Latest releases
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3,566 releases
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Lord Dodds issues warning over medicines supply to Northern Ireland
The DUP's Lord Dodds warns the Government to act on medicine supply to Northern Ireland, citing a year-end cliff edge that could see vital medicines withdrawn. He calls for medicines to be removed from the Protocol, arguing that EU rules and checks cause the problem.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Lords sub-committee evidence on Protocol impact on medicine supply Original release: Lord Dodds issues warning over medicines supply to Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Paisley - focus on substance rather than speculation
DUP North Antrim MP Ian Paisley says Westminster commentary on a UK‑EU deal is mere wishful thinking and urges focus on concrete steps, insisting the Northern Ireland Protocol must be replaced with arrangements that restore devolution and NI’s position in the UK internal market.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Speculation on UK‑EU deal and NI Protocol replacement Original release: Paisley - focus on substance rather than speculation (opens in a new tab)
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Government kite flying over Protocol deal offers no basis for progress
TUV leader Jim Allister says a Times newspaper report on government suggestions for the Protocol does nothing to address sovereignty concerns, arguing the talks are not changing the legal text and that no principled Unionist could implement the Protocol through Stormont.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Times report on government Protocol suggestions Original release: Government kite flying over Protocol deal offers no basis for progress (opens in a new tab)
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‘Pragmatic and durable solution on Protocol must be priority’ – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says talks between the British Government and the EU should keep working toward a lasting, practical settlement on the Northern Ireland Protocol, after recent progress. He calls for good-faith engagement and argues the Protocol protects the all-island economy.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Recent progress on Northern Ireland Protocol talks between UK and EU Original release: ‘Pragmatic and durable solution on Protocol must be priority’ – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Restoration of internal market would assist economic growth – Lockhart
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says the UK Government must urgently restore the internal market to boost Northern Ireland's economy, after raising the issue in a Commons Urgent Question on IMF growth forecasts. She says investment is stalling while businesses await a new Protocol deal and calls for a…
Economy and employment International affairs Issue: IMF forecast showing UK recession as only G7 economy shrinking Original release: Restoration of internal market would assist economic growth – Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Wilson welcomes progress of trophy hunting legislation
DUP's Sammy Wilson welcomes progress of the Hunting Trophies Importation Prohibition Bill through Commons scrutiny, saying it is needed to stop trophy hunting of near-extinct animals. He warns the bill cannot cover Northern Ireland because of the Protocol, creating a smuggling loophole, and urges…
Environment and climate Constitutional affairs Issue: Hunting Trophies Importation Prohibition Bill Commons scrutiny Original release: Wilson welcomes progress of trophy hunting legislation (opens in a new tab)
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Green Party NI leader Mal O'Hara has detailed the dystopia of Brexit
Green Party NI leader Mal O'Hara says Brexit has harmed the UK economy, environmental protections and Northern Ireland's institutions, marking three years since the UK left the EU. He calls for all Executive parties to return to government and says the EU and UK must resolve protocol problems.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Original release: Green Party NI leader Mal O'Hara has detailed the dystopia of Brexit (opens in a new tab)
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Appalling post-Brexit UK economic prospects make case for a new future: O’Toole
SDLP Stormont Leader Matthew O'Toole MLA says the IMF's forecast of UK contraction in 2023 underlines the need to protect the Northern Ireland Protocol's economic benefits and plan a future inside the EU within a new Ireland.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: IMF forecast showing UK recession as only G7 economy shrinking Original release: Appalling post-Brexit UK economic prospects make case for a new future: O’Toole (opens in a new tab)
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Hazzard slams intimidatory sign at local school
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard condemns a 'racist and intimidatory' sign placed outside a school in Clough that attacked Irish-language learners and named the school. He urges anyone with information to contact the police.
Disability and equality Education Issue: Clough school intimidatory sign targeting Irish-language learners Original release: Hazzard slams intimidatory sign at local school (opens in a new tab)
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Sir Jeffrey announces Assembly spokespeople
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP announces a reshuffle of the DUP Assembly team's spokespeople, with portfolios including Finance, Health, Justice and Policing. He says the Protocol is not disconnected from public services, citing £318.7 million spent on the Trader Support Service.
