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

Newry: Southern Relief Road £93m Plans Revealed

By Donal McMahon Controversial designs for a £93m relief road are being publically launched in Newry tomorrow (Jan 21). Plans for the Southern Relief Road will be on display for six weeks with the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) providing a staffed day at Newry Leisure Centre (10am -9pm) on Tuesday. Newry, Mourne and Down District […]

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Armagh Campaigns Community Constituency Daisy Hill Government Health Newry Newry and Armagh Politics South Armagh Stormont

Kimmins Welcomes Cross-Party Support For Improved Autism Mental Health Support

Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has welcomed the passing of a motion brought to the Assembly today calling on the health minister to develop specialist autism mental health services. The party’s health spokesperson said: “I welcome cross-party support for Sinn Féin’s motion in the Assembly today which urges the health minister to bring forward a plan […]

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

Council Motion Sends A Clear Message Of Solidarity To Palestinian People!

Speaking after Newry Mourne & Down Council agreed to a motion to both endorse the recent findings of Amnesty International which concludes that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza  and also  declaring  Newry, Mourne & Down District an Apartheid-Free Zone, Councillor Cathal King said that the only way to stop the slaughter in […]

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Community Crime Government Health Politics Stormont

SDLP Opposition Day to Focus on Violence Against Women and Girls

The SDLP is using our Opposition Day on Tuesday to call for urgent action to end violence against women and girls. Motions will focus on new laws to better support victims of abuse, tackling online violence, RSE and healthy relationships and gender-based budgeting. The situation is at crisis point with 25 women violently killed in Northern Ireland […]

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Community Education Government Health Politics Stormont

Reform Begins For Children With Special Educational Needs

Education Minister Paul Givan has announced his programme for reforming the provision of support for children with special educational needs. The Minister’s Special Educational Needs Reform Agenda and associated five-year delivery plan have been developed following completion of a comprehensive review of policy and delivery. Speaking in the Assembly, Paul Givan said: “Children with special educational needs, […]

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Community Government Politics Stormont

SDLP: FM’s Delivery Claims Don’t Add Up

SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O’Toole MLA has said that claims from First Minister Michelle O’Neill around the Executive’s record of delivery don’t add up. Ms O’Neill said the Executive has a “very strong track record of delivery”. She said the Executive had passed a “huge, vast array of legislation”. South Belfast MLA Mr […]

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Campaigns Community Constituency Daisy Hill Downpatrick Government Health Newry Newry and Armagh Politics South Down Stormont Upper Bann

McGrath: Ambulance Delays Contributing to Health Service Collapse

SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has said that lengthy delays in ambulance response times is contributing to the collapse of the health service. He was speaking after a debate in the Assembly on Monday. Mr McGrath has long been highlighting the impact of ambulance delays, particularly in rural areas. South Down MLA Mr […]

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Government Health Politics Stormont

Executive Statement on Winter Pressures

This has been a particularly difficult winter across the Health and Social Care system, with exceptionally high flu rates and hospital admissions. We understand how difficult it has been for many patients and their families who have experienced long waits to access the care they need in a suitable environment. While these challenges are being […]

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Community Crime Government Health Politics Stormont

Ministers Launch Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Local Change Fund

The First Minister and deputy First Minister have announced the launch of the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) Local Change Fund. As part of a wider £3.2 million investment, this first step will see £2 million shared across all 11 councils to enable them to support EVAWG action in their local areas. The […]

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

Minister Murphy Warns of Devastating Impact on Tourism as Home Office Travel Scheme Begins

Economy Minister Conor Murphy has again pressed the Home Office to reconsider their implementation of a new scheme that will have a devastating impact on tourism in the north of Ireland. The Minister was speaking as the next phase of the British Government’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Scheme goes live.  From tomorrow (8 January), non-European […]

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Campaigns Community Constituency Daisy Hill Downpatrick Government Health Newry Politics South Down Stormont

McGrath: Health Crisis Must Be Top of Executive Agenda

SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has said the Executive must make addressing the health crisis its top priority. He was speaking after Health Minister Mike Nesbitt committed to raising the situation at this week’s Executive meeting at an emergency meeting of the Assembly’s Health Committee on Tuesday.  Mr McGrath said it was the […]

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Community Constituency Downpatrick Government Health Politics South Down Stormont

McGrath: Health Trusts Need Supported

SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has emphasised the need to support health tusts. He had called for an urgent ministerial intervention and for a departmental assessment to determine the reasons behind the current vacancies in two of the five trust CEO positions. Commenting Colin McGrath MLA said, “Our trusts are facing unprecedented pressure, […]