Latest news with #EmmaLittle-Pengelly
Belfast Telegraph
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
An Open and shut case: Stormont leaders ducking questions is just par for the course
We were all teed up for a rare chance to question Stormont's leaders — but in the end everyone was left feeling distinctly under par. While Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly were all smiles at The Open, media outlets were far from impressed after a promised press conference was pushed back, and back, and back — and then cancelled.
Belfast Telegraph
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Summer camp cancellation ‘was not influenced' by Orange lodge, says North Down Cricket Club
North Down Cricket Club issued a statement this afternoon confirming the move to call off the event was made 'before any comment or statement from Goldsprings Lodge.' The cricket club planned the sports summer camp for young people from different backgrounds, including the involvement of 10 different groups, one of which was the East Belfast GAA. But a local Orange Order lodge said there were concerns among local residents about the 'perceived move of the GAA into the local community'. North Down Cricket Club had previously stated that they cancelled the event because of fears the 'spirit of the camp was at risk of being lost'. The Comber-based group stated that camp was instead cancelled on Monday morning following concerns that that were 'raised privately – and later publicly.' In a fresh statement on their website, a spokesperson said: 'Over the past few days, we've been overwhelmed by the many messages of support from across Comber and beyond — from club members, former players, parents, and friends from all walks of life. We're grateful for every one of them. 'We also want to be clear on a couple of facts. The event was cancelled on Monday morning following concerns raised privately — and later publicly on social media. 'This decision was taken before any comment or statement from Goldsprings Lodge, and was not influenced by them. We're grateful to them for subsequently reaching out in a spirit of clarity and respectful communication. 'We're proud of the friendships we've built across the community, including long-standing ties with Goldsprings and many other local lodges. Many of our members have links in both directions, and we fully respect the contribution these organisations have made to the fabric of Comber — and to this club.' 'There's been a lot of noise around this issue, much of it from outside Comber,' the spokesperson added. 'That may suit some agendas — but it's not who we are. We're just a cricket club, with deep roots in this town, doing our best to provide children with every chance to thrive — on and off the field.' It comes after deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly expressed her disappointment at the cancellation of a cross-community sports camp in Co Down. First Minister Michelle O'Neill also repeated her dismay after the event planned to take place in Comber was called off. MLA Kellie Armstrong 'disgusted' after children's cricket club cancelled after opposition to GAA Club On Wednesday, Cricket Ireland announced it plans to step in to arrange a similar sports camp at Stormont later this month. Speaking during a visit to the Open in Portrush on Thursday, Ms O'Neill and Ms Little-Pengelly both expressed disappointment at what had happened. Ms Little-Pengelly said 'while there are legitimate questions to be asked of the GAA around their lack of inclusion, this is not the time or place'. 'Sport can be a great unifier,' she said. 'It's been really disappointing, very saddened to see that the club felt that they had to cancel this particular summer camp. 'I've reached out, and I've been speaking to the North Down Cricket Club. 'Of course, there are legitimate questions to be asked of the GAA around their lack of inclusion and the barriers that many feel to participation, but this is not the time or place. The time and place for that is not a children's summer camp. 'Cricket has been a great unifier right across all different types of religions, races, politics, we see that play out every single week, and I think it's really disappointing that these young people won't get that opportunity to play cricket at that summer camp but I'm continuing to work with the club, and with others, to see what the opportunities may be in the future.' Meanwhile, Ms O'Neill said she was 'quite dismayed by the fact that somebody thought it was appropriate to actually advocate against that'. 'I was so deeply disappointed that anyone thought it was appropriate to advocate that these kids should not be invited along," she added. 'For kids to come together through the medium of sport. It's just something that should always be a positive experience. So it makes me really sad to actually hear that someone doesn't want those kids to be invited. 'It's just totally not acceptable. Young people should play sport together, young people from all different backgrounds should always be encouraged to come together.' It comes as Holywood-born actor Jamie Dornan also waded into the row, commenting on an animated video based on the controversy. The creator of the animated skit, Patrick Maguire, is well known online for his satirical portrayal of current events in Northern Ireland. Responding on Instagram in a comment under the post, Dornan wrote: 'Terrifyingly accurate as usual.' Separately, Sinn Fein MLA Colm Gildernew has called on the Communities Minister to support the alternative summer camp at Stormont which will replace the cancelled Comber event. He said: 'As the minister responsible for sport, Gordon Lyons should be vocal in supporting events where children and young people can play together, learn new sports, make friends and build relationships.'
