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Education Election 2022 Politics

“Sectarianism Was Hardwired into the North, Not by Schools, But By the State!” – Aontu

Responding to allegations that our local schools are segregating children, Aontú Education Spokesperson on Education and Derry East Rep Gemma Brolly stated;   “A little like the “Integrated Education Bill” President Higgins remarks at the National Women’s Council Peacebuilding Conference were rather biased and insulting. As someone who came through the current system and now […]

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Dáil Éireann Government Health Louth Politics

Aontú Bill For Free Hospital Parking On its Way to 3rd Stage in the Dáil

Speaking after the passage of the Aontú’s Hospital Parking Bill through Second Stage in the Dáil today, Aontú Leader & Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín has called on all parties in the Dáil to ensure speedy passage of the Bill through the Oireachtas to ease the pressure on thousands of Patients who are paying thousands […]

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Election 2022 Government Legacy Lurgan Politics Stormont Upper Bann

Kelly Calls for Greater Sensitivity Around the Past

SDLP Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly has called on public representatives to show greater sensitivity when talking about incidents from the North’s troubled past. She was speaking after a Tweet from Alliance councillor Michael Long made a dismissive reference to Bloody Friday, where nine people were killed and over 100 injured in IRA bombings in […]

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Business Government Politics South Armagh Stormont

Update from Finance Minister on the Draft Budget

Finance Minister Conor Murphy has updated the Assembly on the Draft Budget and additional funding. Updating MLAs, Minister Murphy set out legal advice he has received on how budgetary matters could be progressed in the absence of an Executive. Minister Murphy said: “I have now received detailed legal advice and unfortunately it is not possible to […]

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Climate Community Election 2022 Government Newry Politics Stormont

Kimmins Urges Need for Robust Planning System

Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins is calling for action to improve our planning system in order to help build homes, improve environmental protections and facilitate economic development. The Newry and Armagh MLA stated: “A recent Audit office report stated that the planning system is failing to deliver for the economy, communities and the environment. “Of […]

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Armagh Government Newry Politics South Armagh Westminster

Tories Should Scrap Planned Hike in National Insurance – Brady

Sinn Féin MP Mickey Brady has called on the Tories to scrap the hikes in national insurance and said they have ‘failed’ to support people facing the cost-of-living crisis. Speaking after it was confirmed that inflation is the highest in 30 years, the Newry and Armagh MP said: “News that inflation is at its highest […]

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Election 2022 Government Health Lurgan Politics Stormont Upper Bann

DUP Denying Access to Healthcare Not the Protocol -O’Dowd

Upper Bann Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has accused the DUP of denying people access to medicines and operations. Mr O’Dowd was putting a question to the Finance Minister in the Assembly in regards his statement that he could no longer proceed with a three budget in the wake of the resignation of  DUP First Minister […]

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Election 2022 Government Politics Stormont

DUP Decision to Collapse the Executive Has Created a Budgetary Crisis – UUP

Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA, UUP Finance spokesperson and Chair of the Finance Committee has stated that the DUP`s decision to collapse the Executive puts the vital transformation of health services in real danger. Steve Aiken said: “The collapse of the Executive has brought about a budgetary crisis. For once, with over an additional £300M to […]

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Election 2022 Government Politics Stormont

The Protocol Must Go in All Its Parts!

The Protocol must go in all its parts  Extract from speech by TUV leader Jim Allister at anti-Protocol rally in Dromore “There is no escaping or fudging of the constitutional consequences of the Protocol. It not only directly challenges Northern Ireland’s position within the U.K., but is incompatible with it. “By its very fettering of […]

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ABC Council Business Election 2022 Government Lurgan Politics Upper Bann

Increased All Ireland Trade Good For Economy- Mackle

Sinn Féin council group leader Liam Mackle has said increased all-Ireland trade is good for our economy and is creating jobs and prosperity. The ABC representative said: “Over the past year there has been a significant increase in all-Ireland trade, the value of goods sold from north to south has increased by an unprecedented 65% to […]

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Community Election 2022 Government Politics South Down Stormont

McKevitt: Parties Cannot Whitewash Bedroom Tax Record

SDLP Crotlieve Councillor Karen McKevitt has said that parties that voted for the bedroom tax cannot whitewash their record which has hurt struggling families. Cllr. McKevitt was responding after Sinn Féin Vice President Michelle O’Neill claimed the party had “binned the Bedroom Tax”. Sinn Féin, the DUP and the Alliance Party voted to introduce Tory […]

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Banbridge Election 2022 Government Politics Stormont Upper Bann

Unionist Consent Needed to Restore Stormont – Lockhart

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has expressed her frustration at the lack of progress in negotiations between the UK and EU over new arrangements to succeed the current Northern Ireland Protocol, and said the decision by Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to withdraw the First Minister from post was one that was regrettable but necessary. Carla Lockhart […]