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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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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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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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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 Climate Community Constituency Cost of Living Government Newry Newry and Armagh South Armagh Stormont

Murphy Meets With National Energy Action Charity and Fuel Poverty Coalition

Finance Minister Conor Murphy met with members of the National Energy Action Charity and Fuel Poverty Coalition this morning to discuss the current cost of living crisis. Speaking following the meeting, Minister Murphy said: “I welcomed the opportunity to meet with the National Energy Action Charity and Fuel Poverty Coalition. The current cost of living crisis is […]

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Community Constituency Government Newry Newry and Armagh South Armagh Stormont

Murphy Welcomes European Commission Adoption of £1 Billion PEACE PLUS Programme

Finance Minister, Conor Murphy has welcomed the European Commission’s adoption of the cross-border peace and reconciliation programme – Peace Plus. The new £1 billion programme will be delivered by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). PEACE PLUS was previously agreed by the Executive, the Irish Government and North South Ministerial Council, it is the biggest […]

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Campaigns Community Constituency Cost of Living Government Lurgan Stormont Upper Bann

O’Dowd Calls for Support for Workers and Families

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has said it is time for the DUP to work with other parties to support workers and families struggling with the cost of living crisis. The Upper Bann MLA was speaking after the first batch of cost of living payments started to roll out. Mr O’Dowd said: “The opening of […]

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

Kimmins Raises Concerns Over Trust Visiting Policy

Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has raised concerns with the Southern Trust over its visiting policies after a woman in Newry was unable to see her dying mother in Daisy Hill hospital during her final days. The Newry/Armagh MLA said: “I was contacted by a constituent who is deeply distressed at being unable to visit […]

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Campaigns Cost of Living Daisy Hill Government Health Politics Stormont

NHS Pay Rise Held Up Due to DUP Stance on Protocol

The Health Minister has said he will accept the recommendations made by pay review bodies but is unable to move forward without an agreed budget. With Stormont in limbo due to the DUP’s stance on the NI Protocol, the NI Executive is currently unable to meet putting the NHS pay award on ice. Minister Swann […]