27 5t

niversary An Y

r ea

Price: 75p

(IR 1.05 EURO) Tuesday, May 15, 2012

The pride of Northern Ireland

www.newsletter.co.uk

Since 1737

Gregg set for glamour match

PAGE 5 & SPORT

Euro final countdown

PAGES 48 & 49

Bike fans will race to Joey exhibition

Racing legend Joey Dunlops youngest daughter Joanne and his four-year-old grandson Hayden take a look around during the opening of an exhibition of the late stars race bikes, trophies and memorabilia. The exhibition, at North Road in Ballymoney, will be open during all of this weeks North West race week from 10am to 5.30pm, except Saturday. It will also be open on Sunday from noon until 3pm.
NORTH WEST 200 BUIlD-UP ON PAgES 50 AND 51 PICTURE: Stephen Davison/Pacemaker

INSIDE

Abandoned kittens seek new homes

See page 7

Business
Volunteer Now and prepare for retirement
PAGE 27
BY riChArd ShErriff

News Letter, Tuesday, May

15, 2012

23

Bishop: we may not solve gay row

BY SAM McBRIDE
sam.mcbride@newsletter.co.uk

Business home and away

PAGES 28-29

Take no chance on home insurance cover

PAGE 33

large retailers to sell alcohol Business Correspondent leader and offer customers as a loss alcohol r.sherriff@newsletter.co.uk cheaper than bottled water. one leading supermarket For example, two-litre bottles of strong recently sold PROPOSALS by the Scottish 1 something like 13p cider for only government to set a minimum a unit. price As the representative of for alcohol were welcomed a industry, Pubs of Ulster responsible yesterday as a positive move in Belfast finds this completely unacceptable figure from the hospitality by a leading and industry. this practice cannot continue. believes Colin Neill, chief executive One move that would of Ulster, said he applauded of Pubs bring real the first benefits to bars would be real legislative action an adjustment in rating which is currently the UK to tackle the issue planned in of cut price loaded for licensed premises alcohol but urged the executive and a general simplification of the law in vital elements to assist to build business operation of a bar he said.regarding the when considering similar action in the Pubs are the only licensed province. premises that already pay a substantial That should include a windfall social levy on levy due to the current supermarkets that could commercial be used rating system which means ease the burden on struggling to help that pub property rates are an Pubs of Ulster welcomesbars. average of 30 todays per cent higher compared announcement by to any the Scottish commercial property, including other government that it will set other sectors of the licensed price for alcohol, he said. a minimum trade, said Mr Neill. Pubs of Ulster also welcomes and The supermarkets will supports the Scottish governments from this, it will createsee a windfall decision to increase the minimum pounds in extra profit and millions of price per unit of alcohol be a social levy on them. there should 50p, as extensive researchfrom 45p to has shown Citing government support that this is the pricing level necessary bars in some Scandanavian offered to to significantly reduce consumption in recognition of their social countries amongst harmful drinkers value, Mr whilst Neill said rural bars in not penalising those particular were who drink fighting for survival. responsibly. Modernise our licensing Speaking on behalf of the retail they are not so expensive laws so that licensed trade in the province, Mr Neill When it comes to food is one thing. said the sector was faced hospitality sector in the and VAT, the of the same alcohol issues with many south pays nine as Scotland per cent while we pay 20 and therefore many per cent. of the same It all slants how we problems including the steady decline what we want to see is compete and of traditional bars which a level playing he said field. being priced out of the equation. were We have been working Although legislation similar closely with to that Social Development Minister planned by the Scots would Nelson McCausland and Health direct impact on the industry,have no he said Edwin Poots to bring about Minister there were measures the Assembly pricing in Northern Ireland minimum needed to consider when planning the been greatly encouraged and we have legislation in the province which is Ministers commitment by the Health expected next year. to introduce the measure by 2013. The availability of incredibly For now, Pubs of Ulster cheap alcohol, namely will by to work closely with them continue supermarkets, is having the large to ensure a serious that minimum pricing impact on issues such is introduced as health and in Northern Ireland in antisocial behaviour, he the near future Minimum alcohol pricing should said. and by doing so, help tackle It has now become acceptable be accompanied by moves to help the licenced trade in for issue of alcohol misuse and the serious the Province says Pubs of Ulster abuse. chief Colin

Pubs chief welcomes alcohol pricing move

Neill

THE search is on for Northern Irelands Young Leader of the Year 2012. The award will be made at Northern Young Leaders Conference Irelands first sponsored by global law firm Herbert Smith, which takes place on 25 May at Riddel Hall, Belfast. The Young Leaders Conference is the first of its kind in Northern organised by the NI Young Ireland and is Solicitors Association, JCI Belfast, Chartered Accountants Ulster Society and the Institute of Directors. Libby Jackson, Director of Herbert Smiths Belfast Office said, We are delighted to sponsor the first Young Leaders Conference land. Leadership is key to in Northern Ireeconomic growth and it has never been more important to nurture and develop our bright young talent in Northern Ireland. will bring together heads This conference of industry and experts in leadership to inspire fessionals to take on leadershipyoung proroles now and in the future. At the event, the Herbert Smith Young Leader of the Year Award to an outstanding young will be presented professional who has shown exceptional leadership skills. Guest speakers at the conference include Gerald Ratner, who infamously wiped 500m off the value of Ratners Jewellers with a speech at the IoDs 1991 Annual Convention where he said, We sherry decanters complete also do cut-glass with six glasses on a silver-plated tray that serve you drinks on, all your butler can for 4.95. People say, How can you sell this for such a low price? I say, because its total crap. Ratners riches to rags to aims to inspire and educate riches story todays young leaders on perseverance and determination when things dont go according ter being deposed by Ratnersto plan. AfJewellers, Gerald Ratner started Gerald Online, an online jewellery business, which turns over in the region of 25m and is one UK online jewellery now the number retailer. Also in the speaker lineup is David Meade, University of Ulster behaviour and TV mentalist, lecturer in panel of experts discussing as well as a leadership including Nigel all aspects of Professor Deirdre HeenanRobbins of UTV, from the University of Ulster, Brigid Napier of Napier & Sons Solicitors, Peter Allen of Deloitte LLP , Barry-John Kelly from from George Best BelfastBDO, Katy Best City fashion designer Una Rodden. Airport and Anyone interested in attending the event, which is also supported by BDO, Abacus Recruitment and Value register at www.iod.com/north Cabs, can ernireland/ events.

Search for Young Leader of the Year

Make it straightforward

A SENIOR Church of Ireland bishop has said that he doubts whether the divide on homosexuality between conservatives and liberals in the church can be reconciled. The Bishop of Down and Dro-

more, Harold Miller, said that the debate over whether samesex relationships were sinful or normal had not been resolved anywhere in the Anglican Communion and questioned whether Irish Anglicans could find middle ground between the two positions. In his first in-depth interview since it became public last year

that a serving Church of Ireland cleric, Dean Tom Gordon, had entered a civil partnership, Bishop Miller told the News Letter that the development had created a serious situation. Bishop Miller, who is the leading conservative bishop in Ireland, said that it would be very helpful for Dean Gordon to now say whether he was in a sexual

relationship with his partner. His comments follow a victory for conservatives within the church who on Saturday secured more than two-thirds of the votes in the churchs General Synod for a motion which backed traditional marriage, despite the public opposition of two liberal bishops. Turn to page 8

Ford to look at force in preventing farm crime

See page 4

Bell apologises for sectarian golf club comments

PAGE 12