Latest releases
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3,573 releases
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McReynolds to bring Private Member's Bill to strengthen protections for trees and woodland
Alliance MLA Peter McReynolds says he will bring a Private Member's Bill to strengthen protections for trees and woodland once the Assembly returns, after an Ombudsman report found no prosecutions for tree preservation order breaches. He says the Bill will cover stronger protection for ancient…
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Public Service Ombudsman report on tree preservation order enforcement Original release: McReynolds to bring Private Member's Bill to strengthen protections for trees and woodland (opens in a new tab)
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All parties must take a clear stand on antisemitism: Buckley
DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley says all Northern Ireland parties must clearly oppose antisemitism after meeting the UK's antisemitism adviser, Lord Mann. He also asks Sinn Féin to explain why none of its members met him and when it was first told of the visit.
Disability and equality Issue: DUP delegation meeting with Lord Mann on antisemitism Original release: All parties must take a clear stand on antisemitism: Buckley (opens in a new tab)
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UUP leader meets with Nick Thomas-Symonds MP
UUP leader says a meeting with Labour's Nick Thomas-Symonds MP confirmed Labour would not change the Windsor Framework, and sets out party concerns on green lane checks, a veterinary medicines deal, an 'Intertrade U.K.' body and Northern Ireland funding. The party also urges a return to devolved…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: UUP meeting with Nick Thomas-Symonds MP on the Windsor Framework Original release: UUP leader meets with Nick Thomas-Symonds MP (opens in a new tab)
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Posters erected in Belvoir do not represent the people of South Belfast, say Nicholl and Bradshaw
Alliance MLAs Kate Nicholl and Paula Bradshaw condemn signs in the Belvoir estate telling certain people they are no longer welcome, which have been reported to the PSNI, Department for Communities and Housing Executive for removal. They call for a functioning Executive to accelerate housing…
Community relations and legacy Immigration Issue: Signs in Belvoir estate telling certain people they are unwelcome Original release: Posters erected in Belvoir do not represent the people of South Belfast, say Nicholl and Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Veterinary strike explodes Windsor Whitewash Spin
TUV Braid Councillor Christopher Jamison says disruption to livestock movements from the veterinary strike has undermined government claims that the Irish Sea border has been removed. He says Sea Border vet checks are the core of the dispute and calls the Protocol a constitutional problem that…
Constitutional affairs Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Veterinary strike disruption to livestock movements at the Sea Border Original release: Veterinary strike explodes Windsor Whitewash Spin (opens in a new tab)
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Lauren Kendall announced as new Councillor for Holywood and Clandeboye
The Green Party NI in Ards and North Down announces Lauren Kendall as its new Councillor for Holywood and Clandeboye, replacing Rachel, with Cllr Kendall pledging a focus on sustainability, community voices and urgent action on climate breakdown.
Local government Environment and climate Issue: Rachel Woods resignation as Holywood and Clandeboye councillor Original release: Lauren Kendall announced as new Councillor for Holywood and Clandeboye (opens in a new tab)
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‘It will be the people of this island who will decide our future in a referendum’ – Finucane
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane says the people of the island will decide Ireland's future in a referendum under the Good Friday Agreement, responding to the Tánaiste's comments. He calls on the Irish government to immediately establish a Citizens' Assembly on Irish unity.
Constitutional affairs Original release: ‘It will be the people of this island who will decide our future in a referendum’ – Finucane (opens in a new tab)
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Women must be kept updated during smear testing review – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says women must receive full information throughout the cervical smear testing review, which will start on 30 October and cover 17,500 tests. She urges timely, accurate handling, urgent rollout of HPV testing across the north, welcomes the Department of Health’s December‑t
Health Disability and equality Issue: Southern Trust cervical cancer screening review smear test re-checks Original release: Women must be kept updated during smear testing review – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Anniversary of ending of Ministers' terms should make us all reflect and increases need for reform, says Muir
Alliance's Andrew Muir MLA says the first anniversary of the Executive's collapse should prompt reflection on the hardship caused by no Ministers, and calls for reform of the Executive, including weighted majority voting, to stop parties blocking government.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: One year anniversary of Northern Ireland Executive collapse Original release: Anniversary of ending of Ministers' terms should make us all reflect and increases need for reform, says Muir (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance calls for review of carers allowance
Alliance MLAs Patrick Brown, spokesperson on Poverty, and Kellie Armstrong call for a review of Carers Allowance, backing Carers NI recommendations including a higher earnings threshold, a taper and a working carer's element. They also urge Westminster to uplift the benefit.
