Roy Beggs
East Antrim · Ulster Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“I declare an interest as owner of 25 acres of agricultural land; also, my parents run a small agricultural business. <BR /> <BR />There is a shortage of fertiliser, and the Minister has referred to the present difficulties in Ukraine that are contributing to that. That shortage exists even at the exorbitant cost of £1,000 per ton.”
“of public bodies in Northern Ireland. That is vital in order to reassure the public that money is being spent appropriately. That is to be done independently.”
“There has been a very close working relationship and a close partnership. Where issues needed highlighted and where the Assembly, through its scrutiny mechanisms, needed to dig deeper to get better value and better accountability, that occurred.”
“<BR /> <BR />I also want to reflect on the close working relationship that there has been between the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Northern Ireland Audit Office, which the C&AG oversees and manages, and the Assembly, particularly the Public Accounts Committee.”
“As we consider this motion to nominate a new Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland, it is important that we reflect on the importance that the role has in any democracy. The C&AG in Northern Ireland is the head of the Northern Ireland Audit Office.”
“P&O has brutally cast its workforce aside in a Dickensian fashion. There was no consultation or notice, and the company delivered a live message by video link. Will the Minister clarify whether the P&O redundancy announcement is covered by maritime law, Northern Ireland employment law or GB employment law?”
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“Will that involve a high-speed chase and perhaps an accident? That does not work either. We need to see what is practical and what would work. <BR /> <BR />There was mention of creating a bespoke track somewhere. That is a good idea. I like that idea. In my youth I went to a track in Carntall in Newtownabbey. It was fantastic — you could jump in mid-air, and you thought you were wonderful — but facilitating such a track involves huge risks. Will everyone entering it accept their risk and not turn round and sue either the landowner or the council? That needs to be ironed out. Also, how are such bikes to get to the track? I would not wish parents to think this is coming shortly or without considerable expense.”
“<BR /> <BR />There needs to be greater knowledge of that law. The law says that a vehicle with an engine of more than 22·5 cc, and that is very little, will be classed as a motorised vehicle. Therefore, if someone with such a vehicle wants to be on the road, the vehicle should be insured and taxed and should have lights, and a helmet should be worn. Failure in any of those areas means that it could easily be lifted. If it is ridden in a public area without permission, straight away, an illegal act is occurring, and the police, having given a warning, can seize that vehicle. I think that we may need to look at the law in that regard to see whether there are areas that need to be improved. <BR /> <BR />This is a very difficult area to police. Are the police to give chase to a young person on a scrambler?”
“I think that it is important that people understand the danger to the rider and to those in the vicinity. I noticed that, just this summer, the police in my constituency highlighted concerns raised with them about scramblers in Selby Road, Marshallstown Road and the College Walk area of Carrickfergus. Indeed, I have come across scramblers before at Woodburn reservoir and the council-owned public park at Broadlands. Frequently, they are used illegally either on the road or in public areas. In both cases, parents really should be aware — I suspect that there is a lack of knowledge — that their perhaps £1,000 or £2,000 investment, or perhaps even more for a modern bike, could be seized from them. So, apart from endangering their child and the public, they may lose their precious asset.”
“<BR /> <BR />I do not think that anybody else has outed himself as a former scrambler — I am. I rode a trail bike from the age of 16 on my father's farm and then had an RM 125. Not everybody fully understands the power that is there. I had a look online and saw that it is listed as being 38 horsepower. The Yahama YZ was only 33 horsepower. Would you dream of putting a child behind a team of 38 horses? That is the amount of power that we are talking about. A scrambler can frequently out-chase or outride a car, such is the acceleration. Parents need to understand the degree of power that they are handing to their child. There needs to be education and training, and until a child has that, it is unwise to hand such a vehicle to them. <BR /> <BR />I fully understand the thrill, and I am lucky to have survived the spills involved.”
“I also thank the Member for West Belfast for bringing forward the motion. The issue continues to give rise to concern. I agree with her that this is very timely, because some parents in their, I would say, lack of knowledge may be thinking of making a purchase before Christmas, and it is important that people are fully aware of the law and of the dangers to their child and the public if their child rides such a vehicle. As long as they do so in that knowledge and have somewhere safe for their child to ride it, it will be fine. There are similar concerns in my constituency of East Antrim about the illegal use of motorised vehicles. Indeed, sadly, there has also been a fatality in Carrickfergus. As I say, there is a need for the public to be better informed about the use of quads and scramblers.”
