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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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Crime Government Stormont

New Stalking legislation Welcomed

The Protection from Stalking Bill passed its Final Stage in Northern Ireland Assembly. Welcoming its passing, Justice Minister Naomi Long said: “The delivery of this new legislation offers greater protection in our communities and its passing will be of great significance to anyone affected by stalking. “I want to pay tribute to victims of this horrendous […]

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Community Government Health Stormont

Swann Seeks Views on Minimum Unit Pricing for Alcohol

Health Minister Robin Swann has launched a new public consultation on the introduction of Minimum Unit Pricing for Alcohol into Northern Ireland. Minister Swann said: “I made a commitment that I would hold a public consultation on the introduction of Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) for Alcohol in Northern Ireland within a year of the launch of […]

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Climate Community Government Stormont Upper Bann

Commencement of Waringstown Improvement Scheme Welcomed by DUP

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart and local Councillor Mark Baxter have welcomed the start to a DAERA funded environmental improvement scheme in Waringstown. The work has started this week and will be completed by the summer. Carla Lockhart said: “This is a very good day for Waringstown, with the much anticipated environmental improvement scheme now […]

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Community Government Infrastructure Portadown Westminster

Lockhart Welcomes Pavement Scheme at Birches

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has given a warm welcome to news from the Department for Infrastructure that a £60,000 pavement extension project will be delivered at the Birches, Portadown. Carla Lockhart said: “This is very good news for the community, with confirmation I have received from the Department for Infrastructure that the existing footway […]

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Community Government Stormont

Energy Support Payment Starting Next Week

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced that payments from the £55million Energy Payment Support Scheme will start being paid from 10 March 2022.  This one-off payment of £200 will provide support for people struggling to meet rising energy costs due to the global fuel crisis. It will be made automatically to around 280,000 eligible people in receipt […]

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Crime Government NMD Council South Down

DUP Councillor Suspended Following Allegations of Child Sexual Grooming

A DUP Councillor in Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has been suspended by the party following allegations of child sexual grooming. A spokesperson for the PSNI stated recently: “A 59-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming, yesterday (Tuesday 22nd February) in the County Down area.  He has […]

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Community Council Crime Downpatrick Government NMD Council South Down

Newry, Mourne and Down District Councillor Arrested on Suspicion of Child Sexual Grooming

A Newry, Mourne and Down District Councillor has been arrested on suspicion of attempting to meet a child following potential sexual grooming. A spokesperson for the PSNI stated on Tuesday evening (22nd February): “A 59-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming, yesterday (Tuesday 22nd February) in the County […]

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Community Crime Government Politics Stormont

New Domestic Abuse Offence Comes Into Force

Domestic abuse in all its forms, both physical and non-physical, is wrong and will not be tolerated, Justice Minister Naomi Long said. She was speaking as an advertising campaign was launched to raise awareness of the new offence within the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021, which has now come into force. […]

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Community Election 2022 Government Lurgan Stormont Upper Bann

Kelly: Struggling Families Need £200 Fuel Payment Now 

SDLP Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly has urged Minister Deirdre Hargey to get the £200 fuel support payment to struggling families.  Mrs Kelly said people in communities across the North need support now, with payments not expected to be made until March.   The SDLP has contacted Minister Hargey to clarify when the payments will […]

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Campaigns Community Daisy Hill Dáil Éireann Election 2022 Government Health Newry Stormont

Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson Visits Daisy Hill

Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane has said there are huge opportunities for Daisy Hill to grow and develop on an all-island basis. Speaking after visiting the hospital to meet with health workers and the Southern Trust, the party’s Dáil health spokesperson said: “I was pleased to visit Daisy Hill to meet health workers to listen […]