Other News In Brief

Junior Ministers Host Foundation For Peace



Junior Ministers Jonathan Bell and Jennifer McCann today hosted a visit from Colin and Wendy Parry from the Tim Parry and Jonathan Ball Foundation.

The couple lost their son Tim in the 1993 bombing in Warrington and have spent 20 years campaigning for peace. They founded the Tim Parry and Jonathan Ball Foundation for Peace in memory of Tim and three-year-old Jonathan Ball who lost their lives following the explosion. 

Junior Minister Jonathan Bell said: “We can’t afford to allow the next generation to grow up with the prejudices of the past. They must learn a better way and understand that it is in everyone's interest, not least their own, not to go down the road of violence and hate. 

"I commend Wendy, Colin and the Foundation that they established, for the work they have undertaken so selflessly over the past 20 years. By their example they have shown that the automatic response to pain is not to clench your fists – it is to open your arms." 

The Foundation helps others affected by political, racial or faith based conflict by encouraging them to prevent violence in their own communities and beyond in the name of peace and reconciliation. 



Speaking at the event in Parliament Buildings Junior Minister McCann said: "I commend Colin and Wendy Parry for all their efforts in the development of the Tim Parry and Jonathan Ball Foundation. Through the foundation they have kept the memory of their son alive and created a Peace centre."

Lorry Driver Fined And Disqualified For Insurance And Driving Licence Offences

Portadown lorry driver fined £400 and disqualified from driving for insurance and driving licence offences

A Co. Armagh lorry driver was fined a total of £400 and ordered to pay a £15 offender levy and £22 court costs at Belfast Magistrates’ Court today. 

Mark McKinney (48) of Moyallan Road, Portadown was fined £50 for failing to hold a valid driving licence. In addition he was fined £350 and disqualified from driving for 14 days for failing to hold appropriate motor insurance. 

On 16 August 2012 Enforcement Officers from the Driver & Vehicle Agency directed an articulated goods vehicle driven by Mr McKinney to a DOE Weighbridge at Garmoyle Street, Belfast.

VQ Day 2013 Launches

Employment and Learning Minister, Dr Stephen Farry, today urged colleges, training providers, awarding organisations and employers to get involved in Vocational Qualifications (VQ) Day 2013.
VQ Day is a UK-wide celebration of the achievement of the millions of people who gain a vocational qualification every year, and highlights the many paths to success taken by learners of all ages. VQ Day will take place on Wednesday 5 June 2013 and will be marked locally by an awards ceremony to be held in the Great Hall at Stormont, Belfast which will be hosted by TV presenter, Tina Campbell.

Launching the awards, the Minister said: “VQ Day will provide an opportunity for all those involved in the achievement, development and delivery of vocational qualifications to celebrate the importance of vocational education and training.

"This year, in addition to recognising the outstanding achievement of VQ learners in Northern Ireland, a new Employer of the Year Award is being introduced to recognise an employer that has embraced vocational qualifications within their workplace and, in turn, has made a real contribution to improving the skills and competitiveness of Northern Ireland plc.

"Skills and knowledge are widely accepted as key in the modern economy and have an important part to play if we in Northern Ireland are to achieve our stated goals of rebuilding and rebalancing the local economy. If Northern Ireland is to compete in the global economic arena there must be a concerted effort to drive up skills on all fronts. Vocational qualifications have a vital role to play in this regard."

(CD)