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Agriculture Community Constituency Government Newry Newry and Armagh Politics South Armagh Stormont

Aoife Finnegan MLA Pledges To Stand Up For Rural Areas

Sinn Féin’s newest MLA, Aoife Finnegan, has said she will use her position to stand up for rural areas. The Newry and Armagh representative was speaking after being appointed to the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee. “I’m delighted to be working on the AERA committee, especially given my role as party spokesperson on environmental […]

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Community Constituency Government Health Newry Newry and Armagh South Down Stormont

SDLP Welcomes Minister’s Commitment to Explore Access to Muscular Dystrophy Drugs

SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has welcomed a commitment from Minister Mike Nesbitt to work with the Belfast Trust to secure access to new muscular dystrophy drugs. Mr McGrath used his topical question to raise the issue during questions to the Health Minister in the Assembly on Tuesday. It comes after 12-year-old Alfie […]

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Community Government Health Politics Stormont

Landmark Day For The Deaf Community Welcomed

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has hailed the Second Stage of the Sign Language Bill as an historic event for the Deaf community in Northern Ireland. Prior to the debate, Minister Lyons met with members of the Deaf community at Parliament Buildings, saying: “I am incredibly grateful to the Deaf community who have travelled to Stormont […]

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Campaigns Community Cost of Living Education Government Politics Stormont

School Uniforms Bill Introduced In Assembly

A new Bill to reduce the costs of school uniforms has been introduced in the Northern Ireland Assembly by Education Minister Paul Givan. The Bill will provide the necessary powers to make a difference in terms of affordability of school uniforms.  Paul Givan said: “Today’s introduction of the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill is a major […]

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Campaigns Community Cost of Living Government Politics Stormont

SDLP Opposition Urges Action on Universal Credit Five-Week Wait and Ties to illegal Lending

The SDLP Opposition has called for immediate interventions to address the harmful impact of the five-week wait for Universal Credit payments.  SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan warned that the delay is pushing vulnerable individuals into debt and in some cases towards illegal lending. Mr Durkan said: “The five-week wait and inextricable links with illegal […]

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Armagh Community Constituency Government Newry Newry and Armagh Politics South Armagh Stormont

Sinn Féin Select New Newry & Armagh MLA

Slieve Gullion Councillor Aoife Finnegan has been selected by Sinn Féin to fill the Assembly seat left vacant by Conor Murphy’s election to Seanad Éireann. At a convention on Saturday, Sinn Féin members unanimously endorsed Aoife to represent Newry and Armagh in the Assembly. Speaking after her selection, Aoife Finnegan said: “I am both delighted […]

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Community Crime Government Politics Stormont

Free Legal Support Service For Child Victims of Serious Sexual Offences Launched

Children can now avail of an innovative pilot scheme which helps victims of serious sexual offences navigate the criminal justice system. Justice Minister Naomi Long today announced the launch of the Children’s Sexual Offences Legal Adviser (CSOLA) scheme, which is being delivered by Victim Support NI. The service is available to children and young people […]

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Albert Basin Park Campaigns Community Constituency Council Government Infrastructure Newry Newry and Armagh NMD Council Politics

Finn: Fixed Bridge Over Newry Canal Must Be Reconsidered

Newry SDLP Councillors Doire Finn and Killian Feehan have secured a commitment that Newry Mourne and Down District Council will respond to DfI Southern Relief Road consultation, affirming opposition to any proposal for a fixed bridge over Newry Canal.  Council has also agreed to write the incoming Infrastructure Minister to clarify if she shares the […]

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

McNulty Congratulates Kimmins and Wishes Her Well on Appointment As Infrastructure Minister

SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has wished his constituency colleague Liz Kimmins well on her appointment as Infrastructure Minister. Mr. McNulty said:  “I offer my congratulations to Liz Kimmins on her appointment as Infrastructure Minister.  Although we are members of different parties, I welcome the fact that a local MLA has been appointed […]

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Community Government Politics Sport Stormont

Communities Minister Drives Safety With £187,000 Motorsports Investment

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has announced funding of £187,000 to enable the motorsports sector to benefit from health and safety equipment. Announcing the funding, Minister Lyons said: “Motorsports have always been part of Northern Ireland’s world class sporting legacy, attracting riders and spectators from across the globe to events such as the North West 200 and […]

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Business Community Constituency Council Government Newry Newry and Armagh NMD Council Politics

Grant Slams Newry Council on Rates Rise

Nicola Grant commenting on the new rate set at the Council meeting said that residents and businesses would be unhappy at the increase given all the problems they encounter getting the services they pay for. The Council in announcing the increase, used the justification that the increase would be used to fund frontline services, infrastructure […]

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Business Campaigns Community Constituency Cost of Living Council Government Newry Newry and Armagh NMD Council Politics South Down

District Rate 2025/2026 Agreed for Newry, Mourne and Down

At the Council meeting on Monday 3 February 2025, Members of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council struck the rate for the incoming financial year at 3.98%. The Domestic Rate for 2025/2026 will be 0.4862 pence. For a property valued at £133,000*, this would lead to an annual increase of £24.74 per year or £2.06 […]