One of the world’s longest established and most influential travel publications has labeled the Titanic centenary commemorations in Belfast as the “world’s biggest tourism story in 2012”. Fodor’s Ireland 2012 has dedicated an unprecedented eight pages of its guidebook to the Titanic, two of which focus on Titanic Belfast, the world’s largest Titanic exhibition which is set to open on March 31^st.

The book features two pages on Titanic Belfast, which it describes as a ‘Top Attraction’, and a six-page colour photograph ‘spotlight special’ on the Titanic, covering its history and the special centennial events set to take place. The section also includes information on the Titanic Quarter development and on touring the landmarks associated with Titanic, such as Titanic’s Dock and Pump-House and the Slipways.

Fodor’s Ireland has also named Belfast as one of the top 21 places in the world to visit in 2012.

Travel journalist Paul Clements, a contributing writer to Fodor’s Ireland, said:

“The New York editor of Fodor’s Ireland 2012 believes the Belfast commemorations of the centenary of the Titanic will be the biggest tourism story in the world in 2012 – even bigger than the Olympics as far as the US market is concerned.  That is quite an endorsement from one of the most respected and long-established travel guidebooks in the world – one which is a major influencer amongst US tourists when choosing holiday destinations.

“It is most unusual for a guidebook to dedicate as many as eight pages to the coverage of one topic, but this reflects the scale and depth of interest throughout America and the rest of the world in the Titanic story. The book has already hit the shelves in the US and tourists there will no doubt be reading up on Titanic Belfast and planning their trips to Northern Ireland.”

Tim Husbands, CEO of Titanic Belfast, said:

“We always knew the Titanic story was a truly global one which has captured the imagination of people around the world and the extensive coverage in Fodor’s, coming so soon on the back of National Geographic naming Belfast in the top 20 places to visit in 2012, is further evidence of this.

“Belfast will open its doors to the world more than ever before this year and we are looking forward to Titanic Belfast, the world’s largest Titanic experience, being the focal point for international visitors. We have already sold over 40,000 tickets, including to people in the US, Australia and Canada, and the excitement really is starting to gather pace as we approach the official opening on March 31^st.”

Fodor’s Ireland is the second best seller in the Fodor’s range (50,000 per year), which includes more than 300 titles around the world.  It is owned by the world’s largest publishing firm, Random House, and is revised annually by local writers – one of the few international guidebooks to reprint each year.

Siobhan McCauley, Director of Product Development at the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, said:

“Titanic Belfast and the whole range of commemorative events and celebrations in Northern Ireland across 2012 is set to provide huge positive lift and excitement. This latest accolade from Fodor’s will give another boost to our focused efforts to make 2012 an outstanding success story for tourism, and deliver more jobs and revenue for Northern Ireland. It is also a very welcome addition to a growing list of travel endorsements that have recently appeared in major international publications nominating us as a ‘must see’ destination.

“Our hope is that people throughout Northern Ireland will also be inspired by what we have already announced to reach out to family and friends abroad and encourage them to come here or come home in 2012 to experience the very many exciting events and attractions that we now offer visitors.”

Titanic Belfast is asking potential employees if they have the ‘Titanic T-Factor’ necessary to impress visitors when the attraction opens in March.  As part of the recruitment drive for 250 overall positions, a unique ‘T-Factor’ Audition Day is being organised to help track down 70 front line staff who can promote Titanic and Northern Ireland to the world.

Candidates, who must pre-register to secure a slot, will be given a script in relation to one of the nine galleries in the visitor attraction, and will then be required to give a three-minute interpretative presentation to demonstrate their communication skills and passion for the project.  Successful participants will then be asked back for a formal interview on a subsequent date.

The Audition Day for prospective front-of-house employees will be held next Saturday (January 14^th) at Grafton Recruitment’s Belfast headquarters in ‘The Boat’, Custom House Square.

Tim Husbands, CEO of Titanic Belfast, said:

“Last Autumn almost 1,500 people attended a drop-in day at Belfast City Hall with over 850 expressing a definite interest in working at Titanic Belfast.

“Such has been the interest that it’s been necessary to appoint an agency to assist in the company’s overall recruitment process.  Grafton Recruitment will bring a track record of working throughout Northern Ireland and across disciplines to help us secure the right people.

