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Monthly Archives: February 2018
Local Health Trust received half of expected capital investment over last 5 years
East Antrim Ulster Unionist Party MLA, Roy Beggs expressed concern that the Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT) has only received 10% of capital spending by Health Trust over the last 5 years, despite having 25% of the population of Northern Ireland. Roy Beggs MLA said “I have been concerned at the under investment in local Health Facilities for some time and contacted the Health Department’s Permanent Secretary seeking details of capital spending provided to each Trust area in Northern Ireland. Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey do not have A&E units or a Minor Injuries Unit. Nor do we have modern Health and Well-being facilities. There is a need for investment to modernise many of our GP surgeries and Allied Health facilities so that more primary health care services can be provided locally, but we have received less than half the investment we could reasonably expect to receive.” Modern Health … Continue reading
Posted in Articles, Assembly, Health Committee, In The News, Press Releases
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Could NI face blackout if a station is down?
By Roy Beggs MLA February 13 2018 In a few months, as a result of a new Integrated Single Electricity Market (ISEM) auction stipulations and its outcome, Northern Ireland is set to close electricity generators that have maintained security of supply for decades. Over the last three years Kilroot’s coal fired station has met around one-fifth of Northern Ireland’s electricity demand. But Kilroot Power Station’s 440MW and a further 125MW generator at Ballylumford have now been earmarked for closure. Carefully honed generating teams managing plants and securing our electricity supply are to be scattered. Kilroot is a coal fired power station that was expected to close in 2021 as a result of increased carbon taxes and environment regulations. The SONI process has not included a mechanism for winding down older plants in an orderly manner, sweating the assets for the benefit of consumers. The one year auction system, T-1, resulted … Continue reading
MLA’s concerns over ‘gap in supply’ after power station outage
Questions: Roy Beggs By Allan Preston February 13 2018 Fresh concerns have been raised over the future of Northern Ireland’s electricity supply after a power plant was out of service for an entire weekend. Coolkeeragh, one of three conventional power stations in Northern Ireland, was offline and not producing power earlier this month. That meant Kilroot power station – which is due to shut in May – and Ballylumford were producing electricity in order to help meet demand. Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs said the power shutdown at Coolkeeragh has made him question a recent technical assessment that Kilroot and the full facilities at Ballylumford aren’t needed to keep Northern Ireland’s lights on. But the System Operator for Northern Ireland (SONI) has said there are no concerns over the future of supply here, and there is “no so-called energy gap”. Writing in today’s Business Telegraph, Mr Beggs said: “Would we … Continue reading
Electricity Security and Competition if Kilroot closes?
In a few months, as a result of a new Single Electricity Market auction stipulations and it’s outcome, NI is set to close major electricity generators that have maintained security of supply for decades. Over the last three years Kilroot’s coal fired station has met around one-fifth of Northern Ireland’s electricity demand. But Kilroot Power Station’s 440MW and a further 125MW generator at Ballylumford have now been earmarked for closure. Carefully honed generating teams managing plant and securing our electricity supply are to be scattered. Kilroot is a coal fired power station that was expected to close in 2021 as a result of increased carbon taxes and environment regulations. The SONI process has not included a mechanism for winding down older plants in an orderly manner, sweating the assets for the benefit of consumers. The one year auction system, T-1, resulted in significant maintenance costs, due this year, having to … Continue reading
Gerry Kelly regrets removing car clamp in his rush to attend Stormont talks
Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly BY REBECCA BLACK February 6 2018 Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly has said he regrets removing a clamp from his car with bolt cutters in what he described as an “on-the-spot decision”. Video footage of the North Belfast representative cutting off the clamp outside a gym in Belfast city centre went viral over the weekend. Mr Kelly, who is Sinn Fein’s policing spokesman, spoke out about the incident for the first time yesterday, revealing his regret and that he has contacted the company that clamped his car. Cash with the clampers showed his contempt for the law Gerry Kelly: I don’t keep bolt cutters in the boot He also said he has paid his fine. Mr Kelly had parked in a yellow box in Exchange Street, before attending a nearby gym on Friday morning. Printed on the yellow box was “no parking”, while there were … Continue reading
