Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party. MLA for North Antrim. Strong & strategic unionism. Service driven & solution focused so that NI works for everyone.
I’ve added Michelle O’Neill’s “final days” of the Union to my graphic outlining the many such predictions by Sinn Fein politicians going back to 2003. It’s a long list.
Minister Muir described the review he commissioned into the Fivemiletown cattle cull as “comprehensive”. Yet, he cannot answer how many rounds were discharged and claims that’s for “security reasons”. An irrational claim.
Pat and other members of Sinn Fein have been targeting me for weeks. He even claimed last night the PSNI had “got rid of me”. This is the toxic vitriol they engage in and blame on everyone else. Pathetic really. Let’s debate on facts & not hurl insults.
I hope no-one calls it politicking to say that tonight I agreed with every single Lisnasharragh resident that said to me “It’s freezing”!
But I’ll always take a chance to get out for myself and @KathrynOwen_1! (Hopefully I’m saying the same in December😅)
#Lisnasharkey
“Some Alliance representatives are asking ‘Where is Naomi?”
@SuzyJourno says “Alliance holds the record of never losing an Assembly seat. This time about half of their seats are at risk.”
Listen to the full podcast 👇
https://t.co/bniGE9jofC
🚗Car insurance costs are a huge burden on drivers in Northern Ireland & higher than elsewhere in the UK. This is partially due to the lack of regulation of Claims Management Companies in NI. Today I have tabled an amendment to include CMCs in NI under FCA regulation.
School terror bomb threat hoax: 'Utterly reprehensible' culprits should be ashamed of inflicting fear on children, says teachers' body https://t.co/OIF5HKPa3B
🤝 Working together for better health: The Health Deal
Health Minister Robbie Butler has launched The Health Deal, a new partnership between the public and Health and Social Care, shaped by conversations with over 11,000 people across Northern Ireland.
"I believe health is a social contract, and it must be something that is done with people, not to them."
The HSC's part of the deal 👇
📅 Making it easier to get an appointment when you need one
⏳ Focusing on reducing waiting times across the system
❌ Making it easier to cancel appointments you no longer need, so they can be given to someone else
🚶 Making it easier to be more active and live a healthier lifestyle
Your part 👇
💚 Taking whatever steps you can to look after yourself and the people in your life, like being more active and spending more time outside with those you care about
"We've already spoken to over 11,000 people to help shape The Health Deal. But that's just the start."
I welcome the Education Minister’s decision to allow officials to attend committee again. I advocated using our legal powers to summon them if necessary. Scrutiny is vital, but so is responsible conduct. Pat Sheehan should reflect on his own.
The stand-off between the Department of Education and its scrutiny committee at Stormont has come to an end, after Education Minister Paul Givan backed down on his order for officials to boycott meetings.
https://t.co/8bkzg0DZqT
Diana Armstrong MLA to speak at launch event
The case for Northern Ireland
Register at https://t.co/zuTdTiItIO
🗓️ Monday 16th November
⏰ 7.30pm to 9.00pm
📍 Queen's University Belfast
We're delighted that Diana Armstrong MLA will speak on the economy panel at the launch of our first report, The case for Northern Ireland.
Diana is the Deputy Leader of the UUP and MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone. She chairs the Assembly's Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. Before entering politics, Diana worked in advertising and in Brussels in the office of the Vice President of the European Commission.
Join us as we launch the report, hear about the opportunities for growth in our economy, and start the conversation about where Northern Ireland goes next.
Register at https://t.co/zuTdTiItIO
Free hospital parking was written into law, then postponed most recently because the money wasn’t there. We can’t agree a budget or fund public sector pay rises. We face ballot action. We’ve told the Treasury we’ve searched down the back of every sofa. Yet an unfunded private member’s Bill has added another £30 million a year cost to Education. No child should go hungry. But passing a Bill doesn’t pay the bill or target the support. Where will the money come from and what gets cut?
Political unionism was accused of “not caring” about poverty as a bill aimed at tackling holiday hunger was passed in the Assembly tonight.
https://t.co/rLqVJGElsK
I’m delighted to be launching Renew NI.
Our team believe there is a stronger, more confident case to be made for Northern Ireland. We believe this place has enormous potential. Our aim is to contribute ideas, evidence and practical solutions to the challenges we face.
More than 6,000 people have backed a campaign to save a village primary school from closure.
Pupils, parents, teachers and politicians from across the political spectrum brought their fight to Stormont this week.
https://t.co/6HZhu7ISlr
The Finance Minister has launched a consultation on family law reform including legislation to restrict parental responsibility of those convicted of serious offences.
🐄 The Fivemiletown report landed today.
51 cattle were shot by DAERA marksmen. The Department still cannot tell you how many times those animals were shot.
No record was kept. ❌
Farmers deserve answers.