Justice Minister condemns murder of police officer

The Minister, who has been briefed by the Chief Constable and spoken to Irish Justice Minister Alan Shatter, has said that people across Ireland will be sickened by the killing of the officer.

David Ford said: "Firstly my thoughts and prayers are with the family of the police officer and I send my condolences to them.

"This brutal murder will be condemned without reservation across the political spectrum and will shock and sicken people both North and South .

"Those responsible for the murder have nothing to offer the people of Northern Ireland but heartache and suffering.

"They represent no-one and yet have today murdered in a cowardly and ultimately pointless way a man who was drawn from this community and was serving this community, merely because of the service he was providing. I know the disgust and hurt many will feel at this act and would ask anyone with information which could bring those responsible to justice to tell the PSNI immediately."

Robinson and McGuinness condemn murder

First Minister Rt Hon Peter D Robinson MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP MLA have condemned this afternoon's murder of a policeman as cowardly and evil.

Mr Robinson said: "The murder of a young catholic policeman newly recruited to the PSNI is shocking and deplorable. To plant a bomb under the car of a defenceless policeman is the type of cowardly act of murder that we had hoped we had seen the last of. This attack is intended to deter young catholics from joining the police and I urge them not to be deterred by those who have nothing to offer our society.

"Those who perpetrated this act hoped to destabilise our community in the run up to the local elections in May. I would like to take this opportunity to send them a very clear message; the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland are stronger today than they have been at any other time in our history. The people of Northern Ireland have rejected violence and this act will not further the cause of dissidents one iota.

"I would like to offer the officer's family and loved ones my deepest condolences, my thoughts and prayers are with them all."

Mr McGuinness: "My thoughts and prayers are foremost with the family, friends and colleagues of this young police officer.

"In joining the PSNI this young man sought to protect and serve the community; to be part of defining a better future for us all.

"Whoever carried out this act offer nothing to the community and have no role to play in our future. They have betrayed the community and set themselves against the will of the people of Ireland. No cause is served by this act and let no excuse be acknowledged."

"While those behind this act seek to promote division and conflict let us state clearly, they will fail. The process of peace building will continue and the community is united in rejection of them."

Robinson and McGuinness meet Obama in White House

First Minister the Rt. Hon. Peter D. Robinson MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP, MLA, have met with President Obama in The White House.

Speaking after the meeting in the Oval Office the First Minister said: "We greatly appreciate the audience we've had with President Obama today. He reaffirmed his support and ongoing commitment and that of his administration to the development of the Northern Ireland economy. He was keen to hear of progress since the devolution of policing and justice powers. We thanked him for his continued support and pressed on him the importance of inward investment as we strive to deliver a stable society, bolstered by economic growth."

Mr McGuinness said: "As we come to the end of the first full uninterrupted Assembly term we outlined to the President the progress we have made, the challenges we face and our commitment that we would continue to move forward. It would be a tremendous boost if he was able to pay an official visit before the end of this term. Such a visit would further cement the great relationship we've enjoyed with successive US administrations during recent years."

Robinson and McGuinness - Northern Irish creative industries are truly world class

First Minister Rt Hon Peter D. Robinson MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP MLA have told an audience of US business and political leaders that the creative industries in Northern Ireland are truly world class.

Speaking at the annual business breakfast hosted by the Northern Ireland Bureau to mark St Patrick's Day the Ministers described the local growth of the local creative industries sector as truly remarkable.

First Minister Peter D. Robinson said: "Northern Ireland has over the course of recent years developed a creative industries sector that is attracting significant global attention. In recent years productions by HBO and Universal have created hundreds of jobs and generated millions for the economy. Productions funded by NI Screen have generated a return of some £45million in the last three years alone.

"The creative industries are leading the way creating jobs and helping to rebalance and grow our economy. By encouraging creativity, we will fuel the emergence of creative ideas, creative people and creative enterprises. We will create a culturally rich society that will encourage people to live, work and invest in Northern Ireland."

Mr McGuinness said: "Ireland is renowned for its culture, its creativity and art. Every corner of the island is alive with enterprise, art and creative thinking -creative thinking to deliver political progress, creative thinking to breakdown community barriers and tackle inequality and creative thinking to promote economic growth for the benefit of all.

"Today's theme is creative industries and some 4.6% of our workforce, over 36,000 people, are employed in these sectors and are playing an ever increasing role in our efforts to rebalance the economy."