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The Executive have gave further consideration to a number of proposed relaxations to the Covid-19 restrictions and received further advice from our health and scientific advisers. The Executive has decided that the following easements will come into effect from 18:00 on 27 July: Concert Venues, Theatres and Other Indoor Venues (seated) Audiences will be permitted […]

Tackling the hospital waiting list crisis is a collective priority for the Executive. Following the intense pressures facing the NHS the NI Executive have made waiting lists a priority. Speaking on the issue the Northern Ireland Executive said: “We received an update today from the Department of Health on the current situation and discussed plans […]

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough (ABC) Council launches new Business Start-Up Grant Scheme to support local budding entrepreneurs. Led by ABC Council in partnership with Armagh Business Centre, Banbridge Enterprise Centre and Craigavon Industrial Development Organisation, the new Scheme will offer a limited number of cash grants of up to £500 to assist with […]

Local Alliance Councillor, Patrick Brown, is urging the Department of Infrastructure to address the the ‘dead zone’ of phone signal at Bells Hill, between Crossgar and Downpatrick. Cllr Brown commented: “This issue has been raised to me by multiple constituents, who are understandably frustrated by how the signal completely drops out in the area, regardless […]

Newry SDLP Councillor Michael Savage has condemned an early morning arson attack on a children’s play park. “I and my Newry SDLP colleagues were contacted this morning by parents and local residents expressing their disgust that a bench within the newly constructed play park at Loanda had been destroyed by arsonists”. “It appears a fire […]

Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has called on the health minister to act urgently to protect patients, staff and services as the Belfast Trust cancel services due to COVID pressures.  The Newry & Armagh MLA said:  “News that the Belfast Trust are postponing non time critical elective orthopaedic surgery because of COVID pressures is very […]

As health and care services across Northern Ireland become stretched beyond capacity, Workers Party Newry and Armagh spokesperson, Nicola Campbell, has called for an ‘immediate reversal of the policy of bed closures.’ Speaking on the issue Ms Campbell said: “In the last ten years the number of hospital beds in Northern Ireland has dropped by […]

The following statement on the ICTU is issued by LPNI. ‘The Labour Party in Northern Ireland (LPNI) supports the traditional ICTU stance of being neutral on the border question.The ICTU is the only community based labour movement in Ireland that is currently working well for all its members on the island. Its neutral stance is […]

SDLP Assembly Member Justin McNulty has raised concerns on the real pressures being faced by local health care staff and services. The Newry & Armagh MLA has said, ‘our health service is under extreme pressure, and these pressures can be acutely felt across the board.  In recent weeks, we have learned that 335,000 people are […]

Health Minister Robin Swann has said he would consider supporting linking the high street voucher scheme to people being fully vaccinated. The initiative was announced last year to support retailers hit by Covid-19. Adults could receive £100 each to spend in town and city centres, with £145m of funding ring-fenced for its rollout. The health […]

UUP Leader Doug Beattie MC MLA said: “Ian Marshall is an impressive individual and I am delighted that he has decided to join the Ulster Unionist Party.  “Ian brings a wealth of experience from running a farm, heading up the Ulster Farmers Union and from his time elected to the Irish Seanad. As a Senator […]

A Bessbrook woman who stabbed her partner following a verbal argument has been ordered to complete an 18 month probation order. The 34-year-old’s barrister told court: “She instructs that she simply lashed out. This is completely out of character and in the past year this has been something which has been dominating her thoughts.” Zara Torrens, […]