Coulter gets assurance on Rathlin Power Move
Rev Dr Robert Coulter, the Ulster Unionist Party Assembly member for North Antrim and UUP Stormont Commissioner, has said he has received assurances from the First Minister that Rathlin Island could have a future tidal electricity generating facility.
Assemblyman Dr Coulter received his assurance in a verbal reply from the First Minister during oral questions at Stormont.
The UUP MLA said: “I put specific questions to the First Minister - will he indicate whether there has been any progress on furthering a tidal electricity generation facility near Rathlin Island, which the Sustainable Development Commission claims will produce 10% of Northern Ireland’s energy needs? Does he think that it will damage in any way the tourist potential of that great tourist area?
“In his response, the First Minister assured me there should be such a supply of electricity to Rathlin Island.
“This would be substantial progress for the island since 1970 because then, there were no public toilets on Rathlin, and no new houses had been built during a 40-year period. I was exceptionally heartened to hear the First Minister state he would like to see a tidal supply of electricity bringing light and power to the island,” said Assemblyman Dr Coulter.
The First Minister’s assurances to Dr Coulter have also been welcomed by Mr Robin Swann, the UUP’s Energy Spokesman and a senior member of the North Antrim UUP management committee.