Monthly Archives: August 2015

Northern Ireland coalition close to collapse in row over welfare cuts

As Northern Ireland’s first minister, Peter Robinson, recovers from a heart operation, the power-sharing government he leads is teetering on the brink of collapse. The five-party coalition in the regional devolved administration in Belfast is split over a welfare reform bill that nationalist parties are threatening to veto. The centrist cross-community Alliance party has questioned whether Sinn Féin and the SDLP are still willing to govern Northern Ireland. Robinson will miss Tuesday afternoon’s debate in which his Democratic Unionist party will push ahead with the bill, which envisages public sector cuts in the region as part of a deal with the UK Treasury. In return for the cuts, the devolved government will be allowed to set its own low corporation tax in order to compete with the Irish Republic in attracting foreign investment. The DUP argues that blocking the bill would leave the Northern Ireland executive with a £600m deficit … Continue reading

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Beggs Commends Norman Surplus on Round the World Gyro Flight

Roy Beggs who was a school mate of Norman said, “It is a fantastic achievement to have travelled so far using such a small aircraft and to have broken so many records.  Norman was always a cool character.  He certainly needed nerves of steel particularly to pass over the extended sea crossings and to pass through the remote areas of wilderness where he would have been on his own.   There are many spectacular pictures on is blog and facebook pages.  ” From the reports of his journey it is clear that he made friends around the world and he was a great ambassador for Larne.  He certainly has put Larne on the map.  I hear he could write a good book with tails of his travels.   I had visited Norman on the evening before he set out on his epic journey and I am so pleased to see him complete … Continue reading

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Wilson sees off Beggs’ challenge

Sammy Wilson has held the seat for 10 years Sammy Wilson retained his East Antrim seat comfortably – a seat the DUP man has held since 2005 and always looked safe for the party. ‘; } s += ‘ Ads by Google ‘; if (google_ads[0].bidtype == “CPC”) { google_adnum = google_adnum + google_ads.length; } s += ‘ ‘; document.write(s); return; } window.google_adnum = window.google_adnum || null; google_ad_client = “ca-pub-1729148518344007”; google_ad_output = “js”; google_ad_type = “text”; google_ad_channel = ‘2905088926+3455374145’; google_max_num_ads = ‘2’; google_skip = window.google_adnum; /* insert this snippet for each ad call */ He received 12,103 votes – down 1,890 on his 2010 Westminster triumph, but still 5,795 more than his closest rival, Roy Beggs of the UUP. Mr Wilson said: “I thank the voters of East Antrim for the confidence which they have put in me again as their public representative. “In the event of a hung parliament, in … Continue reading

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Beggs believes that Stormont’s viability may be under threat

Roy Beggs believes that recent comments made by two senior DUP representatives have shown that the future viability of Stormont is threatened. He said that both Arlene Foster and Sammy Wilson appeared to admit that they would be unable to resolve the current problems facing the executive. The East Antrim UUP MLA said that change is needed urgently in order for the Assembly to continue. “Whilst I would not agree with the comments of Sammy Wilson that the latest changes to welfare ‘spell the end’ for the Assembly, there is no doubt that unless there is an urgent and drastic change in attitudes of some political parties, the current Assembly has little prospect of continuing for much longer.” Mr Beggs also questioned the political thinking of Sinn Fein. “The decision of Sinn Fein to make a U-turn on welfare was only the latest example of that party displaying a shocking … Continue reading

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Beggs hits out at plans to permanently close Whiteabbey Minor Injuries

East Antrim MLA Roy Beggs has expressed his disappointment after learning the Northern Health Trust is seeking the permanent closure of the Whiteabbey Hospital Minor Injuries Unit. The UUP Westminster candidate had asked the outgoing Health Minister Jim Wells when the temporary closure of Whiteabbey MIU was due to end and what plans have been made to reinstate the service. In response, Mr Wells stated: “Financial planning for 2015/16 is on-going and all Health and Social Care Trusts must deliver substantial savings in order to live within budget and meet rising demand across HSC services. “The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has proposed in its savings that the temporary closure of Whiteabbey Hospital Minor Injuries Unit will continue in 2015/16. The savings plan also indicates that the Trust will consult on a permanent closure of the Minor Injuries Unit.” Mr Beggs said he and the staff at Whiteabbey Hospital … Continue reading

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