First Minister of Northern Ireland, vice president of Sinn Féin, MLA for Mid Ulster
The Northern Ireland Executive ‘is stable’ confirms First Minister Michelle O’Neill, following a range of recent controversies rocking Sinn Fein, but she admits that there will have been some impact on relationships following ‘a difficult period like the last number of weeks’.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly attended the first meeting of the newly established Council of the Nations and Regions on Friday. Held in Edinburgh, it brings the Prime Minister together with leaders from across the UK.
Former Sinn Féin press officer Michael McMonagle has admitted to several child sex offences and is awaiting sentencing, but it’s been revealed that two of his former colleagues provided references for him to gain employment at the British Heart Foundation, after his contract was terminated by the party.
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden MP has made his first visit to Northern Ireland after being appointed as Minister for Intergovernmental Relations. He met with Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly alongside NI Secretary Hilary Benn.
The leaders of the five main parties at Stormont have written to the Government calling them to restore funding for the remaining two City and Growth Deals, after they were paused on Friday evening by the Chancellor.
The Northern Ireland Executive has launched their ‘Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls’ in the Assembly today, with £3 million funding ringfenced to be invested in the strategy.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn has confirmed that the UK Government will not provide funding for Casement Park to allow it to be built in time for EURO 2028, meaning Belfast will not be able to participate in the UK and Ireland based tournament.
After the UK government’s decision to pause funding for city and growth deals until the spending review, Executive ministers have said they are “gravely concernced”, with Michelle O’Neill branding it as “unacceptable and deplorable”.
After the Chief Constable briefed a meeting of the Northern Ireland Executive on Thursday morning, ministers have stood united in calling for an end to violence and disorder. The Assembly also passed a motion condemning the violence after it was recalled from summer recess.
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