Young people from across Northern Ireland were invited to the prestigious Stormont Long Gallery this week to showcase their art and creativity to mark 15 years of the Arts Care Twilight Zone Project. The event saw eight young people between the ages of 12 and 18 gather at Parliament Buildings to present their artwork to […]
Following publication of the House of Lords’ NI Scrutiny Committee’s report on ‘Strengthening Northern Ireland’s Voice in the Context of the Windsor Framework’, Alan Lowry, FSB’s NI Chair welcomed the report’s call on the UK Government to acknowledge that the Windsor Framework isn’t working for businesses as envisaged and to work to address these problems well
FSB NI Welcomes House Of Lords’ NI Scrutiny Committee Windsor Framework Report Read More »
The Regional Coordinator of SMART Recovery, Vivian McKinnon has called on politicians to restore the assembly to ensure funding reaches those in crisis. Since the collapse of the Northern Ireland Assembly two years ago, there has been a slow decay in public services across the country, with those most vulnerable being hit hardest. “In the
Suicide Rising As Stormont Sleeps: “Something Needs Done” Says Wellness Consultant Read More »
Tuesday 28th August 2018 will always be remembered as a dark day for Northern Ireland. It marked 589 days without a functioning government, surpassing the previous record held by Belgium and it also saw one of the oldest living buildings in Belfast go up in flames before our eyes. Since the DUP and Sinn Fein
The Fall Of Stormont And The Primark Fire: What Do The Public Think? Read More »
Paddy Irishman and Paddy Ulster-Scotsman found themselves tied up in a sale. “Refurbished, Good Ford Anglia. Numerous previous owners (engine wrecked!). Obvious TLC required.” In the end, the potential buyers were put off by the language. The current owner just couldn’t sell it. A cabal of Arlene Foster’s party colleagues simply aren’t interested in giving
Comment: Our Wheeler Dealers Are Reluctant To Salvage The Good Friday Agreement Read More »
I believe it was Mahatma Gandhi who said “The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.” By this principle our nation we call home, regardless of where you draw a border line, has nothing to be proud of. Since Stormont fell a year ago time and time
More Theatrics At Stormont As NI’s Vulnerable Lose Out On £19.2m Funding Read More »
WITH the prospect of talks beginning in a few days the bleak politics of 2017 might be put behind it if the parties can approach them with the interests of the populace at the centre of their thinking, rather than party politics. The obstacles may remain too high to overcome, however a concentrated period –
In this time of uncertainty in Northern Ireland it’s hard to know, as a citizen, what we really have control over. With Stormont still in crisis and Brexit looming over us it’s no wonder people are feeling lost, demoralised and let down by those we apparently elected to represent us. Interestingly, I’ve yet to bump
People Power Does Work: So Why Are The People Of Northern Ireland Silent? Read More »
WITH the ever-lengthening period without a devolved government Secretary of State, James Brokenshire, is now considering MLAs pay. Former Chief Executive of the Assembly, Trevor Reaney, has presented a report on what level of pay our elected representatives should receive plus their expenses and office staff salaries. At present MLAs receive £49,5000 (pre-tax) per year,
As The Stormont Crisis Rumbles On Brokenshire Finally Considering MLAs Pay Read More »
When Arlene Foster tumbled down the stone stairs of Stormont last Monday afternoon she was practically gasping. Panting. She could have almost burst into song, channeling her inner Andrea Corr – “Go on. Go on…Leave me breathless!” Word had come through of an imminent Brexit border deal that would grant Northern Ireland special status, separate
For more than 11 months Northern Ireland has been without a functioning government as the two largest political parties are deadlocked in round after round of political talks. With numerous deadlines having past the Secretary of State, James Brokenshire, has been forced to set a budget for the current financial year before departments ran out
5 Things You Should Know About The Crisis At Stormont Read More »
Despite Northern Ireland securing an extra £300m for the health budget in the hung Parliament deal with the Tories, plans have been revealed that will slash £70m from health trust funding, due to Stormont’s failure to form an Executive. On Tuesday August 22, Northern Ireland’s health trusts faced the biggest cash crises in their history,
The comb on James Brokenshire’s bathroom shelf is, by now, almost redundant. Clogged with months of greasy Brylcreem, loose hairs and lost hope, it will soon find its way to the bottom of the bin. There is a little alarm clock beside his four-poster bed, ticking; but its batteries are unlikely to stretch much beyond
London’s Calling: Sending Out An SOS From NI For Talks Leadership, Please! Read More »
Northern Ireland has become a Fairtrade devolved region after fulfilling the main targets of having all its five cities and six of its 11 councils attaining Fairtrade status to include their respective towns. The remaining councils are currently working towards the Fairtrade standard. Central government, higher education institutions, schools, places of worship, businesses and workplaces
Northern Ireland Achieves Fairtrade Region Status Read More »
I recently read an article in a Scottish newspaper about a 54-year-old man who had served his country, both in the armed forces and at The Olympics, and was now surviving with the help of Food Banks. But it was the next statistic that got me. In the city of Dundee, 145,900 three-day food packs
UK Food Bank Statistics: The Cost Of Low Wage Living Read More »
SUSSD has been launched today to give the Northern Ireland population the opportunity to get involved in the issues that matter to them before they’re debated at Stormont right from the palm of their hands. From health to education and the economy to agriculture, if you have an opinion you can voice it at SUSSD.
Take The Political Issues That Matter Into Your Own Hands With SUSSD Read More »
As Northern Ireland’s MLA’s sit up in the chamber today at Stormont, debating, deciding and voting on whether I, as gay man, should have the right to marry someone of the same-sex I’d like you to think about what it must be like to be LGBT not only in Northern Ireland but in general. From
