Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : A Christmas gift for the nation as Peruzzi’s The Nativity saved [December 2022]
The press release issued by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 24 December 2022.

Incredibly rare sixteenth century work has been acquired by National Museums NI.
- Export bar placed on item helped the work be saved for the nation
- Painting will go on display at the Ulster Museum next year
Arts and Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson has announced a Christmas gift for the nation after a painting of the Nativity dating to the early 1500s has been acquired by National Museums NI.

Thanks to a fundraising campaign by National Museums NI, supported by the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Art Fund, Department for Communities NI and the Esme Mitchell Trust, the work will go on public display at the Ulster Museum next year.

The Nativity by Baldassare Tommaso Peruzzi (1481–1536), valued at £277,990, had an export bar placed on it by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) last year. The work, which depicts the Nativity at night, is one of only a handful of works by Peruzzi to survive outside Italy, and the only one in the UK.

Painted around 1515 in Rome, The Nativity is an exceptionally rare surviving work by Peruzzi. A highly talented Italian painter, architect and draughtsman, Peruzzi was born in 1481 in a small town near Siena and was one of the leading artistic figures in Rome during the High Renaissance. He worked alongside Raphael and Bramante in Rome, before returning home to work for the Republic of Siena, building fortifications and designing a dam on the Bruna River. The majority of Peruzzi’s art works were in fresco and have since been lost to history, making The Nativity an incredibly rare piece.

Arts and Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson said:

For many, being part of a Nativity play is one of the first ways that we learn the story of Christmas. That is why I am delighted that, this Christmas Eve, we can announce that this incredible painting of that famous event has been saved for the nation thanks to the export bar system.

I am pleased that, following conservation, this work will go on display at the Ulster Museum where it will be enjoyed by generations to come.

The export bar was placed on The Nativity following a recommendation by the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest. The Nativity is currently undergoing conservation work at the National Gallery in London before moving to its permanent home in Northern Ireland in 2023.

Anne Stewart, Senior Curator of Art at National Museums NI said:

National Museums NI is delighted that this remarkable painting will be part of our collection which has been made possible with the help and generosity of our partners and funders. Currently, there are no High Renaissance paintings in any public collection in Northern Ireland, so this is truly a Christmas gift to our audiences. We look forward to welcoming visitors to the Ulster Museum when it goes on display in 2023.

Dr Simon Thurley CBE, Chair of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, said:

It’s wonderful and timely news that NHMF have been able to support the Ulster Museum in acquiring The Nativity by Peruzzi and ensure this incredibly important artwork remains in the UK. It truly is a fantastic Christmas present for art lovers, and for Northern Ireland in particular.

Jenny Waldman, Director, Art Fund said:

This is an extraordinary, and beautiful, work of art. We are delighted that the export bar has allowed the Ulster Museum to make this important acquisition, and that a painting by Peruzzi will now enter a public UK collection for the first time.

Minister of State for Northern Ireland Steve Baker said:

It’s fantastic news that this important work of art is set to go on public display at Northern Ireland’s Ulster Museum next year.

Well done to all those involved in securing this historic painting for the enjoyment and cultural enrichment of people across the UK.
December 24, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister thanks public servants working over the festive season with surprise Christmas calls [December 2022]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 23 December 2022.

PM called dedicated diplomats, military personnel and childcare providers to personally wish them a Merry Christmas and thank them for their work.
- From the UK to Mogadishu, Islamabad to the South Sandwich Islands, public servants will be working all over the world this Christmas to protect the most vulnerable
- PM surprises dedicated diplomats, military personnel and childcare providers with unexpected calls to personally wish them a Merry Christmas and thank them for their work
- Pays tribute to the work of UK embassies and Armed Forces across the world who have protected national interests in the toughest of conditions
The Prime Minister surprised public servants working across the world this Christmas, calling them to personally thank them for their sacrifice and dedication in an unprecedented year of global challenge.

Alongside the FCDO Permanent Under-Secretary, Sir Philip Barton, and First Sea Lord Admiral Ben Key, the Prime Minister made surprise calls to diplomats in Pakistan, Somalia and Ukraine, as well as a Royal Navy ship sailing in Antarctica. He told them the work of diplomats and armed forces this year, against a backdrop of such global instability, demonstrated the very best of the United Kingdom overseas.

