Latest releases
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3,576 releases
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Allister calls out attacks on Ben Habib
TUV leader Jim Allister says he is saddened by attacks, mostly from DUP sources, on Ben Habib, whom he praises as a true friend of Northern Ireland. He points to DUP positions on the Protocol and says Habib funded the court challenge exposing its breach of the Act of Union.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Attacks on Ben Habib from DUP sources over Protocol record Original release: Allister calls out attacks on Ben Habib (opens in a new tab)
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Now even shampoo bottles are being blocked by the Sea Border
TUV councillor Christopher Jamieson says the ban on hotel shampoo bottles entering Northern Ireland but not Great Britain shows the Sea Border divides the UK and reflects EU overreach. He claims DUP claims about the Sea Border are absurd and calls for those who backed the Executive's return to pay…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Hotel shampoo bottle phase-out reports in Northern Ireland Original release: Now even shampoo bottles are being blocked by the Sea Border (opens in a new tab)
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Mal O’Hara is likely to be successfully elected to the Seanad
The Green Party welcomes news that party leader Mal O'Hara is likely to be elected unopposed to the Seanad, making him its fifth sitting Senator. O'Hara says a Northern Ireland voice must remain in the Seanad and pledges to amplify voices from across the north.
Other Environment and climate Issue: Mal O'Hara likely unopposed Seanad by-election win Original release: Mal O’Hara is likely to be successfully elected to the Seanad (opens in a new tab)
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Consequences of failing to act to protect our environment are evident, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA responds to the Northern Ireland Audit Office report on water quality in rivers and lakes, saying Northern Ireland trails the Republic on ecological status. He calls for cross-departmental action and welcomes the DAERA minister's planned…
Environment and climate Issue: Northern Ireland Audit Office report on water quality in rivers and lakes Original release: Consequences of failing to act to protect our environment are evident, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Sir Jeffrey congratulates new Taoiseach
DUP MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson congratulates Simon Harris on becoming Fine Gael leader and urges him to respect the Three Stranded approach. He also calls on the Republic to reconsider its refusal to establish a public inquiry into the Omagh bombing.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Simon Harris elected Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach-in-waiting Original release: Sir Jeffrey congratulates new Taoiseach (opens in a new tab)
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Brett – “Ban on hotel shampoo story misrepresents the situation”
DUP MLA Phillip Brett says reports that hotel shampoo bottles will be phased out in Northern Ireland but not Great Britain are inaccurate, noting the EU proposal is not yet adopted and that the Assembly can now scrutinise and brake amended EU law.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Hotel shampoo bottle phase-out reports in Northern Ireland Original release: Brett – “Ban on hotel shampoo story misrepresents the situation” (opens in a new tab)
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Delighted by response to TUV/Reform UK alignment
TUV leader Jim Allister says he is delighted by grassroots response a week after the TUV/Reform UK electoral alignment, blaming the DUP's stance on the Protocol for harming unionist morale and accusing the DUP and UUP of dividing unionism.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: TUV/Reform UK electoral alignment announcement Original release: Delighted by response to TUV/Reform UK alignment (opens in a new tab)
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Greens in Ards and North Down reiterate support for a Moratorium against petroleum exploration and production
Green Party councillors in Ards and North Down say the council backed Cllr Kendall's proposal that its response to a Department consultation on onshore petroleum should back a moratorium and legislative ban. Cllr Kendall says the Executive has not acted on the ban despite the previous mandate's…
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Ards and North Down Council backs onshore petroleum moratorium and ban Original release: Greens in Ards and North Down reiterate support for a Moratorium against petroleum exploration and production (opens in a new tab)
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UUP response to The Windsor Framework (Implementation) Regulations 2024
UUP finance spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA calls the Windsor Framework (Implementation) Regulations 2024 a shocking abdication of responsibility that strips Stormont Ministers and MLAs of oversight and passes powers to Westminster. He says the Framework's internal UK trade checks would cover…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Safeguarding the Union command paper internal market regulations Original release: UUP response to The Windsor Framework (Implementation) Regulations 2024 (opens in a new tab)
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Brown raises concerns about flood management cuts and business grant delivery
Alliance South Down MLA Patrick Brown raises alarm over a reported cut of more than 60% to flood management funding in 2023/24 and questions why it was cut so deeply. He also queries how a £100k flood recovery grant scheme for businesses will be rolled out.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: DfI flood management funding cut figures for 2023/24 Original release: Brown raises concerns about flood management cuts and business grant delivery (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance gender pay gap reporting motion passes at Belfast City Council
