Latest releases
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3,566 releases
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NEW YEAR MESSAGE FROM THE LEADER OF THE ULSTER UNIONIST PARTY
UUP leader Doug Beattie MC MLA issues a New Year message reflecting on 2022, including the Platinum Jubilee, the death of the Queen, the late David Trimble, and the Protocol. He calls for a functioning devolved government and urges unionists to pursue an outward-looking path.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: NEW YEAR MESSAGE FROM THE LEADER OF THE ULSTER UNIONIST PARTY (opens in a new tab)
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Empey comments on Lord Benyon letter
Lord Empey, UUP peer and member of the Lords Committee on the Northern Ireland Protocol, says Lord Benyon's letter on physical infrastructure at NI ports is not the real reason for the checks, blaming the Government for sidelining the NI Department of Agriculture and calling for talks and a fresh…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Lord Benyon letter on Protocol green and red lanes Original release: Empey comments on Lord Benyon letter (opens in a new tab)
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Best New Year’s present for NI is to restore and reform Stormont, says Long
Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA calls for the Assembly and Executive to be restored and for reforms to the institutions so that a single party cannot collapse them again, citing the cost of living crisis and the absence of a functioning Executive.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Original release: Best New Year’s present for NI is to restore and reform Stormont, says Long (opens in a new tab)
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New Year realities for Sinn Fein in their new position - Campbell
DUP MP Gregory Campbell issues a New Year message saying 2023 brings difficulties over the NI Protocol, the cost of living and the war in Ukraine. He says Sinn Fein's position as the largest party in the Republic and in Northern Ireland will be a reality Unionists must face, and that their push…
Constitutional affairs Original release: New Year realities for Sinn Fein in their new position - Campbell (opens in a new tab)
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TUV warns over Lord Benyon’s letter on Protocol plans
TUV leader Jim Allister says Lord Benyon's letter on Protocol plans shows the government focuses only on the Protocol's operation rather than reversing its sovereignty impact. He claims green and red lanes confirm an Irish Sea border and will bring more permanent infrastructure at Larne and Belfast.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Lord Benyon letter on Protocol green and red lanes Original release: TUV warns over Lord Benyon’s letter on Protocol plans (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney – construction of post-Brexit check facilities necessary
Sinn Féin Brexit Spokesperson Declan Kearney MLA welcomes the British government's plan to legislate for a legal basis for post-Brexit checks at ports of entry, calling it long overdue. He criticises the DUP's earlier pause on procurement for agri-food checks and urges the British government to…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: British government legislation for post-Brexit port of entry checks Original release: Kearney – construction of post-Brexit check facilities necessary (opens in a new tab)
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Enhancement of Protocol related infrastructure at Northern Ireland ports is unacceptable - Elliott
UUP DAERA spokesperson Tom Elliott MLA says the UK government is giving ground to the EU by enhancing checks at Northern Ireland ports on goods moving onward to the EU, while the Westminster Protocol Bill offers nothing positive. He calls for progress information on UK-EU talks.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Enhanced checks at Northern Ports on onward EU-bound goods Original release: Enhancement of Protocol related infrastructure at Northern Ireland ports is unacceptable - Elliott (opens in a new tab)
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the message above the door
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP, in a Christmas message, reflects on words carved above his Westminster office door and on Christian faith at Christmas. He also says he assured the Royal College of Nursing of support for a decent pay rise and terms overhaul, and calls for agency spending to be…
Constitutional affairs Health Original release: the message above the door (opens in a new tab)
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TUV warns against extension of “Gender Recognition” legislation to Northern Ireland
TUV spokesperson Lorna Smyth criticises Alliance MP Stephen Farry for welcoming Scotland's Gender Recognition Reform Bill and wanting it extended to Northern Ireland. She claims the bill risks women's safe spaces, allows sex offenders to apply for recognition, and should be repealed.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Scotland Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill passed Original release: TUV warns against extension of “Gender Recognition” legislation to Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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"British Government Spies Must Be Expelled from Irish Government Buildings"
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD calls on the new Taoiseach to remove British agents from Irish government buildings after a former agent claimed a senior Dublin official works for the British Army. He also asks for an urgent Joint Committee meeting before Christmas.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Claims of British agents operating in Dublin government buildings Original release: "British Government Spies Must Be Expelled from Irish Government Buildings" (opens in a new tab)
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British government should scrap travel requirements in Ireland under regressive Nationalities and Borders Act – Archibald
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald calls on the British government to scrap visa requirements for travel within Ireland under the Nationalities and Borders Act, saying they would damage tourism and breach the Good Friday Agreement.
