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South Down SDLP MLA Sinead Bradley has welcomed the recent announcement from the Irish Government on the Narrow Water Bridge. The South Down MLA said: I am beyond excited to report that An Taoiseach Micheal Martin has this morning announced his intention to permit Louth County Council to bring the project to tender.   Over the […]

Sinn Féin MLA Sinead Ennis has welcomed progress toward the delivery of the Narrow Water Bridge project with funding committed by the Irish government. The South Down MLA said:  “I welcome the fact that the Irish government have committed €3m to take the Narrow Water Bridge Project forward. “Narrow Water bridge is a vital piece […]

The Narrow Water Bridge Community Network very much welcome the announcement by the Taoiseach to commit €3 million to bring the project to the tender stage. We at the Network would like to make it clear that the Narrow Water Bridge has been many years in the making and we are not there yet. The […]

Local Alliance councillor, Patrick Brown, is again calling for the Department of Infrastructure to address the issue of parking at Fairview in Saintfield, as access to residents’ houses is being blocked by parked cars. Cllr Brown commented: “I am calling for the Department of Infrastructure to take action to remedy the problem of illegal parking […]

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council has agreed to submit an Expression of Interest (E.O.I.) application for the UK City of Culture 2025. Organised by the UK Government Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport every four years, this process invites places from across the UK to bid for the title by setting out […]

Justice Minister Naomi Long has welcomed the recommissioning of Banbridge Courthouse after an absence of five years. The courthouse which had been out of use since 2016, has been refurbished as part of the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunal Service’s (NICTS) effort to increase capacity for courts and tribunals cases. This allows faster recovery from delays […]

In this centenary year, whose very celebration is subject to the grace and favour of Sinn Fein – no centenary stone allowed at Stormont, not a single penny in the Executive’s budget to mark the centenary – it is folly to pretend all is well.  Those who foolishly believed feting SF in government would tame […]

Finance Minister Conor Murphy has extended emergency protection for tenants having difficulty paying rent on commercial leases as a result of the pandemic for a further three months. The special provision in the Coronavirus Act 2020 which was first applied at the end of March 2020, is being extended once again, until 30 September 2021, […]

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has praised Department for Communities’ frontline staff for their commitment and hard work during the Covid-19 pandemic. Minister Hargey was speaking after a visit to Newry Jobs & Benefits (JBO) office where she met Universal Credit staff from the Service Centre and frontline teams. Minister Hargey said: “I welcome this opportunity […]

Vaccination opens doors to normality, Health Minister Robin Swann has emphasised. In an open letter (below), the Minister makes a personal appeal to people who have not yet been jabbed, saying: “Please don’t put off your turn. The right time is now.” He continues: “Vaccination helps us reclaim our lives. We all want to keep enjoying the […]

The number of Covid-19 vaccines administered in Northern Ireland has passed the two million mark. The grand total includes first and second doses. Some 80% of the adult population have now received their first jab and close to 60% are fully vaccinated with both doses. The two million mark has been reached, as the first […]

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced work is to commence on the development of an Irish Language Strategy and an Ulster Scots Language, Heritage and Culture Strategy.  The Minister advised the Executive that her department is to proceed with the work of the Expert Advisory Panels. She said: “I am pleased that work is now underway on these […]