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Community Constituency Downpatrick Government Health South Down Stormont

Ministers Nesbitt and O’Dowd Recognise Progress In Regional Cataract Service

Thousands more people across Northern Ireland are benefitting from faster access to sight saving treatment as investment through the Executive’s Programme for Government continues to transform ophthalmology services. Alongside significantly reducing cataract surgery waiting times, the Elective Care Framework is expanding capacity for time critical glaucoma services and delivering targeted reductions in waiting times for […]

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Community Government Politics Stormont

Sign Language Act Receives Royal Assent

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed the granting of Royal Assent to the Sign Language Act, marking a historic and transformative moment for sign language users across Northern Ireland. The Act provides formal recognition and support for sign language, helping to ensure that Deaf people can participate more fully in society and access public services […]

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Armagh Community Constituency Government Infrastructure Newry Newry and Armagh South Armagh Stormont

Kimmins Visits Refurbished Traffic Information and Control Centre

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has visited the recently refurbished Traffic Information and Control Centre (TICC) in Belfast. The Traffic Information and Control Centre has been refurbished to create a more collaborative working environment to deal with weather and other emergencies as well as traffic management across NI.  The Centre runs 24 hours a day, seven […]

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Community Constituency Government Housing Newry Newry and Armagh Stormont

Emergency Housing in Northern Ireland: What REALLY Happens to Your Housing Points?

By Kevin McAteer If you are homeless and the Housing Executive places you in emergency or temporary accommodation, do you lose your housing points? Here is what the official rules actually say. There can be a lot of confusion around Northern Ireland’s social housing points system. One question in particular regularly causes concern: “If the […]

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Business Community Constituency Council Entertainment Government Lifestyle NMD Council South Down Warrenpoint

Loughside Festival Launches Exciting 2026 Festival Programme

The Loughside Festival Committee is delighted to announce the launch of the 2026 Loughside Festival, which will take place in Warrenpoint from Saturday 8 August to Sunday 16 August 2026. The week-long celebration promises a packed programme of family entertainment, live music, cultural events, sporting activities, community celebrations and the much-anticipated fireworks display, offering something […]

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Community Constituency Council Government Newry Newry and Armagh NMD Council Stormont

Sinn Féin Delegation Meets Parades Commission on Newry Royal Black Parade

A Sinn Féin delegation consisting of Liz Kimmins MLA, Dáire Hughes MP and Cllr. Aidan Mathers have met with the Parades Commission to convey residents’ concerns ahead of parades in Newry.  A large parade of the Royal Black Institution is planned for Newry on August 29th.  Speaking after the meeting, Liz Kimmins MLA said: “We […]

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Community Government Health Stormont

Working Together to Tackle Waiting Lists

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has praised Belfast Health and Social Care Trust’s Validation Team during a visit to Belfast City Hospital. The Minister recognised the team’s role in improving waiting list management and is encouraging patients to play their part by keeping their information up to date so appointments can be offered as quickly as […]

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Armagh Community Government Infrastructure Newry South Armagh Stormont

Translink Playing Huge Role In Success of The Fleadh – Kimmins

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has thanked Translink staff for their efforts in delivering vital public transport services during The Fleadh.  She was speaking as she visited Laganside bus centre today with Translink’s new Chief Executive Gerard Carlin, where she met staff including bus and train drivers and those in the control centre, who are helping transport passengers to the city to experience the […]

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Community Constituency Council Crime Government Newry Newry and Armagh NMD Council

Tackling Rising Anti-Social Behaviour Requires A Collective Effort – Cllr. Aidan Mathers

Newry Sinn Féin Councillor, Aidan Mathers, has called for a collective effort to tackle rising anti-social behaviour in Newry. After speaking with affected residents and businesses, Cllr. Mathers said; “I am deeply concerned by the recent increase in anti-social behaviour within our community and the very real impact it is having on local residents, services […]

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Business Government Infrastructure Stormont

Fleadh to Deliver Lasting Economic and Tourism Boost

Hosting Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 will deliver significant economic, cultural and tourism benefits across the north, Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has said. The Minister was speaking at the official opening of this year’s festival at Belfast City Hall, where she also wished everyone a successful and enjoyable week. The Minister said:  “It is […]

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Entertainment Government Infrastructure Lifestyle Stormont

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 Backs Share the Road to Zero Campaign

Organisers of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 are backing the ‘Share the Road to Zero’ initiative which encourages all road users to think of safety first when travelling. This is the first time Belfast has hosted the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and over 800,000 visitors are expected to attend. The team behind the Fleadh is […]

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Business Climate Community Constituency Council Government NMD Council South Down Warrenpoint

Warrenpoint Harbour Must Disclose ‘Stink’ Minutes

By Donal McMahon A Co Down harbour at the centre of long running bad odour claims is being forced to hand over data from board meetings a year after councillors walked away in solidarity with local people. Warrenpoint Harbour Authority (WHA) has refused to provide minutes in a Freedom of Information (FoI) request citing “commercial […]