“We’re conscious that everyone working at Titanic Belfast will be an ambassador, not just for ourselves, but for Belfast and Northern Ireland as a whole.  This is a unique project with unique potential to promote Belfast to the world, so we need people with that special Titanic ‘T-Factor’.  The Audition Day will give prospective employees a chance to let their true personalities shine through.

“Titanic Belfast provides a great employment opportunity and we will continue to work hard with Belfast City Council and DEL to ensure that as many people as possible have access to the positions.”

When it opens next March Titanic Belfast will be one of the largest employers in the local tourism industry. It’s also expected to be one of the largest job recruiters in Northern Ireland during 2012.

Belfast City Council and the city’s partnership boards have already held a series of information days and a drop-in-day in City Hall.  Around two thirds of those who expressed an interest at that event were from Belfast, with interest generated equally from the North/West and South/East of the city.  Other people travelled in from as far afield as Aughnacloy and Castlederg.

In addition, as part of Belfast City Council’s community access campaign, two employment programmes, specifically tailored to Titanic Belfast, will provide 36 candidates with a recognised qualification and a guaranteed interview.

Belfast Mayor, Niall Ó Donnghaile, said:

“The level of interest from people keen to work for such an iconic project as Titanic Belfast has been staggering.  Belfast City Council and the Department for Employment and Learning have been working very closely with local training organisations, jobs and benefit offices and job assist centres to ensure information about these jobs reach right across our local communities.

“Pre-employment programmes, funded by the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) and Belfast City Council (BCC) have been put in place to ensure local people are job ready in time for the recruitment campaign.  In providing these programmes we are ensuring that potential employees are aware of the level of skills required and are suitably equipped with the right level of skills for the jobs.  To facilitate this, a Titanic Quarter information page has been set up on both the BCC and DEL websites.

“Belfast City Council and the Department for Employment and Learning are delighted to be at the forefront of this recruitment campaign and to be working so closely with Titanic Belfast on this iconic project. Ensuring the provision of training and employment opportunities for disadvantaged communities right across the city must continue to be the cornerstone of our development of Titanic Quarter. Improving the standard of life for people in Belfast is our priority.”

Cathy McCorry, Managing Director, Grafton Employment Group, Ireland, said:

“Grafton Recruitment is thrilled to be working with Titanic Belfast to secure candidates for this eye-catching project. There are a wide variety of roles available and all employees at Titanic Belfast will be charged with ensuring that everyone visiting the attraction enjoys a friendly and knowledgeable experience.

“With an increasingly competitive job market, these auditions are a unique procedure as part of the overall recruitment process of Titanic Belfast to suit a growing candidate pool. This is a great opportunity for anyone who has a keen interest in the Titanic story and the history of Belfast, so if you are interested in working with Titanic Belfast, please contact us.”

Among those Titanic Belfast has already recruited include a marine biologist to manage the attraction’s Ocean Exploration Centre, which will include live footage of underwater explorations by Dr. Robert Ballard, the oceanographer who discovered Titanic.  Titanic Belfast will also recruit maintenance, ticketing, retail, finance, catering and event staff.

Alan Clarke, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board said:

“Following the phenomenal success of the MTV awards late last year the tourism industry is keenly awaiting the next big event, the opening of Titanic Belfast in the spring. This new attraction is set to give another massive boost to tourism and to Northern Ireland’s reputation around the world.

Job creation and economic regeneration are at the heart of the tourism strategy for Northern Ireland, and NITB welcomes this latest recruitment initiative by Titanic Belfast and its partners, designed to ensure we offer the best possible experience to visitors. This is a unique opportunity to work at a state of the art attraction that is set to rival other global, iconic attractions and I wish all candidates, of all ages and interests, every success in finding employment.”

The Audition Day will take place between 10am and 5pm on January 14^th, with available positions including full-time, part-time, casual and seasonal. Those wishing to attend must pre-register by calling into Grafton Recruitment between 3^rd and 13^th January or registering online at www.graftonrecruitment.com which also provides full details of the positions available.

