SDLP South Down MP Margaret Ritchie stood up in defence of public sector pensions in NI during Northern Ireland Questions in the House of Commons today. Ms Ritchie asked Secretary of State Owen Paterson if he agreed “that the government must do more to deal with the genuine concerns of public sector workers and their [...]

SDLP MP Raises Pension Plight on the Floor of House of Commons Speaking from Westminster the MP for South Down said; “I along with my SDLP colleagues have taken the fight for the protection of public sector pensions to Westminster. Today in the House of Commons during Northern Ireland Question Time I raised in injustice [...]

Speaking after meeting with the group of around 20 children and their parents the MP for the area said; “It is great to see this wonderful community facility in operation in the Old Dunsford School. The establishment of Dunsford Pre-School Group is good news for the local community and it is vital that we give [...]

SDLP MP MLA Margaret Ritchie has written to the Minister of Agriculture to demand the completion of the Feasibility Study on the Leitrim River. Ms Ritchie stated, “DARD Rivers Agency undertook an investigation into the flooding that occurred in Annsborough and Maghera in 2008. Indications suggest that this report will issue in March 2012, and [...]

Margaret Ritchie MP has held a detailed meeting with Mr John Compton, the Head of the Northern Ireland Health Service Review Team. Speaking after the meeting the MP said; “ I put forward a strong case for the retention and enhancement of services at both the Downe and Daisy Hill hospitals. I am pleased to [...]

“I welcome, what I hope will be one of many projects to be funded by NITB to promote and develop the St Patrick tourism product that we have to offer in Lecale and Down. NITB will fund this project to deliver a replacement church hall to include exhibition space and visitor amenities along with car [...]

SDLP MP MLA Margaret Ritchie has welcomed the action outlined by the Minister for Health to provide good quality and affordable childcare places in Northern Ireland. Ms Ritchie stated, “I had written to Minister Edwin Poots to seek measures to address the need for more affordable childcare place. Many parents are finding that they are [...]

Following a campaign, along with the local traders, the MP for the area Margaret Ritchie has secured a commitment from the Department for Social Development to make available a further £59,000 to take forward the extension of the Public Realm improvement work into Market Lane. The MP said; “The Public Realm Scheme has been a [...]

Ritchie demands delivery for the people from the European Union programmes. Time taken to assess applications is causing immense burdens to applicants and must be reduced from the current 1 to 2 year framework. Margaret Ritchie said “The people of South Down are being short-changed by the Department of Finance and Personnel and the Special [...]

Margaret Ritchie MP for South Down Launches St Patrick Tourism Development Plan Speaking at the Launch of the St Patrick Tourism Development Plan the MP for South Down said; “I have developed this plan in conjunction with local stakeholders and interested parties. This plan concentrates on ‘Patrick’ related tourism and seeks to identify further steps [...]