Latest news with #EdwinPoots
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Cllr Tracy Kelly to become DUP's first female Belfast lord mayor
South Belfast councillor Tracy Kelly is set to become the city's first female lord mayor from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). She is expected to be voted into the top position in Belfast at a council meeting on Monday night. It will make her the second female unionist to become the city's lord mayor. The late Grace Bannister held the position in 1981, and there is a footbridge in east Belfast named in her honour. The next deputy lord mayor is set to be west Belfast councillor Paul Doherty of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP). Kelly, 47, is from the Donegall Road area of south Belfast and used to work in community development, which sparked her interest in politics. She is currently office manager at the DUP constituency office of MLA Edwin Poots, who is the speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly. She previously worked for MLA Christopher Stalford, who died suddenly three years ago, aged 39. He had encouraged her to become involved in politics, and she was first elected to the council in 2019. "He asked me to run in that election," she told BBC News NI. "Him and constituents pressurised me into running in the 2019 election. I never thought I would ever sit in city council - never mind be lord mayor." The DUP has held the position of lord mayor in Belfast nine times, and among those to wear the chain of office were Nigel Dodds, Sammy Wilson and current party leader Gavin Robinson. Asked about being the first female from the party in the role, Kelly said: "I feel very privileged to be the first female. Women are now taking more and more leadership roles." She pointed out that the DUP has already had a female leader, Arlene Foster, who became first minister, and Emma Little-Pengelly is the current deputy first minister. Looking ahead to her year in office, she said: "My aim as lord mayor is to ensure that nobody is left behind. "Over the years Belfast has evolved and changed dramatically, since the Troubles especially. "But there's communities out there that are disengaged from the city centre, they don't feel part of this change. "And there's also young people who are disengaged from education, employment and training. I want to reach out to them." Away from politics, Kelly is a football fan and supports Linfield and Liverpool. The outgoing lord mayor is Micky Murray of the Alliance Party, who described himself as the first "openly gay" first citizen in Belfast.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Cllr Tracy Kelly to become DUP's first female Belfast lord mayor
South Belfast councillor Tracy Kelly is set to become the city's first female lord mayor from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). She is expected to be voted into the top position in Belfast at a council meeting on Monday night. It will make her the second female unionist to become the city's lord mayor. The late Grace Bannister held the position in 1981, and there is a footbridge in east Belfast named in her honour. The next deputy lord mayor is set to be west Belfast councillor Paul Doherty of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP). Kelly, 47, is from the Donegall Road area of south Belfast and used to work in community development, which sparked her interest in politics. She is currently office manager at the DUP constituency office of MLA Edwin Poots, who is the speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly. She previously worked for MLA Christopher Stalford, who died suddenly three years ago, aged 39. He had encouraged her to become involved in politics, and she was first elected to the council in 2019. "He asked me to run in that election," she told BBC News NI. "Him and constituents pressurised me into running in the 2019 election. I never thought I would ever sit in city council - never mind be lord mayor." The DUP has held the position of lord mayor in Belfast nine times, and among those to wear the chain of office were Nigel Dodds, Sammy Wilson and current party leader Gavin Robinson. Asked about being the first female from the party in the role, Kelly said: "I feel very privileged to be the first female. Women are now taking more and more leadership roles." She pointed out that the DUP has already had a female leader, Arlene Foster, who became first minister, and Emma Little-Pengelly is the current deputy first minister. Looking ahead to her year in office, she said: "My aim as lord mayor is to ensure that nobody is left behind. "Over the years Belfast has evolved and changed dramatically, since the Troubles especially. "But there's communities out there that are disengaged from the city centre, they don't feel part of this change. "And there's also young people who are disengaged from education, employment and training. I want to reach out to them." Away from politics, Kelly is a football fan and supports Linfield and Liverpool. The outgoing lord mayor is Micky Murray of the Alliance Party, who described himself as the first "openly gay" first citizen in Belfast.
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Cllr Tracy Kelly to become DUP's first female lord mayor of Belfast
South Belfast councillor Tracy Kelly is set to become the city's first female lord mayor from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).She is expected to be voted into the top position in Belfast at a council meeting on Monday will make her the second female unionist to become the city's lord mayor. The late Grace Bannister held the position in 1981, and there is a footbridge in east Belfast named in her next deputy lord mayor is set to be west Belfast councillor Paul Doherty of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP). 'I never thought I would be lord mayor' Kelly, 47, is from the Donegall Road area of south Belfast and used to work in community development, which sparked her interest in is currently office manager at the DUP constituency office of MLA Edwin Poots, who is the speaker of the Northern Ireland previously worked for MLA Christopher Stalford, who died suddenly three years ago, aged had encouraged her to become involved in politics, and she was first elected to the council in 2019."He asked me to run in that election," she told BBC News NI."Him and constituents pressurised me into running in the 2019 election. I never thought I would ever sit in city council - never mind be lord mayor." The DUP has held the position of lord mayor in Belfast nine times, and among those to wear the chain of office were Nigel Dodds, Sammy Wilson and current party leader Gavin about being the first female from the party in the role, Kelly said: "I feel very privileged to be the first female. Women are now taking more and more leadership roles."She pointed out that the DUP has already had a female leader, Arlene Foster, who became first minister, and Emma Little-Pengelly is the current deputy first ahead to her year in office, she said: "My aim as lord mayor is to ensure that nobody is left behind."Over the years Belfast has evolved and changed dramatically, since the Troubles especially."But there's communities out there that are disengaged from the city centre, they don't feel part of this change."And there's also young people who are disengaged from education, employment and training. I want to reach out to them."Away from politics, Kelly is a football fan and supports Linfield and outgoing lord mayor is Micky Murray of the Alliance Party, who described himself as the first "openly gay" first citizen in Belfast.
