Latest releases
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4,460 releases
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Removing Stormont’s cross-community vote for the Northern Ireland Protocol violates the Belfast Agreement
TUV says a Stormont cross-community vote on the Northern Ireland Protocol would breach the Belfast Agreement, arguing MLAs cannot renounce constituents' right to be represented in lawmaking without a referendum and majority consent. The article is by Dr Dan Boucher in the News Letter.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Stormont consent vote on the Northern Ireland Protocol by simple majority Original release: Removing Stormont’s cross-community vote for the Northern Ireland Protocol violates the Belfast Agreement (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw submits petition calling for 24/7 access to thrombectomy
Alliance South Belfast MLA Paula Bradshaw submitted a petition to the Assembly Speaker urging the Minister to deliver 24/7 thrombectomy for eligible stroke survivors, highlighting current low access and the need for infrastructure, equipment and training.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Petition for 24/7 thrombectomy service Original release: Bradshaw submits petition calling for 24/7 access to thrombectomy (opens in a new tab)
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Waiting List Crisis Requires New Approach – Dodds
DUP health spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA calls on Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to implement the Bengoa report and press the Treasury for more funding, after a 9.4% rise in people awaiting first consultant-led outpatient appointments. She has tabled an Assembly motion calling for additional…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Rise in first consultant-led outpatient waiting lists in NI trusts Original release: Waiting List Crisis Requires New Approach – Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Launch of strategy to tackle gender-based violence welcome, but it must be backed with action, says Egan.
Alliance MLA Connie Egan welcomes the introduction of the new Strategic Framework and Action Plan to end violence against women and girls, but says it must be matched with concrete action, commitment and funding.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Launch of Ending Violence against Women and Girls Strategic Framework Original release: Launch of strategy to tackle gender-based violence welcome, but it must be backed with action, says Egan. (opens in a new tab)
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Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy must be properly funded, says McLaughlin
Justice and policing Public finance and taxation Original release: Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy must be properly funded, says McLaughlin (opens in a new tab)
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Translink needs to stand its ground in face of Irish language bullies
TUV deputy leader Ron McDowell says a protest at Belfast's Grand Central was another attempt by Irish language supporters to bully others, and calls on Translink to stand firm rather than accept Irish on buses and bins. He cites 2021 census figures showing 0.3% of people in Northern Ireland have…
Disability and equality Infrastructure and transport Issue: Grand Central Belfast Irish language protest and Translink signage Original release: Translink needs to stand its ground in face of Irish language bullies (opens in a new tab)
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North South continues as usual while evidence of Union dismantling Protocol mounts
TUV councillor David Clarke criticises Unionist Executive Ministers for attending a North South Ministerial Council meeting in Dublin, arguing the DUP's deal changed nothing on the Protocol and warning of a forthcoming Stormont vote on it.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: North South Ministerial Council meeting in Dublin amid Protocol concerns Original release: North South continues as usual while evidence of Union dismantling Protocol mounts (opens in a new tab)
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Disruption of Sea Parcel Border already starting to bite
TUV leader Jim Allister MP warns that the Irish Sea parcels border, starting 30 September, is already causing providers in the rest of the UK to stop trading with Northern Ireland. He says the Government has failed to give hauliers clear information on the parcels processes and calls on the new…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Irish Sea parcels border start date and trader information delays Original release: Disruption of Sea Parcel Border already starting to bite (opens in a new tab)
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Deputy leader attends NIHRC annual report launch
Green Party Northern Ireland Deputy Leader Lesley Veronica says the party fully supports a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland, calling it a missed Good Friday Agreement promise and a post‑Brexit necessity, and welcomes the NIHRC annual report and recent Windsor Framework court rulings while applaud
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Issue: NIHRC annual report launch Original release: Deputy leader attends NIHRC annual report launch (opens in a new tab)
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Honesty required over health spending – Chambers
UUP health spokesperson Alan Chambers accuses DUP MLA Phillip Brett of inaccurately claiming an extra £76m was given to tackle waiting lists, saying the money is not additional, comprises £34m from UK Government and £42m from internal Department of Health prioritisation.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: DUP claim of extra £76m for health waiting lists Original release: Honesty required over health spending – Chambers (opens in a new tab)
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Lockhart Reaffirms Support for WASPI Women at Parliamentary Event
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says she attended a Westminster event with WASPI campaigners and will keep pressing for fair, fast compensation for 1950s-born women affected by State Pension age changes, citing a March 2024 Parliamentary Ombudsman call for an apology and compensation.
