‘It's totally devoid from reality': DUP's Jonathan Buckley slams SDLP MLA who labelled Twelfth a ‘disaster for tourism'
It comes after Sinead McLaughlin MLA shared a post by the DUP's Jonathan Buckley who questioned whether Tourism NI had forgotten something in its line-up of key events taking place in NI over the summer including Belfast Pride, Belfast TradFest and Féile an Phobail.
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Belfast Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Emma Little-Pengelly slams criticism of NI economy: 'I am sick of some who constantly talk down NI'
Emma Little-Pengelly's comments follow Mary Lou McDonald's appearance on Good Morning Britain, where she made the case for reunification of the island of Ireland. 'We are now 27 years on from the Good Friday Agreement, as we all know a historic moment where we settled on the democratic and institutional arrangements to end what was a conflict that ran for centuries,' she said. 'We created the space to build peace and reconciliation, build friendships, build relationships across the island of Ireland, but also between Ireland and Britain. At the heart of that agreement is the commitment to a referendum to make the decision on partition. 'Just remember, more than a century ago Ireland was partitioned down the barrel of a British gun. There was no democracy involved. It was imposed on the island, and the consequences of it were literally devastating for our island, and deeply damaging to he relationship between Britain and Ireland. We need to fix all that. 'Politics has changed, we've all moved on, the peace has been established, I think we have made enormous strides, all of us, and I think Ireland and Britain and all the political leaders and the people deserve great credit for that. 'Now we're at a point where we say 'what's the next chapter?' For us, logically, in economic terms, in social terms, in democratic terms Irish unity makes sense.' Speaking at the QUB Global Economic Forum on Tuesday, Ms Pengelly criticised the comments and highlighted successes across several sectors. "I am sick of some who constantly talk down Northern Ireland,' Ms Little-Pengelly said. 'We are tasked with the responsibility and the honour of promoting this wonderful place with so much potential.' The DFM added that the region has attracted high levels of foreign direct investment and has over 1500 international firms operating locally. 'NI has one of the lowest levels of unemployment across the UK, and one of the highest educated and youngest workforces across these islands,' she continued. 'Northern Ireland deserves champions to promote all that is great about Northern Ireland. Those who believe in the future of our economy and will work to realise it." Ms Little-Pengelly also hit out at comments made by GMB host Richard Madeley who said Northern Ireland is 'close to being a basket case.' During the interview, Mr Madeley asked Ms McDonald: 'Why do you want Northern Ireland still so badly? Because, economically, I think it's fair to say it's close to being a basket case at the moment.' News Catch Up - Tuesday 15th July Ms Little-Pengelly rejected this claim and said the region is a 'base case for investment.' "Northern Ireland is far from an economic "basket case", indeed it is a base case for investment,' the DUP MLA said. 'And I welcome that was recognised by the many economists and experts in the Global Economic Forum today.' She called for Sinn Fein minister clarify if they are 'working to promote' the local economy. 'Our position has part of the UK, while having huge international access and appeal can truly elevate NI to new heights. "The economic plans of Sinn Fein as outlined by Michelle O'Neill and Mary-Lou McDonald in London this week are based on vagueness and fantasy. It is economic illiteracy. 'Michelle O'Neill and SF Economy Minister Archibald need to be open with the public - are they working to promote our economy or have they simply binned it as economically unviable."
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Belfast Telegraph
DUP junior minister lays wreath at Irish National War Memorial Gardens
The gardens in Islandbridge, a Dublin suburb, are dedicated to the memory of the 49,400 Irish soldiers who died in the First World War. Ceremonies took place across the Republic to honour all Irish casualties who died in wars or on service with the United Nations and other international organisations. DUP junior minister Pam Cameron tweeted that it had been 'an absolute privilege to have laid a wreath on behalf of the deputy First Minister (Emma Little-Pengelly) and the Northern Ireland Executive this 12th of July at the Annual Ceremony of Remembrance, Irish National War Memorial Gardens. #lestweforget' Irish President Michael D Higgins laid a wreath at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin, which was also attended by Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Tanaiste Simon Harris, other government ministers and members of the Council of State. It was the 14th National Day of Commemoration attended by Mr Higgins as president and the last before he leaves office later this year. Former Presbyterian Moderator, the Very Rev Dr David Bruce, represented the Church at the event in Kilmainham. Speaking about the event, Dr Bruce said that it has always been 'a great sense of privilege personally, and for the Presbyterian community as a whole, to take part in this national commemoration'. Representatives from veterans' organisations, the diplomatic corps and the defence forces were also in attendance. Mr Martin told the ceremony: 'It is fitting that we remember here today all those Irishmen and Irishwomen who died in past wars or on military service with United Nations or other international organisations in the service of peace.' An act of commemoration was led by leaders from various faiths. The ceremony concluded with a wreath-laying by President Higgins on behalf of the people of Ireland, followed by a fly-past by the Air Corps. Ceremonies were also held in Cork, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford, with an event in Sligo due later in the day.
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Belfast Telegraph
From Belfast to the Oireachtas: ‘A lot of people haven't crossed the border... we have to break down the idea we're different'
Patricia Stephenson took the scenic route into Irish politics. Her family home in south Belfast was bombed by the UVF in 1993 because her father was an SDLP councillor.