“Does the Member agree with me that insurance can be very problematic for anyone to take on because, first, many of those using the bikes do so illegally in public areas, and, secondly, they frequently allow many of their friends, who, of course, are not insured, to use them, which defeats the purpose?”
“I understand that many Housing Executive homes and former Housing Executive homes were insulated using fibre and that there are particular problems with fibre where it settles and creates voids that can result in a cold home. Even worse, there can be damp fibre, which results in it being a conductor rather than an insulator. Can the Minister assure me that there is adequate training of Housing Executive staff and contractors so that they can quickly identify where damp fibre, which results in the ill health of tenants and in fuel poverty, is a problem?”
“In May 2013, the then First Minister, Peter Robinson, and then Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson, held a meeting at Stormont — I believe it was in this Building — along with Frank Cushnahan, who was appointed by Sammy Wilson as the NAMA advisory group insider, and representatives of PIMCO, the American property investment company who were to be potential bidders. Does the Member agree with me that it was entirely inappropriate for Ministers to bring together potential bidders and NAMA insiders and that there should be full transparency on everything that happened in order to assure the public that in the future there will be proper governance arrangements, that we will not be held in such disrepute and that there will be confidence for future long-term investment in Northern Ireland?”
“You will hopefully get an extra minute for this, as well. Do you agree that it is important to remove the financial benefits for those who sometimes supply tyres to local bonfires for profit at the expense of local communities?”
“It is important we do spot checks, manage the system, avoid creating unnecessary bureaucracy and do so in an efficient manner. Let us get to the bottom of this so that honest businessmen can continue to trade and those who profit from criminality can be held to account.”
“It is a simple process of asking, "How many tyres did you buy?" My understanding is that most people, when they buy a tyre, allow the garage to take the old one away.”
“Then there are the bonfires that local communities can suffer from, where fires are excessive and cause difficulties. Clearly, we need to take greater care and avoid that. How we manage tyres is not sufficient, and it is clear we need to do better. There is a discrepancy in the number of tyres actually being collected and recycled. I noticed that, in the all-Ireland survey, which is highly questionable, given some of the poor responses it received — I think 2% of retailers in the Republic responded — some 1·8 million tyres were collected in Northern Ireland but 1·6 million were recycled. What happened to the other 200,000? That really does beg an answer. <BR /> <BR />We need spot checks.”
“Oil ran off the site and contaminated areas. Again, arson was suspected. As I mentioned, we, too, had sizeable fires in Pennyburn and Campsie, where, in one case, it was suspected that over half a million tyres were burnt and an individual profited as a result. He did not have to pay for any more recycling but will have received, at least in those days, probably about £1 per tyre going into that site. Of course, public services also had to spend some £800,000 as part of the clean-up. When we do not take action, we have to accept that costs will follow that cannot be avoided. It is worthwhile making some investment to deal with it. <BR /> <BR />Some Members mentioned the problem of fly-tipping, which is simply dumping tyres in the countryside.”
“Those contaminants may leach into the ground or be washed into nearby watercourses by the firefighting exercises that ensue. <BR /> <BR />There is a well-known problem of stockpiling tyres throughout the developed world, and there have been many instances of sizeable fires in Canada and the USA. On our shores, in England in the 1970s, some 9,000 tyres were burnt in Rochdale. The water supply reservoir was closed and remains closed. Arson was suspected. In Selby, over 1,000 tyres were burnt. Twenty-one gallons of an oily leachate were removed from the site, and drinking water intake was closed for two days as a precaution. Again, arson was suspected. <BR /> <BR />In Powys in Wales in 1989 some 10 million tyres were burnt, and arson was suspected. In Cheshire, England in 1999, it was half a million tyres.”
“The thick black smoke contains many hazardous chemicals, such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide, as a result of incomplete combustions. Then, of course, there are the dioxins and furans, which can cause cancer. There are also polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) due to the combustion of benzene and chlorine, both well-known hazardous substances, in the tyres. There is then the particulate material itself — the soot — which can blacken houses, land on cars, blacken areas of concrete and disrupt neighbours where such fires occur. There is also contamination to water and land. During combustion, heavy metals, phenolic compounds and PAHs leach from tyres. A significant amount of oil, as others mentioned, is liberated from each tyre during combustion.”
