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01/10/2021
Other News In Brief
DUP Call For The Queen To Be Invited To Stormont For Platinum Jubilee
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has written to the First and Deputy First Minister to request that they issue an invitation to Her Majesty The Queen to visit the grounds of Stormont Estate as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations next year.
Carla Lockhart said: "In 2012 thousands of people congregated in the grounds of Stormont Estate to greet Her Majesty, and the Duke of Edinburgh, to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee. It was an incredibly special day, and one that everyone in attendance remembers with great fondness.
"As we look towards the Platinum Jubilee next year, a similar opportunity to express our affection, our thanks, and loyalty to Her Majesty The Queen would be something widely supported across Northern Ireland. I have no doubt that once again the Stormont Estate would be thronged with people wanting to be part of such a special, historic occasion.
"I have written to the First and Deputy First Minister requesting that the Northern Ireland Executive issue an open invitation to replicate that memorable 2012 occasion for the Platinum Jubilee. I trust the Executive will do this, and that this invitation would be met with approval by Her Majesty and form part of the national celebration of her incredible reign."
Threats Made Against Swann 'Appalling And Absolutely Disgraceful'
Threats made against Health Minister Robin Swann have been described as "appalling and absolutely disgraceful" by Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew.
The Chair of the Health Committee said: "The recent threats directed towards the Health Minister are appalling and absolutely disgraceful.
"My thoughts first and foremost are with Robin and his family at this time.
"There is no place for this in society.
"Robin has been the health minister throughout this particularly difficult time when we have all been facing a global pandemic and that makes these threats even more despicable.
"The Health Minister and all elected representatives must be free to do their work free from harassment and threats."
Finance Minister Visits Lisburn Businesses
The Finance Minister Conor Murphy has visited a number of businesses in Lisburn to see first-hand how they have benefitted from the financial support provided by the Department during the pandemic.
Businesses in the Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council received more than £47m of financial support through various grant schemes and rates holidays. Minister Murphy was keen to meet businesses to find out more about how the financial support helped them and to discuss their plans for the future.
Speaking after the visits to social enterprise business, Stepping Stones and local coffee shop, Wallace and Donut, Minister Murphy said: "During the pandemic my Department worked extremely hard to deliver financial support to businesses. It is so encouraging to get the opportunity to visit some of the businesses that benefitted from that support, which was a lifeline for many.
"As the Executive prepares to set a three-year budget it was also good to discuss businesses' future plans. Smaller hospitality businesses have been particularly hard hit during the pandemic and the importance of regeneration in our town and city centres, as well as the upcoming rates revaluation, are key issues for these small business owners.
"I am a keen supporter of social enterprise and meeting the trainees and staff at Stepping Stones has been a highlight. The charity provides a range of training initiatives, enhancing the skills and confidence of people with learning difficulties and offering real opportunities for employment through business partnerships and at its own enterprises here in Lisburn.
"Stepping Stones is a great example of how a social enterprise can be an invaluable part of the local community and I'm glad we were able to support them during a difficult time."
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has written to the First and Deputy First Minister to request that they issue an invitation to Her Majesty The Queen to visit the grounds of Stormont Estate as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations next year.
Carla Lockhart said: "In 2012 thousands of people congregated in the grounds of Stormont Estate to greet Her Majesty, and the Duke of Edinburgh, to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee. It was an incredibly special day, and one that everyone in attendance remembers with great fondness.
"As we look towards the Platinum Jubilee next year, a similar opportunity to express our affection, our thanks, and loyalty to Her Majesty The Queen would be something widely supported across Northern Ireland. I have no doubt that once again the Stormont Estate would be thronged with people wanting to be part of such a special, historic occasion.
"I have written to the First and Deputy First Minister requesting that the Northern Ireland Executive issue an open invitation to replicate that memorable 2012 occasion for the Platinum Jubilee. I trust the Executive will do this, and that this invitation would be met with approval by Her Majesty and form part of the national celebration of her incredible reign."
Threats Made Against Swann 'Appalling And Absolutely Disgraceful'
Threats made against Health Minister Robin Swann have been described as "appalling and absolutely disgraceful" by Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew.
The Chair of the Health Committee said: "The recent threats directed towards the Health Minister are appalling and absolutely disgraceful.
"My thoughts first and foremost are with Robin and his family at this time.
"There is no place for this in society.
"Robin has been the health minister throughout this particularly difficult time when we have all been facing a global pandemic and that makes these threats even more despicable.
"The Health Minister and all elected representatives must be free to do their work free from harassment and threats."
Finance Minister Visits Lisburn Businesses
The Finance Minister Conor Murphy has visited a number of businesses in Lisburn to see first-hand how they have benefitted from the financial support provided by the Department during the pandemic.
Businesses in the Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council received more than £47m of financial support through various grant schemes and rates holidays. Minister Murphy was keen to meet businesses to find out more about how the financial support helped them and to discuss their plans for the future.
Speaking after the visits to social enterprise business, Stepping Stones and local coffee shop, Wallace and Donut, Minister Murphy said: "During the pandemic my Department worked extremely hard to deliver financial support to businesses. It is so encouraging to get the opportunity to visit some of the businesses that benefitted from that support, which was a lifeline for many.
"As the Executive prepares to set a three-year budget it was also good to discuss businesses' future plans. Smaller hospitality businesses have been particularly hard hit during the pandemic and the importance of regeneration in our town and city centres, as well as the upcoming rates revaluation, are key issues for these small business owners.
"I am a keen supporter of social enterprise and meeting the trainees and staff at Stepping Stones has been a highlight. The charity provides a range of training initiatives, enhancing the skills and confidence of people with learning difficulties and offering real opportunities for employment through business partnerships and at its own enterprises here in Lisburn.
"Stepping Stones is a great example of how a social enterprise can be an invaluable part of the local community and I'm glad we were able to support them during a difficult time."
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13 March 2020
'Finance Minister Must Assist Businesses Through Coronavirus'
The Finance Minister has come under pressure to introduce measures to assist businesses suffering a downturn in trade as a result of coronavirus. Alliance MLA Andrew Muir said a number of firms are currently experiencing difficult times as customer habits change in response to the worldwide viral outbreak.
'Finance Minister Must Assist Businesses Through Coronavirus'
The Finance Minister has come under pressure to introduce measures to assist businesses suffering a downturn in trade as a result of coronavirus. Alliance MLA Andrew Muir said a number of firms are currently experiencing difficult times as customer habits change in response to the worldwide viral outbreak.
22 April 2021
Applications Open To Over 1,100 Businesses For Grant Scheme
Applications are now open to over 1,100 businesses across a wide range of sectors for a one-off £50,000 grant to help them with the impact of Covid-19.
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13 January 2016
Mervyn Storey Appointed Finance Minister
First Minister Arlene Foster has appointed Mervyn Storey as the new Finance Minister. He replaces Mrs Foster who previously held the post before she was announced as the new First Minister on Monday after Peter Robinson stepped down.
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12 January 2016
Arlene Foster To Appoint New Finance Minister
NI First Minister Arlene Foster is expected to appoint a new Finance Minister today, 12 January. The DUP Leader, who previously held the post, was announced as the First Minister on Monday after Peter Robinson stepped down. The Northern Ireland Assembly is to break up in March to allow an election campaign to start.
Arlene Foster To Appoint New Finance Minister
NI First Minister Arlene Foster is expected to appoint a new Finance Minister today, 12 January. The DUP Leader, who previously held the post, was announced as the First Minister on Monday after Peter Robinson stepped down. The Northern Ireland Assembly is to break up in March to allow an election campaign to start.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
