →