New Ulster Rugby 'Spirit Of '99' To Open On 25 November

Ulster Rugby has announced that the newly refurbished Spirit of '99 Lounge in the heart of the Grandstand at Kingspan Stadium will reopen for the next home fixture against Zebre Parma on Friday 25 November.

Themed as a tribute to the heroes of the 1999 European Cup winning team, the lounge will feature memorabilia from the unforgettable campaign, including the iconic replica of the European Cup trophy.

Spirit of ’99 Lounge packages include:

• Access to the Spirit of ’99 Lounge – a newly refurbished private lounge in the heart of the Grandstand (Block 3).

• Match ticket in Block 3 of the Grandstand (on the 22m line), with private access to seats.

• Themed plated main course served pre-match with sweet treats at half-time.

• Access to a private paid bar from 90 minutes pre-match right through until 60 minutes post-match.

• Wifi and large screens throughout the lounge.

Tickets for the Spirit of ’99 Lounge package are priced from £99, while Grandstand Season Ticket holders can upgrade on a match-by-match basis for £50. As a special opening night offer, tickets for the Zebre Parma fixture are available for £85 and £35 respectively.

UUP Welcomes Clarity That UK Govt Not Considering Joint Authority

The Ulster Unionist Party has welcomed clarification from the UK government that it "will not be considering Joint Authority for Northern Ireland".

Ulster Unionist Peer Lord Empey has received a written answer from NIO Minister Lord Caine, in which Lord Caine made the government's position clear.

Lord Empey said: "Recently there were a number of calls for joint authority between London and Dublin to be imposed if there is no restoration of an Executive at Stormont.

"The Ulster Unionist Party obviously rejects any idea of Joint Authority and would regard it as the clearest possible breach of the principle of consent, thereby dealing a fatal blow to the 1998 Belfast Agreement.

"Seeking clarity, I tabled a question asking His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for the establishment of joint authority over Northern Ireland by the UK and the government of the Republic of Ireland. (HL3051).

"I have now received a response and I welcome the clarity it provides. Lord Caine said ‘Joint authority is not and will not be considered by this Government. As we set out clearly in our Northern Ireland manifesto at the 2019 General Election, the consent principle in the 1998 Belfast Agreement governs the constitutional position of Northern Ireland. On that basis, Northern Ireland remains an integral part of the United Kingdom.'

Lord Caine also said that ‘the manifesto said: "A Conservative Government will always defend and uphold the consent principle as set out in the Belfast Agreement and we will never agree to any arrangements that are inconsistent with it". Our manifesto also set out our commitment to the long-established three-stranded approach to Northern Ireland affairs, under which internal, Strand One, matters are for the Northern Ireland parties and the United Kingdom government ultimately to decide. We will continue to stand by these manifesto commitments.'

"The Ulster Unionist Party welcomes this answer and the clarity it provides and trusts that this will put an end to talk of Joint Authority, which is as unhelpful as it is unwelcome."

SF Challenge Secretary Of State On £400 Energy Support Payment

Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard has challenged the British Secretary of State for clarity on when workers and families will receive the £400 energy support payment. 

Speaking after meeting Chris Heaton Harris in London today, Chris Hazzard said: "Today, we challenged the British Secretary of State over delays in getting the £400 energy support payment out to households in the north. 

"Workers and families are struggling to pay their bills. They need help now to get through a cold and difficult winter. 

"It's not good enough they still have no clarity on when they will get the money they were promised and are entitled to. 

"This money has been held up enough by the DUP's cruel boycott of the Executive. There must be no more delays. People need this money quickly."

The South Down MP made it clear to the British government that the prolonged state of limbo they have created is failing people in the north.

"I also made it clear to Chris Heaton Harris that the prolonged state of limbo facing our politics from British government indecision is failing people here.

"It's totally unacceptable that the Tories, along with the DUP, are fuelling instability and chaos and leaving people with no support during a cost-of-living crisis.

"People want parties working together in an Executive to put money in their pockets and fix the health service. That's why they voted in May.

"The British Secretary of State must clearly and quickly outline what the next steps are now and end the dithering and delays."