Latest news with #MichelleO'Neill
Irish Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Post
First Minister of Northern Ireland congratulates Scottie Scheffler on Open win
FIRST MINISTER of Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill has congratulated Scottie Scheffler on his success in the Open championship over the weekend. The US golfer won the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club yesterday afternoon. The American, who finished four shots clear of the field on 17 under par, collected the coveted Claret Jug on the 18th green of the Dunluce Links in front of thousands of ecstatic fans. "I want to congratulate Scottie Scheffler on winning The Open – what a brilliant performance over the past four days,' Ms O'Neill said. First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly pictured with the Claret Jug at Royal Portrush Golf Club (Pic: Kelvin Boyles/ "Of course he has had so much success on the PGA Tour and in other tournaments, but I have no doubt this is really special for him as it is his first time winning golf's oldest major championship,' she added. 'This year's Open has been another money-can't-buy showcase for our beautiful north coast and the amazing product we have to offer to visitors and investors. I would like to pay tribute to all the golfers, the organisers, and of course the fans who turned out in record numbers, for making this tournament such a huge success. "It's been another incredible week for golf fans here, and I know they will be looking forward to The Open returning to our shores in the years ahead.' Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, who was in the grandstand at the 18th green to see the world's number one golfer lift the Claret Jug, said she was 'delighted' for him. "I am absolutely delighted for Scottie Scheffler, winning his fourth major here at the magnificent Royal Portrush Golf Club,' she said. "The noise was incredible as he walked up the 18th with huge crowds lining the fairway. The atmosphere was electric; what an amazing sight. 'And what a great effort from our own Rory McIlroy, but unfortunately it just wasn't to be. Scottie Scheffler has been magnificent throughout the tournament and thoroughly deserves to be the Champion Golfer.' She added: "It has been another fantastic Open Championship - yet again showing that Northern Ireland excels at putting on major sporting events. "The television coverage of this week's event has been seen in more than 190 countries across the globe. "And this worldwide exposure showing our stunning north coast and Northern Ireland as a must-visit golf tourism destination will attract more visitors to our shores and bring significant benefits for our tourism and hospitality sectors and wider economy."
Belfast Telegraph
6 days ago
- 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.
ITV News
6 days ago
- Politics
- ITV News
Little-Pengelly ‘saddened and disappointed' by cancellation of sport summer camp
North Down Cricket Club has said its decision to cancel a children's camp in Comber involving young people from East Belfast GAA was not influenced, and had been taken before, any comment from Goldsprings Orange Lodge. In an updated statement on Thursday afternoon, the club said concerns were raised with it privately and later publicly on social media. Posting on Facebook today, the lodge said it supports cross-community initiatives but suggested the GAA "remains overtly political in its constitution". Cricket Ireland has made alternative plans for the camp, which was due to take place tomorrow. Earlier the Deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, has expressed her disappointment at the cancellation of the cross-community sports camp. First Minister Michelle O'Neill also reiterated her dismay. 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.' Michelle O'Neill said: 'I was so deeply disappointed that anyone thought it was appropriate to advocate that these kids should not be invited along. '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.' Ms O'Neill added she was 'quite dismayed by the fact that somebody thought it was appropriate to actually advocate against that'.
