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

Economy Minister Builds Stronger Economic Ties on Visit to NY and Washington

Economy Minister, Conor Murphy, is in the United States of America this week, visiting both New York and Washington, DC. The Minister’s programme includes a mix of business meetings alongside attending important functions such as the NI Bureau Breakfast, an Intertrade Ireland 25th anniversary event and a business reception hosted by US Special Envoy to […]

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Community Constituency Downpatrick Government Health Politics South Down Stormont

SDLP Opposition Forces Vote on Extension of Coronavirus Powers

SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath has welcomed an Assembly vote rejecting an extension to coronavirus powers. The SDLP Opposition forced a division on the issue, with a majority voting against an extension. South Down MLA Mr McGrath said: “During the coronavirus pandemic we were forced to take quick decisions that severely limited the public’s […]

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Community Government Legacy Politics Stormont

SDLP Opposition Asks Justice Minister to Take Action on Kenova Recommendations

The SDLP Leader of the Opposition today asked the Justice Minister to support the implementation of key recommendations in the Kenova report, including speeding up justice processes and a review of the Public Prosecution Service. In a Topical question to Minister Long, Matthew O’Toole MLA asked the Minister to confirm she would use her office […]

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Community Constituency Government Infrastructure Lurgan Politics Stormont Upper Bann

O’Dowd Outlines Measures to Cut MOT Waiting Times

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has outlined a number of measures to tackle MOT waiting lists and tasked officials to bring forward other options for urgent consideration. Speaking in the Assembly on Monday, Mr O’Dowd said he will explore the introduction of temporary exemption certificates and proposals to consult on testing every two years.  Minister O’Dowd said: “I appreciate the frustration many […]

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Community Constituency Government Health Newry Newry and Armagh Politics Stormont

Kimmins Backs Call for Greater North-South Cancer Care Cooperation

Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has backed calls for greater cooperation in cancer care north and south. The party’s health spokesperson said: “To improve cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and quality of life, we must utilise all tools available in the fight against cancer. This includes greater north-south cooperation. “An all-island approach would not only improve cancer […]

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Community Constituency Government Infrastructure Lurgan Politics Stormont Upper Bann

O’Dowd Rules Out Privatisation of MOT Services

Speaking ahead of Monday’s Assembly debate on waiting times for MOTs, Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has emphatically ruled out the privatisation of the service. Minister O’Dowd said: “There have been calls for my Department to adopt a similar vehicle testing model to that in Britain, through a network of authorised garages.  Let there be no mistake, […]

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Community Government Health Politics Stormont

UNISON Encourages Members to Vote Yes on Pay Offer

Statement from UNISON on the recent pay offer. We are encouraging our members to vote YES to finally see PAY PARITY RESTORED! It has been a long hard fight – and our work is FAR from over – but members deserve to see a reward for all their work in getting us this far! ALSO! IMPORTANT […]

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Community Government Politics Stormont

Irish Remains Preserve of One Community! – TUV

Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister: “The fictional claim by the DUP’s Paul Givan today that Irish “belongs to all of us” deserves to be challenged, regardless of how broadcasters may wish to faun over his comments. “However, to claim that the Irish language belongs to us all is simply not supported by the facts. […]

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

Cross Border Trade Is Surging – Murphy

Building and sustaining cross-border cooperation and trade is key to the growth of our businesses, Economy Minister Conor Murphy has said. The Minister was speaking as he addressed over 300 business and trade delegates at the Newry and Dundalk Chambers’ Annual Cross-Border Conference which focused on ‘Building a Sustainable All-Island Economy’. The Minister said: “The Windsor […]

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

Newry Council to Twin With Gazan City

By Donal McMahon A Northern Ireland council is to initiate twinning with a Palestinian city in a show of solidarity. Over 30,000 Palestinians have been killed during the conflict with Israel following the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas. Correspondence from Derry City and Strabane District Council has urged all councils to support a resettlement programme for […]

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

Murphy Announces Additional £1m of Financial Support For Students

Economy Minister Conor Murphy has announced an additional £1million to support students facing financial hardship as a result of increased costs of living.  The funds will be distributed to Queen’s University, Ulster University, The Open University, St Mary’s University College and Stranmillis University College for eligible students at those institutions to apply for.  Highlighting the […]

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Community Constituency Downpatrick Education Government South Down Sport Stormont

Mason Urges Parties to Work Together to Cut School Uniform Costs

Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason has said school uniforms should be affordable for families and urged parties to work together to cut costs.  Speaking ahead of bringing a motion to the Assembly, Cathy Mason said: “Sinn Féin will bring a motion to the Assembly on Tuesday on making school uniforms and PE gear more affordable.  […]