And closer to home, the Prime Minister surprised Chris Mitchell who runs Smart Play, an award-winning government-funded Holiday Activities and Food programme in Barnet. The PM heard first-hand how Chris and the team are supporting vulnerable children across the area with fun activities and nutritious meals throughout the school holidays.

Speaking to diplomat Nic Guffog, who is based in Mogadishu, the Prime Minister heard how the dedicated foreign office staffer had been using her breather breaks and flights from the UK back to Somalia to bring in Christmas decorations for the UK’s diplomatic compound in Mogadishu. She told the Prime Minister how staff in Mogadishu were living in containers under the threat of terror attacks, and would spend Christmas supporting efforts to counter the threat posed by Al-Shabaab and helping the Somalian government deal with the hunger crisis facing the country.

Nic, who looks after the embassy compound in East Africa, said the order for Christmas dinner had to be placed in the spring, and had recently arrived by container ship. This year’s celebrations were particularly special for the embassy after a Covid outbreak last year meant staff couldn’t sit together in the compound on Christmas Day. Nic hoped to add festive cheer this year with handmade Santa stockings and Christmas jumpers, despite the 40C heat, she added.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

Whether you are working in Mogadishu or Milton Keynes this Christmas, I want you to know that I am personally grateful for your sacrifice. This year has been an extraordinary year for so many reasons, but most of all, it’s been a year in which the true spirit and resilience of the United Kingdom has been on show, from the support given to our Ukrainian friends, to the work being done to ensure essential aid reaches the most vulnerable overseas.

And closer to home, those who have checked on friends and neighbours, volunteers, public servants and essential service staff all working over Christmas – I am truly humbled by your dedication and I know your selflessness this festive season will spread cheer across the country.

The Prime Minister also spoke to Sherwan Asif, from Pakistan, who has worked for the British High Commission in Islamabad for more than 12 years, and was at the forefront of the United Kingdom’s response to the devastating floods that ravaged the country in June. Sherwan identified areas in critical need and ensured UK funding reached the most vulnerable.

The Prime Minister also called Svita Yavorska, who has spent the year working for the UK’s embassy in Ukraine from Kyiv, Warsaw and now Lviv. Svita told the Prime Minister how she had to flee to Poland following Russia’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine, before setting up the Embassy’s temporary base in Poland. Svita also volunteered translating for refugees pouring over the border into Poland, and helping them secure new homes. Svita has since returned to Lviv, Ukraine, to help set up a new UK base in the city. She is also working closely with humanitarian partners to get vital UK aid into the country. The Prime Minister told Svita how grateful he was for her hard work, and said the UK would continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it took.

Finally, the Prime Minister spoke to some of the crew of HMS Protector, which is currently deployed off the coast of the South Sandwich islands, updating navigational charts using the latest sonar technology, monitoring the retreat of glaciers and ice shelves, and supporting the British Antarctic Survey scientists by delivering vital supplies and fixing any engineering issues.

The Prime Minister heard how the shipmates are experiencing 20 hours of sunlight a day, and had seen whales, penguins and endangered turtles during their deployment, as well as surveying underwater volcanos, and losing 7-1 to members of the Monserrat national football team during a friendly game on shore.

Asking about their Christmas plans, the sailors told the Prime Minister they had planned a number of celebrations between keeping watch on the ship, including a fancy dress party and Christmas dinner for the ship’s company.
December 24, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : DUP Leader thanks Cllr Kathryn Owen as she steps down from Council [December 2022]

The press release issued by the DUP on 16 December 2022.

DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP has thanked Cllr Dr Kathryn Owen for her service in Newry, Mourne and Down Council, where she represented the Rowallane DEA.

Sir Jeffrey said,

“Sadly, Kathryn is stepping back from Local Government due to a change in her full-time employment which will prevent her from being a Councillor. We thank Kathryn for her service in Rowallane and her efforts to help constituents. We look forward to working with Kathryn in the future and wish her every success in her new role.”