South Wales Guardian
6 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Northern Ireland's First Minister welcomes intention to lower voting age to 16
Ministers are to bring forward a Bill before 2029 which will include extending the right to vote to 16 and 17-year-olds, and work to create a system of automated voter registration. Teenagers aged 16 or over can already vote in Holyrood, Senedd and local government elections in Wales and Scotland, but not in UK parliamentary elections. I welcome the news that the British Government is to introduce votes from the age of 16 for elections. This is a step forward for democracy and will enable young people to have a say in their future. I'll now be contacting the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, urging him to… — Michelle O'Neill (@moneillsf) July 17, 2025 The legislation is not expected to be in place before the next election to the Northern Ireland Assembly and the local government elections in the region in 2027. Michelle O'Neill described a 'step forward for democracy'. 'I'll now be contacting the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, urging him to ensure that the right to vote at 16 applies to the 2027 Assembly and Council elections in the north,' she said in a post on the social media network X. SDLP leader Claire Hanna said voting rights should be changed at all levels. 'Enfranchising 16 and 17-year-olds has been a long held SDLP position and we welcome confirmation from the Government today that this will be in place for the next general election,' she said. 'There are many young people in Northern Ireland actively engaged in politics and I know that for generations there has been frustration that they could not play a full role in the democratic process. 'The SDLP believes that these voting rights must stretch beyond general elections and be extended to voting for the Assembly and local councils. 'We will continue to make the case for that at Westminster and push for change to secure voting at all levels for 16 and 17-year-olds.' There was also a call to ensure the legislation is in place by 2027 from the Alliance Party. North Antrim MLA Sian Mulholland said: 'We have long-argued that the disenfranchisement of our society's young people is a major democratic deficit here in Northern Ireland. 'However, time is of the essence and we need urgent clarification that it will be a priority to see this implemented in time for the next NI Assembly election in 2027. We cannot afford any further delay.' A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the new legislation is expected to be in place before the next general election in 2029, but not the next Stormont election in 2027. 'Our manifesto commitment to lower the voting age to 16 during this Parliament includes all non-devolved elections across the UK. This includes elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly and local government elections in Northern Ireland,' they said. 'We intend for the franchise change to be in place in good time ahead of the next general election. Our expectation is that this will not be in place for the May 2027 Northern Ireland Assembly and local elections. 'This Bill will include a number of major changes to our electoral system, as well as expanding the franchise, and we need to get these right.'
Powys County Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Northern Ireland's First Minister welcomes intention to lower voting age to 16
Northern Ireland's First Minister has welcomed an announcement by the UK Government that it intends to lower the voting age to 16. Ministers are to bring forward a Bill before 2029 which will include extending the right to vote to 16 and 17-year-olds, and work to create a system of automated voter registration. Teenagers aged 16 or over can already vote in Holyrood, Senedd and local government elections in Wales and Scotland, but not in UK parliamentary elections. I welcome the news that the British Government is to introduce votes from the age of 16 for elections. This is a step forward for democracy and will enable young people to have a say in their future. I'll now be contacting the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, urging him to… — Michelle O'Neill (@moneillsf) July 17, 2025 The legislation is not expected to be in place before the next election to the Northern Ireland Assembly and the local government elections in the region in 2027. Michelle O'Neill described a 'step forward for democracy'. 'I'll now be contacting the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, urging him to ensure that the right to vote at 16 applies to the 2027 Assembly and Council elections in the north,' she said in a post on the social media network X. SDLP leader Claire Hanna said voting rights should be changed at all levels. 'Enfranchising 16 and 17-year-olds has been a long held SDLP position and we welcome confirmation from the Government today that this will be in place for the next general election,' she said. 'There are many young people in Northern Ireland actively engaged in politics and I know that for generations there has been frustration that they could not play a full role in the democratic process. 'The SDLP believes that these voting rights must stretch beyond general elections and be extended to voting for the Assembly and local councils. 'We will continue to make the case for that at Westminster and push for change to secure voting at all levels for 16 and 17-year-olds.' There was also a call to ensure the legislation is in place by 2027 from the Alliance Party. North Antrim MLA Sian Mulholland said: 'We have long-argued that the disenfranchisement of our society's young people is a major democratic deficit here in Northern Ireland. 'However, time is of the essence and we need urgent clarification that it will be a priority to see this implemented in time for the next NI Assembly election in 2027. We cannot afford any further delay.' A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the new legislation is expected to be in place before the next general election in 2029, but not the next Stormont election in 2027. 'Our manifesto commitment to lower the voting age to 16 during this Parliament includes all non-devolved elections across the UK. This includes elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly and local government elections in Northern Ireland,' they said. 'We intend for the franchise change to be in place in good time ahead of the next general election. Our expectation is that this will not be in place for the May 2027 Northern Ireland Assembly and local elections. 'This Bill will include a number of major changes to our electoral system, as well as expanding the franchise, and we need to get these right.'