Social security and welfare Economy and employment Original release: Alliance calls for review of carers allowance (opens in a new tab)
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NI open for business - Sir Jeffrey
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson says a visit by a US business delegation signals that Northern Ireland is open for business, noting US investment and over $1billion in annual exports to the United States. He says the visit sits outside efforts to secure an outcome respecting Northern Ireland's…
Economy and employment International affairs Original release: NI open for business - Sir Jeffrey (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance welcomes high court decision to quash DAERA’s badger cull decision
Alliance MLA John Blair welcomes the High Court decision quashing DAERA's badger cull plan under its bovine TB strategy, saying TB can be controlled through cattle movement controls and test-vaccinate-remove methods instead. He calls for a minister to be appointed to produce a more ethical strategy.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: High Court quashes DAERA badger cull decision on bovine TB Original release: Alliance welcomes high court decision to quash DAERA’s badger cull decision (opens in a new tab)
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DUP should take action against Councillor over comments linking LGBTQ+ people to terrorism
An Alliance spokesperson calls on DUP leadership to take immediate action against Councillor Colin Kennedy over homophobic comments linking LGBTQ+ people with Hamas at an Ards and North Down Borough Council meeting. The spokesperson says the DUP must say whether it will suspend him.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Councillor Colin Kennedy comments linking LGBTQ+ people to Hamas Original release: DUP should take action against Councillor over comments linking LGBTQ+ people to terrorism (opens in a new tab)
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Blair calls for greater effort in maximising recycling opportunities
Alliance's Agriculture and Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA calls for Northern Ireland to lead on recycling after touring local recycling facilities with Keep Recycling Local. He urges councils to shift away from co-mingled collections toward separation at source, which he says gives better…
Environment and climate Local government Original release: Blair calls for greater effort in maximising recycling opportunities (opens in a new tab)
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Constitutional change has already happened without any consent, Mr Baker
TUV leader Jim Allister says constitutional change has already occurred in Northern Ireland without consent, pointing to the Protocol's suspension of Article 6 of the Acts of Union as confirmed by the Supreme Court, and criticises Steve Baker's support for it.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Constitutional change has already happened without any consent, Mr Baker (opens in a new tab)
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Barr welcomes Anti-Domestic Violence Action within Mid and East Antrim
UUP Councillor Alan Barr welcomes a recent council motion in Mid and East Antrim committing the council to work with other agencies on tackling domestic violence, and says his amendment on violence against men and boys was accepted. He urges men affected to report it to police or contact the Men's…
Justice and policing Local government Issue: Mid and East Antrim council domestic violence notice of motion Original release: Barr welcomes Anti-Domestic Violence Action within Mid and East Antrim (opens in a new tab)
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Investment opportunities will come once political dysfunction resolved, says Eastwood
Alliance Economy spokesperson Sorcha Eastwood MLA says investment opportunities across key local sectors depend on resolving political dysfunction, as a trade delegation arrives with US Special Envoy Joe Kennedy. She calls for reform of the institutions and a shift towards export growth for local…
Economy and employment Constitutional affairs Issue: US business delegation visit to the north led by Joe Kennedy Original release: Investment opportunities will come once political dysfunction resolved, says Eastwood (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Rachel Woods to stand down as Holywood and Clandeboye representative
Councillor Rachel Woods will resign at the end of October, standing down as Holywood and Clandeboye representative after seven years of service as a councillor and former MLA, to take up a new role.
Local government Environment and climate Issue: Rachel Woods resignation as Holywood and Clandeboye councillor Original release: Cllr Rachel Woods to stand down as Holywood and Clandeboye representative (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: Principle of Consent not up for debate
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP warns London that the principle of consent is non-negotiable, responding to remarks by Minister Steve Baker at the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly. He says unionist votes cannot count for more than others, so a simple majority should suffice in any future unity…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Steve Baker remarks on consent principle at British Irish Parliamentary Assembly Original release: Eastwood: Principle of Consent not up for debate (opens in a new tab)
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Action plan and independent EPA crucial to protecting our natural environment, says Blair, following Save Lough Neagh rally
Alliance MLA John Blair, South Antrim, says DAERA, NIEA and other agencies must tackle the Lough Neagh algae crisis long term and calls for a DAERA-led inter-departmental action plan. He backs an independent Environmental Protection Agency and urges the DUP to let ministers return to work.
Environment and climate Issue: Save Lough Neagh rally in Belfast Original release: Action plan and independent EPA crucial to protecting our natural environment, says Blair, following Save Lough Neagh rally (opens in a new tab)