Claire Bradshaw, Head of Sales and Marketing, Titanic Belfast, spreads the news that there are now just 100 Days until the official opening of Titanic Belfast, the world’s largest Titanic visitor attraction. Work on the internal fit-out of the iconic building is ahead of schedule and will be completed ahead of the official opening on 31st March, 2012 . To mark the milestone Titanic Belfast is offering 100 lucky members of the public the chance to win free tickets to Titanic Belfast by visiting the Belfast Welcome Centre in Donegall Place, where Titanic Belfast tickets are on sale

It is now just 100 days until the official opening of Titanic Belfast, the world’s largest Titanic visitor attraction. Work on the internal fit-out of the iconic six-floor building in Titanic Quarter, Northern Ireland’s largest ever tourism project, is ahead of schedule and will be completed ahead of the official opening on 31^st March, 2012.

To mark today’s milestone (Thursday 22nd, December) Titanic Belfast is offering 100 free tickets (50 pairs) to lucky members of the public who can win them by visiting the Belfast Welcome Centre on Donegall Place, Belfast city centre, where Titanic Belfast tickets are on sale, today.

Claire Bradshaw, Head of Sales and Marketing, Titanic Belfast, said:

“The wait is nearly over – in just 100 days from now Titanic Belfast will officially open its doors to the world and Belfast can finally begin to reclaim its place at the centre of one of the most captivating global stories in history. Interest in Titanic Belfast has been building steadily for years now, but there has been a massive surge in recent months, with enquiries and group bookings from across the world arriving with us on a daily basis.

“Worldwide interest in the Titanic story is huge and we have already secured nearly 35,000 visitors through pre-booked tours and over 100 event bookings at the Titanic Suite.  Tickets are also selling well online, with buyers from Australia, the US, Canada, Germany and Spain having already purchased tickets. They will be among the 400,000 plus visitors we expect to attract in our first year, 110,000 of who will be out of state, placing Belfast very firmly at the forefront of global tourism.”

Work on the Titanic Belfast building began in May 2009 and since then over 1,000 workers have worked on site during construction. The building’s iconic hulls are covered in 3,000 aluminium panels, of which two thirds are unique in design, and the hulls are the same height of Titanic from keel to deck

One hundred Christmas shoppers will today have an opportunity to get their hands on free tickets to Titanic Belfast. The first 50 people arriving at Belfast Welcome Centre on Donegall Place between 4pm-5pm will win a pair of tickets to the attraction.

Alan Clarke, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Tourist Board, commented:

“As we move towards the completion of this iconic building, we prepare to mark the beginning of a new time of opportunity for the tourism industry here.  The local economy is set for a big boost in Titanic’s centenary year as a result of the opening of Titanic Belfast and the unique programme of celebratory events in 2012.

“It has the capacity to drive significant numbers of new visitors to Belfast and Northern Ireland, increase visitor spend and create new jobs.  I am delighted that we have an opportunity to capitalize on one of the world’s most globally recognized brands and help put Belfast and Northern Ireland firmly on the global tourism map.”

Meanwhile, Christmas Eve will mark the conclusion of the ‘Twelve Titanic Days’ campaign, which has seen 12 lucky people buying Titanic Belfast tickets online since they went on sale on 12^th December  receiving a 5% discount and entered into a daily prize draw. Prizes have included highly sought-after tickets to the MTV concert taking place on Titanic’s slipway next April, along with VIP tickets to the attraction’s opening ceremony and a chance to meet Dr. Robert Ballard, the Oceanographer who discovered the Titanic wreck.

Tickets for Titanic Belfast can be bought online at www.titanicbelfast.com. Tickets are also available via telephone on +44 (0)28 90 766399 or in person at the Belfast Welcome Centre on Donegall Place, Belfast, ranging from £5 for school groups through to £13.50 for adults. Discounts are available for groups, families, students and OAPs.

The Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Niall O'Donnghaile, helps Rebecca Throne get her hands on one of the first tickets for Titanic Belfast, the world’s largest Titanic visitor attraction.

Titanic Belfast tickets go on sale to the public for the first time today (December 12^th) as part of the visitor attraction’s ‘Twelve Titanic Days of Christmas’ campaign. For ‘Twelve Titanic Days’ between now and Christmas Eve, anyone buying Titanic Belfast tickets online will not only receive a 5% discount, but will also be entered into a daily prize draw.   Prizes include highly sought after tickets to the MTV Concert taking place next spring at Titanic’s slipway, as well as a unique opportunity to meet Titanic explorer, Dr. Robert Ballard, when he speaks in Titanic Belfast on April 14^th, the centenary of the night Titanic struck that infamous iceberg.

