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4,327 releases
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Ireland’s Presidency of the EU comes at defining time for Europe and for Ireland – Mary Lou McDonald TD
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald TD sets out three priorities for Ireland's EU Council Presidency: preparing for Irish unity, standing up for workers and farmers, and defending military neutrality and peace. She urges the Government to open talks with European partners on constitutional change.
International affairs Constitutional affairs Issue: Ireland's EU Council Presidency commencement ceremony in Dublin Castle Original release: Ireland’s Presidency of the EU comes at defining time for Europe and for Ireland – Mary Lou McDonald TD (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: Northern Ireland must not be forgotten during EU Council Presidency
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP urges that Northern Ireland's place in Europe be considered during Ireland's EU Council Presidency, which began on Wednesday. She calls for outstanding Brexit issues to be addressed, European funding secured, and UK-Irish cooperation improved.
International affairs Constitutional affairs Issue: Ireland's EU Council Presidency commencement ceremony in Dublin Castle Original release: Hanna: Northern Ireland must not be forgotten during EU Council Presidency (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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New PSNI search guidance is confusion dressed up as compassion
UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA criticises the Justice Minister's interim guidance on searching detainees, which asks the PSNI to first seek a female officer to search people who identify as women, calling it confusing and a dereliction of duty. He says officers need firm rules and that no female…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: PSNI interim guidance on searching transgender detainees Original release: New PSNI search guidance is confusion dressed up as compassion (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 July 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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No girl should have to ask permission to wear trousers to school – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason says the School Uniforms Bill’s latest Assembly stage provides an opportunity to guarantee every pupil the automatic right to wear trousers, urging school uniform policy to be brought into the 21st century.
Education Disability and equality Issue: School Uniforms Bill passes Assembly stage Original release: No girl should have to ask permission to wear trousers to school – Mason (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Donaldson Deal Continues to Damage Northern Ireland as New EU Rules Take Effect
TUV councillor and Newry and Armagh candidate Keith Ratcliffe says the DUP/Donaldson Deal is damaging Northern Ireland, citing new EU rules from 1 July: a €3 customs duty on low-value parcels, new steel movement arrangements and ferry emissions charges. He argues the Irish Sea Border remains in…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: New EU customs duty and ferry emissions charges from 1 July 2026 Original release: Donaldson Deal Continues to Damage Northern Ireland as New EU Rules Take Effect (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance introduces essential legislation to end cruel so-called conversion practices
Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson MLA introduces the Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill to the Assembly, seeking to ban conversion therapy and coercive conversion behaviour in Northern Ireland with penalties of fines or up to two years in custody.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill introduced to Assembly Original release: Alliance introduces essential legislation to end cruel so-called conversion practices (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin calls on Finance Minister to reverse Civil Service withdrawal from Belfast Pride
SDLP MLA Sinéad McLaughlin urges the Finance Minister to overturn the Civil Service's decision to pull out of this year's Belfast Pride, arguing the legal basis cited, an English High Court judgment, does not apply in Northern Ireland.
Disability and equality Issue: Civil Service withdrawal from Pride march Original release: McLaughlin calls on Finance Minister to reverse Civil Service withdrawal from Belfast Pride (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Farmers were right on NAP, the hard work of delivery now falls to Muir
UUP agriculture spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA cautiously welcomes the revised Nutrients Action Programme published for consultation, but says delivery now rests with Minister Muir. He calls for the economic impact assessment to be published in full and says Northern Ireland Water, wastewater and…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Revised Nutrients Action Programme published for consultation Original release: Farmers were right on NAP, the hard work of delivery now falls to Muir (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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‘The Light of a New Republic’ – Mary Lou McDonald addresses Sinn Féin’s annual Wolfe Tone Commemoration at Bodenstown
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald calls for a united 32‑County Republic and an end to British rule, urging investment in housing, health, equality and community support, in her address at the annual Wolfe Tone commemoration at Bodenstown.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Wolfe Tone commemoration at Bodenstown Original release: ‘The Light of a New Republic’ – Mary Lou McDonald addresses Sinn Féin’s annual Wolfe Tone Commemoration at Bodenstown (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: Donaldson verdict must be a watershed moment
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says revelations after Jeffrey Donaldson's conviction should mark a watershed moment, questioning senior DUP figures' past vetoes on rights and education and their handling of Donaldson's private life. She calls for accountability and reforms including healthy…