Belfast Telegraph
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly recreates a famous Rory McIlroy shot
On a visit to the Open at Royal Portrush, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly recreates a moment made famous by Rory McIlroy when, as a child, he went on a local chat show in Northern Ireland and chipped golf balls into a washing machine.
Belfast Telegraph
15-07-2025
- Business
- 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."
Glasgow Times
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Tens of thousands take part in Twelfth celebrations in scorching temperatures
Crowds lined the streets in cities, towns and villages across the region for the traditional Orange Order parades. This year's events have heard calls for unionist political parties to work together. NI deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly attending the Twelfth of July celebrations in Lisburn, Co Antrim (Jonathan McCambridge/PA) The festivities have been spread across 19 main locations to mark the 334th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne, when the Protestant King William of Orange triumphed over the Catholic King James II. The parades consist of Orange lodges accompanied by marching bands and supported by spectators along the routes. When the parades reach demonstration fields, a religious service is observed and speeches delivered before the march home. This year's celebrations took place with temperatures above 25C right across Northern Ireland. DUP leader Gavin Robinson addressed the parade in Belfast, while Northern Ireland's deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly delivered a speech at the Lisburn parade. Ulster Unionist MP Robin Swann spoke at the parade in Carnlough, Co Antrim. The Twelfth demonstrations took place in hot weather (Mark Marlow/PA) Orange Order deputy grand master Harold Henning told the parade in Maghera, Co Londonderry, that unionist political parties had to work together. He said: 'The leadership of this institution remains consistent in its desire to see closer collaboration between the leadership of our pro-union political parties so as to maximise unionist representation at all levels of government. 'Cooperation between our political representatives must be encouraged – more than that, it should be demanded, and country should always come before party or individual self -interest. 'Let's get that message out to our politicians – as a people, we want to see more unity of purpose across political unionism.' Yvonne McDonnell from Ballinderry attending the Twelfth of July celebrations in Lisburn (Jonathan McCambridge/PA) One of the largest parades took place in Keady, Co Armagh, where Orange Order grand secretary Mervyn Gibson spoke about the strengths of the union. He said: 'We need to promote the union at every opportunity – a union that has stood the test of time and continues to offer its citizens stability, opportunity, and purpose. 'At its heart, the United Kingdom is more than just a political entity. 'It is a partnership of four nations England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland – each with its own identity, traditions, and strengths. 'Let us concentrate on building and promoting this union which a generation defended during the Troubles against the murderous, cowardly terrorist campaign of republicans.' A car carrying water bottles during a Twelfth of July parade in Belfast (Mark Marlow/PA) On Saturday morning, an Orange Order feeder parade passed the Ardoyne shops in north Belfast without incident. On Sunday, a return parade will return past the shops – but will be restricted to one band and 50 members of the order. Meanwhile, the traditional July 13 events organised by the Royal Black Preceptory in the village of Scarva, Co Armagh, will take place on Monday. The event includes a parade as well as a sham fight between actors playing rival monarchs William and James. The Twelfth celebrations come after the burning of bonfires at an estimated 300 locations in loyalist neighbourhoods across the region on Thursday and Friday nights. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said it dealt with a 'challenging' situation and one firefighter was attacked while attending a bonfire in Lisburn, Co Antrim. Northern Ireland's Environment Minister Andrew Muir said he was 'very disappointed' that a controversial bonfire in south Belfast was lit despite warnings of asbestos on the site. Of all the loyal order parades to take place on Saturday, about 30 have been officially categorised as sensitive by the Parades Commission. Locations of sensitive parades this year include Belfast, Coleraine, Keady, Dunloy, Rasharkin, Strabane, Newtownabbey, Maghera, Newtownbutler, Portadown, Glengormley and Bellaghy. More than 4,000 police officers and police staff are working on July 12. On the 11th night, about 1,200 officers were deployed to monitor public safety at bonfires. The cost of policing parades and bonfires in Northern Ireland through spring and summer was £6.1 million last year, a figure that was up £1.5 million on the previous year. The bill, which covers the period April 1 to August 31, also includes the cost of policing republican commemorations around Easter and events to mark the mid-August anniversary of the introduction of internment without trial during the Troubles. The PSNI expects the costs in 2025 to be higher still. This is because of falling police numbers and the resulting increased reliance on paying overtime to ensure enough officers are on duty for the events.