“I, too, support the motion, which highlights the toxic nature of compounds given off as a result of burning tyres in an uncontrolled fashion. I also have some sympathy for the amendment. It is important that we do not create gaps between legislation in Northern Ireland and the Republic from which criminals could profit. <BR /> <BR />The most succinct and informed document that I have come across on the dangers from pollutants as a result of burning tyres is the chemical hazards and poisons report of December 2003 produced by the Public Health Agency in England and Wales. We are talking about poisons being given off. It lists the atmospheric pollutants and other pollutants to water and land that cause contamination. It makes for very interesting reading about some of the compounds in the atmosphere.”
“I thank the Member for raising the issue. My understanding is that at Campsie between half a million and one million tyres were burnt, and that someone might well have become a millionaire as a result.”
“I thank the Minister for her statement, in which she referred to fostering new and closer working relationships and developing a culture of cooperation and mutual respect. She referred to five advisory groups. In her efforts to address crime and corruption, did the discussions include cross-border financial crime and corruption, which is becoming an increasingly important area, particularly in light of the recent allegations that were made in the BBC 'Spotlight' programme regarding the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA)?”
“The job losses will be devastating for individual families. The losses come on top of previous significant job losses from Caterpillar in 2012, as well as from JTI and Michelin in the neighbouring region. Will the Minister respond to the calls from unions and business organisations and grant the Opposition's request for a specific manufacturing strategy to ensure that the needs of industry are not overlooked and are addressed so that it remains competitive and cost-effective?”
“They will have more specialism in this area and will be able to give better advice. They will also be able to approach people when necessary — it may be all that is needed at an early stage — to make them aware that it is a specific criminal offence. There will be a shot across the bow and, hopefully, that will be the end of it. Where people are persistent and ignore that, clearly, they need to be held to account and brought before the courts to address what they have done. We need all our citizens to be able to live in peace in their own home and to enjoy their activities online without threat of stalking or abuse.”
“<BR /> <BR />It strikes me that this needs to be taken much more seriously by the police, whose advice to date has been "Change your Facebook settings", and that is about it. I am gathering information and intend to make sure that a much better response is required. This has highlighted to me the fact that we need much more specific legislation, so that there is recognition of the turmoil that this can cause to an individual's life. Even though no violence has occurred and even though it is not the ex-partner, it is simply someone whose life is being destroyed by someone who is trying to intimidate them online. <BR /> <BR />It is clear that our legislation is not enough. We need greater expertise, and, if we have specific legislation, I have no doubt that the PSNI will pay more attention to this area.”
“<BR /> <BR />Typically, stalking may involve an ex-partner who feels spurned in some way, but that is not the only format. We need to make sure that it is much wider than just domestic violence situations; it can take many, many complicated formats. Others have talked about the "stranger stalker" — someone who gets fixated. I agree with my colleague Sandra Overend that the online issue makes this problem very intrusive and difficult to manage. One of my constituents contacted me over the weekend, feeling that their life was being threatened again. In this case, it was a spurned ex-partner, so it is the old girlfriend stalking the new girlfriend and hurling lots of abuse at her. It is complicated. Someone may adopt multiple identities online, and it becomes difficult to trace.”
“Thank you, Principal Deputy Speaker. <BR /> <BR />Stalking is very debilitating for the individual who is at the end of it. It is unsettling; it can be very frightening; it can be a form of terrorism; and it can take over their life. They cannot have a normal life; they never feel at ease. It ought to be taken very seriously, and I am glad that there is unanimity across the Chamber today. <BR /> <BR />Why has Northern Ireland legislation fallen so far behind? It is three years since stalking legislation was introduced in England and Wales and, indeed, in Scotland. For that matter, England is already consulting on further amendments with their 2015 consultation on stalking protection orders. We clearly need to get up to date and address the issue.”
“I am aware that most of the diesel had not evaporated and that those sailing on the lough or living near it were aware of the stench of it at the time. <BR /> <BR />I want to ask the Minister about information flow. What is she doing to ensure that there is clarity around who is ultimately responsible for such an investigation? Should people contact the Environment Agency, as the Minister mentioned, or the Maritime and Coastguard Agency? On many occasions, people simply contact the local council, because they are not aware of whom they should contact.”
