Maginnis refuses to apologise in Mowlam row

Saturday-Sunday:The former Conservative Party minister and Ulster Unionist MP, Mr Enoch Powell, died on Sunday morning aged 85…

Saturday-Sunday:The former Conservative Party minister and Ulster Unionist MP, Mr Enoch Powell, died on Sunday morning aged 85. He was best remembered for his "rivers of blood" speech against immigration from Britain's former colonies, which effectively ended his chances of high office. Unionists had turned to him at a time when they feared for their survival in the UK. Six people were killed in road accidents between Friday afternoon and Sunday and a number of others were seriously injured. Those killed included a 13-yearold boy, who was struck as he got off a school bus near Knock, Co Mayo, and a 15-year-old girl who died when the car in which she was travelling hit a steel fence outside Dungarvan, Co Waterford.The White House reacted cautiously to reports that President Clinton may visit Northern Ireland in May when the peace negotiations are due to end and be put to referendums North and South.The British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, speaking after his Washington visit, said President Clinton had given him "a very clear signal and understanding that he would be delighted to come back to Northern Ireland if the peace process goes according to plan". The North's political parties had a mixed reaction to the prospect of a Clinton visit.Monday:The Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, warned that she might no longer be able to "do business" with Ulster Unionist MP Mr Ken Maginnis in the Stormont talks.The threat was made in a letter to the UUP leader, Mr David Trimble, in which Dr Mowlam demanded an apology for "a vicious and unwarranted attack" in a talks session during which Mr Maginnis called her "a damned liar". Mr Maginnis said he had no intention of apologising. A record £200 million would be made available for road and pavement improvements, the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, announced. The funding, an increase of 18 per cent on last year's figures, would represent more than £2,200 for every kilometre of non-national road.The publication of the South County Dublin draft development plan proposes that nearly 1,200 acres of agricultural land be zoned for housing. The land, on the fringes of existing built-up areas, would be sufficient to build 10,000 houses at standard suburban densities of 10 to 12 houses per acre. Mr Frank Kavanagh, the South Dublin county manager, said the rezoning was "not excessive having regard to the unprecedented levels of development" since the last county plan was adopted in December 1993.Tuesday:Sinn Fein's place at the Stormont talks came under scrutiny after it was suspected that members of the IRA were involved in the shooting of a leading loyalist, Mr Robert Dougan, in Dunmurry, on the outskirts of Belfast. The IRA cover group Direct Action Against Drugs was meanwhile being blamed for the murder of an alleged drug dealer, Mr Brendan Campbell, outside a restaurant on the Lisburn Road.The lawyer appointed by the Government to investigate the Irish Amateur Swimming Association promised that his involvement in swimming would not affect his independence in the matter.Mr Roderick Murphy SC, a member of the Glenalbyn swimming club in south Dublin, said he knew some of the people involved in the controversy.The Superior of the Franciscan Brothers, Mr James Mungovan, expressed "absolute horror" at the sexual abuse which a former member of the order inflicted on a number of schoolboys. The former teacher, who was married with five children, was jailed for 10 years after pleading guilty to 16sample charges, including counts of indecent assault and buggery.Wednesday:The Ulster Unionist Party leader, Mr David Trimble, reiterated his party's opposition to significant cross-Border bodies with "executive" powers. He unveiled a unionist blueprint which would cast North-South meetings under the umbrella of what he still called the Council of the British isles.Dana Rosemary Scallon, who received a 15 per cent vote in the recent presidential election, confirmed she was considering contesting next year's European Parliament election. During a forthcoming two-week visit to Ireland, she would tour the State to thank people who voted for her in October.Thursday:The IRA insisted in a statement that its ceasefire still held, contrary to speculation following recent killings in Belfast. The Sinn Fein leader, Mr Gerry Adams, called on those responsible for the murders of a leading loyalist and a suspected drug dealer to admit their actions. The Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, was accused of favouring offshore investors over ordinary savers and community interests after introducing a new tax and disclosure rules on credit union savings. Opposition politicians said the new measures were in stark contrast with the Government's objection to including a full examination of the Ansbacher deposits in the Moriarty tribunal's terms of reference.