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11,734 releases
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Connolly win exposes deep sectarianism in the Republic and derails all-Ireland propaganda
TUV leader Jim Allister, MP for North Antrim, says Catherine Connolly's presidential win is a setback for all-Ireland aims, calling her a divisive figure and accusing the campaign of sectarianism and hypocrisy in the Republic.
Constitutional affairs Community relations and legacy Issue: Catherine Connolly wins Irish presidential election Original release: Connolly win exposes deep sectarianism in the Republic and derails all-Ireland propaganda (opens in a new tab)
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Mary Lou McDonald hails election of Catherine Connolly as Uachtarán na hÉireann in historic election victory
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald TD welcomes Catherine Connolly's decisive win in the presidential contest, calling it a historic result and a watershed for Irish politics. She says the combined opposition offered an alternative to Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, and calls on government to prepare…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Catherine Connolly wins Irish presidential election Original release: Mary Lou McDonald hails election of Catherine Connolly as Uachtarán na hÉireann in historic election victory (opens in a new tab)
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Beattie condemns Belfast city centre incident
Sinn Féin councillor Ciaran Beattie condemns an early-hours car hijacking in Belfast city centre, in which police say a man threatened a woman and her child, and urges anyone with information to contact the PSNI. He also welcomes cross-party support for a Sinn Féin proposal for a taskforce on city…
Justice and policing Local government Issue: Belfast city centre car hijacking Upper Stanfield Street Original release: Beattie condemns Belfast city centre incident (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP statement on Irish Presidential election
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP congratulates Catherine Connolly on becoming President of Ireland and wishes Heather Humphreys well. She says the presidency can host honest discussion about a New Ireland and urges Connolly to enable voting in presidential elections for Irish citizens in the North.
Constitutional affairs Community relations and legacy Issue: Catherine Connolly wins Irish presidential election Original release: SDLP statement on Irish Presidential election (opens in a new tab)
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Delargy welcomes continued success of Alchemy Business support programme
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy welcomes the ongoing performance of the Alchemy business scheme, run by Derry City and Strabane District Council, and credits Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald for backing it. He says it offers mentoring and funding to new and established firms.
Economy and employment Local government Original release: Delargy welcomes continued success of Alchemy Business support programme (opens in a new tab)
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Assembly Rooms back in public ownership – Brennan
Sinn Féin councillor Natasha Brennan welcomes confirmation that the Assembly Rooms and surrounding land have returned to public ownership, following a council purchase decided earlier this year. She says the building will regenerate Belfast city centre.
Local government Issue: Assembly Rooms purchase returned to public ownership Belfast Original release: Assembly Rooms back in public ownership – Brennan (opens in a new tab)
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There Is No British Justice
People Before Profit councillor Shaun Harkin condemns the acquittal of 'Soldier F' over Bloody Sunday, calling the decision a travesty, saying it will be appealed and that the state must answer for past and present killings.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Soldier F verdict in Bloody Sunday trial Original release: There Is No British Justice (opens in a new tab)
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Vótáil Catherine Connolly – for a President for the people – Mary Lou McDonald TD
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald urges voters to back Catherine Connolly in the presidential election, with polling stations open until 10pm. She praises the campaign, thanks activists, and argues for a President independent of government who will defend neutrality.
Constitutional affairs Issue: 2025 Irish presidential election polling day Original release: Vótáil Catherine Connolly – for a President for the people – Mary Lou McDonald TD (opens in a new tab)
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Delargy tables Assembly discussion following Soldier F acquittal
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy has tabled a debate in the Assembly on the continuing grief of Bloody Sunday families after Soldier F was acquitted. He says the decision was deeply disappointing and accuses the British state of cover-up, delay and denial.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Soldier F verdict in Bloody Sunday trial Original release: Delargy tables Assembly discussion following Soldier F acquittal (opens in a new tab)
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Final Anti-Poverty Strategy must be delivered without delay – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew raises concern about delays to a final Anti-Poverty Strategy, after Communities Committee officials said it could slip to after April 2026. He calls on the Communities Minister to set a clear timeline for a robust strategy.
