Categories
Government International Politics Stormont

Michelle O’Neill Meets US President Joe Biden

Following a very successful week of engagements in the US where she engaged with US investors to set out the stall and make a compelling economic pitch; meeting with the Irish diaspora in both Washington and New York; the Administration, including President Joe Biden at the White House, Sinn Féin Leas-Uachtarán Michelle O’Neill said: “Today […]

Categories
Government International Stormont

Junior Ministers Welcome Guests to ‘Ulster Fry for St Patrick’s Day’ in Brussels

Junior Ministers Pam Cameron and Aisling Reilly have travelled to Brussels for a series of engagements designed to develop and strengthen the Executive’s relationship with the European Union. The Junior Ministers today welcomed around 170 guests to the ‘Ulster Fry for St Patrick’s Day’ breakfast networking event at the Office of the Northern Ireland Executive […]

Categories
Community Government International Politics Stormont

O’Neill Urges President Biden to Play Constructive Role In Securing Immediate Gaza Ceasefire

Leas-Uachtarán Shinn Féin Michelle O’Neill has urged the US President to play a constructive role in securing an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the Israeli blockade on humanitarian aid. In her first opportunity to talk with President Biden on her US tour, Michelle O’Neill also called for an end to illegal settlements […]

Categories
Community Government Health Politics Stormont

Swann Sets out Priorities to Health Committee

Health Minister Robin Swann has told MLAs that health and social care services can be turned around “with the right combination of ambition, funding and joined up political leadership.” The Minister also reiterated his warnings about the year ahead being largely about “damage limitation” due to severe budgetary constraints. Mr Swann met with the Northern […]

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

Kimmins Welcomes Discussions on Junior Doctors Pay

Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has welcomed news that the health minister and trade unions are in discussions over fair pay for junior doctors.  The party’s health spokesperson said: “It is welcome that the health minister and trade unions are in discussions to reach an agreement on a fair pay increase for junior doctors.  “Our […]

Categories
Community Government Politics Stormont

Time to Build a Better Future For Everyone – O’Neill and Little-Pengelly

Delivering a better shared future for everyone is the key priority for the new Executive, the First Minister and deputy First Minister have said. Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly were speaking as they delivered the keynote address at the NI Bureau breakfast event in Washington. First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “Last year marked 25 years since the Good […]

Categories
Climate Community Constituency Council Government Newry Newry and Armagh NMD Council Politics

Council Invites Applicants for Flooding Hardship Scheme

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is inviting applications to a Flooding Hardship Scheme, which is part of a package of funding from the Department for Economy (DfE). The purpose of the Flooding Hardship Scheme is to provide support to businesses and some other non-domestic premises that were impacted by the flooding in October/November 2023 […]

Categories
Dáil Éireann Government International Politics

Ireland and Palestine Top Political Agenda In US This Week

Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald is in the US this week for a series of political engagements in Washington DC and New York.  During the trip Ms. McDonald will meet with senior political leaders on Capitol Hill and with the US Administration and attend events with business leaders, the Irish diaspora and the Labour Movement.  She […]

Categories
Campaigns Community Constituency Cost of Living Downpatrick Government Health Politics South Down Stormont

Affordable Childcare Can Address Growing Levels of Child Poverty – Mason

Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason has said delivering quality and affordable childcare can help address the growing levels of child poverty. Reacting to the Comptroller & Auditor General’s report on child poverty, the party’s childcare spokesperson said: “This report has again reinforced the need to tackle the growing levels of child poverty in the north. […]

Categories
Community Education Government Politics Stormont

SDLP Launch Petition to Restore Funding for Integrated Schools

The SDLP has launched a public petition calling on the Executive to restore the funding package allocated for new buildings at ten integrated schools across Northern Ireland. This follows the recent announcement of the withdrawal of this funding as part of the financial package agreed between Executive parties and the UK Government. Questioning Education Minister […]

Categories
Armagh Community Constituency Government Infrastructure Newry and Armagh Stormont

Boylan Welcomes Measures to Tackle MOT Backlog

Sinn Féin MLA and transport spokesperson Cathal Boylan has welcomed measures outlined by Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd to help address MOT delays.  The Newry and Armagh MLA stated:  “I welcome the actions outlined by Minister O’Dowd to help tackle the MOT backlog.  “This included the recruitment of 55 new vehicle examiners across the network, as well […]

Categories
Community Education Government Stormont

Education Minister Welcomes Progress on Teachers’ Pay Negotiations

A formal offer on teachers’ pay for 2021, 2022 and 2023 has been made to the five main teaching unions. The proposed settlement will see the starting salary for teachers in Northern Ireland rise to £30,000. This is a 24.3% increase from the current starting salary and brings the starting point equal to England. The […]