News for 1 December, 2009

The North's Deputy First Minister, Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness, has topped a cross-community poll measuring support for ministers in the power-sharing government.  View more

The North's Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness MP, MLA has called for the setting of a date for the transfer of policing and justice powers to the North to be agreed before Christmas. The Sinn Féin politician made his call after a meeting with the Taoiseach Brian Cowen over the weekend. Mr. McGuinness had described the meeting and "useful and constructive".  View more

Commenting on the report on clerical sexual abuse of children in the Dublin Diocese Sinn Féin Vice President Mary Lou McDonald said anyone found to have covered up the abuse of children should be arrested and face the full rigours of the law.  View more

Any new Bill of Rights for the six counties must contain economic and social rights protections, Sinn Féin's equality and human rights spokesperson Martin Anderson MLA has declared.  View more

Speaking at the 25th Annivesrary commemoration of IRA volunteers Henry Hogan And Declan Martin in …..  at the weekend Sinn Féin chairperson Declan Kearney said "Armed struggles is only an option of last resort."  He described recent armed actions as "futile" and as playing "in to the hands of those in the British military system who would wish to remilitarise the North."  View more

Stormont politicians were expected to pass a report by the Assembly Commission recommending initial increases of £5,000 in two years' time, plus extra money for MLAs who hold ministerial posts or other special office. However, the report was unexpectedly pulled from the Agenda.  View more

Transport Minister, Conor Murphy last week officially opened the new £14.6million Newry Railway Station.  View more