Latest releases
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3,055 releases
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TUV calls out NIO deception
TUV leader Jim Allister accuses the NIO of playing politics by linking the £600 energy payment to the lack of a Stormont executive, arguing the civil service departments that delivered Covid payments still exist. He says the NIO is trying to force unionists into submission over the Protocol.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: NIO link between £600 energy payment and Stormont executive Original release: TUV calls out NIO deception (opens in a new tab)
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Protocol Bill has been tediously slow - Sir Jeffrey
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson writes to the Northern Ireland Secretary calling for the Government to replace the Protocol with arrangements unionists can support, citing £318.7 million spent on the Trader Support Service and questioning the delay to £600 energy payments.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Protocol Bill delay and Trader Support Service costs Original release: Protocol Bill has been tediously slow - Sir Jeffrey (opens in a new tab)
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Essential role for Europe in managing constitutional change in Ireland – Kearney
Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney MLA urges European progressive parties to back planning for constitutional change in Ireland, including an all-island Citizens' Assembly, while speaking at the European Left congress in Vienna.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Essential role for Europe in managing constitutional change in Ireland – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Protocol should serve as warning on damage to power-sharing: Paisley
DUP MP Ian Paisley says the incoming Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, must accept the damage the Northern Ireland Protocol has done to power-sharing if he wants to prioritise it. He calls for a Protocol solution that respects Northern Ireland's place in the UK and has cross-community support.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Protocol should serve as warning on damage to power-sharing: Paisley (opens in a new tab)
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Heaton-Harris must tell people when they will get £600 energy payment – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy challenges Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris to set out steps taken to restore the Assembly and Executive and to say when people will receive the £600 energy payment. Murphy also calls for progress on talks with the EU over the Protocol.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Original release: Heaton-Harris must tell people when they will get £600 energy payment – Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: Hume’s gift to Derry enduring reminder of road to peace
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP welcomes the permanent display of John Hume's peace prizes in Derry's Guildhall, gifted by Pat Hume, and says they will remind people of the road to peace. He calls on those carrying Hume's legacy to keep working toward a shared Ireland and warns against division and…
Community relations and legacy Constitutional affairs Issue: Display of John Hume's peace prizes at Derry Guildhall Original release: Eastwood: Hume’s gift to Derry enduring reminder of road to peace (opens in a new tab)
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Protocol is holding back devolution: Dodds
DUP MLA Diane Dodds tells the Secretary of State that the Assembly and Executive cannot function while the Protocol stands, and rejects his plan to adjust MLA pay and delay energy payments as a route to restoring devolution.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Secretary of State's proposals to restore Stormont devolution Original release: Protocol is holding back devolution: Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin Commission publishes report of Belfast People’s Assembly
Declan Kearney MLA, Chairperson of the Sinn Féin Commission on the Future of Ireland, has published the report on the Belfast People's Assembly, held in the Waterfront Hall, and says the audience backed a Citizens' Assembly on constitutional change.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Sinn Féin Commission Belfast People's Assembly report publication Original release: Sinn Féin Commission publishes report of Belfast People’s Assembly (opens in a new tab)
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Allister responds to MLA pay announcement
TUV leader Jim Allister says he takes no issue with the cut to MLA pay but strongly objects to the UK government's failure to restore Northern Ireland's full place within the UK over the Protocol. He criticises the government's handling of the Supreme Court Article 6 argument, the stalled Protocol…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Secretary of State letter on cutting MLA pay Original release: Allister responds to MLA pay announcement (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Businesses clear on Protocol benefits
SDLP Stormont Leader Matthew O'Toole cites an NICCI and Invest NI survey finding 54% of members believe the Protocol is helping their businesses grow, and calls for the EU and UK to address Brexit-related goods issues while retaining its benefits. He also criticises the DUP's boycott of…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: NICCI and Invest NI survey on Protocol benefits for businesses Original release: O’Toole: Businesses clear on Protocol benefits (opens in a new tab)
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Make the payment now – Lockhart
DUP MP Carla Lockhart backs the Consumer Council NI's call for the UK Government to issue the Energy Bill Support Scheme payment to Northern Ireland households immediately. She says the delay is politically motivated and that the Government could pay now.