Justice and policing Constitutional affairs Issue: BBC Spotlight programme on Jeffrey Donaldson allegations Original release: Hanna: Donaldson verdict must be a watershed moment (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Transparency needed from DUP on further Donaldson allegations, says Long, calling for fully independent investigation
Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA calls for a fully independent, external review into what DUP leadership knew about alleged victims of Jeffrey Donaldson, after BBC Spotlight revelations, and urges Edwin Poots to give a full account of his knowledge.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: BBC Spotlight programme on Jeffrey Donaldson allegations Original release: Transparency needed from DUP on further Donaldson allegations, says Long, calling for fully independent investigation (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 28 June 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Building the A5 ‘an absolute priority’ for Sinn Féin – Begley
Sinn Féin MP Órfhlaith Begley, speaking from the Court of Appeal, says building the A5 remains a key priority and that delay is costing lives. She points to Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins pursuing an appeal against the most recent High Court ruling, supported by Tyrone GAA's campaign.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: A5 road appeal against the latest High Court ruling Original release: Building the A5 ‘an absolute priority’ for Sinn Féin – Begley (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston Slams Growing Gender Identity Service as Officials Confirm Funding Will Increase
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston criticises the funding for the lifespan gender identity service after Department of Health officials told the health committee the initial £806,000 is recurrent and will increase. He expresses concern for vulnerable young people and calls the spending astonishing given…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Department of Health lifespan gender identity service funding briefing to health committee Original release: Gaston Slams Growing Gender Identity Service as Officials Confirm Funding Will Increase (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Givan voices disappointment over delay to SEN Regulations
The DUP's Education Minister Paul Givan expresses serious concern that the Special Educational Needs Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 have been delayed from September 2026 to September 2027 after extended Education Committee scrutiny. He says the delay postpones reduced assessment timescales…
Education Disability and equality Issue: SEN Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 implementation delay to September 2027 Original release: Givan voices disappointment over delay to SEN Regulations (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP speech Future of these Islands: Preparing for Change
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP, speaking at a future of these islands event, argues political leaders must shape change rather than react to it and says the SDLP wants a New and agreed Ireland. She calls for cross-party working and principles to plan for a New Ireland, and invites unionist…
Constitutional affairs Community relations and legacy Issue: SDLP "Future of these Islands: Preparing for Change" event at The MAC Original release: SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP speech Future of these Islands: Preparing for Change (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Another talking shop preaching to the converted.
UUP Deputy Leader Diana Armstrong MLA, writing in the News Letter, dismisses the SDLP's "Future of these Islands: Preparing for Change" event at The MAC in Belfast as a talking shop preaching to the converted. She says Northern Ireland will remain in the UK under the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement…
Constitutional affairs Issue: SDLP "Future of these Islands: Preparing for Change" event at The MAC Original release: Another talking shop preaching to the converted. (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison hits back at Minister’s statement on SEN Regulations
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison, chair of the Education Committee, rejects the Education Minister's criticism of the committee's handling of SEN regulations, saying the rules need proper examination and accusing the DUP of responsibility for the special educational needs system and placement shortages.
Education Disability and equality Issue: SEN Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 implementation delay to September 2027 Original release: Mathison hits back at Minister’s statement on SEN Regulations (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 26 June 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Carroll: Civil Service Pride Withdrawal 'Regressive and Reckless'
People Before Profit's Gerry Carroll condemns the head of the Civil Service's decision to withdraw staff from the Pride march, calling it regressive and reckless. He accuses political figures of stoking transphobia for gain and urges civil servants who wish to march to do so.
Disability and equality Issue: Civil Service withdrawal from Pride march Original release: Carroll: Civil Service Pride Withdrawal 'Regressive and Reckless' (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 July 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Ten Years After Brexit, Northern Ireland Still Takes Orders from Brussels
TUV chairman Allister Kyle says Northern Ireland must wait until Monday for steel tariff rates, while Great Britain had its rates announced on Thursday, and claims this shows Northern Ireland still follows Brussels rules. He asks when the Brexit referendum will be honoured.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: UK steel tariff announcement and delayed Northern Ireland steel tariff rates Original release: Ten Years After Brexit, Northern Ireland Still Takes Orders from Brussels (opens in a new tab)
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DUP in office on back of Donaldson’s Protocol lies
TUV leader Jim Allister says the DUP knew Sir Jeffrey Donaldson was misleading people about the Irish Sea border yet backed him and urged unionists to trust him, accusing the party of putting Stormont office ahead of honesty and entrenching the Protocol.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Donaldson Protocol claims and DUP Stormont office Original release: DUP in office on back of Donaldson’s Protocol lies (opens in a new tab)