Monthly Archives: January 2016

Roy Beggs MLA of the Ulster Unionist Party, has pressed the Finance Minister to ensure that additional investment and jobs are encouraged well in advance of the reduction of Corporation Tax. Roy Beggs, East Antrim MLA said “We need to attract new foreign direct investment and encourage new investment from existing companies so that additional corporation tax is raised rather than costs being incurred in the block grant at the start date. Is the Minister satisfied that there is sufficient urgency, from his Department and other Departments, in promoting the advantages so that this additional corporation tax will be raised to benefit the community?” Minister for Finance Mervyn Storey MLA said “ Yes, I think that there is. Now that we have started on this road, we need to keep focused. As Finance Minister, I will keep the pressure on, given the work that the project board will have to … Continue reading →

Response police officers were relocated from Carrickfergus to Newtownabbey and then to Larne and with the PSNI carrying out a scoping exercise on the future of local Police Stations, Ulster Unionist Roy Beggs MLA has highlighted the continuing need for a police presence Carrickfergus. Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Justice “whether he is aware of the findings of the recent PSNI scoping exercises into the long-term plans for police stations in Northern Ireland, particularly in the East Antrim constituency.” Mr Ford said “The specific issue of the use of police stations, which Mr Beggs highlights, is an issue for the Chief Constable. The potential disposal of unused police assets also falls to the Policing Board. None of it falls to the Minister of Justice.” The East Antrim UUP MLA then asked “Does the Minister agree with me that, in order for justice to be administered and delivered, it is … Continue reading →

Follow a complaint from a constituent of regular flooding on the Marshallstown Road near Sullatober, Carrickfergus endangering traffic and property, Roy Beggs MLA pressed Rivers Agency to investigate and they have now identified a series of failings in local water courses in their detailed report. Roy Beggs said,  “Having identified a water course issue and pressed the River Agency to investigate, I welcome the result of their investigation.  The Rivers Agency have produced a comprehensive report highlighting the source of the surface water that has been flowing from Sullatober onto the Marshallstown Road endangering road users and local residents property.  More importantly they have identified improvements which will have to be made.” The report highlights four different sources of flooding: a sub-standard grill which has not been appropriately maintained; a collapsed/fractured culvert; an overflowing, above ground water storage tank; and a poorly maintained water course with a defective manhole with … Continue reading →

East Antrim Ulster Unionist Party MLA Roy Beggs has contacted Transport NI to press for increased lighting and reflectors on the recently opened Greenisland section of the A2 road. Mr Beggs said “I have been contacted by constituents who are concerned at the lack of lighting or edge marking on the new A2 Toad section between Greenisland and Seapark. This means that when driving from Belfast to Carrickfergus, the entire route is illuminated until you arrive at Station Road, Greenisland and enter the new section of dual carriageway.  You then drive in darkness until you arrive at Seapark, were once again the remainder of the journey from Seapark to Carrickfergus is illuminated.” In communication with TransportNI, the East Antrim UUP MLA said “I would request that you should seek to improve road safety on this section of road by considering either illumination or edge marking and reflectors. I have noticed … Continue reading →