Full or balance direct payments have commenced with 99% (23,609) of NI farmers having their payment released today, bringing the total issued since October to £281million.

The Department’s offer of an independent conciliation process on this dispute stands. As we have been saying for some time, we simply don’t have the money or authority to resolve this impasse, and we strongly believe that patients should not be the ones to suffer because of that.

Department of Health Permanent Secretary Richard Pengelly has publicly appealed to trade unions to pause industrial action and enter into an independent conciliation process.

The £475,000 carriageway resurfacing scheme on the A2 Millisle Road, Donaghadee which commenced on Monday 21 October 2019 is entering its next phase.

The causes of the continuing growth in waiting times are well documented.