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Armagh Business Community Constituency Government Newry Newry and Armagh Politics South Armagh Stormont Westminster

Minister Murphy Warns of Devastating Impact on Tourism as Home Office Travel Scheme Begins

Economy Minister Conor Murphy has again pressed the Home Office to reconsider their implementation of a new scheme that will have a devastating impact on tourism in the north of Ireland. The Minister was speaking as the next phase of the British Government’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Scheme goes live.  From tomorrow (8 January), non-European […]

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Campaigns Community Constituency Daisy Hill Downpatrick Government Health Newry Politics South Down Stormont

McGrath: Health Crisis Must Be Top of Executive Agenda

SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has said the Executive must make addressing the health crisis its top priority. He was speaking after Health Minister Mike Nesbitt committed to raising the situation at this week’s Executive meeting at an emergency meeting of the Assembly’s Health Committee on Tuesday.  Mr McGrath said it was the […]

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Community Constituency Downpatrick Government Health Politics South Down Stormont

McGrath: Health Trusts Need Supported

SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has emphasised the need to support health tusts. He had called for an urgent ministerial intervention and for a departmental assessment to determine the reasons behind the current vacancies in two of the five trust CEO positions. Commenting Colin McGrath MLA said, “Our trusts are facing unprecedented pressure, […]

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Business Community Constituency Council Government Infrastructure Newry Newry and Armagh NMD Council Politics

Workers Party: Newry Civic Hub Plans Raise Serious Concerns!

By Nicola Grant The proposed Civic Hub project by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council raises significant concerns that cannot be ignored. As a representative of the Workers Party, I believe it is my duty to highlight these issues and advocate for the priorities of the people of Newry.   Compliance with Planning Policies   […]

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Armagh Community Constituency Government Newry Newry and Armagh Politics Seanad Éireann South Armagh Stormont

Conor Murphy to Run For Seanad Éireann As All-Ireland Politics Come Centre Stage

Sinn Féin Assembly Member for Newry/Armagh, Conor Murphy, will contest the upcoming elections to Seanad Éireann, bringing a strong northern voice to Leinster House. His candidacy underscores Sinn Féin’s commitment to representing the entire island of Ireland, promoting the All-Ireland economy, and advancing the Irish unity debate in the Oireachtas. Speaking in Dublin, Sinn Féin […]

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Campaigns Community Constituency Daisy Hill Government Health Newry Newry and Armagh Stormont

Department of Health Issues Statement on Winter Pressures

The health and social care system continues to experience severe pressure on services. The system is working extremely hard to care for patients. Priority will always be given to cases that are immediately life threatening. We all owe a great debt of gratitude to staff. The Department, on behalf of the health and social care […]

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Armagh Campaigns Community Constituency Daisy Hill Government Health Newry Newry and Armagh Politics South Armagh Stormont

Kimmins Welcomes Pay Deal For Health Workers

Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has welcomed an agreement on fair pay for health workers. The party’s health spokesperson said: “I welcome today’s agreement on fair pay for health workers between the health minister and trade unions. “These workers are the backbone of our health and social care system and it is absolutely right that […]

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Armagh Community Constituency Government Newry Newry and Armagh South Armagh Westminster

Newry & Armagh MP Dáire Hughes Christmas Greetings to All

By Daire Hughes I wish everyone in Newry and Armagh a merry Christmas and a happy, peaceful and prosperous New Year.  Christmas presents a great opportunity for people to take a break and to catch up with friends and family. I would encourage everyone to maximise this opportunity – enjoy yourselves, bí ag ol agus bí ag ceol!  The last six months serving as […]

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Campaigns Daisy Hill Government Health Stormont

Almost 600 Social Workers Recruited Into HSC Since Agency Use Ended

Almost 600 social workers have been directly employed by Health & Social Care Trusts in the 18 months since agency recruitment was ceased. This includes both former agency and newly qualified social workers. In July 2023, Health and Social Care Trusts ceased all social work agency usage in Northern Ireland following intensive work between the […]

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Business Community Constituency Council Government Newry Newry and Armagh NMD Council Politics

Newry: £40m Civic Centre and Theatre Approved

By Donal McMahon A “transformational” £40m double investment in Newry city centre has been approved. Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s (NMDDC) new £17m civic centre and £23m theatre and conference centre were signed off by the planning committee on Wednesday (Dec 18). The local authority faced almost 2,600 objections to the building of its […]

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Campaigns Community Cost of Living Government Health Politics Stormont

Agreement on NHS Pay Parity

STATEMENT FROM HSC TRADE UNIONS NORTHERN IRELAND 17th December 2024 Health Trade Unions have received formal commitment from the Minister and in a Department of Health memorandum that pay parity in AFC pay bands will be maintained for the full year 2024/2025. Implementation of the Pay Review Body Pay award of 5.5% will now be […]

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Community Constituency Council Government Newry Newry and Armagh NMD Council

Campaign Launched to Raise Awareness of Unwelcome Sexual Attention Faced by Women and Girls in Public Spaces

A new digital and PR campaign to raise awareness of the unwelcome sexual attention that women and girls experience has been launched by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council. Women and girls can experience various types of sexual violence in public spaces, from unwelcome sexual remarks and […]