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Climate Community Downpatrick Kilkeel South Down

McKevitt Encourages Council to Avail of E-Charging Funding

SDLP councillor Karen McKevitt has encouraged Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to apply for funding to facilitate e-charging infrastructure.   Funding is available from the Office for Zero Emissions Vehicles (OZEV) for local councils to provide charge points for residents without off-street parking through the On-street Residential Charge Point Scheme (ORCS).   SDLP Infrastructure […]

Categories
Election 2022 Government Health Politics Stormont

Swann Announces Plan for Additional NHS Pay Rise

Following the November announcement of a pay increase of 3% for our wonderful NHS staff. Health Minister Robin Swann has invested in a further 1.5% pay increase. This announcement will enable an overall pay rise of 4.5% for bands 1 to 3 staff and 4% for bands 4 to 7. Speaking via a memo sent […]

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Business Upper Bann

Small Business Key to Economic Recovery – Lockhart

Local MP Carla Lockhart has joined with Upper Bann MLAs Jonathan Buckley and Diane Dodds in welcoming Economy Minister Gordon Lyons MLA to the constituency for engagements with a number of local businesses, and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council.  The Minister visited Kitchen Bakes and Statement Menswear in Portadown. Carla Lockhart said: “The Economy […]

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Community Lurgan Upper Bann

Lockhart Welcomes First Minister to Brownlow House to Celebrate Funding Boost

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has hosted a visit by First Minister Paul Givan MLA to Brownlow House, Lurgan, to discuss the continuing development of the venue as a hospitality, tourism and cultural showpiece. The MP also confirmed that Brownlow House had been successful in securing £100,000 from the Dormant Accounts Fund to assist in […]

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Community Lurgan Upper Bann

Mackle Calls for Empty Properties to Be Made Habitable

Sinn Féin Council Group leader Liam Mackle has called on private landlords who own empty properties to make them habitable. Cllr. Mackle said, “We are currently in the midst of a housing crisis, which will take time and money to tackle, and thankfully my party colleague Deirdre Hargey has introduced important plans on this. However, […]

Categories
Community Upper Bann

New Energy Scheme a Step Forward, But Working Households Need Support Too! – Lockhart

Local Member of Parliament Carla Lockhart has said the creation of a new £55m energy scheme by the Northern Ireland Executive is a welcome step to support those in fuel poverty but has called on the Communities Minister Deidre Hargey MLA to step up with support for working families who are struggling with the heating […]

Categories
Community Crime Newry

Coade Condemns Racist Graffiti in Newry

Newry and Armagh Alliance representative Jackie Coade has condemned the recent racist graffiti at the Mourneview Park estate in Newry. Ms Coade said: “There are just no words. I was contacted earlier today about this disgusting racist slur dubbed across a house in the Mourneview area of Newry. It is hugely disappointing to see this […]

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Community Crime Newry

Casey Condemns Racist Graffiti in Newry

Sinn Féin Cllr. Charlie Casey has condemned those responsible for the despicable graffiti with racist undertones in the Mourne View area of Newry. Charlie commented on the news, saying: “In the early hours of this morning, this graffiti was daubed across a home in Newry.  “This is the second time in as many days that […]

Categories
Community Crime

O’Dowd Extends Condolences to Family of Ashling Murphy

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has extended his solidarity and condolences to the family of Ashling Murphy and highlighted the urgency of tackling violence against women and girls. Speaking after attending a vigil in Lurgan town centre in her memory Mr O’Dowd said : “My thoughts are with Ashling’s family, her friends, her pupils and […]

Categories
Community Louth

Is Long-Term Leasing a Housing Crisis in Waiting? – Byrne

Each year the Council sets out its aims and targets for delivery of its services and this year’s plan has been described as ‘vague, un-ambitious and a missed opportunity’ by Sinn Féin Councillor Joanna Byrne but she was especially critical of the inclusion of the ‘Long Term Leasing’ delivery plans. Cllr Byrne is opposed to […]

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Business Lurgan Portadown Upper Bann Westminster

MP Welcomes Lidl Investment in Craigavon

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has said the announcement of a £3.5m investment by Lidl in the Craigavon area is welcome, particularly with the creation of 10 new supermarket jobs and 200 jobs during the construction phase. Carla Lockhart said: “Since entering the Northern Ireland market, Lidl has become a very popular store for many […]

Categories
Banbridge Crime Lurgan Upper Bann

DUP – “time to reign in the trolling wild west”

The DUP Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart and Upper Bann MLA Diane Dodds have met senior representatives of Twitter UK this afternoon and pressed for answers as to why abusive tweets by anonymous accounts are not removed by the platform.  Carla Lockhart said,  “The tweets against Diane over Christmas are rightly being investigated by the […]