Other News In Brief

Water Main Bursts On Grounds Of Lagan Valley Hospital In Lisburn

Repair work is being carried out on a burst water main in Lisburn.

Workers from NI Water are currently at the scene on the grounds of the Lagan Valley Hospital estate.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and NI Water employees worked through the night to minimise and prevent further damage, however, the basement of the hospital and two residential properties were affected.

Work has commenced to repair the main but the burst is located in a difficult position with other services nearby that will slow the progress of the repair.

NI Water is working closely with hospital staff to minimise the impact on hospital services whilst the repair is being carried out.

Alliance Slams Paramilitary Thugs

Alliance South Belfast MLA Paula Bradshaw has said paramilitary thugs are attempting to stamp their authority on a local shared housing scheme after a number of families moved out after intimidation.

The residents of Cantrell Close off the Ravenhill Road presented to the Housing Executive as homeless due to sectarian intimidation. The scheme, part of the Executive's Together: Building a United Community strategy, saw UVF flags placed there over the summer.

Ms Bradshaw said: "I condemn, without hesitation or reservation, the intimidation of residents in Cantrell Close in South Belfast," she said.

"These families moved into a mixed housing area with the expectation of a quiet and peaceful life. It is disgraceful loyalist paramilitaries have attempted to stamp their authority by threatening them if they do not leave. Now we have more families in Belfast left homeless. I call on the groups involved to lift their threat immediately."

Empey Hits Out At Boeing Over 'Bully Boy Tactics'

Lord Empey, a former DETI Minister and Vice Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Aerospace, has described the complaint by Boeing against the Bombardier C Series as "bully boy tactics".

Lord Empey said: "The launch aid that was provided to Bombardier which came via Treasury is repayable on the basis of royalties from sales so it is effectively a loan. Throughout my time as DETI and DEL Minister I am content that all transactions with Bombardier were consistent with EU State Aid rules.

"In the United States both cities and states give very substantial tax incentives and breaks to Boeing and other manufacturers. The majority of the C Series aircraft, by value, is actually produced in the US like the engine and avionics to name but two.

"What I see the core of this dispute being, given that Boeing did not even tender for the Delta Airlines contract, is an attempt by Boeing – and in Europe, Airbus – to suffocate Bombardier. It is bully boy tactics.

"The manufacturing of the C Series sees a dramatic increase in efficiency and a reduction in fuel consumption that would mean when oil prices rise the plane becomes much more significant. It is not the current version of the plane that is the target – it is the long term project and what flows from it that has got Boeing in particular so aggravated."

(CD)