“Maintenance is a basic issue that is often required to maintain road safety. Will the Minister assure my constituents and me that the maintenance of street lighting will be part of his initial budget, guaranteeing that failing lights will be repaired, rather than having the Department continually seeking emergency funding in-year?”
“There is also the issue of having to pay a significant tax for access to Europe. <BR /> <BR />We need solutions and we need to move this forward. While we have been speaking, the pound is now at a low. It has gone down further and it is now at €1·20. This is affecting businesses and real jobs in our economy, and we need solutions. We need to get away from futile arguments and get solutions that will help our companies and businesses and protect jobs for the future.”
“It discusses the need for compromise and for staging posts in their ideal future solution. There are choices available, but anyone here has to recognise that it takes decades to get a bespoke agreement with the European community. <BR /> <BR />Look at the recent trade agreement with Canada; and the Swiss model has transformed over years. Are we looking for a Swiss model or for a Norwegian model? We will probably have to accept something off the shelf that will come reasonably quickly or else it will take years and years, which we cannot afford. We have to accept what there is in some of these models; there are things that some people will not like. We will have freedom of trade, which is essential for our companies and for business, but there will also be freedom of movement of people, some of which has been opposed.”
“Whether it is Caterpillar in Larne selling a major generator to a company in the Republic of Ireland or a small farmer selling some of his milk to a creamery in Monaghan, there are possible implications. We need to ensure that trade will continue and that people will continue to be employed in Northern Ireland. Enough about decisions in the past; the decision has been taken. We now need solutions so that trade can occur and companies can continue in business. <BR /> <BR />We must not dwell on the past. We must look at what the future arrangements will be and at what will be best from a United Kingdom and Northern Ireland perspective, and we must try to give reassurance. I draw Members' attention to a paper from Dr Richard North and Robert Oulds of the Bruges group, entitled 'The Market Solution'.”
“I will come to that later. It is not just about the firms exporting in Northern Ireland. For anybody who deals with a firm that exports to Europe, their business could be affected if we do not get stable grounds for business in Northern Ireland. For those who trade with others, there could be implications for their business. <BR /> <BR />Equally, there are ramifications for the many organisations in Northern Ireland that have, to date, received European grants, such as the social fund, the Peace fund, the regional development fund and funding for the rural community. There needs to be greater clarity and certainty going forward. What are the implications for those? We also have the particular issue in Northern Ireland of the land border. There is considerable trade across that land border.”
“We must ensure that those companies continue to export and to sell their goods and that employees will still be employed. Let us get away from the futile argument that there has been here.”
“We have to accept the decision that was taken in the national United Kingdom referendum, irrespective of what side of the argument anyone was on. We need to get away from the futile argument of whether it will apply here or in Scotland. It will apply here. Let us move on and try to get the debate onto the more constructive ground of how we must react. <BR /> <BR />Northern Ireland businesses and their employees need clarity and certainty, and they want to know what can be done to give that to them. We need to accept that the decision has been taken and get on to the debate about what future measures come in. What else can we do to provide protection? Some 40% of our exports in the United Kingdom — there is no reason to think that it is any different here — go to the EU.”
“Everyone in Northern Ireland — certainly everyone in here — purports to be a democrat. We should reflect on what that means. There is a responsibility on everyone to accept democratic decisions. Some, from their comments, appear to dispute the referendum decision. I remind everyone that, in the Belfast Agreement, it was agreed that Northern Ireland would remain in the United Kingdom until the people of Northern Ireland decide otherwise. I accept that there is a great deal of uncertainty about the future of the economy of Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom because of the decision; nevertheless, it is democratically accepted that Northern Ireland is an integral part of the United Kingdom and will remain so.”
“Would the Member be surprised to learn that some of our enterprise agencies still do not have superfast broadband and have not been prioritised and provided with the service that would enable small businesses to get online and win business internationally?”
“I noticed that Shelter Scotland indicated in 2009 that, after three years, it was failing to weed out the minority of bad landlords. <BR /> <BR />I reiterate what I am saying: we need a system that will deal with the offenders and those who are not carrying out their responsibility to tenants, rather than have additional costs that will ramp up bureaucracy. Let us deal with the problem, not create another bureaucratic system.”
