Category: Uncategorized

Newry and Armagh MLA Conor Murphy speaking as Republicans commemorated the Easter Rising of 1916  has said that Irish Unity was now the ‘big idea of our time’ and ‘just as partition has stunted the development of our people and island, unity can unlock their potential’. Sinn Féin for the second year due to the […]

Health Minister Robin Swann has approved a further period of free car parking for HSC staff from 1 April to 31 July (inclusive). Minister Swann said: “I have asked Trusts to proceed with putting in place arrangements to extend free parking for staff for another four months. I am aware that with the hope of further recovery […]

Ahead of Easter weekend, Police are asking the public to continue to follow the advice of the Health Minister and Department of Health and adhere to the Health Protection Regulations. Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said: “We understand that people may be frustrated and are keen to return to normal but the fact remains that we are […]

Slieve Gullion area Sinn Féin Councillor Mickey Larkin has appealed for people to work at ‘leaving no trace’ of their visits to woods or walkways. The Councillor also expressed his dismay at the amount of bottles and rubbish left by a group  at the community wood behind the Pastoral Centre in Jonesborough. Cllr Larkin said, […]

Education Minister Peter Weir has welcomed the phased return of Sure Start and youth services. The Executive has given approval for initial steps to be taken in resuming some early years programmes, including Sure Start, and youth services allowing the gradual re-opening of programmes to support children and young people who may be facing disadvantage. […]

Councilor Roisin Mulgrew has said that recent repair work on road  surfaces in the Killeavy and Killean areas left a lot to be desired and did little to address concerns of many about their unsafe condition. The Sinn Féin Councillor said, “Myself and many other councillors are inundated with calls regarding the poor condition of […]

Economy Minister Diane Dodds has announced that payments will be extended under two business support schemes. Payments to eligible businesses under the Covid Restrictions Business Support Scheme (CRBSS), Part A and Part B, and the Large Hospitality and Tourism Business Support Scheme (LHTBSS) will continue beyond 31 March. The CRBSS will close to new applications […]

Health Minister Robin Swann has warned that the harm related to alcohol use remains a key public health challenge. The Minister was speaking following the publication of a report from NISRA which examines recent trends in alcohol-specific mortality in Northern Ireland and highlights the associated socio-demographic linkages. The Health Minister said: “My Department worked with NISRA on this […]

Slieve Gullion area Sinn Féin Councillor Oonagh Magennis commenting after a collision at the Old Lislea Post Office Junction said that there was a need for additional street lighting and signage as well as clearer road markings on the stretch of road. The local Councillor said, “Local residents and myself feel that additional lighting and […]

Primary school pupils across Northern Ireland are set to benefit from the launch of an innovative new road safety booklet. The comprehensive 36 page guide covers every aspect of how to keep safe whilst travelling as a pedestrian, cyclist or passenger. The publication is the cumulation of months of work by the charity, Road Safe […]

Health officials are finalising a cancer recovery plan for Northern Ireland, Health Minister Robin Swann has emphasised. The Minister was commenting following the publication of the latest NI Cancer Waiting Times Statistics (www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/publication-ni-cancer-waiting-times-statistics-release-october-december-2020). He stated: “Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, our Health and Social Care Trusts worked tirelessly to try to protect and maintain cancer services as much as […]

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has met with the Arts Collaboration Network, an informal network of the main sector support organisations and a number of creative hubs across NI.  Speaking after the meeting the Minister said: “The Arts Collaboration Network has been a strong advocate for the sector over this past year.  We all know the contribution […]