Edwin Poots

Edwin Poots to reform NI health care?

Turgon on June 8, 2011, 10:19 pm | Readers 8

Edwin Poots was a fairly competent if at times somewhat undistinguished minister in the last Stormont executive. Since, taking on the Health portfolio, however, there are signs he has started to up his game to a marked extent. Initially he made the politically expedient choice as expected by all and gave the go ahead to the new Cancer Centre in Altnagelvin. Few surprises there. The News Letter today reported the BMA calling for a radical reduction in the number of …

Altnagelvin goes ahead, but at what price?

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on May 26, 2011, 8:35 am | Readers 7

Health Minister Edwin Poots said on Monday: Making a decision on the proposed radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin was my first priority as Health Minister. It was vital that I took the time to look at all the evidence properly to reach the right decision for the right reasons. I have now thoroughly reviewed all the relevant information and I have decided to make the necessary funding – both current and capital – available. This amounts to £56million being made available …

“The [NI Environment] minister sought to clear a lot of business before leaving office…”

Pete Baker on May 4, 2011, 9:12 pm | Readers 75

The BBC reports that concerns have been raised by the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society at the Northern Ireland Environment Minister, the DUP’s Edwin Poots’, apparent haste in seeking to have Ballyloran House, Larne, delisted by the non-independent NI Environment Agency before he leaves office on May 5. From the BBC report The Ulster Architectural Heritage Society has said it is concerned by the timing of the move. “I can’t really understand the haste,” the society’s John Anderson said. “I would have thought that possibly …

“Although the delivery timetable for local government has not yet been finalised by the Executive…”

Pete Baker on December 1, 2010, 4:27 pm | Readers 10

The Northern Ireland Environment Minister, the DUP’s Edwin Poots, may be introducing a Planning Bill to the NI Assembly next week – with the intention to absorb Planning Service within the Department of the Environment before transferring planning powers to local councils. And he may be seeking views “on proposals aimed at modernising and strengthening local democracy”. But as he admits in his press release, the timetable for the proposed “transfer of Development Plan and Development Management powers to councils” has yet …

NI Environment Minister’s “retreat from Moscow”

Pete Baker on October 5, 2010, 3:55 pm | Readers 11

I mentioned that the public inquiry into the John Lewis development at Sprucefield has been delayed due to legal concerns about comments made by the NI Environment Minister, the DUP’s Edwin Poots. The BBC reports that Lord Justice Girvan has asked the Attorney General to consider contempt of court proceedings, despite a statement from the Minister being read out in court today. And, it would appear, not just in regard to the Minister. From the BBC report Lord Justice Girvan said [the Minister’s statement in court today] did not “sit …

John Lewis inquiry delayed due to Minister’s comments

Pete Baker on October 4, 2010, 9:36 pm | Readers 36

Official statements by the then Northern Ireland Environment Minister, the DUP’s Sammy Wilson, have already been quashed by one member of the judiciary because they unlawfully changed planning policy to “give greater weight to [the] economic considerations” of any proposed development. Now the BBC reports that the Planning Appeals Commission has confirmed a further delay to the public inquiry into the John Lewis development at Sprucefield. The reason? Legal concerns about comments made in a recent interview by the current NI …