Latest news with #MichelleONeill
BreakingNews.ie
8 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
- Business
- BBC News
Belfast: Derelict railway arches set to be transformed
Long-running plans to turn derelict railway arches in Belfast into a community and commercial space have moved a step closer.A gym and a restaurant are among the facilities earmarked for the eight arches, close to Lanyon Place scheme, known as the Tunnels Project, is based in the inner city area known as the Market Development Association (MDA) has been working on the project for the past 15 years, and has been boosted by £2m of funding from the Executive Office at Stormont. First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the work done by MDA was a "blueprint" for other community organisations. Fionntán Hargey, director of the association, said he hoped the arches below East Bridge Street would be transformed by 2028, with work beginning by the end of next said: "We are looking at providing a gym and a bar-restaurant. It will create jobs in the area but also provide services for the wider city."Full planning approval has yet to be given, but Mr Hargey is confident the plans will soon become a said: "Anything that could go wrong has already went wrong in the last 15 years. The community has been tenacious enough to overcome all those challenges and problems and we're now on the home run."The regeneration of the arches is part of a wider £6m redevelopment project, which was outlined on Wednesday at an event at a local youth are also plans to convert an old building, St Malachy's Convent School at Sussex Place into a heritage and visitor centre. Local resident Christine Farmer said: "There have been struggles and knockdowns but we've come back again to make them work."Another resident, Dionne Ward, said: "It's absolutely amazing to see a working class community come so far. Everybody who is involved should be so proud." Belfast City Council, Queen's University, the National Lottery Community Fund and Radius Housing have all supported projects in the plan is that the eight arches, or tunnels, will mainly be used for a gym and community facilities, but one will be reserved as a walkway for pedestrians. The hope is that it will improve connections within the inner city.
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.'
BreakingNews.ie
3 days ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
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. Advertisement 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. First Minister Michelle O'Neill, left, and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly introduced the legislation on Monday (Liam McBurney/PA) 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'. Advertisement 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 29th, 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement '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.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Northern Ireland: Police deploy water cannon against rioters
Northern Ireland saw clashes on the fifth consecutive night as anti-immigrant protesters attacked police officers. Riot police were attacked with petrol bombs, fireworks, and bottles, reported DPA news agency. "Last night in Portadown police came under sustained attack from rioters throwing masonry and other missiles," Ryan Henderson, Assistant Chief Constable with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) told AFP news agency. The PSNI used water canons to disperse crowds twice around midnight local time. Henderson said police presence would be increased across Northern Ireland over the weekend "to reassure our communities and protect our streets". Some 63 officers have been injured in the violent protests that first began in Ballymena, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from Portadown. Authorities have arrested 15 people and charged four, most of whom are teenagers. The city of Derry/Londonderry also saw riots and damage to public property. Unrest also spread to the towns of Larne, Belfast and Coleraine. "What we have seen over the last four days has been devastation, has been horrific for those people targeted — this is women and children, these are families, at the brunt of racist, violent attacks, and it is wrong on every level," First Minister Michelle O'Neill said. The first riots came after an alleged attempted rape of a young girl by two teenagers in Ballymena. Two teenagers were arrested and remain in custody. Police have not publicly declared their identities but asked for Romanian interpreters in court. Police said on Thursday that foreign nationals were forced to hide in wardrobes and attics due to the racist nature of the riots. "Stop this violence. We will come after you. We will arrest you. We will prosecute you successfully," said Northern Ireland police chief Jon Boutcher, calling the rioters "bigots and racists." He said the girl who was the survivor of the sexual assault had been "further traumatized" by the riots. Housing authority Northern Ireland Housing Executive said 14 families were given emergency accommodation and help had been extended to about 50 households this week. Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom, but was an area of violent conflict between republicans who want to unite the island of Ireland and unionists who want to remain part of the UK. The violence largely ended with the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, but tensions have increased since Brexit. Edited by: Alex Berry
