Question: Shall the Strangford Lough Crossing clear the high bar of the Climate Change Act (NI) 2022, when compared to projects such as the A5 ? Executive Summary Future DfI position ? Having considered whole-life carbon, traffic impacts, mitigation, and adaptation, the Department is satisfied that the Strangford Lough Fixed Crossing: Below is a structured […]

The Irish government announced a significant €1 billion Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF) today (January 20, 2026). This is described as the largest housing infrastructure fund in many years, aimed at unlocking delays in new housing developments by funding essential supporting infrastructure. Key details include: This announcement focuses specifically on housing-related infrastructure to address barriers […]

Response to Good Morning Ulster Interview – Ferry User Concerns Empathetic Response to Regular Ferry User The frustration expressed by the regular ferry user this morning is completely understandable. For families using the Strangford-Portaferry ferry service for essential journeys—school runs, family visits, and community activities like GAA coaching—these cumulative fare increases represent a significant and […]

From a historical perspective, the shift from limited, mediated access to politicians—such as through letter-writing, constituency surgeries, or formal appointments—to the instantaneous, unfiltered 24/7 interactions enabled by social media has indeed introduced significant challenges for representatives in the UK, including Northern Ireland. While this evolution has democratized communication in some ways, allowing for broader public […]

Demand Isn’t the Problem: Infrastructure Capacity Is Holding Northern Ireland Back Executive Summary Northern Ireland’s infrastructure challenge is not a lack of demand for housing, jobs, or investment. It is a lack of capacity in essential networks, particularly wastewater infrastructure and, increasingly, electricity. Independent audit evidence shows that in many towns and cities, infrastructure systems […]