Paul Rankin (not the chef!)

Elected Councillor since May 2000, Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Lagan River DEA (Dromore area). Former LV MLA.

[Máiría Cahill @cahillbooks]

I have issued an official complaint to Sinn Féin's party president in both her role as a public representative and as a political office holder in respect of a number of individuals and safeguarding issues, including but not limited to bringing a victim face to face with their perpetrator. Seperately the complaint also includes asking them to sanction Gerry Adams for his knowledge of and action/ inaction on several cases. I expect the party to hold itself to the same standard it expects the DUP to.

To date, no member of Sinn Féin has ever been sanctioned or expelled for their actions on the cases I have communicated to them.

To date, the party has not subjected itself to an independent review of its actions in these cases.

I expect them to deal with my complaint and take action against their members in line with their safeguarding policies.

[Emma Little-Pengelly BL @little_pengelly]

A great evening in Dromore Mini 12th and for the annual opening and re-dedication of the Arch. We may have lost the sunshine, but we still got our ice-creams in Grahams Ice-Cream Dromore! It was good to see so many out on parade and out supporting, with local DUP Councillors Tim McClelland , Paul Rankin and Mark Baxter.

[Emma Little-Pengelly BL @little_pengelly]

It was such a joy to join with friends in the congregation of Dromore Cathedral this morning to wish Dean Geoff all the very best as he retires.

It has been a blessing to have got to know Rev. Geoff and Naomi over these number of years in Lagan Valley - through so many services, Christmas, school and community celebration.

I wish Geoff, Naomi and all the family love, fun, contentment and happiness and they move on from Dromore Cathedral to this next chapter of their lives 💜🩵🦋

[Emma Little-Pengelly BL @little_pengelly]

Remembering the extrodinary life of Northern Ireland adventurer, mountain guide and endurance athlete Noel Hanna 1967-2023

It was such a privilege to join with so many for an event, walk and plaque unveiling to an exceptional man, born in Finnis, Dromara who went on to summit Everest 10 times. He was the first person from Northern Ireland, indeed the entire island to summit and descend K2. A person who embraced fitness, adventure and mountain climbing, and who passed away so suddenly in his sleep in the Himalayan mountains after successfully summitting Annapurna.

He fell in love with fitness during his time in the police reserve here in Northern Ireland, and went on to achieve so many extraordinary things. One of Northern Ireland’s standout endurance and adventure sports people - he is still much missed. His wife Lynne, sister Irene and brother Malcolm, and so many family and friends gathered today, also raising funds for the Slieve Croob First Responders in his memory. 💙🩵

Please do pause at the plaque and viewing platform erected in his memory, at the start of the Slieve Croob walk, a place he knew so well and loved so deeply.

I was joined by Slieve Croob local DUP councillor Alan Lewis, and Cllr Paul Rankin.

[Gavin Robinson @GRobinsonDUP]

This is extraordinary;
SF support Paul's Bill
Table it in the Executive
Pass it
And now condemn it - because of their own pressures.
Dont be fooled.

[𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺U𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 @TeamUnion_UK]

Dame Arlene Foster asks the Labour government if they plan to charge the Republic of Ireland for British protection.

The government didn't answer the question.

[𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺U𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 @TeamUnion_UK]

Baroness Arlene Foster tells our House of Lords that there was "complete silence" from the "political wing of the IRA, in other words, Sinn Fein" when thugs trashed a children's Sunday School and graffiti'd "up the RA" across the Ten Commandments.

(She was discussing the glorification of terrorism and her amendment to outlaw such things)

[Paul Rankin (not the chef!) @RankinAlderman]

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[Paul Rankin (not the chef!) @RankinAlderman]

RT @little_pengelly: Just some of the many brave British soldiers who gave their lives in Afghanistan.

I am deeply proud of all those who…

[Emma Little-Pengelly BL @little_pengelly]

This is a bad budget for those who work. 👇👇

Our Parliamentary Finance spokesman Sammy Wilson has highlighted how this budget is unfair for working people on low incomes who will be taxed harder to pay for grandiose labour schemes.