Economy and employment Constitutional affairs Issue: £600 energy support payment delay in Northern Ireland Original release: Make the payment now – Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Form Executive now to give £600 energy payment to families – Michelle O’Neill
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill calls on the DUP to rethink its boycott and form an Executive now, so a £600 energy payment can reach families struggling with cold homes and rising bills. She also urges the British government to resolve the nurses' pay dispute and intensify EU negotiations.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Assembly recall over Executive formation and £600 energy payment delay Original release: Form Executive now to give £600 energy payment to families – Michelle O’Neill (opens in a new tab)
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Assembly stunt provides useful distraction for Sinn Fein: Lyons
DUP MLA Gordon Lyons says the recalled Assembly sitting was a political stunt that distracted from Special Criminal Court proceedings in Dublin concerning Sinn Féin's alleged links to gangsterism. He calls on the UK Government to deliver the Energy Support Payment to all parts of the UK.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Assembly recall over Executive formation and £600 energy payment delay Original release: Assembly stunt provides useful distraction for Sinn Fein: Lyons (opens in a new tab)
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People of Northern Ireland are in dire situation due to DUP's dishonesty, says Tennyson
Alliance MLA Eóin Tennyson accuses the DUP of dishonesty after energy support payments promised for November had not arrived, leaving constituents worse off. He calls on the DUP to accept responsibility and return to the Assembly after the failed attempt to restore it.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Failed Assembly restoration attempt over Speaker nominations December 2022 Original release: People of Northern Ireland are in dire situation due to DUP's dishonesty, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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Prime Minister should visit Northern Ireland as soon as possible to hear full spectrum of views on Protocol, says Farry
Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry MP calls on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to visit Northern Ireland promptly to hear political and business leaders’ views on the Northern Ireland Protocol and to inject momentum into stalled UK‑EU talks.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visit on Northern Ireland Protocol Original release: Prime Minister should visit Northern Ireland as soon as possible to hear full spectrum of views on Protocol, says Farry (opens in a new tab)
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Change is in the air – an appeal to Protestant neighbours – Kearney
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney MLA, chair of its Commission on the Future of Ireland, urges Protestant and unionist voters to engage in constitutional change talks and name the guarantees they need. He calls for the Irish government to set up an all-island Citizen's Assembly without delay.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Change is in the air – an appeal to Protestant neighbours – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Polling shows people recognise the value of the UK
TUV spokesperson Keith Ratcliffe says a poll showing a United Ireland referendum would be defeated in Northern Ireland is unsurprising, and argues that people across the religious divide back the UK. He contrasts NHS access with charges in the Republic, including for inpatient care, A&E and GP…
Constitutional affairs Health Issue: Poll on referendum on a United Ireland Original release: Polling shows people recognise the value of the UK (opens in a new tab)
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Sir Jeffrey: Emulate Common Travel Area in seeking Protocol solution
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson says the Common Travel Area's centenary should inspire a practical approach to resolving the Northern Ireland Protocol. He argues the CTA has benefited both countries and enjoys broad public support, unlike the Protocol, which he says lacks support across Northern…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Common Travel Area centenary on 6 December 2022 Original release: Sir Jeffrey: Emulate Common Travel Area in seeking Protocol solution (opens in a new tab)
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Dublin City Council calls for Citizens’ Assembly on Irish Unity – Cllr Mícheál Mac Donncha
Sinn Féin Councillor Mícheál Mac Donncha says Dublin City Council has backed a motion urging the Irish government to set up an all-Ireland Citizens' Assembly on constitutional futures, citing growing interest in Irish unity and the Shared Island funding.
Constitutional affairs Local government Issue: Dublin City Council motion on all-Ireland Citizens' Assembly on Irish Unity Original release: Dublin City Council calls for Citizens’ Assembly on Irish Unity – Cllr Mícheál Mac Donncha (opens in a new tab)
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Strengthening the Union must include dealing with Protocol: Sir…
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson says any serious discussion of the Union's future must address the Northern Ireland Protocol, and urges Labour to commit to replacing it with arrangements that secure unionist and nationalist support so devolution can be restored.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Strengthening the Union must include dealing with Protocol: Sir… (opens in a new tab)