Belfast Telegraph
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Balmoral Show: ‘Dancing diggers' steal the show on opening day
Live | Thousands of visitors are flocking to the 156th edition of the Balmoral Show, being held across the next four days at the Eikon Exhibition Centre in Lisburn. Organised by the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society, it is Northern Ireland's largest agri-food event and will feature over 600 trade stands. Balmoral show returns for 2025 Over 100,000 people are expected to enjoy the show, which also includes livestock competitions from showjumping to sheepshearing, vintage machinery and live music, between Wednesday and Saturday, 14-17 May. Catch some of today's highlights by following our live blog below. 19 minutes ago Not sure what to caption this... It looks like a couple of grannies riding around on modified Segways? Sure, why not. 22 minutes ago Dancing diggers continuing to thrill the crowd! The dancing diggers are in full swing showing off some moves! Today 11:29 AM Katie Nallon wins the 1.35m RUAS national championship Today 11:23 AM Llamas in the house! Today 11:15 AM DUP MLA Edwin Poots meets some new friends... Today 11:05 AM Young Farmer Club of Ulster sheering competition fully under way Today 10:47 AM 🐑 1st place in the Beltex category! Today 10:43 AM Plenty of kit on display for the next generation of farmers Today 10:39 AM Quite the selection of hats on display at this stall 🎩 Today 10:37 AM Irish Moiled Cattle getting judged now Today 10:28 AM Sandbox skills on display Today 10:25 AM Dressed for the occasion Our reporter Abdullah Sabri understood the assignment with today's outfit 🧑🌾 Today 10:08 AM Unlucky! Our man Abdullah had a crack at spin to win at the Ulster Scots stand, but didn't take a top prize. 📖 Today 09:54 AM Bus loads of visitors continue to pour into the car park Today 09:41 AM NI Secretary makes an appearance Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn visits the Ulster Bank stand. . Press Eye Today 09:34 AM National Show Jumping 🏇 It's over to the main horse ring now as 'Tokyo Drift' and her owner make leaps and bounds. Today 09:28 AM Beef Shorthorn podium time! Beef Shorthorns secure podiums spots at the cattle ring breeding competition with first (#313) and second (#321) place.
BreakingNews.ie
13-05-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Speaker tells minister to offer ‘facts not opinions' when addressing Assembly
Stormont's speaker has cautioned a Sinn Féin minister against voicing policy opinions that contradict the official stance of her department. Edwin Poots accused Economy minister Caoimhe Archibald of making inappropriate comments in the chamber after she told MLAs she was supportive of the underground routing of cables required for the planned electricity interconnector linking the power grids in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Advertisement SDLP leader of the opposition, Matthew O'Toole, challenged the minister on her comments, highlighting that planning approval for the Northern Ireland section of the interconnector was granted on the basis of the cables being routed on overhead pylons. He said the Department for the Economy was a 'key delivery partner' for the project in its current form. Economy minister Caoimhe Archibald (Liam McBurney/PA) 'Are you saying one thing while your department is delivering another?' he asked. Ms Archibald earlier told MLAs that she voiced support for undergrounding the cables during a meeting with her counterpart in the Irish government, Transport, Climate, Environment and Energy minister Darragh O'Brien. Advertisement Responding to Mr O'Toole, Ms Archibald added: 'I don't agree with the member in respect of my comments, because I think I've been consistent in respect of my party's position, and the party has been consistent in respect of that position (undergrounding of cables), which would help secure community buy-in. 'And I think in respect of the planning permission (that) was granted by the previous Infrastructure minister (Nichola Mallon) who was your party colleague, and, as ministers in the Executive, we are obliged to fulfil the commitments in respect of that planning consent.' After Assembly question time concluded, Mr O'Toole raised Ms Archibald's comments with the Speaker. Responding, Mr Poots said it was important for ministers to deal with 'facts, not opinions'. Advertisement 'A minister may have an opinion, and if they think that opinion is important enough and they run the department, then it is up to them to change the position on the department,' he said. 'But it is a minister's task to come to the floor of the chamber and to represent the department's policies as they exist, and that's why I did indicate that we're here to hear facts, not to hear opinions. 'And if the minister wishes to change the position that the Department for the Economy has on whether the interconnector is underground or overground, then that's a matter for the minister. 'But she shouldn't be coming to the chamber and saying this is the department's position, this is my position. I don't think that that's appropriate.' Advertisement
