Latest news with #EmmaLittlePengelly
The Independent
3 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Deputy FM accuses Leo Varadkar of reinventing himself after Irish unity comments
Northern Ireland's deputy First Minister has accused former taoiseach Leo Varadkar of 'reinventing himself' over comments he made about Irish unity. Emma Little-Pengelly took a swipe at the former Fine Gael leader after he said that Irish unity would become 'centre stage' if Reform leader Nigel Farage was elected UK prime minister. Mr Varadkar said if Mr Farage became prime minister, it would 'change the pictures in terms of attitudes towards independence in Scotland', and change the views of some people in the middle ground in Northern Ireland. Mr Varadkar said he believes planning for a united Ireland should be happening, but that a date should not be fixed as the numbers to win a vote are not in place. He added: 'I don't think a united Ireland is inevitable, I think it's something that we have to work towards. 'But I think there are a lot of factors that would suggest that we're on that trajectory. 'Demographic factors, polling, even the most recent numbers showing that a very clear majority of younger people in Northern Ireland want there to be a new united Ireland.' However, speaking in Armagh at the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) on Friday, Ms Little-Pengelly said that Mr Varadkar is 'entitled to reinvent himself in whatever way that he so chooses'. 'But he is wrong in terms of the trajectory, I think, when you look at people in Northern Ireland voting for nationalist parties, that hasn't moved since 1998, still in and around the 40%, that hasn't increased,' she said. 'And while there's more complexity in terms of the voting beyond that, everyone else is either voting for a proactively Unionist party or parties who explicitly say that they do not want to be focused or agitate for constitutional change. 'There hasn't been any significant shift in that. There's nothing, in my view, to say that the trajectory is such that this inevitability. I don't accept that it is an inevitability, but for my part, I do believe that the focus should be on around uniting the people of Northern Ireland together. 'That very much a focus on reconciliation, but a focus on actually serving their needs. 'While others are preoccupied by these big constitutional debates, for me, it should be about getting on and actually delivering the education system our people want. 'The tackling those big health waiting lists, tackling those big issues that face us here in Northern Ireland, because that's what's impacting on people's lives, day in and day out.' Taosieach Micheal Martin said his focus is on the 'reconciliation' between all traditions on the island, as well as the United Kingdom and Ireland's relationship. 'I'm very much focused on the hard ground, building relationships. I think what we're doing today is part of that agenda,' he said. 'I'm not going to anticipate what's going to happen in the British election in two or three years time. 'I've often said to Leo, don't always be obsessed with the opinion polls, because they give a different result. 'My own experience bears that out. Point is, I don't know what is going to happen in the British election.' He added: 'Our agenda has to be to try and use the this moment to advance issues of common interest and to get things done. 'We have witnessed a significant change in the relationship between the United Kingdom government and the Irish Government on a number of fronts.' Tanaiste Simon Harris said that every taoiseach aspires to see 'our country united'. He added: 'But we do have a huge amount of work to do, and I share the Taoiseach's view in relation to that body of work. 'At the moment, I think relations between the British and Irish governments are at the best they have been in a very long time. 'We have good and honourable interlocutors in London working with, I hope, what they find to be good and honourable interlocutors in Dublin and in Belfast. 'So whilst I certainly don't think Leo's comments are wrong, I think that's where the focus of the Irish Government is at in the here and now.' Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the 'prudent' thing to do is to plan for what is 'potentially' happening in years to come. She said it is possible to 'chew gum and walk at the same time'. 'I think we can have good relationships, build good relationships. That's always going to be a good thing,' the Sinn Fein MLA said. 'I think we can cooperate on our own mutual interest that we're talking about today here at the North South Ministerial Council. 'Equally, I think we have to plan for constitutional change and set out the argument so people can make mature, rational decisions about what world they see themselves. 'We all have a stake in the future, so let's now plan for it.'
