Categories
Politics

Panel to Undertake Independent Review of Education Announced

Education Minister, Michelle McIlveen has announced the independent panel which will undertake the review of education. The five panel members are:  Chairperson Dr Keir Bloomer, Vice-Chairperson Sir Gerry Loughran, Marie Lindsay, Robin McLaughlin and Isabel Nisbet.  Michelle McIlveen said: “I am very pleased to announce the appointment of the Independent Panel who will take forward this important […]

Categories
Politics

Northern Ireland Food Strategy Framework Launched

Making Northern Ireland a world-class food region, that provides safe, healthy and environmentally friendly food for the future is the central ambition of the latest DAERA-led consultation. The ‘Food at the Heart of Our Society – A Prospectus for Change’, was launched today by DAERA Minister Edwin Poots at the Balmoral Show. It aims to […]

Categories
Politics

Minister Addresses Protocol with Eustice and Frost

Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots has met with Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs George Eustice and Minister of State, Lord Frost at the Balmoral Show to stress the importance of the agri-food sector and the impact the Northern Ireland Protocol is having on it. During a visit to Northern Ireland, the Rt […]

Categories
Politics

Climate Change Committee Visit Welcomed

Two of the UK’s leading climate change experts have briefed the Northern Ireland Executive on the independent science and evidence behind their recommendations for NI’s contribution to the UK’s net zero targets. Chair of the Climate Change Committee (CCC), Lord Deben and CCC Chief Executive Chris Stark, were invited by the Agriculture, Environment and Rural […]

Categories
Politics

Welcome for North-South Meeting Boycott – TUV

Statement by TUV East Belfast candidate John Ross: “In January TUV spelt out a three-point plan to disrupt the Protocol. Point one was that the NSMC should cease to operate until the East-West balance is restored. We therefore welcome the cancellation of today’s North-South Ministerial Council meeting. It is a welcome – if belated – […]

Categories
Community Politics

Green Growth Is The Way Forward

Minster for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Edwin Poots MLA says that developing and defending our natural assets is key to creating a resilient economy and a healthy environment and should be at the heart of future Government policies and business strategies. The Minister made his comments during a speech to mark Mannok Sustainability Week […]

Categories
Albert Basin Park Campaigns Community Politics

A Decade of Opportunity Awaits Newry, Mourne and Down – SDLP

The SDLP has said that it remains focused on the delivery of an ambitious £1 billion programme of investment in partnership with five partner councils in the Belfast Region City Deal, Queen’s University, Ulster University and the regional Further Education Colleges to maximise the return for Newry Mourne and Down through key tourism, regeneration and […]

Categories
Politics

Aontú Has Condemned The Undermining of Irish Language Development Across The North

Aontú Education Spokesperson and Representative for East Derry Gemma Brolly has condemned the undermining of Irish Language Development across the North.  “I developed my love of the Irish language at secondary level and I was lucky enough to avail of tuition in Irish to A-levels. I’m extremely disappointed to learn that pupils across the North are being denied […]

Categories
Politics

McNulty Calls For Vaccine Passports

SDLP Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has reiterated his party leaders call for Covid 19 vaccine passports. SDLP leader Column Eastwood came under fire recently following his call for the use of vaccine passports for hospitality, bars and restaurants in order to help the North of Ireland exit the Covid 19 pandemic. Speaking on […]

Categories
Albert Basin Park Campaigns Community Politics

Alliance Councillor Accuses Council of Not Listening to Newry Regeneration Consultation

Speaking after a special meeting of the Council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, Alliance Councillor Patrick Brown has spoken out against what he sees as an attempt by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to ‘ignore the will of ratepayers’ in relation to the Newry city centre regeneration (NCCR) project, which contains controversial proposals including […]

Categories
Politics

UUP Appeal For Medicines To Be Removed From NI Protocol

Ulster Unionist Peer Lord Empey has called for medicines to be removed immediately from the scope of the NI Protocol on humanitarian grounds and described the issue of medicine supply to Northern Ireland as a litmus test of the sincerity of both the UK Government and the EU. Lord Empey said: “The people of Northern Ireland […]

Categories
Politics

Kimmins Raises Newry-Dublin Bus Route With Translink

Liz Kimmins met with Translink recently and raised the importance of fully reinstating the Newry- Dublin Airport – Dublin Route. The Newry and Armagh MLA stated: “Currently, Translinks 2021-2022 timetable only has services from Newry to Dublin and Dublin Airport every two hours after 9.40. “However, precovid, there was an hourly service for this route.  […]