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Agriculture Climate Community Government Stormont

£2.9million Funding For Environmental Projects

Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA has announced £2.9million funding for the delivery of 22 environmental projects across Northern Ireland during an oral statement to the NI Assembly. The Environment Fund for 2022 / 2023 will enable the not-for-profit organisations and councils to deliver key environmental projects that will focus on habitat restoration; species monitoring; enhancement […]

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Agriculture Council Government NMD Council South Armagh

Sheep Farms Neglected in Agriculture Proposals – Magennis

Sinn Féin Councillor, Oonagh Magennis has said that sheep farms, particularly those in ANC areas, will be severely impacted if the Agriculture Minister does not change his future agriculture policy proposals. The Slieve Gullion councillor said:   “When the Single Farm Payment system came in, sheep farmers in LFA/ANC areas historically had entitlement values below the regional […]

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Agriculture Community Government Stormont

Poots Praises Rural Communities for Using £7.5million Fund to Benefit Young and Old

Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots has visited several projects in counties Fermanagh and Tyrone to see first-hand how a £7.5million programme is benefitting rural businesses and communities. Thanks to his Department’s Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme, Fermanagh and Omagh Local Action Group (FOLAG) has been investing the money into village renewal projects, rural businesses and […]

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Agriculture Council Government NMD Council South Armagh

Magennis Says Treasury Inaction on Red Diesel Shameful

Sinn Féin Councillor, Oonagh Magennis has said it is ‘shameful’ that the British Treasury has refused the request from Declan McAleer MLA to meet the agriculture committee to discuss concerns around restricting red diesel fuel entitlement. The Slieve Gullion councillor said:   “I was shocked and disappointed that the treasury refused to meet the agriculture committee […]

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Agriculture Climate Election 2022 Government Lurgan Politics Stormont Upper Bann

Slap a Windfall Tax on Energy Companies Making Huge Profits-O’Dowd

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has said ‘more must be done’ to support workers and families with soaring energy bills. Speaking after the party met with Firmus Energy, the Upper Bann MLA said: “Spiralling global energy prices and rising living costs are placing a huge burden on already struggling workers and families.  “We have met […]

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ABC Council Agriculture Climate Community Council Government Lurgan

Alliance Welcome Planning Approval for Boardwalk in Montaighs Moss Nature Reserve

Local Alliance representatives have welcomed planning approval for an application from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) for a 500m long nature boardwalk in Montaighs Moss Nature Reserve. The application, which is situated off the Montaighs Road near the village of Aghagallon, will also include a new car park for 10 vehicles. […]

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Agriculture Community Government Stormont

Rescuing Lives From the Skies

Almost £500,000 has been given to two search and rescue groups that played a vital role in controlling last year’s devastating fire on the Mourne Mountains. Mourne Mountain Rescue received £212,000 and Skywatch NI received £284,000 from the new £2million Covid Scheme announced by Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots. The scheme will help nine of […]

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Agriculture Council Government NMD Council South Armagh

Minister Poots’ Proposals Could Devastate Small Farms and Rural Planning – Magennis

Sinn Féin Councillor Oonagh Magennis, has said that small farmers must have their voices heard as Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots brings forward plans for a future agriculture policy. The Slieve Gullion Councillor said: “Farmers have been waiting anxiously to find out what policies the Minister plans to put in place in the wake of Brexit […]

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Agriculture Armagh Climate Election 2022 Government Newry Politics South Armagh Stormont

Irwin ‘deep concern’ After Net Zero 2050 Vote

Newry & Armagh DUP Assemblyman William Irwin MLA has said he is shocked that 50 MLA’s voted to amend the Climate Change No2 Bill to a new target of net zero emissions by 2050. The DAERA committee member, who voted against such a move, said the decision was reckless and would cause immense and costly […]

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Agriculture Crime South Armagh

Farmer Convicted at Newry Court

Mr Brian Cullen (52) of Annvale Road, Keady, Armagh was convicted today at Newry Magistrates Court of one charge of transporting or causing the transport of an animal not fit for the journey and one charge of causing unnecessary suffering. Mr Cullen was convicted and fined £500 plus a £15 offender levy. The case came […]

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Agriculture Business Government Upper Bann Westminster

Lockhart Meets Cross-Party Group of MPs to Rally Support for Red Diesel Rethink

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has met with MPs from across the various Westminster parties this week to garner support for a joint approach to the Treasury for a red diesel rebate rethink.  Carla Lockhart said:  “The debate I hosted in Parliament last week had cross-party support – Conservative, Labour, Lib Dem, SNP MPs all […]

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Agriculture Politics South Armagh

Magennis Voices Concerns on Red Diesel Legislation

Oonagh Magennis, Sinn Féin Councillor for Slieve Gullion has echoed the words of her party colleague, Caoimhe Archibald MLA; warning that changes to the entitlement for red diesel will be another hit to struggling businesses and could potentially put jobs at risk. Oonagh explained: “The change to the entitlement won’t reduce emissions, it will increase […]