Monthly Archives: June 2012

It comes amid news the backlog caused by technical problems, which left thousands of people without access to their accounts, may not be fully resolved until Monday. Many customers get their salaries on the last day of the month – including hundreds of public sector workers, many of whom are uncertain if money will be in their accounts. The bank said there should be “no issue” with people accessing their wages if they bring a form of ID and a payslip or other evidence of payment. However the consumer watchdog said customers are still having difficulties. “Since this crisis started, the Consumer Council has repeatedly been told by Ulster Bank that customers will have no problems accessing their own money at an Ulster Bank branch,” said Antoinette McKeown, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council. “However, it appears that some customers are having difficulty getting hold of cash at an Ulster … Continue reading →

Published on Wednesday 27 June 2012 14:44 THE removal of loyalist paramilitary flags from immediately outside St Nicholas Catholic Church and Primary School in Carrick has received cross-community approval. The UVF and UDA flags were taken down earlier this week following successful “community dialogue”. East Antrim Sinn Fein MLA Oliver McMullan, who met with senior PSNI officers in the town on Friday, said he wished to publicly acknowledge what has been done. “It is a very good step forward. It’s a gesture, as far as the parishioners who use the school and church it’s only to be commended,” said Mr McMullan, “No place of worship should have flags outside their building no matter what the occasion. “I do not have an issue with flags in Carrickfergus, I respect that. It has to be reciprocated, the minority population’s places of worship and education should be respected as well.” DUP Councillor David … Continue reading →

26 June 2012 Last updated at 13:51 ET Members of the committee considering changes to the number of MLAs at Stormont have been unable to come to an agreement on the way forward, the assembly has been told. Speaking for the assembly and executive review committee, the DUP’s Stephen Moutray said that the Secretary of State had announced his intention to bring forward a Northern Ireland Bill. As part of this process the assembly had agreed to consider the future numbers of executive departments and assembly members. Sinn Fein’s Raymond McCartney said his party wanted to see an assembly with inclusivity, equality and representativeness at the heart of it. Decoupling He called for the decoupling of the number of MLAs from Westminster constituency boundaries. The present system sees six MLAs elected for each Westminster constituency, a total of 108 members. Roy Beggs of the UUP rejected the idea of decoupling … Continue reading →

Published on Monday 25 June 2012 00:01 THE annual general meeting of a local community group has heard a call for greater co-operation between neighbouring councils to capitalise on Ulster Scots heritage in the area. Chairman of Ballycarry Community Association, Dr David Hume, told those present at the meeting that Ballycarry was uniquely placed in historical and geographical terms in relation to Ulster Scots heritage and culture. He said that the potential of cultural tourism was a major one at the present time. “We are uniquely sited in the middle of two areas which we encourage to have an interest in Ulster Scots because of the economic benefits it could create for them: Carrickfergus and Larne. “This is a community which looks to both areas, many people gravitate to Carrickfergus and others to Larne,” he said. “History knows no borough boundaries and we would encourage our elected representatives to consider … Continue reading →