Archive for August, 2011

Ritchie addresses international engineering conference
Thursday, August 25th, 2011

SDLP Leader and South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has said the international engineering conference taking place in Belfast offers a unique opportunity to share information to tackle the challenges presented by the current economic downturn. Speaking at the conference in the Waterfront Hall where engineers from 48 countries were represented, Ms Ritchie said: “The theme [...]

MP welcomes social housing programme for South Down
Thursday, August 25th, 2011

South Down MP MLA Margaret Ritchie has welcomed details from the Department of Social Development for 14 potential social housing schemes for South Down in the current financial year. Ms Ritchie stated, “I am aware through my Constituency Office of the ongoing demand for social housing throughout different parts of South Down, and I have [...]

Ritchie welcomes progress on the proposed bypass for Ballynahinch
Thursday, August 25th, 2011

SDLP MP for South Down, Margaret Ritchie, has welcomed news that work is continuing by the Department for Regional Development on the proposed bypass for Ballynahinch. Ms Ritchie said, “I have received confirmation from the Minister for Regional Development that work is currently underway to develop this scheme and progress it through the necessary statutory [...]

MP opposes cuts to pharmaceutical care funding
Thursday, August 25th, 2011

South Down MP MLA Margaret Ritchie has written to the Minister for Health, Mr Edwin Poots MLA, to seek a review of the decision to cut the funding for pharmaceutical care in Northern Ireland. Ms Ritchie stated, “Concerns have been raised about the repercussions of the cuts, which may include the removal of services, redundancies [...]

MP welcomes opening of new SDLP Constituency Office
Thursday, August 25th, 2011

SDLP MP MLA Margaret Ritchie attended the opening of the new SDLP Constituency Office for Karen McKevitt MLA in Warrenpoint. Ms Ritchie congratulated Karen and her family and staff on the opening of the new office, which is situated at a strategic entrance point to Warrenpoint and the Mournes. Ms Ritchie stated, “The opening of [...]

MP pursues assistance for Family Fund NI
Thursday, August 25th, 2011

South Down MP MLA Margaret Ritchie has made representations to the Minister for Health, Edwin Poots, to seek a review of the decision to cut the budget for Family Fund NI by 11%. Ms Ritchie stated, “Family Fund helps families with low incomes who often struggle financially or emotionally to care for their children. Family [...]

Ritchie condemns brutal murders of County Down women
Thursday, August 25th, 2011

Condemning the brutal murder of two women from County Down last week in Turkey, SDLP Leader and South Down Member of Parliament, Margaret Ritchie said “I am deeply saddened by the brutal murder of two women from County Down in Turkey last week. This was a brutal crime visited on two women enjoying their summer [...]

MP welcomes progress on natural gas network in South Down
Thursday, August 25th, 2011

South Down MP MLA Margaret Ritchie met with representatives from Firmus Energy last week regarding the extension of the natural gas network from Newry to Warrenpoint. Ms Ritchie stated, “I welcome this development as it provides an additional fuel source to the local residential and business communities in Warrenpoint. Firmus Energy have installed over 5km [...]