Latest releases
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4,116 releases
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Allister releases figures showing rigour of Sea Border unabated by Windsor Framework or Donaldson deal
TUV MLA Jim Allister says Assembly answer figures show Sea Border checks have not diminished under the Windsor Framework or the Donaldson Deal, and calls the border's rigour unabated. He claims the EU Customs Code, which he says the Protocol leaves unaltered, is the cause.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Assembly answer on GB-NI retail goods checks figures, January 2023 to February 2024 Original release: Allister releases figures showing rigour of Sea Border unabated by Windsor Framework or Donaldson deal (opens in a new tab)
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Mary Lou McDonald discusses Ireland and Palestine in keynote address at Georgetown University
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald, in a keynote at Georgetown University, says Ireland is undergoing generational change, calls for a Citizens' Assembly on Irish Unity and urges a ceasefire in Gaza and renewed peace efforts.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Mary Lou McDonald discusses Ireland and Palestine in keynote address at Georgetown University (opens in a new tab)
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Kimmins welcomes discussions on junior doctors pay
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins welcomes discussions between the health minister and trade unions aimed at agreeing a fair pay increase for junior doctors. She calls for the talks to continue and for a pay settlement to be reached quickly.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Health minister and trade unions junior doctors pay discussions Original release: Kimmins welcomes discussions on junior doctors pay (opens in a new tab)
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Blue tongue stalemate is down to NI’s subjection to the absurdity of EU law
TUV leader Jim Allister says a DAERA minister's reply confirms NI farmers face stranded livestock from GB, possibly for up to two years, under EU blue tongue rules. He blames NI's continued alignment with EU law and the Protocol for the hardship.
Agriculture and rural affairs International affairs Issue: DAERA minister reply on blue tongue restrictions for GB livestock Original release: Blue tongue stalemate is down to NI’s subjection to the absurdity of EU law (opens in a new tab)
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Ireland and Palestine top political agenda in the US this week
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald says her US trip will involve meetings with Capitol Hill, the US administration, Irish diaspora and business leaders, and will press for an immediate cease‑fire in Palestine and a two‑state peace process.
International affairs Constitutional affairs Issue: Israel‑Gaza conflict ceasefire call Original release: Ireland and Palestine top political agenda in the US this week (opens in a new tab)
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It is Protocol Implementers who are dividing Unionism
TUV leader Jim Allister says those who have abandoned the 2021 Unionist Declaration against the Protocol, not TUV, are dividing unionism, and rejects claims that he and others holding that position are to blame. He speaks at a Carrickfergus meeting about the Donaldson deal.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Donaldson deal and unionist division over the Protocol Original release: It is Protocol Implementers who are dividing Unionism (opens in a new tab)
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Elliott explains that the complex interaction between farming and climate change requires addressing
UUP agriculture spokesperson Tom Elliott MLA says farming's role in climate change needs addressing, arguing farmers are partners rather than scapegoats. He points to carbon sequestration, renewable energy on farms and the sector's economic importance, and calls for incentives and collaboration.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Original release: Elliott explains that the complex interaction between farming and climate change requires addressing (opens in a new tab)
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School children denied engagement with natural world by Sea Border
TUV councillor Timothy Gaston says the Woodland Trust's Free Trees for Schools and Communities scheme excludes Northern Ireland because of the Protocol, which bans trees from Great Britain entering the region. He argues this shows the Windsor Framework has not removed such bans and accuses the DUP…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Woodland Trust Free Trees scheme unavailable in Northern Ireland Original release: School children denied engagement with natural world by Sea Border (opens in a new tab)
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New recycling and waste management proposals are fantastic news for the environment, says Blair
Alliance MLA John Blair welcomes a 12-week DAERA consultation on recycling and waste, saying its 26 proposals could raise household recycling from 51 to 74 per cent. He urges the public to respond.
Environment and climate Issue: Department 12-week recycling and waste management consultation launch Original release: New recycling and waste management proposals are fantastic news for the environment, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Recycling should be an integral part of our everyday lives, says Muir
Alliance Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir MLA calls for recycling to become an everyday activity in homes, workplaces and public settings, as he launches a 12-week consultation on 26 proposals to improve recycling and waste management.