Winners will also be to hoping to lay their hands on VIP tickets to special previews before Titanic Belfast’s official opening on March 31^st as well as a number of major gala banquets planned for the building’s 1,000-seater Titanic Suite.

Claire Bradshaw, Titanic Belfast’s Marketing Manager, said:

“With just 12 days to go before Christmas we think that tickets to Titanic Belfast will be an ideal present for young and old alike.  This is the world’s largest Titanic attraction and will be one of the most exciting and engaging visitor experiences to open anywhere in the world in 2012.

“If that wasn’t incentive enough, we’re offering those buying tickets online the chance to win never-to-be-repeated prizes tied into Titanic’s centenary year and the official opening of Titanic Belfast.”

Claire Bradshaw, Titanic Belfast’s Marketing Manager, The Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Niall O'Donnghaile, and Gerry Lennon, CEO of Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau, celebrate the Titanic Belfast tickets going on sale to the public for the first time from 12th December.

In addition to the ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’, Titanic Belfast has also revealed the new iconic image for its national and international advertising campaigns devised by Belfast-based Ardmore Advertising. The striking image which combines both Titanic Belfast and RMS Titanic is expected to start appearing on billboards, magazines and newspapers in January.

Claire Bradshaw added:

“We are currently receiving on average of 150-200 enquiries per week through Facebook and the Titanic Belfast website.  People, both locally and from across the world, have been eager to ensure that they are among the first to visit Titanic Belfast in 2012 while others have been keen to buy tickets as a Christmas gift for family and friends.”

Tickets for Titanic Belfast can now be bought online at www.titanicbelfast.com where visitors can avail of a 5% discount.

Tickets are also available via telephone on +44 (0)28 90 766399 or in person at the Belfast Welcome Centre on Donegall Place, Belfast, ranging from £5 for school groups through to £13.50 for adults. Discounts are available for groups, families, students and OAPs.

Titanic Belfast expects to attract in excess of 450,000 visitors next year of whom 150,000 are expected to come from outside Northern Ireland.

THE WEEK THAT WAS….

Ben Hecht, the 19^th Century screenwriter, novelist and producer – known to some as the ‘Shakespeare of Hollywood – once said that: “Trying to determine what is going on in the world by reading newspapers is like trying to tell the time by watching the second hand of a clock.”   I can’t imagine he’d be a big fan of 24-hour rolling news or social media.

He certainly wouldn’t be a big fan of Hansard, not too many scintillating plot lines to captivate the audience there, but then, why should there be?  As the ‘newspaper’ of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Hansard is only a partial glimpse through the shadows into the inner workings of how real decisions actually get made.

Even David Ford, the Justice Minister, has confessed today in the Belfast Telegraph that the Executive is: “Something which is effectively and frequently rubber-stamping discussions which have taken place previously.”  If the Executive is a talking shop, what chance MLAs have on the Floor of the House?

Republicans first brought the concept of the ‘Long War’ to Northern Ireland politics, an inter-generational campaign to achieve their objectives through the use of any means available.  The shifting sands of demographics have, however, forced Unionism to also take a long-term strategic view, hence the First Minister’s wooing of small ‘u’, pro-union Catholics.  Such ‘Realpolitik’ only surfaces now and again on Hansard’s pages.

What Hansard is excellent at cataloguing, though, is the turgidity and clumsiness of devolution.  This week, for instance, the DEL Minister debated the tricky issue of teacher training provision.  Tricky because there’s no money left, there are five separate training institutions and there are serious issues over how to maintain the ethos of faith-based training without disadvantaging employment prospects of teachers who don’t hold a religious qualification.

If that wasn’t enough of a conundrum, the DEL Minister only has responsibility for funding, but not for deciding teacher training numbers or the requirement for a religious qualification to teach in certain schools.  Joined-up Government? 

Not likely.

