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Politics

Standing Up to Sinn Fein: Doing It By The Book! – TUV

Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister: “During yesterday’s Finance Committee (3rd January) Sinn Fein MLA Maoliosa McHugh objected to a copy of Conspicuous Gallantry, Anthony Leask’s book on the service of the men and women of 8th (Co Tyrone) Battalion of the UDR, being in my study. “Like Mr McHugh I was taking part in […]

Categories
Community Election 2022 Politics Stormont

Emergency Fuel Payment Scheme Falls Short of What’s Needed – UUP

The Ulster Unionist Party’s East Belfast MLA and Communities spokesperson, Andy Allen MBE, has raised concerns that the Emergency Fuel Scheme falls short of what’s needed. Mr Allen said: “Following the announcement of the allocation of £2M for an Emergency Fuel Payment Scheme, I repeatedly sought to obtain detail on the scheme in advance of […]

Categories
Banbridge Community Politics

Action Needed to Address Social Housing Waiting Lists – Lockhart

DUP MP Carla Lockhart has called for the Communities Minister to take decisive action to increase investment in social housing in Upper Bann, considering ongoing waiting lists showing 43,000 people waiting on housing across Northern Ireland. Carla Lockhart said: “On a weekly basis my office deals with many people who are in housing need. It […]

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Health Lurgan Politics

Health Spending A Priority for Sinn Féin – O’Dowd

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has welcomed proposals that prioritise support for the health service in the Executive’s draft Budget. Mr O’Dowd said: “ The draft budget is proposing a 10% increase in health spending, with £21 billion earmarked for services over the next three years. “Sinn Féin has prioritised increased funding for health in […]

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Politics

TUV Encourages DUP to Now Act Against the Protocol

Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:- “The first and obvious question which the acceptance by Edwin Poots that he ought to have sought Executive approval for the Poots’ Posts and checks, is why didn’t he realise this a year ago. Instead he has implemented the Union-dismantling Protocol for a full year! “But, better late than […]

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Education Politics

Aontu Welcomes Announcement That Irish Language Has Been Officially Recognised As An Official EU Language

Aontú representative for East Derry and Gaeilgeoir Gemma Brolly has welcomed the announcement that the Irish Language has been officially recognised as an official EU language. She has further encouraged all citizens to use this occasion as a springboard to develop the language further. “1st January 2022 was a remarkable day in the history of […]

Categories
Health Politics

TUV Challenges Executive on Face-Covering Policy

Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister: “I have always been clear that there is a duty on everyone to take all sensible and reasonable steps to help stop the spread of COVID. We all have our part to play in suppressing the spread of a virus which has caused much suffering and resulted in the […]

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Community Politics

Hargey Sets Out Plans to Deliver Over 100,000 Homes

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey set out her plans to deliver over 100,000 homes, as her draft Housing Supply Strategy is launched for public consultation. Minister Hargey said: “This Strategy is to deliver 100,000 plus homes over its 15 year lifetime. I want at least a third of these homes to be social homes. These homes will […]

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Business Community Politics

What Support Will Be Available For Individuals Impacted By Restrictions? – UUP 

East Belfast Ulster Unionist Party MLA Andy Allen MBE has called on the Economy Minister to detail what support will be available for individuals such as DJs impacted by recent restrictions. Mr Allen said: “I have written to the Minister for the Economy on behalf of a number of DJs who have contacted me following […]

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Banbridge Business Politics

VAT Cut Must Be Extended! – Lockhart

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has written to the Chancellor Rishi Sunak to call for an extension to the cut in VAT for our hospitality sector, and a return to the 5% rate that was enacted earlier in the pandemic. Carla Lockhart said: “Our hospitality industry is in crisis. I am speaking with local businesses […]

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Business Health Politics

UUP Call on Economy Minister to Detail Support Offered to Businesses Affected by Covid Restrictions 

Ulster Unionist Economy spokesperson Mike Nesbitt MLA has written to Economy Minister Gordon Lyons MLA asking for an urgent meeting to discuss financial support for businesses most affected by the latest Covid restrictions. Mike Nesbitt said: “It is frankly unacceptable that there is a significant pot of money lying idle in the Executive’s bank account while […]

Categories
Agriculture Community Politics

Executive Climate Change Department Could See Northern Ireland Lead The Way

An Executive Department for Climate Change could see Northern Ireland lead the way with targets to combat the climate crisis, Alliance Climate Change spokesperson Eóin Tennyson has said. A recent report by the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee suggested a climate change commissioner to scrutinise the Executive. However, Eóin said a specific […]