Robinson And McGuinness Pay Tribute To Sir George Quigley

First Minister Rt. Hon Peter D Robinson MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MLA have expressed their profound sadness at the death of Sir George Quigley.

The Ministers said: "We offer our sincere and heartfelt sympathies to his family, friends and colleagues. We were fortunate to meet Sir George on many occasions.

His contribution to public service and the business sector was highly regarded and he played an important role in developing networks within our community that sought to seek a better understanding of each others views.

He was a strong advocate of mutual respect in building a cohesive and equal society."

Five Illegal Workers Arrested In Aberdeen

Two shops in Aberdeen have been found employing five illegal workers following a UK Border Agency operation.

Acting on intelligence officers targeted two shops, Discount Stores and American Candy Co, on Union Street, Aberdeen, on 28 February.

After checking the immigration statuses of staff, officers discovered five Pakistani men, aged 23 to 28, who were working illegally. Two of the men were arrested in the American Candy Co and the other three in the Discount Store. It is believed that the men worked between both shops and lived at shared accommodation in the Cornhill area of Aberdeen.

All five are currently in detention, pending their removal from the UK.

The businesses, which were closed as a result of all the staff being arrested, will be served with a civil penalty notice for employing the illegal workers.

If the owners are unable to provide evidence that legally required checks were carried out before giving the workers a job - such as asking for a passport or a Home Office document - a fine of up to £10,000 per illegal worker will be imposed.

Leaders urged To Drive Forward Change

Health Minister Edwin Poots has told a delegation of EU Ministers that leadership is vital to driving forward change in the health care sector.

The Minister was speaking during a meeting of EU Health Ministers to discuss a range of major issues affecting people in Northern Ireland.

Under the auspices of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Minister Poots joined over 40 delegates, including Ministers and senior officials from all 27 EU member states as well as representatives from the European Commission at the meeting in Dublin.

(GK)