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Government Politics Stormont

SDLP Secures Assembly Recall Challenging DUP to Restore Institutions

The SDLP has secured enough support to recall the Northern Ireland Assembly from its summer to hear a motion on the cost of living crisis. The party tabled a recall petition this week following the conclusion of the Commons stages of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill as a challenge to the DUP to restore the […]

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Campaigns Cost of Living Government Politics Stormont

“MPs Expenses Claim an Absolute Disgrace!” – Cllr. Denise Mullen

Aontú deputy leader Cllr. Denise Mullen has reacted to MPs expenses claims. Speaking today, Denise Mullen said “There’s no cost-of-living crisis for Northern MPs. With only 2 MPs, the SDLP alone has managed to rack up £446,000 worth of expenses. Sinn Féin MP expenses have also been a massive cost to the public, coming in […]

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Constituency Downpatrick Government Health Politics South Down Stormont

McGrath: Health Service Pay Offer ‘Derisory!’

SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has said that a recommended pay increase for health service staff is derisory and will not address serious workforce issues which threaten the delivery of critical public services. The South Down MLA has written to Health Minister Robin Swann following publication of the pay review body recommendations this evening.  […]

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Government Health Politics Stormont

Recognition Payments and Pay Awards Absolutely Urgent!, says Bradshaw

Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has given a guarded welcome to news one-off recognition payments will be given to health workers next month. But the South Belfast MLA said any further delays to a comprehensive set of recognition payments and pay awards would prove a false economy, leaving many simply unable to afford to […]

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Dáil Éireann Government International Louth Politics

The Biggest Danger to Democracy in the EU is the Failure to Look After Working People – Ó Murchú

The biggest danger to democracy in the EU is the ‘failure throughout Europe to look after working people and those on the periphery’, according to Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú who again pressed the government to get ready for Irish unity. The Sinn Féin deputy was speaking in the Dáil during statements following the European Council […]

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Campaigns Community Constituency Cost of Living Government Newry Newry and Armagh Politics South Armagh Stormont

Devolved Finance Ministers Highlight “significant gaps” in Cost of Living Support

Finance Minister Conor Murphy has joined his counterparts in Wales and Scotland to call for further action to help households and businesses ahead of another increase in energy prices. In a joint letter to the new Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi, Ministers say the focus should be on targeted support for those worst hit […]

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Campaigns Community Cost of Living Dáil Éireann Government Louth Politics

Government Housing Policy Is ‘Failing Everyone!’ – Ó Murchú

Government housing policy is ‘failing everyone’ particularly those who are reliant on renting, where there were just eight properties in Dundalk available online, Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú has told the Dáil. The Dundalk TD was speaking during a Sinn Féin private members’ motion on the Raise the Roof housing campaign. Deputy Ó Murchú set out […]

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Campaigns Community Cost of Living Politics

BT Group Workers Have Announced a Two-Day National Strike

Over 40,000 BT Group workers have announced a two-day national strike against real-terms pay cuts, as their union claim that greedy bosses have “stuck two fingers up” to key workers. The Communication Workers Union (CWU) – which represents BT Group workers – has today (Friday 15th July) served notice for strike action that will take place […]

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Campaigns Cost of Living Daisy Hill Government Health Politics Stormont

NHS Pay Rise Held Up Due to DUP Stance on Protocol

The Health Minister has said he will accept the recommendations made by pay review bodies but is unable to move forward without an agreed budget. With Stormont in limbo due to the DUP’s stance on the NI Protocol, the NI Executive is currently unable to meet putting the NHS pay award on ice. Minister Swann […]

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Dáil Éireann Government Health Politics Stormont

6,700 Abortions in 2021 is a Heart-breaking Loss of Life – Aontu

Commenting on the increase in abortions in Ireland in the last year Aontú Leader and Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín stated; “The 6,700 abortions in Ireland in 2021 is a heart-breaking loss of life. Every day in Ireland the lives of 18 unborn baby boys & girls are taken. In the last three years just […]

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Constituency Government Newry Newry and Armagh Politics South Armagh Stormont Westminster

New British Government Must Prioritise Restoration of Assembly and Executive! – Murphy

Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy has said the incoming British government must make the restoration of the Assembly and Executive a priority and called on the DUP to ‘end its boycott’ of democratic institutions and get back to work.  The finance minister and infrastructure minister John O’Dowd are attending a meeting of the British-Irish Council […]

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Government Politics Stormont

“Cost of MLA Wages Since The Election Exceed Half a Million Pounds” – Aontu

Aontú Councillor for Ballyarnett Emmet Doyle has called on the British Secretary of state to suspend MLA wages until an executive is formed.    Speaking today Cllr Doyle said: “We all know the DUP are preventing the formation of an Executive and the functioning of the Assembly, but the reality is that all 90 MLAs […]