Mr Wilson said,

“The real tax increase in this budget is the freezing of thresholds. 75% of the people not paying tax today will now be dragged into paying tax. Indeed 25% of the population will now be dragged into paying the higher rate of tax.

Only last year the Chancellor recognised that freezing thresholds beyond 2028 would “hurt working people”. The current income tax thresholds have now been frozen since 2021 and will remain so until 2031. This results in more people paying tax or paying it at a higher rate. Today was a missed opportunity to increase the thresholds to reflect the impact of inflation.

Growth in the economy, which is essential for bringing down government spending on benefits and bringing up government revenue from taxes, cannot be achieved by heaping taxes on those in work, and the businesses which create jobs and growth. Indeed, it has been shown historically that low taxation generates higher rates of growth because it gives the incentive to work, invest, and save.

The current government’s net zero theology is driving up our taxes. It’s high time this Government recognised that billions are being wasted on schemes which will have about as much impact on our climate as the transition to paper straws.

The £17m set aside to deal with the Windsor Framework is tokenism which recognises the problem but it is treating the symptoms rather than the cause.

Finally, the approach to inheritance tax both for farms and for business is madness and this government needs to quickly see sense. A nation that off-shores its food supply is a nation with a short-term vision, yet the approach of this government to farmers is to tax them out of business.”

[Matthew Shanks @matthew_shanks1]

I, for one, am so glad that DUP representatives, along with UUP and TUV, are visiting Israel to see the reality of the violence and terror unleashed by Hamas.

It’s vitally important politicians see these things firsthand, beyond the narrative of the media.

[Paul Rankin (not the chef!) @RankinAlderman]

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[Paul Frew @paulfrewDUP]

The Adult Protection Bill - how will these powers of investigation into ‘adults at risk’ in our healthcare settings stand if the Health Minister imposes another lockdown with all the atrocious harms that that would cause? What rights do the families of ‘adults at risk’ have?

[Sammy Heenan @SammyHeenan]

Yesterday, we held a 40th anniversary service for my father, an innocent man who didn’t deserve to die.
In Twinbrook, a shrine was unveiled for a terrorist who chose that path.
We live in a warped society where suicidal terrorism is even eulogised, that's so sad in 2025.

[Emma Little-Pengelly BL @little_pengelly]

I am absolutely delighted for Rory. This is an incredible achievement and he truly has made Northern Ireland proud of the international stage.

The way he held his nerve to win it and finally get the green jacket, and to complete the career Grand Slam is remarkable.

Rory has enjoyed so much success in tournaments around the world, but this win will have been extra special for him as it ends the wait for a fifth major title and puts him in a very elite club alongside other golf legends like Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tiger Woods.

So many people here were cheering him on every step of the way and now he has given us one of Northern Ireland’s biggest sporting achievements.

He will undoubtedly get a deserved hero's welcome when he comes home. The reception when he steps onto the first tee at Royal Portrush in July will be incredible. Hopefully he can give the home fans plenty to cheer as he bids to win a second Open Championship.

[Emma Little-Pengelly BL @little_pengelly]

I am deeply proud of my identity and the rich cultural heritage of my traditions. Too often, it has been attacked, opposed and demeaned.

The appointment of a Commissioner for the Ulster-Scots and Ulster British tradition will be a game-changer. The reset starts now.

Appointments process open now!

[Mark Baxter @baxterDUP]

As @duponline chair of @abcb_council @PSNIABC #PCSP it was good to welcome Deputy First minister @little_pengelly to Dromore this evening to show support for the @PoliceServiceNI after some community meetings were disrupted by anti PSNI republicans .

[Emma Little-Pengelly BL @little_pengelly]

Every day I try my very best to make things work. I truly love and believe in this wonderful wee place we call home, Northern Ireland. I want all of us to to thrive and succeed. I will do all I can to make this happen.

So deeply disappointed by personal attacks and petty politics against me over the weekend by those who claim to want politics to work. I won't be deterred. I will keep working for all and driving forward positive change 💜💙 This is a positive day, with the passing of the Programme for Government.