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Community Government Politics Stormont

SDLP: Executive Must Secure Funding to Build 50,000 Homes

SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan has said the Executive must secure funding from Westminster to build 50,000 homes by 2032. He was speaking ahead of an SDLP Opposition Day motion on Tuesday. It calls on the Executive to ring-fence Barnett Consequential funding from house building in England and Wales to finance the plan. The […]

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Community Crime Government Politics Stormont

SDLP: Paramilitaries Must Leave The Stage

SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O’Toole MLA has called for the Executive to force paramilitaries to leave the stage. He was speaking ahead of an SDLP Opposition Day motion on Tuesday. It calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to introduce a comprehensive review of the Tackling Paramilitarism, Criminality and Organised Crime […]

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Government Politics Stormont Westminster

Ministers Attend First Meeting of Council of Nations and Regions

First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly attended the first meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions in Edinburgh yesterday (Friday 11th October). The theme of the inaugural meeting was ‘Economic Growth and Inward Investment’, and the Ministers highlighted why Northern Ireland is an attractive investment opportunity and discussed how best […]

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

Grant: We must Take NHS In A New Direction Following Health Report

By Nicola Grant The Health Service in Northern Ireland has over the past five decades been through several reorganizations billions of pounds have been squandered on new structures each one having a detrimental effect on the delivery of much needed Services. Much of what is wrong with the Health Service can be put right by […]

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

Feehan Calls For Israeli Government Bonds to be Dropped

SDLP Newry councillor Killian Feehan has secured cross-party support for an emergency council motion calling on the Northern Ireland Local Government Officers’ Superannuation Committee (NILGOSC) to sell Israeli government bonds. The SDLP recently learned that NILGOSC had purchased the bonds using pension contributions from public sector workers in the North. The motion was heard at […]

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Government Politics Stormont

Executive Parties Wriggle Out of Clear Targets: SDLP

SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O’Toole MLA has lambasted the Executive parties for voting down a commitment to putting clearer targets and timelines in the Programme for Government. He was speaking after the Executive parties joined forces to amend an Opposition motion and in doing so remove a clear obligation to include specific timelines […]

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

‘£58m PEACEPLUS Health Funding Tremendous Boost For Border Communities’ – Kimmins

Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has welcomed the announcement of over £58 million in funding from the PEACEPLUS initiative for projects aimed at reducing health inequalities in border communities. The party’s health spokesperson said: “I want to welcome the announcement that over £58 million worth of PEACEPLUS funding will be allocated towards tackling health inequalities in border communities. “Border communities […]

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Community Constituency Government International Newry Newry and Armagh Politics Westminster

Newry Gaza Vigil Told -“The World Cannot Turn a Blind Eye to This Searing Barbarity!”

Several hundred people attending a vigil to mark 12 months of the ongoing conflict in Gaza in Newry City heard Newry and Armagh MP Dáire Hughes say that inaction was not an option- the world can no longer turn a blind eye to this searing barbarity. The Sinn Féin told the gathering, “Israel has murdered […]

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

Murphy Launches Plan to Boost Regional Economic Performance

Economy Minister Conor Murphy outlined his commitment to developing a regionally balanced economy where everyone shares in the benefits of prosperity. The Minister was speaking in the Assembly as he launched a new Sub-Regional Economic Plan which has three elements:  Minister Murphy explained that the new approach to economic development starts with local communities identifying their […]

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Government Legacy Politics Stormont

New ‘Strategy for Victims and Survivors 2024-2034’ Launched

First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have launched a new strategy for victims and survivors of the Troubles/Conflict. The strategy, which received Executive approval on Thursday, will ensure the right trauma-informed and victim-centred services are in place to empower and support victims and survivors, and contribute to building a shared and […]

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Campaigns Community Cost of Living Government Politics Stormont

Pensioners to Protest at Stormont Over Removal of Winter Fuel Payment

Draft programme for government provides nothing to Northern Ireland pensioners What: National Pensioners Convention protest When: 11am-1pm Monday October 7th 2024 Where: Bottom of steps at Stormont buildings (some protesters gathering at entrance gates from 10.30am) The National Pensioners Convention in Northern Ireland will host a protest at Stormont over the government’s failure to address the needs of older […]

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Community Constituency Government Infrastructure Lurgan Politics Stormont Upper Bann

O’Dowd Announces A5 Construction to Begin

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has announced his intention to proceed with construction of the first stretch of the A5 in early 2025. This will see the first 55kms/34 miles of the project proceed from the proposed Junction 8 (south of Strabane) to the proposed Junction 15 near Ballygawley including the westward extension of the existing […]