Latest releases
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4,448 releases
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John Stewart MLA Calls for Action on MoT Waiting Lists
UUP MLA John Stewart calls for action on the MoT backlog, urging the re‑introduction of a Temporary Exemption Certificate to clear delays and allow fines to be appealed after motorists were told the next test date is November 2023.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: MoT testing backlog November 2023 next available date Original release: John Stewart MLA Calls for Action on MoT Waiting Lists (opens in a new tab)
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A1 safety improvements another victim of DUP boycott, says Eastwood
Lagan Valley MLA Sorcha Eastwood says the DUP's boycott of the Executive is stalling phase two of A1 safety works between Hillsborough and Loughbrickland, which need Ministerial sign-off. She is writing to the Permanent Secretary and will raise it with the Secretary of State.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: A1 Hillsborough to Loughbrickland safety improvements stalled by ministerial sign-off Original release: A1 safety improvements another victim of DUP boycott, says Eastwood (opens in a new tab)
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Mike Nesbitt MLA Calls for Duty Free Anomaly to be Rectified.
UUP economy spokesperson Mike Nesbitt MLA calls for urgent action to let Northern Ireland's three airports reinstate duty free shopping on flights to the EU, saying the absence drives travellers to Republic of Ireland airports. He argues the current regime under the Windsor Framework is an anomaly…
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Original release: Mike Nesbitt MLA Calls for Duty Free Anomaly to be Rectified. (opens in a new tab)
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Defeat of Progress Pride flag motion a shameful display from ANB Council, says Boyle
Alliance Alderman Lewis Boyle says he is dismayed that his motion to raise the Progress Pride flag from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council buildings each year on Belfast Pride day was defeated, with the UUP opposed and the SDLP abstaining. He accuses the UUP of empty rhetoric on LGBTQ+ issues.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Antrim and Newtownabbey council Progress Pride flag motion defeat Original release: Defeat of Progress Pride flag motion a shameful display from ANB Council, says Boyle (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: UK climbdown on goods quality marks underlines indefensibility and futility of DUP boycott
SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole welcomes the UK Government's indefinite postponement of a separate UK product quality mark, saying it lowers the risk of NI-GB divergence and makes the DUP's boycott of Stormont harder to justify.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: UK Government postpones separate UK product quality mark regime Original release: O’Toole: UK climbdown on goods quality marks underlines indefensibility and futility of DUP boycott (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson - "the ball rests at the foot of the UKG"
DUP Deputy Leader Gavin Robinson MP says the UK Government must deliver on commitments made during the Prime Minister's Northern Ireland visit, arguing that broken promises have eroded trust and that the ball is in its court over restoring Stormont.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Prime Minister's Northern Ireland visit commitments and Stormont restoration Original release: Robinson - "the ball rests at the foot of the UKG" (opens in a new tab)
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TUV reiterates dangers of Windsor Whitewash and warns against the folly of restoring Stormont
TUV leader Jim Allister says the Windsor Framework has left the Irish Sea border, EU single market rules and Customs Code in place, and warns that restoring Stormont would implement the Protocol and make Union-dismantling suspension permanent.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Recently published government guidance on Irish Sea border functioning Original release: TUV reiterates dangers of Windsor Whitewash and warns against the folly of restoring Stormont (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Brian Smyth has condemned today's announcement by the Prime Minister
Green Party Councillor Brian Smyth for Lisnasharragh condemns the Prime Minister's plan to allow 100 new North Sea oil and gas licences, saying it undermines Net Zero by 2050 and will not lower fuel bills. He calls for a renewable energy revolution with green jobs instead.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Prime Minister's approval of 100 new North Sea oil and gas licences Original release: Cllr Brian Smyth has condemned today's announcement by the Prime Minister (opens in a new tab)
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Sunak’s expansion of oil and gas ‘economically and environmentally illiterate’ says Tennyson
Alliance climate and energy spokesperson MLA Eóin Tennyson says the UK Government’s decision to issue more than 100 new North Sea oil and gas licences is economically and environmentally illiterate, calls for a ban on fossil fuel exploration in Northern Ireland and a Green New Deal.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Prime Minister's approval of 100 new North Sea oil and gas licences Original release: Sunak’s expansion of oil and gas ‘economically and environmentally illiterate’ says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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PSNI need to take necessary action on hate speech at Belfast Pride, says Cllr Murray
Alliance Belfast councillor Micky Murray says he will meet the Assistant Chief Constable on 2 August to press the PSNI over a street preacher's derogatory remarks about the LGBTQ+ community during Belfast Pride, seeking assurances that homophobic hate crimes are treated seriously.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Street preacher's anti-LGBTQ+ remarks at Belfast Pride 2023 Original release: PSNI need to take necessary action on hate speech at Belfast Pride, says Cllr Murray (opens in a new tab)
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Free fares Minister presses for retention of Scheme
DUP East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell urges the public to respond to the DfI consultation on changes to concessionary fares for over-60s, and calls on the Department to protect the scheme, citing Translink figures showing over nine million senior journeys in 2022.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: DFI consultation on raising free bus pass eligibility age Original release: Free fares Minister presses for retention of Scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Lockhart - SF over ‘self-indulgent’ border poll comments
DUP agri-food spokesperson Carla Lockhart MP says Sinn Fein should respect the political neutrality of farming organisations after MEP Chris MacManus urged them to engage in a border poll debate. She calls the proposal self-indulgent and irresponsible.
