Latest releases
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3,565 releases
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“British Court of Appeal Permits Abortion Up Until Birth on Grounds of Down Syndrome For North of Ireland” – Cllr Doyle
Aontú Cllr Emmet Doyle criticises a British Court of Appeal ruling that allows abortion on grounds of Down syndrome up to birth, saying it will apply in Northern Ireland. He calls on Stormont to oppose abortion in the North and accuses Sinn Féin and the SDLP of supporting the change.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Court of Appeal rejects Heidi Crowter challenge on Down's syndrome abortion law Original release: “British Court of Appeal Permits Abortion Up Until Birth on Grounds of Down Syndrome For North of Ireland” – Cllr Doyle (opens in a new tab)
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Nicholl marks International Women Human Rights Defenders Day
Alliance Spokesperson for Migration Kate Nicholl MLA marks International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, calling for enhanced protections for women human rights defenders, especially those at risk in migration contexts, from violence, discrimination and harassment.
Disability and equality Immigration Original release: Nicholl marks International Women Human Rights Defenders Day (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP MPs seek to amend Executive Formation bill
SDLP MPs have tabled amendments to the Executive Formation Bill that would cut MLAs' pay to zero if they vote against every candidate for Speaker, and require consultation with the Irish Government and First Ministers designate on decisions taken without an Executive. Claire Hanna MP accuses DUP…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Executive Formation Bill amendments on MLA pay and Irish Government consultation Original release: SDLP MPs seek to amend Executive Formation bill (opens in a new tab)
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New economic strategy needed for the north to improve productivity – Archibald
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald calls for a new economic strategy for the north, covering skills, small businesses and the all-island economy, after ESRI research showed a widening productivity gap with the south. She blames the DUP's long tenure of the economy department.
Economy and employment Constitutional affairs Issue: ESRI research on north-south productivity gap Original release: New economic strategy needed for the north to improve productivity – Archibald (opens in a new tab)
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Celebrate Agreement’s anniversary by replacing Protocol: Brett
North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett says that if the Northern Ireland Protocol is not swapped for arrangements backed by all communities, the 25th anniversary of the Belfast Agreement will pass without a functioning Stormont government, power‑sharing Assembly or active North‑South bodies, urging an im‑
Constitutional affairs Community relations and legacy Issue: 25th anniversary of the Belfast Agreement Original release: Celebrate Agreement’s anniversary by replacing Protocol: Brett (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance MLAs endorse “Never Cross the Line” campaign
Alliance MLAs endorse Ulster GAA's "Never Cross the Line" campaign on violence against women, which aims to teach young people about consent. Sports Spokesperson David Honeyford calls for similar campaigns across other sports, and Connie Egan urges sporting bodies to host workshops.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: Alliance MLAs endorse “Never Cross the Line” campaign (opens in a new tab)
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‘DUP talking out of both sides of their mouth on Protocol’ – Finucane
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane accuses the DUP of inconsistency on the Protocol, citing MLA Edwin Poots lobbying to amend the Protocol Bill to protect farm benefits, and calls for an end to the Executive boycott.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: ‘DUP talking out of both sides of their mouth on Protocol’ – Finucane (opens in a new tab)
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A sad day for rights of the disabled – Lockhart
DUP MP Carla Lockhart, who chairs the All-Party Pro-Life Group at Westminster, says the Court of Appeal's rejection of Heidi Crowter's challenge to allow abortion up to birth for babies with Down's syndrome is a sad day for disabled people's rights. She hopes Crowter will take the case to the…
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Court of Appeal rejects Heidi Crowter challenge on Down's syndrome abortion law Original release: A sad day for rights of the disabled – Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Education Authority proposes huge unnecessary expense on Irish – but includes no costings
TUV leader Jim Allister urges the public to respond to the Education Authority's interim Irish-language services policy, arguing its proposals, such as Irish voicemail options and translator meetings, carry vast unCosted expense amid budget pressures.
Disability and equality Education Issue: Education Authority interim policy on Irish-language services consultation Original release: Education Authority proposes huge unnecessary expense on Irish – but includes no costings (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Rachel Woods reiterates calls for Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy
Green Party Councillor Rachel Woods calls for a Northern Ireland Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, saying the lack of an Executive has stalled delivery despite promises, and urges mandatory relationship and sexuality education alongside recent abuse legislation.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women Original release: Cllr Rachel Woods reiterates calls for Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (opens in a new tab)
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Termination of Ballymena GPs contracts a sad state of affairs and indicates need for institutional reform, says O’Lynn
Alliance North Antrim MLA Patricia O'Lynn says she is saddened by the termination of two Ballymena GP practice contracts, which could close services for over 7,000 patients, and blames the DUP's boycott of the institutions for stalling health decision-making and calling for institutional reform.
