23 Jan, 2025 NI Executive agreement for Sign Language Bill Communities Minister Gordon Lyons MLA has today highlighted the support of Executive Ministers in agreeing to the introduction of the Sign Language Bill to the Assembly.
23 Jan, 2025 Firearms Licensing Delays Leave Northern Ireland Applicants Facing Mounting Costs - Lockhart Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has said the delays in processing new firearms licence applications in Northern Ireland are causing significant frustration and financial burden, with many applicants forced to store their firearms securely with registered keepers at a significant cost. The backlog, stemming from resourcing issues within the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) was highlighted in a recent response to Ms Lockhart when she raised the issue on behalf of a rural constituent. It is particularly affecting rural communities and farmers who depend on firearms for essential tasks such as pest control and animal welfare. The Firearms and Explosives Branch has confirmed that processing new applications can now take over 12 months, leaving applicants in limbo and financially struggling to comply with legal storage requirements. Carla Lockhart, MP has written to the Justice Minister to call for urgent action to address the delays and ensure additional resources are allocated to clear the backlog.
23 Jan, 2025 Schools to close due to Storm Éowyn All schools in Northern Ireland have been advised to close on Friday 24 January 2025.
22 Jan, 2025 Government must accept realities of Northern Ireland’s finances: Robinson DUP Leader Gavin Robinson has said the Labour Government must recognise the realities of Northern Ireland’s fiscal position and accept that their actions have made the delivery of public services in Northern Ireland more difficult.
22 Jan, 2025 Government must be clear in commitment to pension triple lock – Dodds DUP Peer Lord Dodds of Duncairn has challenged the Government in the House of Lords to reaffirm its commitment to the long-term future of the triple lock on state pensions.
21 Jan, 2025 DUP will oppose unlimited public funds to assisted suicide legislation DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP will be voting against a money resolution tomorrow in the House of Commons which would give uncapped spending to the development of the assisted suicide legislation.
21 Jan, 2025 Economy Minister must step up on childcare: Forsythe South Down MLA Diane Forsythe has called on the Economy Minister to step up and ensure the Executive Commitment is taken forward by all relevant Ministers and is not left solely to the Minister for Education.
21 Jan, 2025 Assembly reform can’t be an excuse to avoid finding agreement: Shannon Strangford MP Jim Shannon has said that calls to reform the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland should not simply be a cover by parties to exclude others who disagree with them.
20 Jan, 2025 Cllr Darryl Wilson joins the DUP DUP Leader Rt. Hon. Gavin Robinson MP has welcomed Ballymoney Councillor Darryl Wilson into the Democratic Unionist Party in North Antrim.
20 Jan, 2025 Robinson – “Government is wrong on this occasion” DUP Leader Rt. Hon. Gavin Robinson MP has said the Secretary of State’s decision not to activate the Stormont Brake to challenge an updated EU law (Regulation 2024/2865) affecting the labelling of chemicals, is wrong and will lead to additional trade friction for the flow of products between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.