Gareth Wilson MLA

31/10/2026

Great to see the Victoria Street and Gaol Square Armagh City resurfacing works pushing on in such fine weather!😎

31/10/2026

I welcome the efforts being made by my colleague Jonathan Buckley MLA to pursue Unionist Unity.

It is my view that there is much more that unites than divides us. I know that after my own extensive engagement, many local people feel the same, and there is a real hunger for greater cooperation.

I know this will not be easy and there are many valid views on where we need to go next. However, I have also seen across my time as an elected representative both after 20 years in local Council and now at Stormont what can be achieved when we work together. Unity is strength✅

𝗕𝗨𝗖𝗞𝗟𝗘𝗬’𝗦 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗘𝗫𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗩𝗘 🗞️

Unionism needs to unite. I have written to the leaders of the three unionist parties, inviting them to formal talks on unity and cooperation.

I believe our community is sick, sore and tired of unionist politicians attacking and undermining one another when there are far greater challenges facing us all.

We have our differences, and that is natural. But we also need to know when to unite. That time is now.

I have outlined this in my News Letter piece today, where I explain my views on where we are and where we must go from here.

If you agree that it’s time for unionists to come together, send that message. Don’t stay silent. Please share! 🔁

Read the article in the comments below 👇🏻

Jonny Buckley MLA

30/10/2026

🍎𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗜𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗧𝗼 𝗕𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱🎃

Really looking forward to some great family-friendly events taking place in Richhill this weekend!

𝗔𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻

Richhill Methodist is holding its annual Alternative Halloween event tonight in the village square.

The event starts at 6:30pm with music, games, BBQ, Messy Harvest, Tea and Tarts, as well as a fireworks display at 8pm.

𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗙𝗮𝘆𝗿𝗲

The Harvest Fayre takes over the village square this Saturday from 10am - 4:30pm with live music, food stalls, craft stalls and activities for the kids.

It's shaping up to be a great weekend for the village!

30/10/2026

I will continue to work on the issues of importance to everyone in the Newry area.

📣 Responses to the People’s Forum: Gareth Wilson MLA (DUP)

After our public workshop on 8 October, we sent the full report to every councillor and MLA representing Newry and asked which priorities they will commit to. We’re publishing replies in full as they come in.

The response below is from Gareth Wilson, DUP MLA for Newry and Armagh. Thank you for taking the time to reply.

We’ll share every reply we receive, from all parties.



------------

Thank you for all the work that has gone into developing this forum to date, including collating the feedback on the night.

The scale of engagement is impressive, and the report provides a valuable insight into the priorities and concerns of local people. It is clear that many residents share frustrations about infrastructure constraints, planning delays, dereliction, economic challenges and the future direction of the city. Equally, there is a strong and positive vision for Newry's future.

As an MLA for Newry and Armagh, I take these concerns seriously. Whilst I do not hold Ministerial office (Infrastructure, Economy and Finance portfolios are held by Sinn Féin) and do not sit on the local council, I am committed to using my role in the Northern Ireland Assembly to advocate on behalf of local people and to work constructively with council colleagues and relevant departments to progress solutions.

Infrastructure, Planning and Development
Residents have highlighted ongoing concerns around planning delays, wastewater capacity constraints, parking and public transport provision.

My commitments:
- Continue pressing the Department for Infrastructure and Northern Ireland Water to address sewage infrastructure limitations that are holding back housing and commercial development in Newry.
- Submit Assembly Questions and engage directly with the Infrastructure Minister regarding investment priorities for the Newry area.
- Raise concerns regarding planning performance and work with council colleagues to identify barriers to efficient decision-making.
- Advocate for improvements to transport connectivity and parking provision where these can support the city's growth.
Engage with Council regarding the best use of new powers that will be made available through the Dilapidation Bill that I worked on as a member of the AERA Committee.

Timescale:
- Ongoing engagement through the Assembly and ministerial correspondence over the coming months, with progress updates provided publicly where possible until the end of the Assembly mandate.

Supporting the Local Economy and Tackling Vacant Premises
The concerns expressed regarding city centre decline and commercial vacancies are particularly significant.

My commitments:
- Continue to raise the issue of growing vacancy rates in Newry through Assembly business and written questions.
- Lobby the Minister for the Economy and Invest NI to ensure Newry receives appropriate support for business growth, investment and town centre regeneration.

Timescale:
- Ongoing engagement through the Assembly and ministerial correspondence over the coming months, with progress updates provided publicly where possible until the end of the Assembly mandate.

Daisy Hill Hospital
The future of Daisy Hill Hospital remains one of the most important issues facing Newry and the wider region.

My commitments:
- Continue my ongoing campaign for the protection and enhancement of services at Daisy Hill Hospital.
- Hold the Department of Health and the Southern Trust accountable for decisions affecting local healthcare provision.
- Use Assembly debates, questions and engagements with ministers to highlight the importance of maintaining accessible healthcare services for the people of Newry and south Armagh.

Timescale:
- Immediate and ongoing.

As mentioned above, whilst I am one of the few Unionist representatives for the Newry area, my constituency service is available to anyone, and I have been pleased to support a number of Newry residents since taking on the role of MLA in January. Anyone in need of support or advice can contact my office at 02838870500 or at [email protected]

I look forward to engaging with the Forum and residents as this work progresses and would welcome future opportunities for constructive dialogue on the priorities identified within the report.

Regards,
Gareth Wilson MLA

27/10/2026

👉Check out the ‘Before n After’ edit 😊- great to see the access road solution delivered at Ballyleaney Orange Hall - no more messy boots n shoes and a big thanks to the water company and the contractors for their time and effort! Delivery✅

26/10/2026

All donations to PIPS su***de prevention!

22/10/2026

𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

Some constituents have been in touch after recent works by NI Water had left an eyesore on the footpath in Main Street, Richhill.

I have been advised that the surface was reinstated by the Contractor as a temporary measure in advance of the permanent reinstatement.

This will be completed by the Contractor with a permanent reinstatement within 28 days. Will keep an eye on this one...

21/10/2026

𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗟𝗔 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗼 𝗦𝗵𝘂𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗢𝗻 𝗗𝗔𝗘𝗥𝗔 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗹

The Alliance Party’s John Blair MLA cannot shut down committee debate just because he and his party doesn’t like it! The Chair controls the meeting - not him - a point I clearly made 👇

20/10/2026

𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗳 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀

Since taking on the role of MLA for Newry and Armagh, I have been investigating the operation of the Early Removal Scheme, which enables the removal of Foreign National Prisoners in partnership with the Home Office.

Unlike elsewhere in the UK, the scheme in Northern Ireland is voluntary, meaning prisoners must choose to participate. Through Assembly Questions, I established that 765 prisoners may have met the eligibility criteria since the scheme was introduced, yet only a relatively small proportion were actually removed.

I was astounded that, despite the clear pressures facing our prisons, the Justice Minister rejected my calls to use the powers already available to her to strengthen the scheme.

Whilst Minister Long claims there is no "compelling case" for change, I believe common sense tells us that a scheme designed to remove eligible foreign national offenders cannot be operating at maximum effectiveness when participation is left entirely to those it is intended to remove.

19/10/2026

𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐈 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲...

Despite Michelle O'Neill's arrogant claim that she can respond to the consequences of her actions 'in her own time', I welcome the fact that she has had to confirm that she will be interviewed by the PSNI this week.