Latest releases
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4,983 releases
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Rivers Trust report on state of NI waters disappointing but not surprising, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says newly published Rivers Trust data showing no Northern Ireland river stretches at good overall status is disappointing but not surprising. He links the decline to agricultural run-off, sewage, invasive species and underinvestment, and calls for…
Environment and climate Issue: Rivers Trust State of Our Rivers 2024 report on Northern Ireland waters Original release: Rivers Trust report on state of NI waters disappointing but not surprising, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Life should be valued: Lockhart
DUP MP Carla Lockhart, Chair of the All Party Pro-Life Group, says society should focus on protecting life and improving palliative care rather than advancing assisted dying, following a Health and Social Care Committee report.
Health Issue: Health and Social Care Committee report on assisted dying Original release: Life should be valued: Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin leaders in New York for two days of high level engagements
Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald and Pearse Doherty, on a two-day trip to New York, say they will address an Irish Unity Summit, meet young Irish emigrants and US employers, and meet the Palestinian UN envoy to back a ceasefire.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Sinn Féin leaders in New York for two days of high level engagements (opens in a new tab)
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Sir Jeffrey – the Union is in the hands of our children
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson says unionism must recognise the changing demographics and diverse identities in Northern Ireland, and urges Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O'Neill to focus on the economy, schools and hospitals rather than calls for a border poll.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Original release: Sir Jeffrey – the Union is in the hands of our children (opens in a new tab)
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East-West Council meeting welcomed
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP welcomed the plan for the inaugural UK East‑West Council to convene in Belfast by the end of March, saying it will deepen ties between the four nations on trade, education and culture and that Intertrade UK will boost intra‑Union commerce, with further steps to be
Constitutional affairs Issue: First UK East-West Council meeting in Belfast Original release: East-West Council meeting welcomed (opens in a new tab)
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Yet another wheel comes off the Donaldson Deal
TUV leader Jim Allister says a High Court ruling undermines the Donaldson Deal, which he claims had assured that EU fundamental rights no longer applied in Northern Ireland. He argues the court relied on Article 2 of the Protocol to disapply key parts of the Legacy Act, and says this confirms…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: High Court ruling on Legacy Act provisions under the Protocol Original release: Yet another wheel comes off the Donaldson Deal (opens in a new tab)
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Children and young people across the island deserve better access to mental services – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn calls for better children's mental health access across the island, citing a Dáil bill by Mark Ward TD on youth mental health services in the south. She urges north-south ministerial cooperation and calls on the Health Minister to bring forward a plan to increase…
Health Issue: Mark Ward TD youth mental health legislation in the Dáil Original release: Children and young people across the island deserve better access to mental services – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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More help needed to support carers – Dillon
SF MLA Linda Dillon says more help is needed for carers, especially women forced to cut hours or leave jobs, reacting to a Carers NI and Women's Regional Consortium report. She calls for investment in social care, stronger workers' rights and better childcare, and welcomes the Economy Minister's…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Carers NI and Women's Regional Consortium report on female carers Original release: More help needed to support carers – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Erskine - Audit Office Lessons for Infrastructure
Fermanagh and South Tyrone DUP MLA Deborah Erskine calls for an honest review of how major infrastructure is planned and delivered, following a Northern Ireland Audit Office report. She cites the A5, York Street Interchange and planning delays, and says funding must be found to implement the…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Northern Ireland Audit Office report on major infrastructure delivery Original release: Erskine - Audit Office Lessons for Infrastructure (opens in a new tab)
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Stewart expresses concerns on the impact of projected sea level rises on rail infrastructure
UUP infrastructure spokesperson John Stewart MLA expresses concern over a Translink-commissioned report on projected sea level rise threatening rail locations, saying 7 are at high risk by 2040. He calls for urgent consultation with the Department for Infrastructure on moving and re-routing the…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Translink report on sea level rise impacts to rail infrastructure Original release: Stewart expresses concerns on the impact of projected sea level rises on rail infrastructure (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister must outline transformation plans, says McAllister