Immigration Economy and employment Issue: Nationalities and Borders Act visa requirements for travel within Ireland Original release: British government should scrap travel requirements in Ireland under regressive Nationalities and Borders Act – Archibald (opens in a new tab)
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Key Questions on present UK-EU engagement
TUV leader Jim Allister says the current UK-EU talks on the Protocol are a sham and a deceit, arguing the EU mandate does not allow changes to the text and that mere implementation adjustments cannot alter the Protocol's legal and constitutional effects.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Key Questions on present UK-EU engagement (opens in a new tab)
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EU veterinary announcement
TUV leader Jim Allister says the EU's temporary veterinary medicines concession shows the Protocol lets Brussels decide Northern Ireland's supply chain, calling it an intolerable situation that cuts to the heart of the Union.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU Commission extension of veterinary medicines supply to Northern Ireland Original release: EU veterinary announcement (opens in a new tab)
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Latest EU move on Protocol ‘very welcome’ – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney welcomes the EU Commission's confirmation that veterinary medicine supplies to Northern Ireland will be extended, saying it gives reassurance to those affected. He urges the British government to match the EU's flexibility and work constructively toward a lasting…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU Commission extension of veterinary medicines supply to Northern Ireland Original release: Latest EU move on Protocol ‘very welcome’ – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Ahern’s patronising of Unionists doesn’t obscure reality of constitutional change
TUV leader Jim Allister says Bertie Ahern's claims that loyalism lacks understanding of the Protocol's constitutional position were patronising and wrong. He argues constitutional change has already occurred, citing the UK Government's court argument that the Protocol disapplies Article 6 of the…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Bertie Ahern Radio Ulster comments on Unionist understanding of the Protocol Original release: Ahern’s patronising of Unionists doesn’t obscure reality of constitutional change (opens in a new tab)
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O’Neill welcomes appointment of US Envoy Joe Kennedy
Sinn Féin First Minister Designate Michelle O'Neill MLA welcomes President Biden's appointment of Joe Kennedy as US envoy, saying the US is a key partner for peace and that his record on the north's interests is strong. She calls for power-sharing to be restored before the Good Friday Agreement's…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Joe Kennedy appointed as US Special Envoy Original release: O’Neill welcomes appointment of US Envoy Joe Kennedy (opens in a new tab)
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“whack-a-mole approach to animal medicines must stop” - Lockhart
DUP MP and EFRA spokesperson Carla Lockhart welcomes the extension of grace periods for veterinary medicines but says the Northern Ireland Protocol still gives the EU power over these supplies. She calls for a new agreement to address restrictions on UK goods flows before the 2025 end date.
Agriculture and rural affairs International affairs Issue: EU Commission extension of veterinary medicines supply to Northern Ireland Original release: “whack-a-mole approach to animal medicines must stop” - Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Mary Lou McDonald speech on the 100th anniversary of the Greyabbey Martyrs
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald marks the centenary of the execution of seven IRA volunteers, the Greyabbey Martyrs, by the Free State in December 1922. She recalls their capture at Moore's Bridge, describes the killing of Thomas Behan, and calls for the republic to be realised.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Centenary of the Greyabbey Martyrs executions Original release: Mary Lou McDonald speech on the 100th anniversary of the Greyabbey Martyrs (opens in a new tab)
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Long hopes appointment of Special Envoy increases chances of quick restoration of institutions
Alliance leader Naomi Long MLA hopes the appointment of Joe Kennedy as the US Special Envoy will draw international attention to the political impasse and speed up the restoration of devolved institutions before the Good Friday Agreement's 25th anniversary. She also hopes his economic remit will…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Joe Kennedy appointed as US Special Envoy Original release: Long hopes appointment of Special Envoy increases chances of quick restoration of institutions (opens in a new tab)
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‘Don’t suffer in silence this Christmas’ McKernan message to those suffering domestic abuse
SDLP Representative for Cusher Emmajayne McKernan urges people experiencing domestic abuse to seek support over the festive period, after a meeting with Women's Aid. She directs people to Armagh Down Women's Aid for confidential help.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: ‘Don’t suffer in silence this Christmas’ McKernan message to those suffering domestic abuse (opens in a new tab)