Latest releases
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4,939 releases
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It’s about much more than NI to GB trade
TUV leader Jim Allister says the Protocol issues go well beyond Northern Ireland to Great Britain trade, arguing that GB to Northern Ireland trade is key because ceding control to the EU created the Irish Sea Border. He says underwriting NI to GB trade would not solve the problem, which he calls…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Secretary of State comments on Protocol trade in response to Hilary Benn Original release: It’s about much more than NI to GB trade (opens in a new tab)
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Cross-community consent the foundation of political progress
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says restoring cross-community consent is essential for devolved government, arguing the Protocol has undermined consent and urging the SDLP to recognise the Irish Sea border's impact on trade and identity. She also rejects the idea that a restored Executive will solve public…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Colum Eastwood evidence to Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on local political institutions Original release: Cross-community consent the foundation of political progress (opens in a new tab)
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Molloy raises management of Lough Neagh with British Secretary of State
Sinn Féin MP Francie Molloy says he has raised with the British Secretary of State the case for public ownership of Lough Neagh, citing blue-green algae blooms harming wildlife and fishing stocks. He invited the minister to visit and calls for a community partnership to manage the lough.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Lough Neagh blue-green algae blooms and management responsibility Original release: Molloy raises management of Lough Neagh with British Secretary of State (opens in a new tab)
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No perinatal inpatient care for mothers and babies on the island of Ireland – Mark Ward TD & Órlaithí Flynn MLA
Sinn Féin's Mark Ward TD and Órlaithí Flynn MLA say there is a lack of urgency on an inpatient perinatal mental health unit on the island of Ireland, after Departments of Health gave no definitive date. Ward cites a planned 10-bed unit at St Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin and calls on…
Health Issue: Departments of Health responses on inpatient perinatal unit timeframe Original release: No perinatal inpatient care for mothers and babies on the island of Ireland – Mark Ward TD & Órlaithí Flynn MLA (opens in a new tab)
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Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly Meets Commissioner for Children and Young People over Special Education Needs Shortfalls
Aontú deputy leader Gemma Brolly says she met NICCY's chief executive to discuss special educational needs (SEND) shortfalls, citing waiting lists, cuts to mental health funding and failure to implement earlier reports. NICCY reportedly agreed to pass the concerns on and arrange a meeting with the…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly Meets Commissioner for Children and Young People over Special Education Needs Shortfalls (opens in a new tab)
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A “united Ireland”? Not in my lifetime – or yours.
Former DUP leader Peter Robinson, writing online, argues a united Ireland is not inevitable, urging unionists to win over the 'Third Block' of neutral voters and the 'Fourth Block' of abstainers, mainly from unionist areas, to keep the Union.
Constitutional affairs Original release: A “united Ireland”? Not in my lifetime – or yours. (opens in a new tab)
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Properly funded Executive needed – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy calls for a fully funded Executive to be restored immediately so it can set Northern Ireland's own budget. He warns that the UK Treasury's budget will hit public services and households hard, and urges a new fiscal framework with a funding floor and tax powers.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: UK Government budget impact on Northern Ireland public services Original release: Properly funded Executive needed – Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Butler Praises Commitment of Classroom Assistants and Highlights Continued Stormont Failures
UUP education spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA marks the new school year by praising classroom assistants who support children with special educational needs. He blames the lack of an Executive for vacant posts and funding gaps, and says a returned Assembly will push for a review of their pay and…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Butler Praises Commitment of Classroom Assistants and Highlights Continued Stormont Failures (opens in a new tab)
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Essential those with disabilities have permanent seat at decision-making table, says Skinner, following passing of motion
Alliance Knockagh Councillor Aaron Skinner welcomes the passing of his motion at Mid and East Antrim Council to set up a disability lived experience group as a subcommittee. He says the group would give disabled people a formal route to advise councillors on accessibility, infrastructure and…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Mid and East Antrim Council disability lived experience group motion Original release: Essential those with disabilities have permanent seat at decision-making table, says Skinner, following passing of motion (opens in a new tab)
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Restored Executive must move quickly on regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures, says Bradshaw
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA says a restored Executive must act quickly to keep Northern Ireland in step with England and Scotland on licensing non-surgical cosmetic procedures. She cites a UK consultation launched for England and calls for a similar scheme and a possible…
Health Issue: UK consultation on licensing non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England Original release: Restored Executive must move quickly on regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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NÍ Chuilín comments on neurology review update
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín says MLAs questioned the Neurology Review Team on governance and Duty of Candour in future HSC neurology plans. She calls for new structures to be embedded from the outset, and says she will press the Belfast Trust and Department for Health on governance and budgets…
Health Issue: Neurology Review Team update to MLAs Original release: NÍ Chuilín comments on neurology review update (opens in a new tab)
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Weir presses government to prioritise early diagnosis to improve…
DUP peer Lord Weir of Ballyholme presses the UK Government in the Lords on dementia services, calling for more public messaging to encourage diagnosis, subtype information with every diagnosis, and integrated post-diagnosis support ahead of new Alzheimer's treatments.
