Strangford Democratic Unionist Party

19/05/2026

10/05/2026

01/05/2026

Replacing Urban Trees

A few years ago, I was concerned about the loss of urban trees through damage and disease which were not being replaced. After speaking to DfI Roads and council officers, I brought a motion to create a partnership to work to replace lost trees and plant more.

As a result, the following have recently been planted:

Frances Street (N'Ards) – 7 x standard street trees planted
Regent Street (N'Ards) – 2 x standard street trees planted
Conway Square (N'Ards) – 6 x standard street trees planted
Hibernia Street (Holywood) – 2 x standard street trees planted

In addition, the Council is working to strengthen the overall urban tree canopy, with further planting carried out in local urban parklands:

Ward Park (Bangor) – 39 x standard mixed variety trees planted

Castle Park (Bangor) – 17 x standard mixed variety trees planted
Kerrs Wood (Bangor) – 100 x standard mixed variety tree planted
Pickie (Bangor) – 20 x standard mixed variety trees planted
Lisnabreen Church (Bangor) – 10 x standard mixed variety trees planted

More sites are being assessed for inclusion in this partnership which is improving and enhancing our urban environment.

14/04/2026

Parties Refuse to Face Cost of Net Zero – McIlveen

DUP Deputy Leader Michelle McIlveen MLA has criticised other parties in the NI Assembly after they opposed a DUP motion calling for a full cost-benefit analysis of net zero policies in all Northern Ireland Departments.

Speaking following the debate, Ms McIlveen said:

“Today the Assembly had an opportunity to take a sensible and responsible step to calculate the cost of net zero for our budget. Instead of looking at affordability or grasping transparency, the other major parties chose to turn a blind eye to the real costs being imposed on households, businesses and public services.

Our motion simply asked that departments properly assess the costs and benefits of net zero policies. That is the minimum standard of good government, yet it was rejected.

Many of the proposals being advanced under the current Climate Action Plan are not fully quantified. Families and businesses are being asked to shoulder additional burdens without clarity on what those costs will be or what the return will be.

At a time when people are already facing a cost-of-living crisis, that is simply unacceptable.

We have already seen how rigid climate targets are impacting major infrastructure projects, including the A5 and A1. There is a growing risk that vital investment in roads and economic development will be delayed or deprioritised because of policies that have not been properly stress-tested.

Other parties may be content to pursue aspirational targets without asking hard questions, but the DUP will not. We will continue to stand up for a fair and balanced approach. One that protects our environment while also safeguarding public services and household finances.

The refusal of others to even examine the cost of their policies raises serious questions about whether their approach is driven by evidence or ideology.”

06/04/2026

Play your part in building a better Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom.
www.mydup.com/join

02/04/2026

UFU president William Irvine and UFU parliamentary officer Alexander Kinnear pictured with Robert Jenric MP from Reform UK and DUP Deputy leader Michelle Mcllveen MLA at a dinner hosted by the DUP📷