UFU Meet Minister

Stormont Minister Michelle Gildernew (pictured) has addressed members of the Ulster Farmers' Union at their annual dinner and took the opportunity to highlight the £20m fund available to farm families for farm diversification projects under Axis 3 of the Rural Development Programme. In her address to UFU members, the Minister also spoke about the Farm Modernisation Programme and the Rural White Paper and also paid tribute to the ongoing work of the UFU President and board, and the significant contribution their efforts were making to the benefit of farming families across Northern Ireland.

Easter Snow

As motorists were today warned that heavy snow and rain is making driving conditions treacherous on many roads in the west and north west of NI, there are fears that the Easter holiday may also be hit by wintery weather. Today, conditions are said to be particularly bad between Coleraine and Maghera and also between Londonderry and Dungiven on the Glenshane Pass while there are also reports of heavy snow between Omagh and Dromore. The weather is likely to remain unsettled throughout the Easter weekend, with a mixture of sunny spells and blustery showers expected. There is also a risk of snow falling, mainly over northern hills but possibly elsewhere at times.

PMS Savers 'Lifeline'

Stormont's First and Deputy First Minister have put forward fresh proposals to help small savers affected by the collapse of the Presbyterian Mutual Society which went into administration almost a year and a half ago. The Treasury has been asked to approve the proposal which they say will allow everyone to get their money back over a period of time. First Minister Peter Robinson said earlier this week: "We have agreed to a way forward. We have put the proposal to the treasury and the Prime Minister. It does require treasury approval for the mechanisms that are involved. But we weren't prepared to stand by and see thousands of small savers - people with less than £20,000 - losing every penny," he said.

Legal Highs In Focus

SDLP Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Tommy Gallagher has said that NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey needs to "move more quickly" in response to the threat from so-called 'legal highs' in general and mephedrone in particular. "I was concerned to learn that there is still no information on hospital admissions related to legal highs including mephedrone. It is not reassuring that the Department of Health was so unprepared for this sudden emergency. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence available, including deaths and increased risk of suicide, to say that A&E screening needs to be introduced immediately," he said, but noted that it is positive that the Minister is taking advice from the Advisory Council on Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) and their report will be available within days.

SF Resignation 'Disappointing'

Commenting on the resignation from Sinn Féin of Banbridge Councillor Dessie Ward Sinn Féin Chairperson Declan Kearney said the resignation was a disappointment: "I am shocked to hear that Dessie Ward has decided to leave the party at a time when Sinn Féin is growing and achieving our objectives. I am extremely disappointed that Dessie did not take the time to come to the party and discuss his problems." he said.

Downe Birth Welcomed

Stormont Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has greeted the birth of the first baby at the new community midwifery led unit at the Downe Hospital. The baby girl, named Jorja, was born at 10.07 last Friday, weighing in at 6lb 14.5 ozs. The state-of-the-art maternity unit comprises three fully equipped rooms, each with its own ensuite facilities and birthing pool. Jorja's mother, Claire Clarke praised staff at the unit, saying: "Everyone at the unit was absolutely brilliant, supportive and friendly. It was just like being at home."

Assault Arrests

A man has been kicked and punched by three men in Ballymena. The victim, who is in his twenties, was beaten about the head and body in Ballymoney Street at around 11.30pm on Saturday. Three men, one aged 17 and two aged 20, were arrested later and were helping police with their enquiries.

MLA Welcomes PO Expansion

An East Belfast DUP MLA has welcomed the announcement by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, confirming post offices' range of financial services is to be increased. Robin Newton said: "For many within the community the post office is their main facility for banking needs. The announcement of £180m of government investment to ensure it remains at an established number of outlets is very welcome. The increase in the offered financial services is also appreciated, with post offices now to offer current accounts to customers for the first time," he said, noting that many such outlets have closed in recent years, and said, "this investment and increase in services is to be welcomed and I would encourage everyone to take advantage of the new services".

(BMcC/GK)