Robin Swann MP has welcomed a response from Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins MLA to his recent open letter calling for clarity and committed progress on the reopening of the Antrim-Lisburn (Knockmore) Railway Line. More than 1,200 residents and supporters added their names to Mr Swann’s letter, underscoring the strength of local feeling behind the project. Mr Swann said: “The Minister has now replied to the open letter which was submitted on behalf of over 1,200 local resi

South Antrim MP Robin Swann attended the Westminster Hall debate in opposition to the planned introduction of Digital ID. The recent petition opposing the policy gathered nearly three million signatures from across the United Kingdom and 4,500 from South Antrim. Intervening in the packed debate, Mr Swann asked: “Does he agree that this is one of those unusual circumstances in which this Government have managed to unite every party in Northern Ireland on a single issue, and in

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has received confirmation from the Department for Infrastructure Roads Service that work is underway and further action planned to tackle persistent flooding on the Mallusk Road, McKinney Road area and the A8. Following Mr Swann’s intervention, DfI Roads confirmed that an external contractor has recently cleared gullies and drainage lines between Hightown Road and Scullions Road on the Mallusk Road. Subject to funding, additional cleaning between S

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has written to the Minister of Finance, John O’Dowd MLA, urging the Department to consider introducing nature-friendly features, such as swift bricks, into Building Regulations for new homes. Swifts, cavity-nesting birds that are a priority species under Northern Ireland law, have seen significant declines in recent years. Robin Swann highlighted that similar proposals have been debated in the House of Lords. These proposals aimed to require swift

Leading a Westminster debate, South Antrim MP Robin Swann has warned that Northern Ireland is facing a potential crisis in the supply of veterinary medicines unless the UK Government urgently delivers a clear and long-term solution before the end of the year. Speaking during his debate, Mr Swann said the expiry of the current grace period on 31 December poses a serious risk to the continued availability of hundreds of essential products used daily by vets, farmers, pet owners

Robin Swann MP and Robbie Butler MLA met DEFRA Minister Baroness Hayman in Stormont today to seek urgent updates and assurances on veterinary medicine supply as the end to the current grace period approaches an end. The Ulster Unionist representatives pressed the Minister on the need for clear and timely communication to vets, farmers and pet owners, ensuring they have access to information and guidance throughout the transition period into the new year. Mr Swann and Mr Butle

Robin Swann MP will lead a Westminster Hall debate next Wednesday on “the supply of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland,” following growing concern from vets, farmers and animal welfare organisations about the lack of clarity surrounding post-Brexit medicine arrangements. The debate will be responded to by the Northern Ireland Office. The move comes after eight leading organisations – including the British Veterinary Association, the North of Ireland Veterinary Associati

Ahead of Wednesday’s Autumn Budget, Robin Swann MP has again warned that the proposed Family Farm Tax poses a  “deeply damaging and utterly unacceptable threat”  to the future of family-run farms in Northern Ireland. Robin Swann MP said: “As I have made clear time and time again, the Family Farm Tax is a direct threat to the survival of family farms in Northern Ireland. These farms are not large commercial businesses - they are family farms, passed down through generations an

As the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill moves to its Committee Stage in the House of Commons, South Antrim MP Robin Swann has published the nine amendments he has tabled to strengthen the Bill, safeguard victims and ensure terrorists cannot exploit or influence the legacy process. Mr Swann said: “This Bill must protect innocent victims and their families, and it must never empower or reward those who planned, carried out or justified terrorism. “As it stands, the Government’s B

As the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill received its Second Reading in the House of Commons this evening, South Antrim MP Robin Swann opened his speech by reflecting on the services of remembrance held this month for the armed forces and veterans. He said: “‘For your tomorrow, we gave our today,’ is a phrase that many in this House stood in honour saying somewhere at the last Remembrance Sundays, as we stood across this country, remembering those who served and those who sacrif

Robin Swann MP has called on Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins MLA to clarify when the long-awaited feasibility study on reopening the Antrim–Lisburn railway line (Knockmore Line) will finally be published. Mr Swann has campaigned since being elected Member of Parliament for the restoration of the line, which would connect Antrim, Crumlin, Glenavy and Belfast International Airport directly to Lisburn and the wider Northern Ireland Railways network. The Department for Infras

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has met with a delegation of farmers in Westminster head of the budget later this month. George Robson from Doagh and Sammy Moore from Burnside were part of the Ulster Farmers' Union's delegation and engaged with Robin Swann MP about the impact the Family Farm Inheritance Tax will have on farms like theirs.  Mr Swann said: "The Family Farm Tax, due to start in the new financial year, is causing farms across South Antrim a great deal of anxiety and

In a meeting of the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly this week, Robin Swann MP, the only Northern Ireland Member of Parliament in the Assembly, stressed the pressures facing veterinary medicines as a result of the Windsor Framework. During the meeting Mr Swann stressed: “We are now looking at a number of crises in the next few weeks in regards to the number of veterinary medicines allowed into Northern Ireland because of the Windsor Framework. “When we put animal heal

As the UK Government’s Northern Ireland Troubles Bill reaches its Second Reading today, Ulster Unionist MP Robin Swann has made clear that he will oppose the legislation at this stage and seek substantial amendments should it proceed further. Robin Swann MP said: “At the conclusion of today’s vote on the Second Reading of the Bill, I will be submitting nine initial amendments to the legislation. These amendments are designed to strengthen the Bill in areas where it currently

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has been told by the UK Government and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs that Northern Ireland is being prevented from benefiting from the rollout of a bovine TB cattle vaccine because of legal barriers created by the Windsor Framework and by Northern Ireland’s own domestic legislation. Responding to a Parliamentary Question from Mr Swann, DEFRA Minister Dame Angela Eagle stated that Northern Ireland could not be included

We have such a vibrant sporting culture and community here in South Antrim with thousands of sportspeople from over a hundred clubs covering dozens of different sports. So it was fantastic to welcome representatives from many of those clubs to my Inaugural Sports Development meeting which was held at Crumlin United FC. The engagement from the clubs, their committees and members, both at the event and throughout the consultation period had been brilliant and really appreciated

I have been contacted by many constituents over the past couple of weeks about the growing issue of fireworks and the distress they are causing across South Antrim. I am particularly aware of a recent and very tragic local incident where a family dog, frightened by the sound of fireworks, ran away from home and sadly died. This highlights just how serious the impact of fireworks can be. The noise and disruption from fireworks can have a major effect on pets, wildlife and farm

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has called for firm action, not further delays on the strategic rail review and has welcomed a £1m investment in the project. Mr Swann recently wrote to the Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins seeking an update on the review, particularly in relation to the reopening of the Antrim-Lisburn (Knockmore) railway line, which would reconnect Antrim, Lisburn, and the villages in between, while also providing a direct link to Belfast International Airport.

Following an intervention by South Antrim MP Robin Swann, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has now confirmed that Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal poppies and merchandise are not subject to EU Regulations and that guidance will be updated accordingly. Mr Swann said: “I am very pleased that the Secretary of State has acted on this, and that guidance will be updated to ensure those running Poppy Appeal stands and events are not asked to follow unnecessary EU GPSR

I'm delighted to welcome the news that the Ulster Grand Prix is set to return to the Dundrod circuit, here in South Antrim. This has the potential to be a major boost for motorsport and the local economy. The Grand Prix has long been part of local sporting heritage, and its return will reflect the hard work and determination of everyone involved. It will be fantastic to see this iconic event back on the calendar - showcasing South Antrim and Northern Ireland on the world moto