Environment and climate Issue: Department 12-week recycling and waste management consultation launch Original release: Recycling should be an integral part of our everyday lives, says Muir (opens in a new tab)
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1200 primary school children get set to celebrate sport
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons attended the first of two Celebration of Sport activity days in Ballymoney, where almost 500 primary pupils tried sports including canoeing, cricket and wheelchair basketball. He says the event, now in its 10th year, promotes physical activity and inclusion.
Health Original release: 1200 primary school children get set to celebrate sport (opens in a new tab)
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Level of assaults on police officers “entirely unacceptable”: Buchanan
DUP MLA Keith Buchanan says it is entirely unacceptable that around eight PSNI officers are assaulted daily and calls for action beyond aspiration on officer welfare. He welcomes the Chief Constable's willingness to make personal impact statements to courts in assault cases.
Justice and policing Health Original release: Level of assaults on police officers “entirely unacceptable”: Buchanan (opens in a new tab)
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Kimmins backs call for greater north-south cancer care cooperation
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins backs calls for greater north-south cooperation on cancer care, arguing an all-island approach would improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment and sustainability. She urges the Health Minister to include such cooperation as a key pillar of the new cancer strategy.
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Jeffrey’s non-existent border requires 150 staff
TUV leader Jim Allister says DAERA employs 151.5 staff on inspections and official controls at ports and plans to fill 28 more posts, arguing the Irish Sea border is real and strengthening, not gone as the DUP claimed.
Constitutional affairs Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: DAERA port inspection staffing figures and planned vacancies Original release: Jeffrey’s non-existent border requires 150 staff (opens in a new tab)
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Dillon calls for action to protect care home residents
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon urges the Health Minister to act on a recent report from the Commissioner for Older People, warning that care home evictions are distressing for residents and families. She also calls for enough care home beds to meet demand.
Health Issue: Commissioner for Older People report on care home evictions Original release: Dillon calls for action to protect care home residents (opens in a new tab)
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Second Von der Leyen term would be bad for Ireland & EU
Sinn Féin calls on the Irish government and Irish MEPs to oppose Ursula von der Leyen's bid for a further Commission presidency, citing Article 16 vaccine export controls, her COVID vaccine contract handling and her Gaza response, and urges all MEP candidates to state their position.
International affairs Constitutional affairs Original release: Second Von der Leyen term would be bad for Ireland & EU (opens in a new tab)
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Irish remains preserve of one community
TUV leader Jim Allister challenges DUP MLA Paul Givan's claim that Irish belongs to everyone, arguing the Irish language is not supported by facts such as its absence from controlled school curricula. He says Irish language legislation aims to promote Gaelicisation as part of a nationalist…
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Issue: Paul Givan's comments that Irish belongs to all of us Original release: Irish remains preserve of one community (opens in a new tab)
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Junior Doctors Are Right To Strike
People Before Profit backs Northern Ireland's Junior Doctors on their first 24-hour strike over pay, and calls for a consolidated 10% pay increase for health and social care workers. It lists picket locations at Craigavon, the Royal Victoria and Altnagelvin hospitals.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Northern Ireland junior doctors 24‑hour pay strike Original release: Junior Doctors Are Right To Strike (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath shows support for junior doctors
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath pledges full support for junior doctors taking strike action at the Ulster Hospital picket line, saying their pay and working conditions must be addressed. He urges the Health Minister to reach a fair settlement with them.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Northern Ireland junior doctors 24‑hour pay strike Original release: McGrath shows support for junior doctors (opens in a new tab)
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Smear test review must be concluded urgently – Kimmins
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins urges the Southern Health Trust to finish its review of around 11,000 cervical screening smear tests still awaiting re-checking as soon as possible. She says women's health services are not fit for purpose and calls on the Health Minister to act on a Women's Health…
Health Issue: Southern Health Trust smear test review backlog of around 11,000 tests Original release: Smear test review must be concluded urgently – Kimmins (opens in a new tab)