“Instead of dealing with everybody, we may just need a system to deal with a dispute. Some 87% of tenants supported the creation of an arbitration service. I think that that has some merit going forward. <BR /> <BR />There is a small number of disreputable landlords who knowingly flout the law, and we need to make sure that we address them. I noticed that, in Scotland, comments have included those saying it is unnecessarily cumbersome and requires a large amount of data, yet it would not even assist landlords with tenants who were misusing their property or were in rent arrears or even advise them when they had left the property so that repossession could occur. We need to make sure that we have balance as we go forward.”
“I participated in that, and I am well aware of the need for it and am fully supportive of it. We have our landlord registration scheme and tenancy deposit scheme. <BR /> <BR />As I said, the vast majority of the relationships are good. Indeed, a 2012 survey showed that 88% of tenants were fairly or very satisfied with repairs and 8% were fairly or very dissatisfied. Like others, I come across constituency cases where I feel that landlords are not carrying out their duty. I commend the actions of the Housing Rights Service and councils' environmental health officers for their actions in trying to bring to account those who are not responding to need. One of the ideas floated in some of the surveys that the Department has carried out is for an arbitration service where there are disputes.”
“That is the key issue on which I will judge any proposal, not on the amount of bureaucracy and cost for the nine out of 10 good landlords, where there are good relationships between landlord and tenant. What we do not need are additional costs that will be passed to the landlord and on to the tenant. We do not need bureaucracy; we need action where it is actually needed. <BR /> <BR />There have been a number of changes in the housing situation in recent times. We have had the new deposit scheme requirement for new purchasers, so fewer people have been buying houses. Recently, there have been changes to HMRC taxation rules. Some of those who invested may get cold feet. We have introduced a landlord registration scheme for houses in multiple occupancy.”
“The Housing Executive has indicated that it needs 1,500 new houses; perhaps that has gone up to 2,000 homes, given the economic situations. The private sector has been building 4,500 houses a year. That means that we have a gap. There is a shortage of houses. How is it going to be filled? Will the Executive produce the money to do it? If they are, where the funds? I pose this question: are we going to be reliant on the private sector to help those who are facing homelessness today? We need to make sure that the decisions we make do not worsen the situation so that more people become homeless. We may have great intentions, but I argue that we need to take great care in bringing about changes. <BR /> <BR />Will any proposals address rogue landlords?”
“I just want to pick up on some of the comments of the Member who spoke last. I, too, support the view that there needs to be balance in what happens. I declare an interest in this subject, to the degree that my son is a student renter of accommodation and my dad is a landlord. I see the issue from both sides. <BR /> <BR />Where exactly are we with this in Northern Ireland? What is our housing situation? We need to be careful, as we go forward, how we impact on tenants — we need to ensure that we bring about improvements — but also that we do not contribute to homelessness. <BR /> <BR />Our population is growing, and the average size of households is becoming smaller. It is estimated that we need over 11,000 new houses a year just to maintain stability.”
“Does the Member recall evidence given by some letting agents to the Social Development Committee when examining the Houses in Multiple Occupation Bill? They indicated that all that they did was let the property, while others had a maintenance role. Do you agree that there needs to be a clear distinction of responsibilities so that everyone knows their responsibility moving forward, rather than have a situation in which we have those who simply let and walk away?”
“Of course, that means that many of the contributory and non-contributory benefits will not be increased in 2016-17, because they have maintained their value in relation to prices. <BR />We are discussing the motion in the context of gross disposable household income in Northern Ireland being the smallest, or worst, in the United Kingdom. We are receiving, on average, 81·5% of UK average earnings, and I have no doubt that that is not unconnected to the over-reliance on social security in many parts of Northern Ireland. We need a safety net and parity in welfare payments, but, above all, we need economic growth to take more of our people out of welfare and into work. <BR /> <BR />In our role of providing constructive opposition, the Ulster Unionist Party indicates its support for this confirmatory resolution.”
