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First Minister welcomes re-opening progress

First Minister and Party Leader Arlene Foster has welcomed the progress on reducing restrictions on business and wider society in Northern Ireland.

As sports training and outdoor band practices resumed alongside the re-opening of hairdressers and other close contact services, Mrs Foster looked towards the next steps along the pathway to recovery.

Speaking after watching Mid Ulster Ladies FC resume training she said, “The Covid restrictions have had a huge impact on the lives of everyone in Northern Ireland and I would thank everyone who has played their part in driving down infection rates. We are now looking ahead to better times and I will keep looking to see if conditions allow us to move out of lockdown faster than originally planned.

With all retail opening next week I hope we can also see progress soon on issues such as travel within the United Kingdom. I know there are many people with family in Great Britain who are looking forward to being able to visit and see them. This is obviously an issue that will be taken forward by all 4 nations of the UK but there is good reason to be hopeful that this step forward might soon be possible.”

Also this week

DUP Leader Arlene Foster, during Questions in the Assembly, stressed that the way to deal with issues facing business in Northern Ireland was to replace the NI Protocol.
- Condemned the attack on the life of a part-time police officer near Dungiven.

Deputy Leader & Peer Nigel Dodds, writing for Telegraph online, highlighted how our medicine supply could be impacted by the NI Protocol.
- Said Mary Lou McDonald’s justification of the IRA murder of Lord Mountbatten was no different to Gerry Adams 40 years ago.

Lord Morrow, writing in the Newsletter said the aggressive approach by the Irish Government and European Commission created many of the problems we face today.

Education Minister Peter Weir provided an additional £900,000 additional Pathway funding for early years education.
- Welcomed a further £4.83million Engage Funding.
- Cut the first sod on £11m scheme for Limavady Shared Education Campus.
- Welcomed the signing of a Commencement Order to the Addressing School Bullying Act.

Strangford MLA Michelle McIlveen led tributes to the NI Women’s Football team in the Assembly following their qualification for Euro 2022.

Economy Minister Diane Dodds welcomed new legislation to protect workers in Northern Ireland.
- Said Northern Ireland is ready for the return of tourists.
- Announced a review into the future of the agri-food sector alongside DAERA Minister Edwin Poots.
- Announced payments would be extended under two business support schemes.

South Antrim MLA Pam Cameron spoke during an Assembly debate highlighting the Party’s support for a ban on ‘conversion therapy’ but seeking protection for religious practice.
- welcomed additional funding for local health charities.

Lagan Valley MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said the Prime Minister must deliver on his pledge to protect NI veterans.

DAERA Minister Edwin Poots said the release of two ponies held at the port here highlighted the excessive checks imposed by the NI Protocol.
- Announced £500k investment to boost rural tourism in Mid Ulster.
- Planted a tree in commemporation of the life of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh.
- Announced a £2 million Environment Fund Challenge competition.

East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell called on the Government to prioritise billions of football fans over billionaire financiers.

East Belfast MLA Robin Newton highlighted the importance of the textile industry in Northern Ireland and the opportunities which exist.

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart called for action against online abuse of women in public life.

East Londonderry MLA George Robinson said the attack on a police officer near Dungiven had realised fears which existed about dissident republican activity in the area.

North Antrim MLA Mervyn Storey and East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell condemned those behind the explosive device recovered from the vehicle of a police officer.

East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson said NI veterans should not be treated as second class soldiers and deserved the same legal protections as others. He also spoke during the passage of the Overseas Operations Bill this week.
- Called on the Information Commissioner’s Office to investigate Sinn Fein’s use of data.

East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson said it was time London & Brussels realised the Protocol most go.

Upper Bann MLA Jonathan Buckley, in the Health Committee, highlighted how the Protocol will lead to medicine supply shortages.