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DODDS INTRODUCES BILL FOR PARENTAL BEREAVEMENT LEAVE AND PAY

Economy Minister Diane Dodds today introduced a Bill to the Assembly to legislate for statutory Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay in Northern Ireland. Speaking about the Bill, the Minister said: “The trauma of losing a child is impossible to overstate, and it is completely understandable that working parents who experience such a bereavement will need the […]

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HARGEY LAUNCHES SMALL CAPITAL GRANTS PROGRAMME

A £950,000 fund to support the voluntary and community sector has been launched by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey. The Small Capital Grants Programme, which is delivered by Co-operation Ireland, is aimed at assisting voluntary and community organisations purchase items of equipment to enhance and sustain the activities and services they provide to the community. Launching […]

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POOTS ANNOUNCES NEW CONSULTATION ON CARRIER BAG LEVY

Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA has launched a consultation on the NI Carrier Bag Levy.   The Minister said: “Whilst the existing Carrier Bag Levy has been successful in already removing in excess of 1.5 billion bags from circulation I am aware heavy duty bags are now flooding the market, and are not being reused with […]

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Possible Cases of Indian Variant of Covid 19 Detected in Kilkeel

The PHA has identified a small number of probable cases of the Delta variant (VOC-21APR-02, first detected in India) in the Kilkeel area. These early results are suggestive of the variant but this has not been confirmed. As a precautionary measure they are asking asymptomatic people to get tested in selected, targeted neighbourhoods within the […]

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New Council Chairperson Appointed at AGM

Councillor (Cllr) Cathy Mason (Sinn Féin) has been elected Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson at the Council’s Annual General Meeting held on Tuesday 1 June 2021. Cllr Oonagh Magennis (Sinn Féin) was elected Deputy Chairperson at the meeting. In her inaugural speech as Chairperson, Cllr Mason said, “It is an honour and a […]

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Newry for Palestine

Well over 120 people attended a public meeting outside Newry town hall at lunch-time Saturday 29th May in support of Palestine.  The event was organised by the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) which is aiming to formally launch a new branch of the organisation locally in several weeks time. Speakers at the event included Breandán Mac Cionnaith […]

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Blue Flag Beaches Retained in Newry, Mourne and Down

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is celebrating Cranfield, Tyrella and Murlough beaches retaining their Blue Flag status. Keep Northern Beautiful announced that a total of 26 beaches and marinas achieved standards of excellence at their recent annual Beach and Marina Awards. The Beach and Marina Awards are internationally recognised awards that highlight how Northern […]

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DODDS WELCOMES CLARITY ON CTA TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

Economy Minister Diane Dodds has welcomed the decision by the Executive to regularise travel arrangements in Northern Ireland with that of the other UK jurisdictions within the Common Travel Area (CTA). The decision removes the current requirement for those visiting or returning to Northern Ireland from within the CTA to self-isolate. Minister Dodds said: “This is […]

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ECONOMY MINISTER LAUNCHES NEXT PHASE TOURISM RECOVERY ACTION PLAN

Economy Minister Diane Dodds has launched the next phase of her Tourism Recovery Action Plan. The Tourism Recovery Action Plan, phase two, will bring forward further proposed actions to build on the support which the Northern Ireland Executive had provided to date. Speaking after a meeting with the Tourism Recovery Steering Group in Belfast, the […]

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Dingo Comes Home to Newry City AFC

Daniel Hughes or “Dingo” is a name synonymous with the words talented, skilful and everything he touches turns to gold. A player with the world at his feet who has travelled the length and breadth of the Irish League. A journey that has taken him to Cliftonville and Dungannon Swifts to name but a few. […]

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HARGEY TO REFORM GAMBLING LAWS

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced plans to deliver the first significant changes to gambling laws here in over 35 years.   Following a public consultation on the issue, the Minister has proposed a two phased approach in order to progress changes in the current Assembly mandate. Minister Hargey said: “Gambling legislation has remained largely unchanged since […]

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Newry Vigil for Noah Donohoe on his Anniversary

Organisers from Noah’s army, the support group connected to the Noah Donohoe case will be organising a peaceful vigil at Newry Town Hall on the 21st of June at 7pm on the anniversary of Noah Donohoe’s death. Organiser Louise McCabe said: “I have been following the Noah Donohoe case since the beginning. Noah and his […]