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Original release: Lockhart Reaffirms Support for WASPI Women at Parliamentary Event (opens in a new tab)
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We Must Oppose Orwellian Public Health Powers - Brolly
Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly opposes proposed powers in a Department of Health consultation on a new Public Health Bill, including forced entry to premises, compulsory vaccination and detention in hospital. She calls on the Health Minister to rescind the consultation document immediately.
Health Issue: Department of Health consultation on new Public Health Bill powers Original release: We Must Oppose Orwellian Public Health Powers - Brolly (opens in a new tab)
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Dickson welcomes introduction of hate crime legislation by Justice Minister
Alliance Justice Spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA welcomes the Justice Minister's plan to bring in hate crime legislation this mandate, citing recent racially motivated disorder and backing a statutory aggravation model in a forthcoming Sentencing Bill plus victim support in a Victims Bill.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Justice Minister's written statement on hate crime legislation Original release: Dickson welcomes introduction of hate crime legislation by Justice Minister (opens in a new tab)
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Planning and preparation for a new Ireland should start now, Cullen tells TUC meeting
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen calls for planning and preparation for a new Ireland to start now, urging the Irish government to lead this and immediately establish a Citizens' Assembly, while asking trade unionists and progressives in Britain and beyond to join the effort.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Original release: Planning and preparation for a new Ireland should start now, Cullen tells TUC meeting (opens in a new tab)
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It’s time to end austerity and invest in public services, says Tennyson
Alliance Finance spokesperson Eóin Tennyson MLA urges the UK Government to abandon austerity and reprioritise investment, ahead of an Alliance Assembly motion on the issue. He also calls on the Finance Minister to produce an overdue Sustainability Plan with a new funding formula.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Alliance Assembly motion on austerity and public service funding Original release: It’s time to end austerity and invest in public services, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong marks International Day of Democracy by calling for Votes at 16.
Alliance's Kellie Armstrong MLA calls for the voting age to be lowered to 16 and 17-year-olds, marking International Day of Democracy and pointing to Scotland, Wales and other regions that have already made the change.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Armstrong marks International Day of Democracy by calling for Votes at 16. (opens in a new tab)
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Long outlines proposed hate crime legislative provisions
Alliance Justice Minister Naomi Long sets out hate crime measures she plans to introduce before the mandate ends, including a statutory aggravation model in a Sentencing Bill and enhanced victim protections in a Victims Bill. She says a standalone Hate Crime Bill is not feasible given the reduced…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Justice Minister's written statement on hate crime legislation Original release: Long outlines proposed hate crime legislative provisions (opens in a new tab)
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PfG short on clear commitments: O’Toole
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole says the draft Programme for Government contains few specific targets, citing no clear waiting list reduction target and no measures on Lough Neagh or Special Educational Needs backlogs. He calls for binding targets.
Health Issue: Draft Programme for Government launch Original release: PfG short on clear commitments: O’Toole (opens in a new tab)
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United Against Racism Holds Successful Public Forum
People Before Profit says a Dublin forum of United Against Racism, attended by around 150 people, heard speakers on far-right attacks on people of colour, deprivation on Dublin's Northside, and anti-Islamophobia campaigning. Workshops covered unions, countering the far right and social media.
Disability and equality Immigration Original release: United Against Racism Holds Successful Public Forum (opens in a new tab)
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Renewed call for Baby Loss Certificates to be introduced in Northern…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart renews her call for baby loss certificates to be introduced in Northern Ireland, following a Westminster Hall debate and an online petition. She urges the Health Minister to prioritise an optional scheme, which she says would align with England's rollout.
Health Issue: Westminster Hall debate on baby loss certificates Original release: Renewed call for Baby Loss Certificates to be introduced in Northern… (opens in a new tab)