Post Problems

While the dispute has not yet spread to staff in Northern Ireland, mail sent to Northern Ireland is likely to face disruption because of industrial action by staff in Great Britain. More than 25,000 Royal Mail lorry drivers are beginning a series of walkouts in the coming days in a row over pay and jobs.

Health Staff Attacks Warning

The Stormont Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey has said that attacks on health and social care staff will not be tolerated. "Since I came into office, a zero tolerance campaign has been running. This has included strengthening the law to ensure that people who are violent and abusive are dealt with fully. A new piece of legislation to allow the removal of those who create a nuisance or disturbance from hospital premises will become effective shortly," he said, noting that he wanted to reinforce the message of zero tolerance: "I will do all I can to ensure that the law is strengthened even further to deal with people who are violent and abusive to our staff who are performing life-saving jobs." See: Cash Spent On Hospital Security Slammed

No 'U-turn' On Lisbon, Says Adams

The Sinn Féin President has reiterated his opposition to the Lisbon Treaty. Gerry Adam's comments came as the Irish government's campaign to secure support for the second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty to take place later this year got underway. He said a formal decision on their stance would be made at a meeting next week but a u-turn on their opposition to the EU reform package was unlikely: "Given that it's exactly the same treaty and the Government has not obeyed the mandate of the electorate, we will be about trying to garner support for a new treaty," he said.

Bus Station 'Tops'

Lisburn's £2.8m state-of the-art bus centre has celebrated its first birthday. Speaking on the milestone, Translink Lisburn Buscentre Manager Jim McCauley said: "Our new bus centre has been a real success, having a positive impact on passenger numbers using our services." He said, through the installation of enhanced facilities, such as covered bus stands and more comfortable waiting areas, the bus centre is much more accessible, attractive and easier to use than the old facility at Smithfield Square: "Such investment in modern, high quality facilities plays an important role in attracting new passengers onboard public transport."

A8 Larne Route Revealed

The preferred route for the proposed £113m dualling of the 14km section of the A8 between Ballyclare and Larne, in Co Antrim, has been announced. It will run between the Coleman's Corner roundabout near Ballyclare and the B100 Ballyrickard Road junction near Larne and is primarily an on-line improvement of the existing single carriageway road to dual carriageway, with a by-pass to the east of Bruslee, and a by-pass to the west of Ballynure. NI Roads Minister Conor Murphy said: "This development, in terms of transport links, will act as a catalyst to the local economy, particularly during these uncertain financial times. Some 17,000 vehicles currently use the A8 every day, a high proportion of which are heavy goods vehicles. Selecting the preferred route has been challenging, but I believe the route chosen is a equitable balance of traffic, environmental and engineering issues, and provides an economically viable solution."

Lisburn Social Housing 'Top Priority'

Vulnerable people are the priority in the NI Housing Executive's plan for Lisburn, the organisation's Director of Housing and Regeneration has said. Meeting with city councillors, Colm McCaughley suggested the plan is not just about physical "bricks and mortar". He recognised that Lisburn resident have grown "impatient for better housing", but insisted the Housing Executive must "live within its means and said: "Our focus this year is two-fold. Firstly, to manage the provision of 1,750 new social homes by housing associations over the year. Secondly, we want to develop an accelerated programme for the years ahead."

(Bmcc/JM)