DEBATES                                   

Speaker’s Business

• Public Petition: Community Libraries-
• Public Petition: Community Pharmacies
• Public Petition: Bronte Library, Rathriland

Executive Committee

Legislation

Order:                           

Rates (Payment by Owners) Amendment

Ministerial Statements

DEL: Teacher Training

DFM: NSMC: Plenary Session

DCAL: BIC: Indigenous, Minority & Lesser Used Languages

Committee & Private Members’ Business

Motions

School Closures: SEELB

Police: Independent Investigations

Dept of Justice: Review of Initial Ministerial Provision

Crimes Against Older & Vulnerable People

Adjournment

West Belfast & Greater Shankill Employment Services Board

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Oral Answers

DARD:             

Forestry: Bye Laws / Gorse Fires / Bovine TB / Flooding: East Belfast / Egg Producers / Health & Social Care

DoE:               

Planning: Renewable Energy / Single Use Carrier Bags / Planning: Training for Councillors / Planning: Renewable Energy

DFP:                

Govt. Estate: Energy Reduction / Business Premises: Strangford / A5: Funding / INTERREG Iva / Small Business Rate Relief

Health:            

Primary Care Centres / Kinship Care / NHS: Winter Weather / Obesity / Health Inequalities: West Belfast / Cardiovascular Disease

THE WEEK AHEAD

Monday 5^th December

Executive Business

Regulations: Paternity Pay

Order: Labour Relations Agency

Question Time             

DEL/ DRD

Motions                       

Community Transport Scheme

Public Sector Pensions

Tuesday 6^th December

Question Time

OFMDFM / DSD / Assembly Commission

Motions           

Hydraulic Fracturing

Welfare of Laying Hens Directive

Adjournment

Regeneration of Portavogie

AND FINALLY….

While moaning about the arcane nature of Stormont may make one feel better, even if a sparkly new system descended from the heavens tomorrow, it would be unlikely to make much progress in the unpleasant economic headwinds currently whipping round from the Continent. 

Perhaps Peter and Marty should just sell the place as a job lot to a Chinese Sovereign Wealth fund and save everyone the bother.

A globally-renowned travel publication has named Belfast among the world’s top 20 travel destinations for 2012. National Geographic’s ‘Traveler’ magazine included the city in the Top 20 ‘Best of the World’ list in its November edition, describing Belfast as ‘a capital city of Titanic ambition that is redefining itself in the eyes of the world’.

National Geographic named the Titanic Belfast visitor experience, the world’s largest Titanic exhibition which is set to open in March 2012, as the main attraction for visitors to look forward to next year.

Celebrating the announcement, Tim Husbands, CEO of Titanic Belfast, said:

“We are absolutely thrilled that National Geographic has named Belfast as one of its top 20 destinations to visit in 2012. To be named alongside established tourist locations such as California, New Zealand, Croatia, Thailand and Iceland is a proud moment for a city that has gone to great lengths to prove itself as a cultural capital.

“The opening of Titanic Belfast in March next year, which will launch a two-week festival marking the centenary of RMS Titanic’s maiden voyage, will bring Belfast to the forefront of global tourism. We are planning an exciting programme of spectacular events for this significant period in Belfast’s history, making it a fantastic time for tourists to either visit the city for the first time or make a return trip to see the strides Belfast has made.

“Belfast has increasingly developed a world-class reputation for hosting large international events, from the Tall Ships in 2009 to the phenomenal success of the recent MTV European Music Awards, with upcoming celebrations including the Olympic Torch Relay next year and the World Police and Fire Games in 2013. Belfast’s cultural redevelopment continues apace and this recognition from National Geographic of Belfast as an international must-see destination is testament to the collective effort made by all tourism stakeholders.”

It was confirmed today that Northern Ireland-based Farrans (Construction) Ltd has won the contract to deliver the new terminal. The 50-acre facility will initially support the construction of the West of Duddon Sands offshore wind farm – a 50/50 joint venture between DONG Energy and ScottishPower Renewables. The facility will then be utilised by DONG Energy for its future Irish Sea operations.

Work on the terminal, now underway, will take 750,000 man hours to complete before it opens in 2013.  The development is the first bespoke offshore wind installation and pre-assembly harbour in the UK, and is part of Belfast Harbour’s wider plans to create a renewable energy hub. 

