23/10/2013
Protestors Gather At Exploris During MLA Fact-Finding Visit
Some 70 protestors gathered outside the Exploris aquarium in Portaferry during a fact-finding visit by assembly members.
The aquarium has been marked for closure in March 2014 as a result of financial troubles, Ards Borough Council have said.
During the visit assembly members were told the only that would save the centre would be financial support from a government department, but it is understood that as yet no department has agreed to step in.
Speaking after his visit, chairman of Stormont's enterprise committee Patsy McGlone said that closing the centre would be "madness".
Earlier this month, Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín said she could not commit to funding the aquarium.
The minister said this could result in a queue of facilities claiming to be of regional importance.
(MH)
The aquarium has been marked for closure in March 2014 as a result of financial troubles, Ards Borough Council have said.
During the visit assembly members were told the only that would save the centre would be financial support from a government department, but it is understood that as yet no department has agreed to step in.
Speaking after his visit, chairman of Stormont's enterprise committee Patsy McGlone said that closing the centre would be "madness".
Earlier this month, Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín said she could not commit to funding the aquarium.
The minister said this could result in a queue of facilities claiming to be of regional importance.
(MH)
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Exploris Aquarium Re-Opens Following Refurb Work
Exploris Aquarium in Portaferry, Co Down, has re-opened following refurbishment work. Exploris had been threatened with permanent closure in 2013, however the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and North Down Borough Council invested £2 million to secure the future of the aquarium.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will remain mostly cloudy with some showery outbreaks of rain, heavy at times, perhaps with thunder, along with some drier periods. Freshening southerly breeze in the east. Mild and humid. Minimum temperature 13 °C.