A body set up to promote the interests of consumers has bid almost £125m (€187m) for the link carrying electricity from Britain to Northern Ireland, it emerged today.

The Parades Commission will continue to review contentious marches in Northern Ireland throughout 2003 despite an independent report recommending that it should be replaced, it was confirmed tonight.

The Parades Commission in Northern Ireland must be allowed to continue to rule on contentious marches, moderate nationalists said tonight.

Royal Bank of Canada representatives were today attending talks in Belfast to discuss Northern Ireland electricity prices.

More than 200 people have completed a college course in stewarding loyalist band parades, it emerged today.

The man chosen to head a review into the Parades Commission insisted today it would not be restricted by political constraints.

The chairman of the Government’s main jobs creation agency in the North is to become chairman of the Ulster Bank, it was announced today.