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Tánaiste Must Become Proactive on Policing Reform as the PSNI goes into Melt Down. – Tóibín
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín calls on Tánaiste Micheál Martin to act on policing reform after PSNI data breach and Chief Constable resignation, demanding 50/50 recruitment, a joint Irish/British inspectorate and removal of MI5 from policing.
Justice and policing Constitutional affairs Issue: PSNI officer data breach and Chief Constable Simon Byrne resignation Original release: Tánaiste Must Become Proactive on Policing Reform as the PSNI goes into Melt Down. – Tóibín (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood welcomes appointment of Hilary Benn as shadow Secretary of State
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP welcomes Hilary Benn's appointment as shadow Northern Ireland minister, reading it as a sign Keir Starmer's Labour is serious about the region's pressing issues. He thanks Peter Kyle for his time in the role and looks forward to working with Benn on restoring devolved…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Hilary Benn appointed Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Original release: Eastwood welcomes appointment of Hilary Benn as shadow Secretary of State (opens in a new tab)
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DUP comments regarding votes at 16 incredibly disappointing, says Irwin
Alliance Councillor Hannah Irwin expresses disappointment at DUP and UUP comments in an Ards and North Down Council debate that rejected a motion backing votes at 16, saying they undermined young people's maturity and intelligence.
Constitutional affairs Local government Issue: Ards and North Down Council vote rejecting support for votes at 16 Original release: DUP comments regarding votes at 16 incredibly disappointing, says Irwin (opens in a new tab)
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Department of Health must demonstrate greater oversight of vaccination programmes
UUP Health Spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA calls on the Department of Health to give closer oversight to the autumn flu and Covid-19 vaccination programmes after the PHA brought the start date forward without telling GPs, who learned of the change via social media.
Health Issue: PHA brings forward autumn flu and Covid-19 vaccination start date Original release: Department of Health must demonstrate greater oversight of vaccination programmes (opens in a new tab)
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Honeyford expresses dismay at cuts to grassroots sports funding
Alliance Sports spokesperson David Honeyford MLA says cuts ending funding for grassroots sports projects under the Central Good Relations Fund will harm health and push costs onto the NHS. He opposes the cuts, which he says were made without ministers, blaming DUP boycott of devolved institutions.
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Central Good Relations Fund ending of grassroots sports funding Original release: Honeyford expresses dismay at cuts to grassroots sports funding (opens in a new tab)
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Lough Neagh Algae Bloom A Civil Rights Issue – Mccann
People Before Profit members protested at Ballyronan Marina and at a Lap the Lough cycle event, calling for immediate legal protection of Lough Neagh under nature-rights principles and for public control of the lough. They say it is a civil rights issue and urge the Earl of Shaftesbury to…
Environment and climate Issue: Lough Neagh protests and ownership dispute, August 2023 Original release: Lough Neagh Algae Bloom A Civil Rights Issue – Mccann (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed now to help tackle chronic health waiting lists – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon calls for an Executive to be formed immediately so parties can jointly address chronic health waiting lists, urging investment, staff recruitment and an end to UK cuts after the Department of Health released its latest waiting‑time figures.
Health Issue: Department of Health waiting time figures Original release: Executive needed now to help tackle chronic health waiting lists – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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PSNI need to publish records of contacts and messages
TUV leader Jim Allister calls on the PSNI and Chief Constable to release their records of contacts and messages on Sinn Féin's position regarding the Policing Board, citing a note in a recent judgment. He questions the credibility of Sinn Féin's denial that it threatened withdrawal.
Justice and policing Constitutional affairs Issue: High Court ruling on unlawful discipline of two PSNI officers Original release: PSNI need to publish records of contacts and messages (opens in a new tab)