Latest releases
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3,573 releases
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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)
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Progress is built on the support of unionists and nationalists
The DUP's East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson warns against any attempt to legislate to form an Executive without majority unionist support, calling reports of such a plan a kite-flying exercise. He says no Executive or Assembly is viable until the Protocol is replaced with arrangements restoring…
Constitutional affairs Original release: Progress is built on the support of unionists and nationalists (opens in a new tab)
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British Government must respect Council of Europe calls on Brexit, Protocol and Human Rights – Senator Paul Gavan
Sinn Féin Senator Paul Gavan calls on the British Government to respect a Council of Europe PACE report on Brexit's impact on human rights in Ireland, including its criticism of the Protocol and the Legacy Bill. He urges shelving the Bill and an immediate halt to unilateral action.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: PACE report on Brexit's impact on human rights in Ireland Original release: British Government must respect Council of Europe calls on Brexit, Protocol and Human Rights – Senator Paul Gavan (opens in a new tab)
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Heaton-Harris must spell out what if anything he has done to restore Executive – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy urges Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris to listen to senior US figures before his US visit, calling for the Legacy Bill to be scrapped and for work with the EU on Protocol solutions. He also demands clarity on what steps he has taken to restore the Executive.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Heaton-Harris visit to the US ahead of Executive restoration Original release: Heaton-Harris must spell out what if anything he has done to restore Executive – Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: North is not condemned to Tory austerity forever
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP says the Northern Ireland Budget Bill debated at Westminster on Monday carries further Tory austerity, citing cuts to schools and a warning from the Education Authority. He argues a New Ireland would free the North from such budgets.
Public finance and taxation Constitutional affairs Issue: Northern Ireland Budget Bill Westminster debate Original release: Eastwood: North is not condemned to Tory austerity forever (opens in a new tab)
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Unionism will be tested, but must stand firm – Allister
TUV leader Jim Allister warns unionism will be tested over coming weeks as UK-EU talks on the Protocol proceed, arguing the talks ignore the EU's sovereignty over Northern Ireland and that any package will not restore NI's place in the UK.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Unionism will be tested, but must stand firm – Allister (opens in a new tab)
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Sir Jeffrey – Protocol must be replaced with arrangements unionists…
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP welcomes Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's acknowledgement that imposing the Protocol against unionist wishes was a mistake. He calls on London, Dublin and Brussels to replace it with arrangements unionists can support, restoring devolution.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Taoiseach acknowledgement of Northern Ireland Protocol mistake Original release: Sir Jeffrey – Protocol must be replaced with arrangements unionists… (opens in a new tab)
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Proposals for £110m funding cut from EA budget “unconscionable” – Butler
UUP Deputy Leader Robbie Butler, who speaks on education for the party, condemns proposed £110m cuts to Department of Education services as unconscionable. He warns they would hit vulnerable children and non-statutory services, and calls on the Secretary of State to reverse the cuts while Stormont…
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Proposed £110m Department of Education budget cuts Original release: Proposals for £110m funding cut from EA budget “unconscionable” – Butler (opens in a new tab)
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Nicholl marks Chinese New Year
South Belfast MLA and Chair of the All Party Group on Ethnic Minority Communities Kate Nicholl wishes people a happy Chinese New Year, marking the Year of the Rabbit and praising Belfast's Chinese community. She calls for joint working between government and stakeholders to secure racial equality…
Disability and equality Original release: Nicholl marks Chinese New Year (opens in a new tab)
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Resolve the Protocol or basis for restoration of devolution will not…
DUP MLA Emma Little-Pengelly says devolution cannot be restored until the Northern Ireland Protocol is dealt with, calling for it to be replaced with arrangements unionists can support. She says the UK Government's New Decade, New Approach promise remains unmet, marking the date set in December…
Constitutional affairs Issue: DUP blockade preventing formation of Northern Ireland Executive Original release: Resolve the Protocol or basis for restoration of devolution will not… (opens in a new tab)
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DUP should stop reckless scaremongering on medicine supply – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says DUP scaremongering over medicine supply must stop and that any solutions should come from talks between the British Government and the EU. He claims DUP warnings are a cynical ploy, notes paracetamol and antibiotic shortages predate Brexit, and says Brexit has…
Health International affairs Issue: DUP warnings over medicine supply in Northern Ireland after Brexit Original release: DUP should stop reckless scaremongering on medicine supply – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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British government must end do-nothing approach and work to restore Executive – O’Neill
Sinn Féin First Minister Designate Michelle O’Neill challenges the British Government to explain its actions to restore the Northern Ireland Executive and end the DUP’s blockade, criticising the Secretary of State’s inaction and urging swift progress.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: DUP blockade preventing formation of Northern Ireland Executive Original release: British government must end do-nothing approach and work to restore Executive – O’Neill (opens in a new tab)
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Heaney urges Derry public to have their say on Irish Unity
Sinn Féin Councillor Conor Heaney urges Derry residents to take part in the 12-week online consultation on Irish unity launched by Derry and Strabane Council, which stems from his motion to set up a working group.
Constitutional affairs Local government Issue: Derry and Strabane Council Irish unity consultation launch Original release: Heaney urges Derry public to have their say on Irish Unity (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin welcome Ibec report outlining success of all-Ireland economy – Louise O’Reilly TD
Sinn Féin's enterprise spokesperson Louise O'Reilly TD welcomes an Ibec report on the economic and social benefits of the Good Friday Agreement, citing record all-Ireland trade and calling for greater political and economic engagement to build on it.
Economy and employment Constitutional affairs Issue: Ibec report on economic and social benefits of the Good Friday Agreement Original release: Sinn Féin welcome Ibec report outlining success of all-Ireland economy – Louise O’Reilly TD (opens in a new tab)