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

Sinn Fein Committed to Daisy Hill Hospital

Sinn Fein Newry and Armagh have reiterated their commitment to Daisy Hill Hospital and securing the safe delivery of services for the entire community. Sinn Fein have said: “Securing the safe delivery of services for all in the catchment area of Daisy Hill; both now and into the future, is the priority for Sinn Féin.” […]

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Business Community Constituency Council Election 2023 Elections Government Newry and Armagh NMD Council Politics South Armagh

Planning Delays Compromising Investment for South Armagh – Murphy

Sinn Féin Councillor Declan Murphy has expressed concern at the delay in the council processing planning applications. Speaking in relation to a project to develop a mobile phone mast in the Camlough and Bessbrook area, the Slieve Gullion councillor said: “The delay facing planning applications such as these, is proving to be problematic.  “The application […]

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

Rates Rise Avoidable!

Nicola Grant has condemned last night’s 5.99% rates increase and has called the council’s decision ‘uncaring and unimaginative’ “This is just not acceptable”, the local Workers Party representative said. “Claiming that the rates rise was the lowest that could be achieved, just won’t wash”. The council is sitting on financial reserves of £35 million pounds. […]

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Community Constituency Council Government Newry Newry and Armagh NMD Council Politics South Down

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Agrees to District Rates Rise of 5.99%

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has struck the rate for the incoming financial year of 5.99%. The Domestic Rate for 2023/2024 will be 0.4395 pence, for a property valued at £133,000* this would lead to an annual increase of £33.05 per year or £2.75 per month. The non-domestic District Rate for 2023/24 is 27.2846 […]

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Campaigns Community Constituency Cost of Living Government Newry Newry and Armagh Politics South Armagh Stormont

DUP Boycott of Executive Has Left Public Services at Mercy of Cruel Tory Cuts – Murphy

Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy has said the DUP’s boycott of the Executive has left public services at the mercy of cruel Tory cuts. Speaking after the Budget Bill passed through Westminster today, Conor Murphy said: “The decision by the DUP to boycott the Executive has left people and public services exposed to the full […]

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

New Political Leadership Required to Transform Invest NI – Murphy

With an annual budget of almost £140m and over 600 staff Invest NI is well resourced to develop our economy. However, under the DUP’s control since 2007 the organisation has lacked a clear and consistent set of objectives. Some larger companies and consultants have been well catered for, but the vast majority of small businesses […]

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Community Constituency Downpatrick Government Health Politics South Down Stormont Westminster

McGrath: NI Secretary Has Responsibility to Progress Dáithí’s Law

SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath has said NI Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris needs to take responsibility and progress Dáithí’s Law. He was speaking after a meeting between the Secretary of State and the MacGabhann family on Wednesday. South Down MLA Mr McGrath said: “The Secretary of State had the opportunity today to express his full support […]

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Community Constituency Crime Government Health Lurgan Politics Upper Bann Westminster

Buffer Zone Advocates ‘Criminalising Silent Prayer’ – Lockhart

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart recently hosted Isabel Vaughan-Spruce on a visit to Parliament. Isabel was arrested for silently praying near an abortion facility in Birmingham and subsequently searched, interrogated, arrested and charged for breaking a Public Space Protection Order censorship zone (or “buffer zone”) four times. Carla Lockhart said: “The arrest and subsequent charge […]

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

Heaton-Harris Must Spell Out What If Anything He Has Done to Restore Executive – Murphy

Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy has said the British Secretary of State should listen to the voices of leading US figures on key issues of the Protocol and legacy.  Speaking ahead of Chris Heaton-Harris’ visit to the US, Conor Murphy said:  “The US administration has been steadfast in its support for the Protocol and the […]

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Community Constituency Council Election 2023 Elections Government Newry and Armagh NMD Council Politics South Armagh

Finnegan Welcomes Passing of Citizen’s Assembly Motion

Sinn Féin councillor Aoife Finnegan has welcomed the passing of a motion by Newry Mourne and Down District Council calling on the Irish Government to establish a Citizens Assembly to plan and prepare for Irish Unity. The Slieve Gullion councillor said: “Tonight’s result is a very positive step forward in the discussion on a new […]

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Community Constituency Government Lurgan Politics Stormont Upper Bann Westminster

British Government Learns Nothing from Decade of Austerity – O’Dowd

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has said that the British Government continues to deny nurses and public sector workers a fair pay rise and that it has learned no lessons after a decade of austerity. The MLA said: “The Tory austerity over the past decade has decimated public services. The most vulnerable people have been […]

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Community Education Government Politics Stormont Westminster

Education Cuts “Catastrophic” for Children

Proposed further cuts to funding would have a “catastrophic” effect on schools and young people, the NI Children’s Commissioner has said, following news that the Education Authority (EA) have been directed to bridge a £110m funding gap. “Meeting with the EA recently I was alarmed to discover the scale and depth of cuts being asked […]