Alliance Health Spokesperson and North Belfast MLA Nuala McAllister says the Health Minister must set out his plans for reforming local health services after a speech that listed problems without follow-up proposals. She urges him to implement the Bengoa reforms and bring constructive proposals to…
Health Issue: Health Minister speech on current health service problems Original release: Health Minister must outline transformation plans, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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Assembly backs SDLP Opposition’s rail plan
SDLP Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan welcomes Assembly backing for a motion urging a fully costed plan to implement the All Island Strategic Rail Review by the end of 2024. He urges the Executive and Infrastructure Minister O'Dowd to work with Irish and British governments, and wants…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Assembly motion on All Island Strategic Rail Review implementation plan Original release: Assembly backs SDLP Opposition’s rail plan (opens in a new tab)
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GAA being unreasonable on Casement
TUV deputy leader Ron McDowell says it is unreasonable for the GAA to refuse further contributions to the cost of Casement Park, which he says has risen while the GAA's share stayed static. He calls for the GAA to increase its contribution and for further government funding to be conditional on…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: GAA refusal to increase contribution to Casement Park costs Original release: GAA being unreasonable on Casement (opens in a new tab)
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Chambers welcomes progress towards agreed pay settlement for health workers
UUP health spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA welcomes progress towards 2023/24 pay settlements for health workers, noting a proposal restoring pay parity with England for Agenda for Change staff. He hopes further announcements on doctors' and dentists' pay will follow soon.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Health and social care 2023/24 pay settlement proposal Original release: Chambers welcomes progress towards agreed pay settlement for health workers (opens in a new tab)
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Opposition calls on Minister to progress rail plan
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Original release: Opposition calls on Minister to progress rail plan (opens in a new tab)
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86 more holes in the Donaldson deal
TUV leader Jim Allister says a written Assembly answer from the DUP Economy Minister lists 86 EU laws still affecting his department, which he says are beyond the reach of the Stormont Brake. He singles out the EU Customs Code as the most constitutionally damaging, claiming it underpins the Irish…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Economy Minister's Assembly answer on 86 EU laws affecting his department Original release: 86 more holes in the Donaldson deal (opens in a new tab)
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Sir Jeffrey owes apology to fellow unionists
TUV leader Jim Allister says DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson should apologise to fellow unionists and withdraw his Commons claim that he was threatened, now that no criminal threat has been found. Allister says the claim was aimed at linking opponents of the Windsor Framework to the alleged threat.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Sir Jeffrey Donaldson's Commons claim of a threat, found to be no criminal threat Original release: Sir Jeffrey owes apology to fellow unionists (opens in a new tab)
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Brett launches Children’s Hospice petition
DUP MLA Phillip Brett has opened a petition urging the Department of Health to close the funding gap facing the NI Children's Hospice, which he says has already reduced bed numbers and threatens respite care at Horizon House.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: NI Children's Hospice funding shortfall petition Original release: Brett launches Children’s Hospice petition (opens in a new tab)
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GAA trying it on
TUV leader Jim Allister accuses the GAA of greed over the proposed Casement Park redevelopment, arguing it is rich enough to pay more than the £15m it is said to offer. He repeats his call for the Communities Minister to ensure the GAA pays its way and that public money is clawed back from future…
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Original release: GAA trying it on (opens in a new tab)
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Lockhart secures Westminster debate to promote needs of young drivers
DUP MP for Upper Bann Carla Lockhart says she has secured a Westminster debate on high car insurance premiums for younger motorists, urging ministers to explore support measures and ask the FCA to act. She cites average costs for 17-20-year-olds rising by over £1,000 in a year.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Westminster debate on young drivers' car insurance costs Original release: Lockhart secures Westminster debate to promote needs of young drivers (opens in a new tab)