BreakingNews.ie
4 hours ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Leo Varadkar accused of reinventing himself after Irish unity comments
Northern Ireland's deputy First Minister has accused former taoiseach Leo Varadkar of 'reinventing himself' over comments he made about Irish unity. Emma Little-Pengelly took a swipe at the former Fine Gael leader after he said that Irish unity would become 'centre stage' if Reform leader Nigel Farage was elected UK prime minister. Advertisement Mr Varadkar said if Mr Farage became UK prime minister, it would 'change the pictures in terms of attitudes towards independence in Scotland', and change the views of some people in the middle ground in Northern Ireland. Former taoiseach Leo Varadkar in conversation with Rev Karen Sethuraman at St Mary's University College, Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA) Mr Varadkar said he believes planning for a united Ireland should be happening, but that a date should not be fixed as the numbers to win a vote are not in place. He added: 'I don't think a united Ireland is inevitable, I think it's something that we have to work towards. 'But I think there are a lot of factors that would suggest that we're on that trajectory. Advertisement 'Demographic factors, polling, even the most recent numbers showing that a very clear majority of younger people in Northern Ireland want there to be a new united Ireland.' However, speaking in Armagh at the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) on Friday, Ms Little-Pengelly said that Mr Varadkar is 'entitled to reinvent himself in whatever way that he so chooses'. 'But he is wrong in terms of the trajectory, I think, when you look at people in Northern Ireland voting for nationalist parties, that hasn't moved since 1998, still in and around the 40%, that hasn't increased,' she said. 'And while there's more complexity in terms of the voting beyond that, everyone else is either voting for a proactively Unionist party or parties who explicitly say that they do not want to be focused or agitate for constitutional change. Advertisement 'There hasn't been any significant shift in that. There's nothing, in my view, to say that the trajectory is such that this inevitability. I don't accept that it is an inevitability, but for my part, I do believe that the focus should be on around uniting the people of Northern Ireland together. 'That very much a focus on reconciliation, but a focus on actually serving their needs. 'While others are preoccupied by these big constitutional debates, for me, it should be about getting on and actually delivering the education system our people want. 'The tackling those big health waiting lists, tackling those big issues that face us here in Northern Ireland, because that's what's impacting on people's lives, day in and day out.' Advertisement Taosieach Micheál Martin said his focus is on the 'reconciliation' between all traditions on the island, as well as the United Kingdom and Ireland's relationship. 'I'm very much focused on the hard ground, building relationships. I think what we're doing today is part of that agenda,' he said. 'I'm not going to anticipate what's going to happen in the British election in two or three years time. 'I've often said to Leo, don't always be obsessed with the opinion polls, because they give a different result. Advertisement 'My own experience bears that out. Point is, I don't know what is going to happen in the British election.' Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the 'prudent' thing to do is to plan for what is 'potentially' happening in years to come (Liam McBurney/PA) He added: 'Our agenda has to be to try and use the this moment to advance issues of common interest and to get things done. 'We have witnessed a significant change in the relationship between the United Kingdom government and the Irish Government on a number of fronts.' Tánaiste Simon Harris said that every taoiseach aspires to see 'our country united'. He added: 'But we do have a huge amount of work to do, and I share the Taoiseach's view in relation to that body of work. 'At the moment, I think relations between the British and Irish governments are at the best they have been in a very long time. 'We have good and honourable interlocutors in London working with, I hope, what they find to be good and honourable interlocutors in Dublin and in Belfast. 'So whilst I certainly don't think Leo's comments are wrong, I think that's where the focus of the Irish Government is at in the here and now.' Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the 'prudent' thing to do is to plan for what is 'potentially' happening in years to come. She said it is possible to 'chew gum and walk at the same time'. 'I think we can have good relationships, build good relationships. That's always going to be a good thing,' the Sinn Fein MLA said. 'I think we can cooperate on our own mutual interest that we're talking about today here at the North South Ministerial Council. 'Equally, I think we have to plan for constitutional change and set out the argument so people can make mature, rational decisions about what world they see themselves. 'We all have a stake in the future, so let's now plan for it.'
