Nichola Mallon

Flooding is our canary in the coal mine for the impact of climate change, says Sinéad McLaughlin

Paul Gosling on August 20, 2021, 9:05 am | Readers 1054

Belfast, Derry, Strabane and much of Ireland have suffered severe flooding problems in recent days and weeks. We know this will get even worse – with flooding become more intensive and more frequent. A new report says that climate change will be a particular problem for the West of Ireland, with even higher rainfall, leading to even more flooding. These are not problems we can ignore. I am discussing with the insurance industry how to ensure homeowners, tenants and businesses get the …

Mallon’s decision on the interconnector ought to be the thin edge of a positive #Reset wedge

Mick Fealty on September 18, 2020, 2:17 pm | Readers 2077

Interesting development earlier this week as Nichola Mallon approved the new North-South interconnector from Tyrone to Meath, not least because of the cacophony of noise arising not just from rivals but even from within her own party. The BBC reports… The approval is for the building of a single circuit 400kV electricity line consisting of 102 towers over 34.1kms in length from Moy in County Tyrone to Crossreagh in County Armagh. The first application was lodged on 15th December 2009. …

SDLP Leadership team delivers on stage but can the party turn the corner?

David McCann on April 7, 2018, 7:33 pm | Readers 2425

The SDLP gathered for the first time in over two years for their conference at Titanic Belfast. In what has been a political year of many highs of lows for the party it was a relatively low key affair for most of the morning. Delegates (those who turned up) debated a steady stream of motions on welfare reform, environment and policing. The only potentially controversial motion that was up for debate was one regarding the naming of parks after actors …

Nichola Mallon is the new Deputy Leader of the SDLP

David McCann on September 12, 2017, 11:53 am | Readers 2224

Nichola Mallon has become the new Deputy Leader of the SDLP, the position was vacant after the former Deputy Leader, Fearghal McKinney lost his seat at the 2016 Assembly Election. Speaking about her election she said; “This is a critical moment for our politics. “The challenge we all face is to forge a society based on a positive accommodation of difference and diversity. “That challenge is made all the more important following the Brexit Bill vote last night. “I’m delighted …

More substance [less showboating] can take the opposition out of their splendid isolation

Mick Fealty on January 20, 2017, 12:58 pm | Readers 2015

Having given the media the slip we’re none the wiser over Sinn Fein’s public inquiry flip-flop. Rumour is that Mairtin jumped when Brokenshire signalled he would call one. If the late switch is embarrassing, it gives him the means to set its terms of reference (and keep Finance out of the glare). [Spare a thought for poor Declan Kearney, who was the first SF MLA to mention a Public Inquiry, then had it slapped down as a misspeak, then yesterday after drawing …

Bytes Project open Flax Foyer project, offering training and prospect of employment to NEETs

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on October 15, 2014, 9:33 pm | Readers 291

A good news story via a friend who works with Bytes Project which opened a new centre in Flax Foyer, Ardoyne this afternoon. The charity aims to remove “barriers faced in accessing training or employment training and employment by assisting young people to overcome extreme social and educational disadvantage” enabling “young people to make a difference in their own lives, allowing them to become economically active and make a positive impact in their communities”. Bytes Project started back in June …