Health Constitutional affairs Issue: Ballymena GP practices terminating contracts and potential closure Original release: Termination of Ballymena GPs contracts a sad state of affairs and indicates need for institutional reform, says O’Lynn (opens in a new tab)
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Violence against women and girls must be eliminated from our society, says Egan
Alliance Spokesperson for Violence Against Women & Girls Connie Egan MLA says targeted gender-based violence must be eliminated, citing 32,000 PSNI domestic abuse incidents in 2021 and calling for the stalled Executive Office VAWG strategy to move forward without ministerial sign-off.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: Violence against women and girls must be eliminated from our society, says Egan (opens in a new tab)
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Tennyson echoes calls for justice for communities at the frontline of the climate emergency
Alliance MLA Eóin Tennyson, speaking as COP27 closed with a deal on loss and damage funding for vulnerable nations, says wealthy industrialised countries bear disproportionate blame for climate harm and calls for justice for affected communities. He welcomes the new fund and points to Alliance's…
Environment and climate International affairs Issue: COP27 agreement on damage and loss financial assistance Original release: Tennyson echoes calls for justice for communities at the frontline of the climate emergency (opens in a new tab)
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Former Finance Minister’s failures laid bare: Forsythe
DUP South Down MLA Diane Forsythe says Finance Minister Conor Murphy failed to set a budget and manage Northern Ireland expenditure, criticising the budget's impact on public services and households. She also accuses Michelle O'Neill of misleading claims and says the Secretary of State should…
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Secretary of State sets Northern Ireland budget for executive departments Original release: Former Finance Minister’s failures laid bare: Forsythe (opens in a new tab)
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Donaldson - Protocol destroyed cross-community balance
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson tells the Foreign Press Association in London that Stormont has no solid foundation unless the Protocol is replaced with arrangements unionists can support. He says the Protocol has eroded cross-community balance and that devolved government cannot work without its…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Donaldson - Protocol destroyed cross-community balance (opens in a new tab)
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TUV spells out the case against Sinn Fein rule
TUV leader Jim Allister KC MLA argues in a News Letter platform piece that unionists should not serve under a Sinn Fein First Minister, citing PSNI assessments that Sinn Fein is controlled by the IRA Army Council and criticising Michelle O'Neill's remarks on IRA violence. He also dismisses joint…
Constitutional affairs Justice and policing Original release: TUV spells out the case against Sinn Fein rule (opens in a new tab)
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Unpaid carers among the hardest hit groups by the cost of living crisis in NI, says Armstrong
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong says unpaid carers are among those worst affected by rising living costs, citing higher energy, heating, food and transport bills. She points to new figures showing 27% of carers struggling to make ends meet and 23% cutting back on essentials, and blames the DUP's…
Economy and employment Disability and equality Issue: Carers NI cost of living statistics on carers' financial struggles Original release: Unpaid carers among the hardest hit groups by the cost of living crisis in NI, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood challenges British Government on criteria for unity referendum
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP calls on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to publish clear criteria for an Irish unity referendum, saying democratic transparency is needed after a Supreme Court ruling on Scottish independence powers.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Supreme Court ruling on Scottish independence referendum Original release: Eastwood challenges British Government on criteria for unity referendum (opens in a new tab)
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"Aontú calls for urgent help for unpaid carers."
Aontú's Kieran Mc Causland, Upper Bann representative, calls for urgent funding and reliable respite breaks for unpaid carers, citing the £69.70 weekly carer's allowance and the loss of entitlement for those earning above £132.
Social security and welfare Health Original release: "Aontú calls for urgent help for unpaid carers." (opens in a new tab)
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Blair welcomes new air route announcement
Alliance South Antrim MLA John Blair welcomes plans by Fly Atlantic to launch a transatlantic route from Belfast International Airport from summer 2024. He calls on the UK Government to protect connectivity for outlying parts of the UK while cutting aviation's carbon footprint.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Fly Atlantic proposed transatlantic and European routes from Belfast International Airport Original release: Blair welcomes new air route announcement (opens in a new tab)