Welcoming the DETI and DRD Ministers, along with representatives from DONG Energy and ScottishPower Renewables to a site visit, Len O’Hagan, Chairman of Belfast Harbour, said:

“This is one of the most important developments in the history of Belfast Harbour, providing a platform from which to market Northern Ireland as one of the UK’s leading green hubs.

“DONG Energy and ScottishPower Renewables are world leaders in renewable energy and their decision to invest in the Harbour is a major coup.  That decision was the result of a long-term investment strategy by Belfast Harbour and we are already proactively pursuing other commercial opportunities from within the green sector.

“The appointment of Farrans to develop this major marine engineering project is great news for Northern Ireland’s hard-pressed construction sector, but the potential to promote Belfast as a centre for renewable energy projects may yield even greater rewards for the wider economy.”

Eamonn Sweeney, Farrans MD, added:

“We were delighted to have been awarded this project by Belfast Harbour with whom we have had a long-term relationship through the construction of many major marine projects in the past. The project is a much needed boost for Farrans in these difficult times and will provide employment for many within the company and in the supply chain.

“It is a massive scheme requiring in excess of 100,000 tonnes of concrete and 500,000 machine hours, and it is very satisfying to see a local company win this ahead of stiff international competition.”

The new facility, designed by Northern Ireland firm, Doran Consulting, is one element of a £1.6bn investment by DONG Energy and ScottishPower Renewables to develop an offshore wind farm known as West of Duddon Sands.  Located nine miles from the Cumbrian coast at Barrow-in-Furness, the site will generate 389MW, enough to meet the energy requirements of 300,000 homes, when it becomes operational in 2014.

The £50m cost of the terminal will be funded entirely by Belfast Harbour which will, in turn, lease the facility to DONG Energy.  Welcoming the start of construction work, Christian Skakkebæk, Senior Vice President and UK Country Manager for DONG Energy Renewables, said:

“The Irish Sea is an important centre of wind power in the UK and this project will provide Belfast with one of the region’s most important logistics facilities. 

“The new terminal underlines our close working relationship with Belfast Harbour and our long-term commitment to offshore wind in the UK, including projects in the Irish Sea.  Our presence will further support DONG Energy’s position as UK’s market leader within offshore wind.”

Also attending today’s announcement in Belfast was Charles Jordan, ScottishPower Renewables’ Project Director:

“As part of the largest wind energy company in the world, Iberdrola, we know the importance of the ongoing development of the UK’s offshore wind potential.

“Offshore wind provides a major opportunity to diversify and secure energy supplies, but, as this investment demonstrates, it will also act as a major economic stimulant for other sectors such as construction.”

Over 100 turbines, each with a rotor diameter of 120m, will be shipped to Belfast before being transported using two purpose-built installation vessels.  West of Duddon Sands will be one of the world’s largest offshore wind farms when it is commissioned in 2014.

The UK has plans to develop 11,000 new offshore wind turbines at a total cost of £100bn.  Almost a quarter of these are expected to be built within 150 nautical miles of Belfast.

THE WEEK THAT WAS….

Next week about 2m public sector workers across the UK are expected to strike, causing mayhem and annoyance to all and sundry.  Surprisingly though, some MLAs have decided that in the interests of solidarity with the proletariat they will be boycotting Stormont to avoid crossing the picket line.  Long live the revolution.

While MLAs should highlight the genuine grievances of public sector workers, one wonders just what they hope to achieve.  MLAs are mandated by their voters, not a union ballot.  Wednesday is a Committee day at the Assembly and while public sector workers have every right to strike, voters should also surely expect their elected representatives will be there to represent their views when issues are discussed.

If the strike had been held on one of the Assembly’s sitting days, would MLAs have refused to debate and vote on matters.  Surely not?  One might almost conclude that MLAs are unintentionally making the point that the work of the Committee system is so inconsequential, it’s more important to make a vague political gesture.

Perhaps there’s a reason why the main entrance to Parliament Buildings is a revolving door – the most efficient way to facilitate some of the Members’ lack of attachment to the place. 

From innumerable suspensions and threats to bring the institutions down or temporary sabbaticals to follow career aspirations elsewhere, there’s something bordering on a lack of respect for the place.  If MLAs and the Assembly were in a relationship it would be advisable to arrange a pre-emptive chat with Relate.