“I wish to say a few words on behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party. This is part of an annual exercise, and there is very little change to our social security benefits in the annual process year to year. It is important that we make increases and adjustments to maintain parity with the rest of the United Kingdom, but the reality is that we cannot afford any other changes that would fall upon our limited block grant. <BR /> <BR />On some of the entitlements affected, I too welcome the 2·9% increase indicated by the Minister in the basic state pension and the increase in state pension credit. I know that many vulnerable pensioners will greatly benefit from that little bit of additional money. It is particularly welcome in the context of the consumer prices index showing a negative growth rate of -0·1%.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement, but I must say that I find the new format unhelpful. Like others, I am concerned about the lack of transparency. I believe it is healthy to be aware of the bids, choices and pressures that were there. Can the Minister advise whether there were bids to, for instance, provide additional capital funding to improve health centres — there is an issue with those in my constituency — or, in education resource funding, to address some of the effective cuts to our schools? Were there any unsuccessful bids, and will the Minister publish all the bids?”
“Each of the nine departmental Ministers has a special adviser, and many of the direct functions that were in OFMDFM have now transferred out. Given that transfer of functions, how can the First Minister and the deputy First Minister continue to justify the increase in special advisers that they instigated? Will there be a reduction below the original six, given the reduction in functions?”
“There are great opportunities, but I think the Department with responsibility for tourism needs to work closely with other Departments and councils to make the most of them and promote the East Antrim area.”
“<BR /> <BR />Moving on down the coast, we have Glenariff Forest Park, where there are similarly wonderful walks. There is the new glamping facility, where £1 million has been spent to provide camping as you have never known it. Again, that is a wonderful facility. In the village of Glenarm, we have the Dalriada Festival each summer, which is growing and is very popular. There are the glens and the beauty down in Carnlough, Cushendall, Cushendun and Waterfoot, where people escape from the hustle and bustle of modern Belfast and go into a wonderful environment with friendly folk. As others said, 'Game of Thrones' is providing opportunities, given the many sites that have been used in East Antrim.”
“That is wonderful for tourists who visit. <BR /> <BR />We then have the picturesque town of Whitehead with the Victorian tea rooms. That is the location of the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland, which provides steam journeys for rail enthusiasts. Of course, as others said, there is the Gobbins cliff path, which is quite a spectacular walk in the natural environment. It is receiving great reviews from those who have walked it and has proven very popular. There are many other fantastic facilities available, vistas that, in the past, people were not really as aware of as they should have been. Visitors who see them cannot help but be impressed. I think of Portmuck, Brown's Bay, the Woodburn dams in Carrick and, of course, Glenoe waterfall and Ballygally.”
“It is fascinating that it was seized by the Scots, the Irish and the French and even played a small part in the American war of independence, with John Paul Jones having a skirmish off the coast — quite remarkable. It was, of course, the site where King William III landed when he came to Ireland. He went on up to stay at the White House in Newtownabbey. It is part of the Williamite trail on to the Battle of the Boyne. There are opportunities there for tourism. Indeed, this Saturday is the annual celebration of the landing of King William III in Carrickfergus. Any tourist who goes along to that will have a fabulous day. Period costumes, horses, bands — what a spectacle. If you were on holiday in any other part of the world and came across an event such as that you would find it unbelievable that it is all being provided free.”
“<BR /> <BR />The East Antrim landscape is beautiful, and we have a fantastic history, particularly with Carrickfergus Castle. Of course, Carrick, at one stage, was the capital of Northern Ireland, and so much of its history is there to be seen. The council has provided a very useful museum. The castle, which was built in 1177 by John de Courcy, is a feature that offers greater opportunity for tourism. The Department, the Executive — there can be different Departments involved — and the local council all need to see how better we can utilise such a facility to maximise the opportunities, so that it can become more flexible and so that the showing available can better demonstrate the history and become an even better attraction.”
“Tourism is of growing significance to the Northern Ireland economy. When there was instability, tourists did not want to come here. Thankfully, that has changed; we now need to try to maximise the opportunities that arise with the growing number of tourists coming here. The Titanic centre in Belfast and the new Giant's Causeway centre have proven to be very successful, but one of the difficulties with them has been that they have tended to be day-tripping locations for people coming from the Republic or perhaps coming off a cruise ship. We need to get people to stay overnight and look at other opportunities that are here. I certainly believe that East Antrim, which is located on the famous, spectacular Antrim coastline, is well-placed to try to make use of the potential that exists and build on those two successful centres.”