Alliance councillors welcome the passing of their motion at Belfast City Council calling for gender pay gap reporting, noting no legal obligation exists in Northern Ireland. Councillor Tara Brooks, who proposed it, says the council should lead by adopting transparent methods for recording and…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Belfast City Council gender pay gap reporting motion passes Original release: Alliance gender pay gap reporting motion passes at Belfast City Council (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance celebrate 'Green Economy' breakthrough at NMD Council
Alliance Newry Mourne and Down councillors welcome the council's plans for photovoltaic solar farms on two redundant landfill sites at Aughnagun and Drumnakelly, which they say could bring in about £250,000 a year net. They also claim further Alliance-identified sites could help ease rates pressure.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Newry Mourne and Down council PV farms on Aughnagun and Drumnakelly landfill sites Original release: Alliance celebrate 'Green Economy' breakthrough at NMD Council (opens in a new tab)
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Protocol implementors, not TUV, have divided Unionism
TUV Councillor Christopher Jamieson accuses DUP MP Sammy Wilson of attacking unionists who oppose the Protocol and of siding with those implementing it, arguing that DUP figures are the ones who have divided unionism.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Protocol implementors, not TUV, have divided Unionism (opens in a new tab)
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Wilson slams TUV’s absurd & self-destructive plan
DUP MP Sammy Wilson accuses the TUV and Reform UK of a plan to split unionist votes at the next Westminster election, claiming it would hand seats to the Alliance Party and benefit Sinn Fein, and rejects their claim that the DUP is not real unionist.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Wilson slams TUV’s absurd & self-destructive plan (opens in a new tab)
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Children with SEN must be a priority – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker calls on the Education Minister to make children with special educational needs a priority, after figures showed over 1,000 such children will need a school place in September. He urges the minister to work with the Health Minister and other parties to overhaul the SEN…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Over 1,000 children with SEN needing school places in September Original release: Children with SEN must be a priority – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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Latest Donaldson Deal revelation designed to prevent scrutiny of Protocol implementation
TUV leader Jim Allister says new regulations on the Donaldson Deal give Whitehall ministers oversight powers over Protocol implementation while diminishing Assembly committees' powers to demand papers and ministerial attendance. He argues this lets the Protocol be enforced without democratic…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Safeguarding the Union command paper internal market regulations Original release: Latest Donaldson Deal revelation designed to prevent scrutiny of Protocol implementation (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: UK Government must address plight of WASPI women
SDLP South Belfast MP Claire Hanna calls on the Work and Pensions Secretary to make an urgent statement to Parliament on correcting the WASPI women's pension age situation after the Ombudsman found they were owed compensation.
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman WASPI compensation finding Original release: Hanna: UK Government must address plight of WASPI women (opens in a new tab)
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Sir Jeffrey – “further progress for Northern Ireland”
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP welcomes the Prime Minister's confirmation that regulations giving the UK Government new powers over the internal market will be introduced in Parliament shortly. He says the move follows the Assembly's first vote on applying an EU law in Northern Ireland and…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Safeguarding the Union command paper internal market regulations Original release: Sir Jeffrey – “further progress for Northern Ireland” (opens in a new tab)
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Sir Jeffrey wishes Leo Varadkar well as he steps down
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP offers best wishes to Leo Varadkar on his departure from the Taoiseach's office, noting past sharp differences on the Protocol, legacy and Northern Ireland's constitutional future, but also areas of cooperation.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Leo Varadkar resignation as Taoiseach announcement Original release: Sir Jeffrey wishes Leo Varadkar well as he steps down (opens in a new tab)
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Livestock in NI can no longer bear UK ear tags thanks to Protocol
TUV leader Jim Allister says livestock in Northern Ireland must now use EU 'X1' ear tags instead of UK tags under the Protocol, adding costs for farmers. He cites DAERA's answer to an assembly question that the switch is provisionally due by January 2025.
Agriculture and rural affairs International affairs Issue: Northern Ireland livestock tag prefix change from UK to XI Original release: Livestock in NI can no longer bear UK ear tags thanks to Protocol (opens in a new tab)