Dr Kathryn Owen said,

“I have been involved in public service all my life, initially through the Armed Forces and latterly through Local Government. It has been a privilege to serve the good people of Rowallane. Growing up in Rowallane and following in my grandfather’s footsteps made this a huge honour.

A few years ago, I embarked on an academic journey leading to the recent completion of my PhD in cardiology. This has now opened a new career path. I have loved serving the people of Rowallane; however, I cannot do both roles; therefore, regretfully, I am stepping back from Local Government.

I thank Sir Jeffrey Donaldson for his support and the Party for the opportunity to serve. I wish my replacement and colleagues every good fortune and will do all I can to support them and the Party in the future.”

December 23, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Paul Girvan welcomes further steps for victims of contaminated blood [December 2022]

The press release issued by the DUP on 15 December 2022.

DUP South Antrim MP Paul Girvan has welcomed further steps by the Government to address the tragedy of people impacted by contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s.

Mr Girvan said,

“This scandal had devastating consequences, but this action is a further step along the road to helping my constituents whose lives were turned upside-down through no fault of their own.

The £100k interim payment announced last August was the first step of redress for people who suffered devastating consequences of being infected by contaminated blood. I will be meeting with victims in Northern Ireland and considering this announcement alongside them.

The pain these people have suffered, many in silence, has been unimaginable not just for the infected patient but for their families who have had to live with this horror for decades without ever receiving proper recognition from the NHS.”

December 23, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Solutions needed to maintain Heathrow connectivity – Carla Lockhart [December 2022]

The press release issued by the DUP on 15 December 2022.

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has written to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris MP, to urge him to work with urgency to address the impact of the Trade and Co-operation Agreement on domestic UK flights from Belfast, by EU carriers. The DUP representative said the withdrawal of the Aer Lingus route from Belfast City to Heathrow ought to be the spur for the Government to find an accommodation for flights to continue.

Carla Lockhart said:

“The March 2023 deadline has been looming for several years and as yet, there appears to be no solution in place therefore no solution to maintain this important route under the operation of Aer Lingus.

I have been contacted by a local school in my constituency who plan to visit London next Spring for an educational trip. They have been informed that their travel plans are now in limbo due to the withdrawal of the Aer Lingus Heathrow service at the end of March 2023.

Colleagues have been engaging with the Government on this issue for some time, but as yet there is no solution in place that allows this service to continue uninterrupted. Aer Lingus must register as a UK carrier, and obtain a UK air operator certificate and use UK registered aircraft. This process can take time, so we need the Government to either offer a derogation on this, or work closely to accelerate this process to support the route.

Sadly across a range of areas there appears little urgency in the Northern Ireland Office to deliver anything for Northern Ireland. I trust the Secretary of State’s New Year’s resolution will be to do better in resolving the raft of issues arising from the decisions made by his Party. The list is growing, not reducing.”

December 23, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak must end ‘unacceptable’ refusal to negotiate with health workers – Michelle O’Neill

The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 23 December 2022.

Sinn Féin Leas Uachtarán Michelle O’Neill has called on the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to end the ‘unacceptable’ refusal to negotiate with NHS unions and to agree a fair settlement to avoid further strike action.

Criticising the British Government’s handling of the current dispute with healthcare staff, the First Minister Designate said:

“Our health and social care system in the north is in crisis as a result of 12 years of Tory austerity which has underfunded and undermined our public services.

“Striking workers are not only taking a stand for fair pay and safe staffing levels but they are also standing up in defence of the heatlh and social care system which continues to deteriorate and is facing into possibly its worst ever winter of pressures.

“Without fair pay and safe working conditions, it becomes much more difficult to retain skilled health and social care workers. That needs to be addressed because it is a key reason why our health service is in crisis.

“It is totally unacceptable that the British Government refuses to even negotiate with the workers’ trade union representatives.

“Our nurses and health workers shouldn’t have been forced onto the streets to take strike action in the freezing cold for fair pay and conditions.

“I raised this dispute with the British Prime Minister when he visited Belfast last week and I have written to him today again urging him to ensure his government immediately engages positively with the representative trade unions and pursues a suitable resolution that incorporates a fair pay and conditions settlement for health workers.