Talking of strikes, the Green Party’s MLA is doing his best to strike a match under an unwelcome build up of gas (of the shale variety, that is) taking shape under the DETI Minister’s Fermanagh roots.  Unless there are some astonishing new revelations in the ‘pipeline’ it’s highly unlikely that anything will come of calls for the Minister’s resignation.  There’s already plenty of hot air at Stormont – a bit of ‘Green House Gas’ will add some variety.

DEBATES

Executive Committee

Legislation

Regulations:                  

Employment & Support Allowance

Orders:                           

Land Registry Fees

Registration of Deeds                                                            

Ministerial Statements

DARD                          

Single Farm Payments

Committee & Private Members’ Business

Motions

Rivers’ Strategy                                                                                                    

Library Opening Hours                                                                                         

Amateur Sports Clubs Rate Relief                                                                         

Adjournment

Flooding: Clogher Valley

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Oral Answers

DARD:             

EU Fines / Forestry / Potato Producers / Single Farm Payments / Flooding / CAP /

Education:       

Integrated Schools / Disadvantaged Communities / Child Welfare / Educational Attainment / Aghavilly & Keady PS /

DEL:                

FE: Community Groups / HE: Equality & Employment Legislation / St. Mary’s College / Apprenticeships / Incapacity Benefit / Regional Colleges

DETI:              

INI: SMEs / Eurozone / Credit Unions / Titanic Centenary / INI: Job Creation / Agrifood

THE WEEK AHEAD

Monday 28^th November

Executive Business

Order:  Rates

Question Time             

DARD/ DoE

Motions                       

School Closures in the SEELB

Retention & Release of Information from Police Officers

Tuesday 29^th November

Question Time

DFP / Health                

Motions           

Report into Ministerial Provision – DoJ

Sentencing for Crimes against Older and Vulnerable People

Adjournment

Funding: West Belfast & Greater Shankill Employment Services

AND FINALLY….

Revelation of the week goes to Jim Allister (TUV, North Antrim).  During a fulsome declaration of interests in the Libraries debate the loquacious Member disclosed that he first asked his wife out on a date at Queen’s library.

Mr. Allister’s inability to be quiet even in a library was evidently an early marker for his future career as a verbal attack dog – an epithet, one suspects, which is carried with pride.

Ballyclare primary school teacher, Mr. McAllister, has been named Belfast Harbour Green Teacher of the Year 2011

A primary school teacher from Ballyclare has been named Belfast Harbour Green Teacher of the Year 2011 at an exciting Challenge Day at W5 attended by The Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Niall Ó Donnghaile. Mr McAllister, from Fairview Primary School, Ballyclare, scooped the top prize in the Northern Ireland-wide search for the primary school teacher who showed most leadership and took most responsibility for the environment. Second prize was rewarded to Mr Black from Phoenix Integrated Primary School in Cookstown. Two Belfast schools reached the final stage with Mrs Phoenix from St Colman’s Primary School claiming third prize and Mr Moran from Holy Child Primary School receiving the runner-up award.

The unique competition, sponsored by Belfast Harbour and organised through Action Renewables, called on primary school pupils across Northern Ireland to help find the region’s ‘greenest teacher’ by nominating their teacher and explaining, in no more than 100 words, the hard work their teacher does to look after the environment and educate children about ‘eco’ issues. The Green Teacher of the Year 2011 Awards came to an exciting finale at an environmental challenge day at W5 on Wednesday, during which the six shortlisted teachers and their classes enjoyed an interactive ‘Talking Rubbish’ show and designed, built and trialled their own wind-powered racing machines – as well as meeting Webster the Port Monster, Belfast Harbour’s Environmental Guardian.

Speaking at the Challenge Day at W5, The Mayor of Belfast said:

“I would like to congratulate every school, pupil and teacher who has participated in Belfast Harbour’s Green Teacher of the Year award. The huge number of entries this year is a testament to our schools’ commitment to teaching environmental knowledge and responsibility to our next generation of leaders.

“It is fantastic to hear about the environmental work local teachers are involved in, such as setting up eco clubs, reducing energy in school, and even creating wormeries at school. The environment is extremely important to everyone and Belfast City Council has a sustainable action plan to protect our environment. We are currently working on recycling, reducing our energy using and exploring sustainable travel methods.”

