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Government Politics Stormont

SDLP to Form New Official Opposition at Stormont

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has written to the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly signalling the party’s intention to form an Official Opposition immediately ahead of the recalled NI Assembly tomorrow. Months after the Assembly election, parties have yet to form an Executive. The SDLP Leader said that the party will form an opposition […]

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Community Government Politics Stormont Westminster

Lord David Trimble Passes Away

Lord David Trimble has sadly passed away. The giant of Northern Ireland politics was a Noble prize winner for his work on the Good Friday Agreement. He will be fondly remembered by his family, friends and colleagues. The Ulster Unionist Party Leader Doug Beattie MC MLA has paid tribute to Lord Trimble.   Doug Beattie […]

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Community Council Downpatrick Government NMD Council Politics

Independent Councillor Joins Alliance Party in Newry, Mourne and Down

Alliance has grown its Newry, Mourne and Down District Council team after announcing Councillor Cadogan Enright has joined the party. The Downpatrick Councillor joins the local Alliance elected representative team, made up of Councillor Andrew McMurray, Councillor David Lee-Surginor and recently-elected South Down MLA Patrick Brown. The new Alliance Councillor said it was evidence of […]

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Government Politics Stormont

SDLP Secures Assembly Recall Challenging DUP to Restore Institutions

The SDLP has secured enough support to recall the Northern Ireland Assembly from its summer to hear a motion on the cost of living crisis. The party tabled a recall petition this week following the conclusion of the Commons stages of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill as a challenge to the DUP to restore the […]

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Climate Community Constituency Council Government Newry Newry and Armagh NMD Council

Carnagat Tyre Dumping Condemned and Cleared

Sinn Féin Councillor, Roisin Mulgrew, has condemned the dumping of a large quantity of tyres in Carnagat earlier this week. The Newry City councillor said: “There was a very large number of tyres and other pieces of litter removed from the area earlier this week. “Materials such as this pose a risk to our local […]

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Campaigns Cost of Living Government Politics Stormont

“MPs Expenses Claim an Absolute Disgrace!” – Cllr. Denise Mullen

Aontú deputy leader Cllr. Denise Mullen has reacted to MPs expenses claims. Speaking today, Denise Mullen said “There’s no cost-of-living crisis for Northern MPs. With only 2 MPs, the SDLP alone has managed to rack up £446,000 worth of expenses. Sinn Féin MP expenses have also been a massive cost to the public, coming in […]

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Constituency Downpatrick Government Health Politics South Down Stormont

McGrath: Health Service Pay Offer ‘Derisory!’

SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has said that a recommended pay increase for health service staff is derisory and will not address serious workforce issues which threaten the delivery of critical public services. The South Down MLA has written to Health Minister Robin Swann following publication of the pay review body recommendations this evening.  […]

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Government Health Politics Stormont

Recognition Payments and Pay Awards Absolutely Urgent!, says Bradshaw

Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has given a guarded welcome to news one-off recognition payments will be given to health workers next month. But the South Belfast MLA said any further delays to a comprehensive set of recognition payments and pay awards would prove a false economy, leaving many simply unable to afford to […]

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Business Community Constituency Government Newry Newry and Armagh Stormont

Closure of Local Bank Branch is a Blow to the Community – Kimmins

Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has said she is deeply concerned at the announcement of the closure of the Halifax bank branch in Newry. The Newry and Armagh MLA said: “It is deeply concerning to hear the announcement today of plans by Halifax to close their Newry branch on 8th November 2022. “The announcement of […]

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Dáil Éireann Government International Louth Politics

The Biggest Danger to Democracy in the EU is the Failure to Look After Working People – Ó Murchú

The biggest danger to democracy in the EU is the ‘failure throughout Europe to look after working people and those on the periphery’, according to Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú who again pressed the government to get ready for Irish unity. The Sinn Féin deputy was speaking in the Dáil during statements following the European Council […]

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Campaigns Community Constituency Cost of Living Government Newry Newry and Armagh Politics South Armagh Stormont

Devolved Finance Ministers Highlight “significant gaps” in Cost of Living Support

Finance Minister Conor Murphy has joined his counterparts in Wales and Scotland to call for further action to help households and businesses ahead of another increase in energy prices. In a joint letter to the new Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi, Ministers say the focus should be on targeted support for those worst hit […]

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Campaigns Community Cost of Living Dáil Éireann Government Louth Politics

Government Housing Policy Is ‘Failing Everyone!’ – Ó Murchú

Government housing policy is ‘failing everyone’ particularly those who are reliant on renting, where there were just eight properties in Dundalk available online, Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú has told the Dáil. The Dundalk TD was speaking during a Sinn Féin private members’ motion on the Raise the Roof housing campaign. Deputy Ó Murchú set out […]