NEWS

Tens of thousands of road openings carried out by utility companies each year are contributing to the deterioration of Northern Ireland’s road network, Stormont’s Public Accounts Committee has warned — raising concerns that taxpayers may be footing the bill. In a critical report, MLAs said the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) cannot currently determine how much of the growing maintenance burden is linked to utility reinstatements, nor confirm that companies are covering t

Senior health officials are being hauled back before a Stormont committee this week after what has been branded an “unacceptable” response to mounting concerns over access to GP services in Northern Ireland. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will question Department of Health officials on Thursday, 26 March, following sharp criticism that progress on fixing the struggling primary care system lacks urgency, clarity and credible delivery timelines. “Deeply disappointed” by la

A major €40million funding programme aimed at transforming communities and strengthening relationships in Mid and East Antrim, across Northern Ireland and border regions is now fully open — offering local groups a rare chance to turn ideas into real-world impact. The PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme will provide grants of up to €100,000 for grassroots initiatives designed to bring people together across communities and borders, with a strong focus on building lasting

Northern Ireland’s overall sense of wellbeing has remained steady over the past year — but beneath the surface, new figures reveal a stubborn undercurrent of anxiety and loneliness affecting thousands of people. Fresh data published recently by The Executive Office shows that while life satisfaction, happiness and feelings of purpose remain high, around one in five people continue to experience high levels of anxiety , and nearly 18% report feeling lonely at least some of the

Jim Allister MP takes to the platform at the TUV’s annual conference in Cookstown Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister has delivered a scathing and wide-ranging critique of the Northern Ireland political landscape, warning that the region is being “sleepwalked out of the United Kingdom” under the current system. In a combative conference speech, Allister targeted the Windsor Framework, Stormont’s functioning, rival unionist parties, and the UK Government—framing the

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald is pictured at the Giant’s Causeway. Visitor numbers from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland surged in 2025, delivering a major boost to the local economy with spending jumping by almost a third in a single year. New figures show a 15% rise in trips from the south, alongside a striking 31% increase in visitor spending — a trend being hailed as a powerful sign of growing cross-border tourism momentum. Strong growth in trips and sp

Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) Leader Jon Burrows MLA, with party colleague, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt MLA Northern Ireland must continue to show up on the global stage or risk being left behind, Ulster Unionist Leader Jon Burrows MLA has said, following what he described as a “high impact” visit to Washington DC aimed at promoting the region’s economic and strategic strengths. Representing both Northern Ireland and his party in the US capital, Burrows positioned the trip a

A major legal change aimed at protecting young people across Northern Ireland is now underway, as legislation to raise the minimum age of marriage to 18 has been formally introduced at Stormont. Finance Minister John O’Dowd has brought forward the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill, which will end the current provision allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to marry with parental consent — a move he says is essential to safeguarding children and preventing harm. Stronger protections

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly with U.S. President Donald Trump. Northern Ireland’s global connections were placed firmly in the spotlight this week as deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly met U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, using the high-profile visit to promote the region’s strengths and historic transatlantic ties. The meeting formed a key part of her Washington visit, with a clear focus on showcasing what Northern Ireland has to offer o

A registered nurse has been fined after a court heard she was operating an unlicensed aesthetics clinic from her home, where prescription-only medicines were being stored and advertised illegally. Nafeyka Chavdarova, 44, from Portadown, appeared before Craigavon Magistrates’ Court where she pleaded guilty to nine offences under the Human Medicines Regulations. She was fined £720 and ordered to pay an offender levy. Unlicensed medicines seized The case arose following a visit

Inset: Cara Hunter MLA Households across Northern Ireland are feeling the strain of rising home heating oil prices, with one MLA warning that families are under increasing pressure and demanding urgent answers from government. East Londonderry SDLP MLA Cara Hunter has confirmed she has tabled a series of Assembly questions aimed at tackling what she describes as growing concerns over affordability, fairness and support for those most affected. Her intervention follows report

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir pictured with PSNI Superintendent Chris Hamill and NIFRS Area Commander Ryan Thompson as the department and agencies issue a reminder about wildfire season. A stark warning has been issued to the public as authorities move to a default ‘Yellow’ wildfire risk across Northern Ireland, with officials urging vigilance to prevent a repeat of last year’s devastating blazes. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Northern Ire

Recent flooding in the Antrim area. (Pic: Councillor Paul Dunlop BEM) A stark admission from Stormont has laid bare failings in the initial response to January’s flooding in Antrim, with South Antrim MP Robin Swann warning that residents were left vulnerable as unsuitable equipment struggled to keep pace with rising waters. In a letter responding to his concerns, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins confirmed that early efforts to tackle flooding in the Riverside area were i

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir speaking to more than 200 international guests at a St Patrick’s Day networking event in Brussels Northern Ireland’s agri-food sector has a “huge advantage” thanks to its dual access to both European Union and Great Britain markets, DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has said during a high-profile visit to Brussels. Speaking to more than 200 international guests at a St Patrick’s Day networking event, the Minister positioned Northern Ireland as uniquely p

Oil tanker Finance Minister John O’Dowd has criticised a new funding package aimed at helping households with rising heating oil costs, warning the support could amount to just £35 per home in Northern Ireland. The Minister said the £17.2 million allocated for heating oil support in 2026/27 is “disappointing and falls far short of what is needed” , given the region’s heavy reliance on oil for home heating. His comments follow confirmation from the UK Government that funding

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly in Washington DC last year. Northern Ireland will be firmly in the international spotlight this week as Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly travels to Washington, D.C. for a packed programme of events marking St Patrick’s Day. The deputy First Minister said the visit is a key opportunity to promote Northern Ireland internationally, strengthen economic ties with the United States, and champion local businesses on a global stage

Inset: Northern Ireland Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald Households facing a sudden surge in energy costs must receive urgent and meaningful support, Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald has said following discussions with the British Government. Speaking after a meeting on Saturday evening, 14 March, with Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Martin McCluskey MP, the Minister said intervention must be “meaningful, targete

(L-R): Dr Darren Mornin Principal of Limavady High School, Cian Canning Head Boy, St Mary's High School Limavady, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins, Harry Kealey, Head Boy, Limavady High School and Sean Mullan Principal of St Mary's High School. One of the biggest changes to driver licensing in Northern Ireland in almost 70 years is set to reshape how young people learn to drive — with new rules aimed at tackling the high number of serious road collisions involving new driv

(L-R) Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA, John Stewart MLA, Jon Burrows MLA, Prime Minister KeirStarmer, Secretary of State Hillary Benn MP and Chief Executive Jayne Murray. Ulster Unionist Party leaders have pressed Prime Minister Keir Starmer to deliver targeted support for households reliant on heating oil and increase defence investment in Northern Ireland during what they described as a “frank and constructive” meeting in Belfast. Party leader Jon Burrows MLA met the Prime Minister

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons pictured with Julia Cleeland, Operations Director, Mid & East Antrim Community Advice Service, and Paul Frew MLA at a recent visit to Mid & East Antrim Community Advice Service. A major programme designed to help people access debt advice earlier and more easily will continue into the next financial year after strong early results across Northern Ireland. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has confirmed that the Integrated Advice Partnership F