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Business Climate Community Constituency Government Health South Down Stormont Warrenpoint

RARE: DAERA-Defra Planning Fraud Risk Red Flags Raised In Warrenpoint

Today we have written to Minister O’Dowd (DfI), Minister Muir (DAERA), Minister Lyons (DfC), Minister Murphy (DfE), Ms Ward (CEO Newry, Mourne and Down District Council / NMDDC), representatives of Defra’s “SPS Facilities Project” and representatives of the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO).  Our letter is informed and guided by two NIAO publications, “Good Practice […]

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Community Constituency Council Education Government Newry Newry and Armagh NMD Council

Councillor Praise For Local School Students

Newry City Councillor Aidan Mathers has praised students at St Josephs High  School for the respect and attentiveness given to him and Council Officers on a recent is it to the school. The Sinn Féin elected representative explained, “My self and Council Officers visited to school to discuss with staff and pupils the concern there […]

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Business Community Constituency Government Infrastructure Lurgan Stormont Upper Bann

Collaboration Is Key to Create, Sustain and Plan For Successful Cities – O’Dowd

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has delivered the welcome address at the International Centre for Local and Regional Development (ICLRD) planning conference. The theme of the two-day conference is Planning and Governing Metropolitan Regions and Cities in the 21st century . Addressing the conference, Minister O’Dowd said: “The ICLRD carries out invaluable work on research and advice […]

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Campaigns Community Constituency Cost of Living Government Lurgan Politics Upper Bann Westminster

MP Expresses Concern at Budget Implications

With the Labour Government’s Budget just days away, Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has expressed her concerns about the possible implications for farmers and agri-food businesses in Northern Ireland. “The facts remain unknown, but there is strong speculation in Westminster that the 2024 Budget will focus on significant tax hikes and spending cuts. Chancellor Rachel […]

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Community Constituency Council Government Newry Newry and Armagh NMD Council South Armagh South Down

Newry: Forest Park Charges Review Begins

By Donal McMahon A Northern Ireland council is to begin a review of controversial parking charges at its forest parks this week. Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) began charging motorists to enter Kilbroney and Slieve Gullion forest parks in April amid a public outcry. The local authority approved the new tariffs despite an online […]

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Community Infrastructure

Translink Ulster In Bloom Awards Celebrate Floral Feats, Friendship and Fortified Community Spirit

Green fingered community gardeners and dedicated council staff from across Northern Ireland were commended for their hard work and dedication as the results were announced for this year’s Translink Ulster in Bloom, with a special focus on the importance of community spirit and friendships formed through team work. In an event hosted at Old Market […]

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Community Constituency Downpatrick Government Politics South Down Stormont Westminster

Stormont Should Utilise Surplus Flood Funds to Enhance Community Resilience – Hazzard

Sinn Féin’s Chris Hazzard MP has asked the Stormont Executive to utilise surplus flood funding to help enhance the resiliency of local community groups to be able to respond to extreme weather events such as flooding and snow storms.  The South Down MP was speaking following a meeting this week with the Newcastle Community Flooding […]

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Community Constituency Government Infrastructure Lurgan Politics Stormont Upper Bann

O’Dowd Announces A5 Construction to Begin

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has announced his intention to proceed with construction of the first stretch of the A5 in early 2025. This will see the first 55kms/34 miles of the project proceed from the proposed Junction 8 (south of Strabane) to the proposed Junction 15 near Ballygawley including the westward extension of the existing […]

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Armagh Community Constituency Government Health Infrastructure Newry Newry and Armagh South Armagh Stormont

McNulty: Unblocking Water Issues Key to Unlocking Housing Opportunities For All

SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has called on Minister John O’Dowd for clarity around proposals that housing developers could be asked to fund water infrastructure upgrades. Housebuilding fell to a 60-year low in 2023 coinciding with a record high 47,000 applicants waiting for social housing. Currently, an estimated 19,000 housing units are affected […]

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Agriculture Politics

Northern Ireland Joins Global Climate Action Network

Edwin Poots MLA, Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, says Northern Ireland joining the Under2 Coalition and signing up to the new Memorandum of Understanding is a significant step in the region’s climate change journey and will help to drive forward climate action. The Minister made the comments following his participation in an event at […]

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Agriculture Politics

Climate Change, There Is An Alternative – Workers Party

Speaking at the Cop26 climate summit in Glasgow,  UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres told delegates that “…addiction to fossil fuels is pushing humanity to the brink”, saying “we face a stark choice – either we stop it, or it stops us. We are digging our own graves.” The warning is indeed stark, and the UN Secretary General has […]

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Agriculture Politics

UUP Launch Environmental Policy Document

The Ulster Unionist Party today publishes its Environmental policy document ‘The Climate Emergency – A Fair Contribution’ declaringa Climate Emergency and promising that Northern Ireland will make a Fair Contribution to the UK’s Net Zero target under its leadership. Ulster Unionist Party leader, Doug Beattie MC MLA, said: “Northern Ireland is the only part of the United […]