Social security and welfare Issue: Communities Committee update on final Anti-Poverty Strategy timing Original release: Final Anti-Poverty Strategy must be delivered without delay – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Council committee suspended over decision to censor trade union meeting – Beattie
Sinn Féin councillor Ciaran Beattie says legal advice has been requested after ICC Belfast (Waterfront) banned a Palestine graphic at a UNISON meeting, prompting trade unionists to walk out. He reports that the council's Strategic Policy & Resources Committee has been suspended until legal clarity…
Local government International affairs Issue: ICC Belfast Waterfront ban on Palestine graphic at UNISON meeting Original release: Council committee suspended over decision to censor trade union meeting – Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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Green Councillor Calls for Native Replanting and Community Involvement After Tree Loss in Holywood
Green Party Councillor Lauren Kendall calls on Ards and North Down Council to commit to native-species replanting along King John's Walk in Holywood after several mature trees were felled. She also urges better resident communication and involvement in management plans.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: King John's Walk Holywood tree felling and replanting Original release: Green Councillor Calls for Native Replanting and Community Involvement After Tree Loss in Holywood (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone welcomes £100k funding to save Scoil Spreagtha scheme
SDLP Irish Language Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA welcomes £100,000 in funding to keep the Scoil Spreagtha Irish language lessons scheme running for another year, followed by an evaluation, and says he will keep pressing for future funding.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Scoil Spreagtha scheme £100,000 funding confirmation Original release: McGlone welcomes £100k funding to save Scoil Spreagtha scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Breaking Barriers in Agriculture and Championing Women Farmers
UUP MLA Diana Armstrong urges DAERA to implement the recommendations of the 2022 Breaking the Grass Ceiling report, saying women farmers are vital to NI’s agri‑food economy and the party will lobby for equality.
Agriculture and rural affairs Disability and equality Issue: Breaking the Grass Ceiling report recommendations Original release: Breaking Barriers in Agriculture and Championing Women Farmers (opens in a new tab)
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Nelson welcomes BCC acquisition of Assembly Rooms building
Alliance Castle Councillor Sam Nelson welcomes Belfast City Council's completed acquisition of the Assembly Rooms, a 1769 building now moving from private ownership. He calls it a first step towards restoring the building and bringing it into public use.
Local government Issue: Assembly Rooms purchase returned to public ownership Belfast Original release: Nelson welcomes BCC acquisition of Assembly Rooms building (opens in a new tab)
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A clear and welcome outcome: Robinson
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson says the verdict in the Soldier F case is a clear and welcome outcome, noting the judge cast doubt on evidence previously called decisive. He stresses the vast majority of Armed Forces members served honourably and pledges to resist any attempt to revise the past.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Soldier F verdict in Bloody Sunday trial Original release: A clear and welcome outcome: Robinson (opens in a new tab)
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Acquittal of Soldier F
TUV MP Jim Allister welcomes the acquittal of Soldier F but asks why the veteran was put through several years of prosecution, saying the evidence was inadequate. He says the PPS was right not to prosecute first time and wrong to do so later, and calls on everyone to accept the Not Guilty verdict…
Justice and policing Issue: Soldier F verdict in Bloody Sunday trial Original release: Acquittal of Soldier F (opens in a new tab)
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Statement from Colum Eastwood MP following Soldier F verdict
SDLP MP Colum Eastwood expresses thoughts for the Bloody Sunday families and wounded after the Soldier F verdict, saying the families remain committed to justice and that Derry will continue to support them.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Soldier F verdict in Bloody Sunday trial Original release: Statement from Colum Eastwood MP following Soldier F verdict (opens in a new tab)
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Ulster Unionist Party responds to Soldier F Not Guilty Verdict
UUP Justice Spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA says the not guilty verdict for Soldier F was foreseeable given the flawed hearsay evidence, and calls for questions to be asked of the Public Prosecution Service, lawyers for the families and the judge over why the trial proceeded. He also urges Colum…
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: Soldier F verdict in Bloody Sunday trial Original release: Ulster Unionist Party responds to Soldier F Not Guilty Verdict (opens in a new tab)
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Northern Ireland Cannot Be Broken by Unachievable Climate Targets
UUP Deputy Leader Robbie Butler MLA says a Audit Office report confirms concerns that the Department for Economy's energy strategy is falling short, and calls for a revision of Northern Ireland's 2030 climate targets, citing grid connection delays, planning delays and the lack of a storage strategy.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Audit Office report on Department for the Economy green energy strategy Original release: Northern Ireland Cannot Be Broken by Unachievable Climate Targets (opens in a new tab)