Constitutional affairs Public finance and taxation Original release: Sir Jeffrey announces Assembly spokespeople (opens in a new tab)
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Three years on, NDNA commitments not being fulfilled – Lockhart
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says the UK Government has failed to deliver its New Decade, New Approach commitments, including on consensus politics, UK internal market status and 7,500 police officers. She says Stormont cannot be restored until the Protocol is replaced.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Three years on, NDNA commitments not being fulfilled – Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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All-party talks should take place immediately to discuss institutional reform in order to get the Assembly and Executive back up and running, says Long
Alliance leader Naomi Long MLA calls for immediate all-party talks on reforming the institutions to restore the Assembly and Executive, citing the cost of living crisis and health service problems caused by the lack of an Executive.
Constitutional affairs Original release: All-party talks should take place immediately to discuss institutional reform in order to get the Assembly and Executive back up and running, says Long (opens in a new tab)
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Sir Jeffrey – “don’t make the same mistake twice”
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Sir Jeffrey – “don’t make the same mistake twice” (opens in a new tab)
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Kelly celebrates introduction of paid bereavement leave for early pregnancy loss and miscarriage for Belfast City Council staff
Alliance Belfast Councillor and Deputy Lord Mayor Michelle Kelly welcomes Belfast City Council's forthcoming paid leave for staff dealing with early pregnancy loss and miscarriage, taking effect on 1 February after equality screening. It gives 10 days at full pay for miscarriage and 3 days for a…
Economy and employment Local government Issue: Belfast City Council paid leave policy for pregnancy loss and miscarriage Original release: Kelly celebrates introduction of paid bereavement leave for early pregnancy loss and miscarriage for Belfast City Council staff (opens in a new tab)
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North Down Green councillors attempt to halt Greenway plans
Green Party councillors Stephen Dunlop and Rachel Woods say they will not support the current Kinnegar to Donaghadee Greenway plans, seconding a motion to pause the planning application and calling for smaller sections with community input.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Kinnegar to Donaghadee Greenway planning application pause motion Original release: North Down Green councillors attempt to halt Greenway plans (opens in a new tab)
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Medicines ‘cliff-edge’ looming due to Protocol
DUP peer Nigel Dodds warns of a 'cliff-edge' in December if no resolution is reached on medicine supply to Northern Ireland, which he links to the Protocol and the Falsified Medicines Directive. He says no new proposals have been tabled and calls for the will to make progress.
Health International affairs Issue: Lords sub-committee evidence on Protocol impact on medicine supply Original release: Medicines ‘cliff-edge’ looming due to Protocol (opens in a new tab)
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Prime Minister challenged on ensuring religious freedom
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP challenges the Prime Minister in the Commons to review UK laws so that religious freedom is protected, after Isabel Vaughan-Spruce was arrested for silent prayer near a Birmingham abortion facility.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Isabel Vaughan-Spruce arrest and charge under Birmingham buffer zone Original release: Prime Minister challenged on ensuring religious freedom (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Deposit Return Scheme effectiveness depends on cross-border cooperation
SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan has written to DAERA and Irish Minister Ossian Smyth asking for an all-island approach to the planned Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers, which DAERA says will launch in Northern Ireland in 2025. He argues cross-border working would deter fraud and bring economies…
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA confirmation of 2025 Deposit Return Scheme launch in Northern Ireland Original release: Durkan: Deposit Return Scheme effectiveness depends on cross-border cooperation (opens in a new tab)
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DUP boycott of Executive has left public services at mercy of cruel Tory cuts – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy says the DUP's refusal to take part in the Executive has exposed public services to Westminster-imposed cuts after the Budget Bill passed today. He calls on Chris Heaton-Harris to clarify steps to restore the Executive, and says Sinn Féin is ready to form one.
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Westminster Budget Bill passage amid Stormont Executive impasse Original release: DUP boycott of Executive has left public services at mercy of cruel Tory cuts – Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Shannon – “Ahern Recognises need for leadership in Brussels”
DUP MP Jim Shannon says Brussels and London would be mistaken to disregard unionist concerns, arguing that any Protocol deal needs unionist as well as nationalist backing. He says recent comments by Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern on political leadership show the need for it over technical talks.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Bertie Ahern evidence to Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on the Protocol Original release: Shannon – “Ahern Recognises need for leadership in Brussels” (opens in a new tab)