Constitutional affairs Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Sinn Fein call for farming organisations to engage in border poll debate Original release: Lockhart - SF over ‘self-indulgent’ border poll comments (opens in a new tab)
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We all have our part to play combating discrimination and supporting those who are marginalised, says Nicholl, ahead of Belfast Pride
Alliance's Kate Nicholl MLA, who speaks on diversity and migration, wishes attendees a safe Pride ahead of Belfast Pride's parade and says hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people are rising, urging these attitudes be challenged early.
Disability and equality Original release: We all have our part to play combating discrimination and supporting those who are marginalised, says Nicholl, ahead of Belfast Pride (opens in a new tab)
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Environmental crisis in NI only being fuelled by lack of Executive, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says Northern Ireland has again failed on its environmental commitments after DAERA missed the deadline for its first Environment Improvement Plan. He blames the lack of a functioning Executive and calls for Assembly scrutiny and a Minister to lead.
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA misses deadline for first Environment Improvement Plan Original release: Environmental crisis in NI only being fuelled by lack of Executive, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to address biggest crisis in NI in last 25 years, says Farry
Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry MP says Northern Ireland faces its most serious situation since the Good Friday Agreement, after a cross-party meeting with the Head of the Civil Service. He calls for a financial package and an Executive to be formed, blaming the DUP for the governance vacuum.
Public finance and taxation Constitutional affairs Issue: Cross-party meeting with Head of the Civil Service on NI budget crisis Original release: Executive needed to address biggest crisis in NI in last 25 years, says Farry (opens in a new tab)
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Appropriate adult mental health services must be a priority for a restored Executive – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney calls for an end to the differing approach to Adult ADHD diagnosis and treatment across health trusts, after meeting Northern Trust management. He says the stalled pilot for validating private diagnoses must be expedited and that a resolution is needed.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Northern Trust Adult ADHD diagnosis and treatment provision meeting Original release: Appropriate adult mental health services must be a priority for a restored Executive – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Heavy on infrastructure ideas but light on delivery
DUP infrastructure spokesperson and North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett says the All-Island Strategic Rail Review and Union Connectivity Review offer useful vision but lack practical follow-through. He cites the York Street Interchange, funded in 2017 yet still not started, and says the party will…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: All Island Rail Review draft publication Original release: Heavy on infrastructure ideas but light on delivery (opens in a new tab)
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Minister must act and invest as called for in All Island Strategic Rail Review – MacManus
Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus calls on the Transport Minister to invest in rail after the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, welcoming the proposed Western Rail Corridor restoration and hourly services between major cities. He criticises the lack of investment north of Claremorris and says Donegal…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: All Island Rail Review draft publication Original release: Minister must act and invest as called for in All Island Strategic Rail Review – MacManus (opens in a new tab)
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Windsor whitewash exposed by House of Lords report
TUV party treasurer Councillor Timothy Gaston says a House of Lords committee report on the Windsor Framework undermines government claims, citing concerns on burdens for non-retail goods, green lane retail, medicines and the Stormont brake, and calls Windsor a whitewash.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: House of Lords committee report on the Windsor Framework Original release: Windsor whitewash exposed by House of Lords report (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to publish all-Ireland rail review – Boylan
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan urges that an Executive be formed without delay so the draft all-Ireland rail review can be fully published and its recommendations weighed. He welcomes the draft's release as a step forward and calls for more investment in northern rail, particularly in the north-west.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: All Island Rail Review draft publication Original release: Executive needed to publish all-Ireland rail review – Boylan (opens in a new tab)