The entries were judged by a panel of experts, including David Knott, Environmental Manager, Belfast Harbour, and Laura Coey, Primary School climate change teacher, Action Renewables, as well as sustainability representative, Jackie Gibson from Graham Construction.

Roy Adair, Belfast Harbour CEO, said:

“Belfast Harbour would like to congratulate all of the individual entries for this year’s award along with our skilled panel of judges – the competition was again so strong, that choosing the six finalists from over 320 entries was an extremely difficult job. We would like to extend particular praise to Mr McAllister for his success, along with the finalists who came from schools all over Northern Ireland.

“Belfast Harbour is actively committed to fulfilling our environmental responsibilities and highlighting the benefits of reducing waste and energy consumption to a wider audience. The Green Teacher initiative is a key element of our extensive engagement with schools as we believe it is important to educate children at a young age on green issues and actively reward those who bring the benefits of environmental responsibility to the forefront of education.”

As well as enjoying the Challenge Day, the successful teachers also won large hampers, goodie bags and tickets for their class to see the Ulster Orchestra perform the music to the Christmas classic ‘The Snowman’ at the Ulster Hall. The other finalists were Mr Black from Phoenix Integrated Primary School in Cookstown, Mrs McCann from Glengormly Integrated Primary School, and Mrs Griggs from Spires Primary School in Magherafelt. All other finalists received goodie bags in addition to a workshop with the Ulster Orchestra.

Nicola Murphy, New Business Developer, Action Renewables, said:

“Action Renewables is delighted to have teamed up with Belfast Harbour for the third year of this extremely successful competition, recognising primary school teachers’ continued commitment to environmental projects while educating children about green issues. The Challenge Day is a great way to reward both pupils and their teachers while allowing children to learn about local and wider environmental issues in an innovative and exciting way, such as creating a wind-powered racing machine.

“It was tremendous to see so many schoolchildren interact with each other at the Challenge Day and be educated about the importance of caring for their environment in a fun-filled way. From speaking to teachers and pupils here today, it is encouraging to see so many Northern Ireland teachers and pupils with genuine enthusiasm about creating a greener environment.”

In advance of a year of commemoration and thanksgiving in Malta, the Hon. Consul for Malta, Tom Kelly, lay a wreath at the Cenotaph in Newry on Remembrance Sunday.

Speaking ahead of the event, Mr. Kelly said:

“2012 will be an important milestone in the illustrious history of the island as it commemorates the 70^th anniversary of the awarding of the George Cross to the people of Malta in recognition of their fortitude and bravery during the Second World War.

“The Maltese Government has planned events to mark the occasion and hopes that living recipients of the George Cross and their families will visit the island. The George Cross and the citations from both the British monarch George VI and American President FD Roosevelt are on display at historic Fort St. Elmo in Malta’s capital, Valletta.

“It’s worth noting too that Northern Ireland, through the former RUC, is only the second collective recipient of the George Cross after the people of Malta.”

Mr. Kelly further pointed out that:

“The Maltese Government will also be marking the end of the Second Great Siege of Malta when on the 15^th August 1942 the blockade of Malta was lifted after the remnants of an Allied Convoy arrived in Valletta’s Grand Harbour. The convoy became known as the Santa Marija Convoy because of the association of the national Feast Day of the Virgin Mary.

“Many families in Northern Ireland have already experienced the incredible history of Malta by visiting the island and 2012 will provide many more with a reason to travel to the island.”

Mr. Kelly, who is from Newry, said it seemed appropriate to mark the occasion at the Newry War memorial not just because he lived there but because the first Irishman to receive the George Cross hailed from Newry, Capt. Michael Floud Blaney, who was a sapper in World War II.   A second local hero, Able Seaman, Raymond Kelly, like Capt. Blaney, also posthumously received the George Cross.

Mr. Kelly added:

“Given the George Cross connection with Newry and my honour as a Newryman to hold the post of Hon. Consul for Malta, it seemed appropriate to give deference and indeed preference to the people and city of Newry.”

Mr. Kelly, on behalf the Maltese Government, thanked the local British Legion in Newry for their cooperation.