BreakingNews.ie
15 hours ago
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Tariffs and gender-based violence on agenda for North South Ministerial Council
The leaders of the governments of Ireland and Northern Ireland will discuss the impact of international tariffs on their respective economies during a major summit on Friday. International trade shocks are high on the agenda as Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly are due to chair a meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) in Armagh. Advertisement It will be the first time the Irish Cabinet meets collectively with the Northern Ireland Executive since the formation of the Government. Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris are among members of the Government attending the 29th plenary meeting of the body. Mr Martin, who also attended the British-Irish Council in Newcastle, Co Down, last week, said he welcomed that the NSMC was also being held in Northern Ireland. 'Today's meeting is an opportunity to discuss areas of shared focus and ambition across our two administrations, North and South, as outlined in our respective programmes for government, including on this occasion the challenges of tackling gender-based violence, and the opportunities to work more effectively across the island to achieve that aim,' he said. Advertisement 'The meeting is also an opportunity to consider the wider context in which business and trade on this island function and how we can respectively and jointly ensure economic opportunity for all parts of the island into the future. 'The ongoing work of the NSMC and of all ministers present is vital to harnessing the full potential of our shared island and enhancing co-operation, connection and mutual understanding across communities. I look forward to our discussions with Executive counterparts to further co-operation and help deliver tangible positive outcomes North and South.' Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly during the British-Irish Council summit in Co Down (Liam McBurney/PA) Mr Harris said he was anticipating a 'substantive and productive exchange of views' across a range of important issues. 'We will be continuing the very good conversations we had at the British-Irish Council summit in Co Down last week, the latest in what are regular and ongoing contacts between the two administrations, at both political and official level,' he said. Advertisement 'Much has changed since we last met in this format, in September, with events in the international sphere meaning that we are all dealing with a very different set of challenges than before. 'One of the issues of most concern right now is the application by the US of international trade tariffs, and the potentially serious implications for our respective economies, and for the island as a whole. 'In that regard, I remain in ongoing contact with the First Minister, deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy, and our respective trade policy experts are also in touch.'
BBC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Emma Little-Pengelly: Man jailed for threatening posts to DUP politicians
A Belfast man who sent threatening online messages to Northern Ireland's deputy first minister and smashed the windows of a party colleague's office has been Little-Pengelly of the Democratic Unionist Party ( DUP) was so scared after the posts on Twitter, now X, that she considered moving from her Thomas Curragh, 34, from Whincroft Road, was given a 31-month sentence, half to be spent in custody and half on had previously pleaded guilty to three charges of criminal damage and one of threatening communications. 'Death threat' Belfast Crown Court heard that Curragh posted a series of tweets about Emma Little-Pengelly on 8 July also posted a video which appeared to be pointing in the direction of Little-Pengelly's this video Curragh can be heard saying Little-Pengelly had a "death threat on her head from members of her own party and the people who she goes shopping to are telling me where she lives".In another video, Curragh said: "It's a real shame I can't upload where I am... but I hope you're alive by the time I get uploading Emma.''Little-Pengelly was made aware of the posts and recognised the defendant from his profile photograph. She recalled meeting him in a local shop when he had sworn at court heard that on 13 July, Curragh was interviewed by police. He admitted causing the criminal damage on 12 July and posting online about Little-Pengelly but denied further charges of criminal damage in December 2023, involving DUP assembly member Joanne Bunting. Jolene Bunting's office attacked On 8 December, Bunting left her constituency office on the Knock Road in following day she received a text message from her landlord informing her that the premises had been windows in the office had been posted a series of messages on his Twitter feed in the early hours of 9 December, in which indicated he caused the posted one message 15 minutes before he targeted the premises saying: "Ready to be a target DUP" alongside a GIF showing two men, one of whom was masked. About 10 minutes after the incident, Curran posted another tweet which said "Always mark for payback DUP".Later that day, Curragh tweeted a narrated video depicting a window breaking with the comment "Hi DUP remember me" and an explosion became aware of a second attack on her office on 12 July viewed CCTV which showed a male smashing windows both at her office and at an office next was stopped by police at Roddens Park in possession of a two-foot long silver breaker was non-cooperative, police had to use force to control him inside the police vehicle and he told officers he had found the bar. 