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Community Government Health Politics Westminster

UK Government Needs to Talk to Nurses

With Prime Minister Rishi Sunak refusing point blank to even discuss nurses’ pay claims and the Department of Health’s Permanent Secretary claiming ‘catastrophic consequences’ if there are more days of industrial action there are concerted efforts to blame nurses and other workers for the rise in inflation the cost of living crisis and the difficulties […]

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Community Government Politics Stormont Westminster

Workers Rights Need to be Protected!

As speculation mounts that the Tory government is planning to introduce yet more restrictive anti-trade union legislation, including withdrawing the right of workers to take industrial action, it seems clear that an all-out assault on workers’ rights is in the offing. In times of rampant income inequality, falling pay, precarious and exploitative working practices, job […]

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Community Constituency Government Lurgan Politics Stormont Upper Bann

DUP Don’t Know Where to Stand Regarding Protocol – O’Dowd

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has said that the DUP are picking and choosing what aspects of the Protocol suit them and that their refusal to form an Executive has punished ordinary workers and families. O’Dowd said: “There has now been a lack of Executive for six months due to the DUP maintaining that the […]

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Dáil Éireann Government Louth Politics

New Minister of State Appointments in Dail

The Government on the nomination of An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD, has formally appointed additional Ministers of State and assigned their responsibilities. Speaking this evening the Taoiseach said: “I wish the newly-appointed Ministers of State well in their portfolios. We have strong talent and ability from across the three Government parties. “Having emerged from Covid […]

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Community Government Health Politics Stormont

Ambulance Wait Shows Impact of Health Service Crisis!

SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath has said that the long wait for ambulances is yet another symptom of our crumbling health service. Mr McGrath was speaking after a man who waited over nine hours for an ambulance died. He said the only way the problems within the health service could be properly addressed would be […]

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Community Constituency Council Government Newry Newry and Armagh NMD Council Politics

Two New Sinn Féin Councillors for Newry City

Cathal King and Geraldine Kearns have now been officially co-opted as Sinn Féin councillors for the Newry City Electoral area. Sinn Fein Newry and Armagh have said: “We wish to thank the outgoing councillors Charlie Casey and Roisin Mulgrew for their services and wish them all the best for the future.” “We look forward to […]

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Community Dáil Éireann Government Politics

Two ERDF Programmes Launched in South of Ireland

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath T.D. together with the Southern Regional Assembly, Northern and Western Regional Assembly and the Eastern and Midlands Regional Assembly, launched Ireland’s two ERDF Programmes for the period 2021 – 2027. Following lengthy negotiations, the EU Commission adopted the two ERDF Programmes on the 18th of November 2022. […]

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Campaigns Daisy Hill Government Health Politics Stormont

“Nurses Not Fairly Paid While MLAs Take Wage While Not Working” – Aontu

Aontú Cllr Denise Mullen has demanded further investment in the Health services to improve conditions amidst the Nurses strike. Speaking today, Cllr Mullen said “Our health system is in crisis. Hospitals are under incredible stress with A&E overcrowding and record hospital waiting lists. Conditions in hospitals have deteriorated as staff are under-resourced and underpaid. Most of this […]

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Community Dáil Éireann Government Infrastructure Louth Politics

Ó Murchú Raises Transport Issues in Dail

Transport issues in Louth were raised in Leinster House by Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú. The Dundalk TD highlighted specific issues with school transport, the Ardee bypass, the N53 and the 100X bus to Dublin Airport. On the school transport issue, which was particularly contentious this year, Deputy Ó Murchú pleaded for planning by the government […]

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

‘Heaton-Harris must give families date for payment of £600!’ – Murphy

Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy has called on the British Secretary of State to give people a date for when they will receive the £600 energy payment. The Newry/Armagh MLA said: “It’s unacceptable that people here still have no clarity from the British Secretary of State on when they will receive the £600 energy payment […]

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Community Constituency Government Lurgan Politics Upper Bann Westminster

Lockhart Appointed to NI Affairs Committee

Upper Bann representative Carla Lockhart has been appointed to serve on the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee at Westminster. The DUP MP was chosen by her Party Leader, Rt Hon Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP, to take on the important role. Speaking after her appointment, Carla Lockhart said: “I am very much looking forward to getting involved […]

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Business Campaigns Community Daisy Hill Government Health Politics Stormont

NIPSA Health Workers Strike Locations, Monday 12 December

The NIPSA ballot for Industrial Action returned a 92.62% vote for strike action, the NIPSA Health Panel, which represents all branches in Health and Social Care and Health Arms Length bodies has therefore authorised strike action December 12. Strike locations for Monday’s action listed below.