“Our nursing and healthcare staff are crucial to the functioning of the NHS so it’s time that the British Prime Minister started listening, and started negotiating.”

December 23, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Public inquiry into Pat Finucane killing should be held now following court ruling – Gerry Kelly [December 2022]

The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 21 December 2022.

Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has called on the British government to honour its commitment made by a British Prime Minister at Weston Park in 2001 to hold a public inquiry into the murder of human rights solicitor Pat Finucane

Speaking after a judge in Belfast High Court today quashed a decision by the British Secretary of State not to hold a public inquiry at this time Gerry Kelly said:

“Today’s decision by a High Court judge is a victory for the Geraldine Finucane, the widow of murdered human rights solicitor Pat Finucane, and her campaign to hold the British government to its commitment to hold a public inquiry into his killing.

“Justice Scoffield ruled that there has not as yet been a human rights compliant inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane in 1989.

“He has also quashed the decision by a British Secretary of State not to hold a public inquiry at this time into Pat Finucane’s killing.

“Judge Scoffield also ruled that the British Secretary of State acted unlawfully by failing to reconsider his refusal to hold a public inquiry after the PSNI concluded its investigation in May last year.

“The British Government now need to end their stalling tactics and fulfil the promise it made in 2001 and hold a full and independent public inquiry into the killing of Pat Finucane.

“No family should have to go to the courts again and again to force the British government to act within the law.

“The Finucane family has campaigned with courage and dignity for decades. They simply want the truth behind the murder of their father, husband and brother.

“Further delays are unacceptable and fly in the face of justice for Geraldine Finucane and her family.”

December 23, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : British government should scrap travel requirements in Ireland under regressive Nationalities and Borders Act – Archibald [December 2022]

The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 21 December 2022.

Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has said the British government should scrap visa requirements for travel in Ireland under its regressive Nationalities and Borders Act.

The Sinn Féin MLA said:

“This Nationalities and Borders Act being imposed by the British government is deeply damaging for the people of Ireland introducing the unacceptable prospect of visa requirements for certain people travelling across this island.

“This is an affront to the Good Friday Agreement and would cause untold damage to community, societal and business relations on the island.

“Representatives of the tourism industry including hoteliers have highlighted the negative consequences for tourism and the failure to properly engage or consult with them by the British government on potential solutions.

“70% of international visitors to the north arrive through Dublin Airport so the imposition of unnecessary additional bureaucracy needs to be avoided.

“These unnecessary and unwanted checks will be a hammer blow to Irish tourism and the British Government needs to immediately scrap these requirements.”

December 23, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : ‘Nurses deserve fair pay and safe staffing’ – Colm Gildernew [December 2022]

The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 20 December 2022.

Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has said nurses and health and social care workers should have fair pay and safe conditions.

Speaking as nurses begin their second day of strike action, the party’s health spokesperson said the British government should get on with delivering a fair pay offer.

Colm Gildernew said:

“Our nurses and health workers shouldn’t have been forced onto the streets to take strike action in the freezing cold for fair pay and conditions.

“They should have fair pay and conditions for the amazing work that they do, particularly as the cost of living continues to rise.

“Without fair pay and safe working conditions, it becomes much more difficult to retain skilled health and social care workers. That needs to be addressed.

“The British government needs to get on with delivering a fair pay award for our nurses and health workers now.

“I want to offer Sinn Féin’s support to our nurses, and to all health workers, who are on the picket lines for fair pay and better conditions.”

December 23, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Latest EU move on Protocol ‘very welcome’ – Declan Kearney [December 2022]

The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 19 December 2022.

Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney has welcomed confirmation from the EU Commission that the supply of veterinary medicines to the north will be extended.

The party’s Brexit spokesperson said:

“Confirmation that the supply of veterinary medicine supplies will be extended is very welcome. The Commission’s decision will provide reassurance and certainty to those directly affected.

“Once again this demonstrates the EU’s commitment to delivering practical solutions to ensure progress on the Protocol.

“The British government must show similar flexibility and engage positively with the EU to reach a durable, pragmatic resolution which ensures all our businesses have certainty and stability.”

December 23, 2022