'I hated my own house' Both Bunting and Little-Pengelly provided written victim impact described the "upset, hurt and fear'' she had felt following the attacks on her constituency said her staff "remained in fear of violence''.Little-Pengelly said the incident "affected me deeply, made me feel uncomfortable and I hated my own house''.The deputy first minister said that initially she "felt apprehensive and felt alone without my husband there". 'Entirely irrational thinking' Following his guilty pleas, Curragh spoke to a probation officer and said that after he got out of prison he planned to leave Northern Ireland as it was "so bloody divided''.The probation officer noted Curragh presented as paranoid, claiming telephone calls in the prison were recorded. Defence counsel Richard McConkey KC said Curragh needed a mental health assessment but the defendant had rejected McConkey added that Curragh had some "difficulties in his personal life in the previous nine years culminating in his offending behaviour''.Judge Gordon Kerr KC said: "It is more and more common these days for public figures, including politicians, to be abused online."And that abuse, as proved in this case, went well beyond any accepted level of criticism."This is a young man who during the course of a number of interviews giving explanations for the behaviour displayed entirely irrational thinking."Curragh also received a seven-year restraining order on Curragh and was warned not to have contact with his victims.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Plans for mother and baby home victims and survivors deemed ‘kick in the teeth'
Proposals for victims and survivors of mother and baby institutions, Magdalene Laundries and workhouses have been described as a 'kick in the teeth'. Concern has been expressed that 'huge swathes' of potential applicants to a long awaited redress scheme are set to be excluded. More than 14,000 women and girls are thought to have passed through the institutions, with many found to have been mistreated, held against their will and forced to give up children for adoption. They were run by the Catholic Church, religious orders, some Protestant denominations as well as the State, with some in operation until 1995. First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly on Monday introduced legislation to establish an inquiry into the institutions and an associated redress scheme. Ms O'Neill said they hope the legislation 'demonstrates our sincere commitment to respecting and fulfilling the wishes of those who for many decades have suffered and been silenced'. The Executive Bill is to establish a statutory public inquiry and a statutory redress scheme at an estimated cost of £80 million, which includes almost £60 million in initial redress payments to cover about 6,600 claims. Each eligible claimant is to receive a payment of £10,000, and a £2,000 payment will be made to each eligible family member on behalf of a loved one who has died since September 29, 2011. A further Individually Assessed Payment (IAP) for the specific harm suffered by an individual is to follow the public inquiry. The ministers also met with survivors of the institutions on Monday. However some who attended the meeting expressed concern over those who are excluded by the proposals. The legal firm KRW Law, which represents many of the victims and survivors, described 'huge disquiet over the prospective exclusion of many survivors'. They said the cut-off for posthumous claims for deceased birth mothers and children of 2011 'cuts out a huge swathe of prospective applicants', while victims of work houses appear to be excluded, and the 'blanket removal' of foster care home survivors. There is also concern around the limit on the sum proposed by way of interim payment with no allowance for inflation. Solicitor Aine Rice, of KRW's historic abuse team, said they reject the current proposals as 'unfit for purpose'. She said: 'So much work has been put in by many people to get to this stage only for it to be undone in one fell swoop. 'There's an insensitivity underpinning all of this which makes it galling. 'We reject the current proposals as unfit for purpose. More, much more, needs done to address the imbalance in play here. We need to see a complete U-turn by the time we reach the next stage of the Bill, but time is running out fast. 'We are told that many are thinking of leaving the consultation forum and threatening protest.' Institution survivor Marie Arbuckle said the latest proposals are a 'kick in the teeth for many survivors'. She added: 'It seems to me that the Government hasn't listened to us properly at all. 'Why do a consultation in the first place if the wishes and hopes of survivors aren't taken on board? 'I don't think lessons have been learned from what happened in the south of Ireland. 'The understandable drive to save money has simply gone too far, and all at the expense of the wishes of victims. 'We have lost all confidence in the process we worked so hard on for the last three years.'
