
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has published two guides to help people and businesses navigate the new procedures to follow when moving animals, plants, food and feed from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, after the UK leaves the EU on the 1 January 2021. The Guidance for Authorised Traders (during […]
Dec 23 2020 | Posted in
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Education Minister, Peter Weir, has said that all schools and other education settings will reopen in the first week of January. The Minister said, “My main priority has always been to protect our children’s education, mental health and well-being. “I believe that this can best be achieved through face-to-face learning and […]
Dec 21 2020 | Posted in
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Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has called on the Education Minister to listen to the calls from parents, teachers and teaching unions and cancel transfer tests planned for the New Year. The Newry and Armagh MLA said, “Academic selection transfer tests are unfair and place huge stresses on children every year. […]
Dec 21 2020 | Posted in
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With Brexit just around the corner, The Consumer Council is concerned with reports of retailers and parcel operators withdrawing deliveries between Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland (NI). Kellin McCloskey, Head of Postal Policy at The Consumer Council, said, “In the last few days, some retailers and parcel operators have announced plans to […]
Dec 21 2020 | Posted in
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Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has welcomed the announcement from the Finance Minister that more than £20 million will be made available for the community and voluntary sector from the Dormant Accounts Fund. Liz Kimmins said, “I welcome the launch of the Dormant Accounts Fund by Finance Minister Conor Murphy. “This […]
Dec 21 2020 | Posted in
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The Consumer Council is concerned that consumers in Northern Ireland could face potential new difficulties when shopping online from 1 January 2021, following the end of the transition period. Customs administration could be applied to parcels arriving in Northern Ireland from GB, which will likely lead to higher costs, delays and reduced choice […]
Dec 18 2020 | Posted in
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Newry and Armagh Alliance representative Jackie Coade has welcomed progress regarding the Northern Ireland protocol but has expressed a need for more work to be done. Speaking to Newry Times, Ms Coade said, “The Protocol is the product of Brexit itself and the particular choices made by the UK to leave both the […]
Dec 18 2020 | Posted in
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Health Minister Robin Swann has underlined his determination to see visits for care home residents facilitated across Northern Ireland over Christmas and into the New Year. Under Department of Health visiting guidance issued in September, all care homes should facilitate a range of methods that provide for safely managed and meaningful contact between […]
Dec 18 2020 | Posted in
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SDLP Health Spokesperson, Colin McGrath MLA has welcomed the announcement from Minister Swann that he has launched a consultation into statutory opt-out for organ donation. The South Down MLA commented, “This is fantastic news. “And I want to pay tribute to all those who campaigned so hard for this, mostly the […]
Dec 17 2020 | Posted in
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The Economy Minister Diane Dodds has reiterated her call for businesses to check their preparedness for the end of the transition period. She was speaking after recently joining the agendaNi Annual Northern Ireland Economic Conference. Speaking after the online conference the Minister said, “We must do all we can to be […]
Dec 16 2020 | Posted in
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