Categories
Agriculture Politics South Armagh

Magennis Voices Concerns on Red Diesel Legislation

Oonagh Magennis, Sinn Féin Councillor for Slieve Gullion has echoed the words of her party colleague, Caoimhe Archibald MLA; warning that changes to the entitlement for red diesel will be another hit to struggling businesses and could potentially put jobs at risk. Oonagh explained: “The change to the entitlement won’t reduce emissions, it will increase […]

Categories
Community Government Newry Politics Westminster

Gas Price Hikes Will Be Another Blow For Families – Brady

Sinn Fein MP Mickey Brady has said news that households and businesses will suffer further hikes in gas prices in coming weeks will be another huge blow for workers and families.   The Newry and Armagh MP was speaking after the Utility Regulator warned that households and businesses will face gas price hikes of at least 30% […]

Categories
Election 2022 Government Politics South Down Stormont

McKevitt: Sinn Féin Ministers Asleep at the Wheel as Families Struggle to Make Ends Meet

SDLP Newry, Mourne and Down Councillor Karen McKevitt said it is unbelievable there was £100m unallocated in the Assembly’s January monitoring round as families struggle with the cost of living crisis. Cllr. McKevitt said Sinn Féin Finance Minister Conor Murphy has failed people who are in need, with the money now at risk of being […]

Categories
Newry Politics

Saoradh Protest SDLP Offices in Newry

The Revolutionary Republican Party Saoradh have taken protest action at the SDLP office and Crown Force Barracks in Newry this evening [Jan 25th]. During the first protest activists held images highlighting incidents of harassment and unfurled Anti-RUC banners whilst posters were pasted on the SDLP office itself. Republicans then made their way to the nearby […]

Categories
Business Election 2022 Government Politics Stormont

Stormont’s Financial Mismanagement on Show

Stormont’s financial mismanagement on show Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:- “The statement from the Sinn Fein Finance Minister on the January monitoring round reveals a number of significant facts:- there is over another £200m extra to Stormont from U.K. Treasury in Barnett consequentials;Stormont departments have been unable to spend all the funds they had, with […]

Categories
Government Politics Stormont Westminster

EU-UK Negotiations Need to Offer Stability and Certainty as Soon as Possible – UUP

Following reports that European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič wants EU-UK negotiations on the Protocol to conclude by the end of February, Steve Aiken MLA, UUP Finance spokesperson said: “The usually well-informed Tony Connelly of RTE has indicated today that Maroš Šefčovič is seeking to pressurise the UK to conclude negotiations by the end of […]

Categories
Business Community Dáil Éireann Government Politics

Minister Martin Announces the Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme 2022 (MEBAS 2022)

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, announced the opening date for the 2022 strand of the MEBAS (Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme).  This simpler, easier to access new scheme will further support performers and individuals in the music business that have been impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions. The […]

Categories
Dáil Éireann Government Politics

Progress Report of the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025 Published

The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Social Inclusion, Joe O’Brien TD, have today published the first Progress Report of the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025.  The five year Roadmap is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and sets out a clear path for reducing […]

Categories
Government Politics Stormont Westminster

Withdrawal of Double Jobbing a Victory For Dialogue and Engagement – UUP

Following confirmation by the Prime Minister that plans to bring back double jobbing in Northern Ireland have been withdrawn, Ulster Unionist peer, Lord Empey, said: “This is a victory for positive dialogue and engagement with Government and other parties. You don`t have to threaten to crash the institutions for unionism to have influence with Government. […]

Categories
Community Government Lurgan Politics Stormont Upper Bann

John O’Dowd on Loss of EU Funding

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has said the loss of EU Funding due to the Tory/DUP Brexit is putting jobs and livelihoods at risk. The Upper Bann spokesperson said: “The Department for the Economy has lost £65 million per year in EU funding as direct result of the Brexit delivered by the British Government and the […]

Categories
Election 2022 Government Health Politics Stormont

Swann Announces Plan for Additional NHS Pay Rise

Following the November announcement of a pay increase of 3% for our wonderful NHS staff. Health Minister Robin Swann has invested in a further 1.5% pay increase. This announcement will enable an overall pay rise of 4.5% for bands 1 to 3 staff and 4% for bands 4 to 7. Speaking via a memo sent […]

Categories
Crime Lurgan Politics Upper Bann

Further Evidence of Collusion-Mackle

Sinn Féin Council Group leader Liam Mackle has said that a report by the Police Ombudsman into the killings of 19 people is further damning evidence of a policy of British state collusion with loyalist paramilitaries during the conflict. Cllr Mackle was speaking after the Police Ombudsman Marie Anderson published the findings of her investigation […]