Latest releases
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366 releases
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My focus is on making Northern Ireland work for all its people within the United Kingdom – Beattie
UUP leader Doug Beattie says his priority is improving Northern Ireland for everyone within the UK, dismissing the Ireland's Future conference in Dublin as lacking a plan for unity and arguing unionism should sell its positives and be more inclusive.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Ireland's Future conference in Dublin, October 2022 Original release: My focus is on making Northern Ireland work for all its people within the United Kingdom – Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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‘A New Ireland – A Nation Home for all’ – Mary Lou McDonald’s full address to Ireland’s Future
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald TD, speaking at Ireland's Future, sets out a vision of a united Ireland as a 'nation home for all', calling for healthcare, housing and public services to be shaped by that goal and pledging to stop forced emigration of young people.
Constitutional affairs Original release: ‘A New Ireland – A Nation Home for all’ – Mary Lou McDonald’s full address to Ireland’s Future (opens in a new tab)
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What a flop!
TUV leader Jim Allister dismisses a Sinn Fein event in Dublin as less popular than a Newry 12th of July celebration. He says it aims to subvert Unionists' rights to remain in the UK, and criticises Sinn Fein for not apologising for the IRA campaign.
Constitutional affairs Community relations and legacy Issue: Ireland's Future constitutional change conference in Dublin, 1 October 2022 Original release: What a flop! (opens in a new tab)
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Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile commends ‘thoughtful and inclusive’ discussions at Seanad Committee hearing
Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile thanks participants in the inaugural Seanad Public Consultation Committee hearing on Ireland’s constitutional future, praising the respectful, inclusive dialogue and the strong contribution of young people, and looks forward to further sessions.
Constitutional affairs Issue: First Seanad Public Consultation Committee hearing on Ireland's constitutional future Original release: Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile commends ‘thoughtful and inclusive’ discussions at Seanad Committee hearing (opens in a new tab)
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Planning for constitutional change and self-determination should start now – Kearney
Sinn Féin chair Declan Kearney urges the Irish government to set up a Citizen's Assembly on constitutional change without delay, ahead of concurrent referenda on Irish unity. He points to the Ireland's Future 'Together We Can' event in Dublin on 1 October and Sinn Féin's People's Assemblies.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Ireland's Future constitutional change conference in Dublin, 1 October 2022 Original release: Planning for constitutional change and self-determination should start now – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Brooks calls for explanation on GAA campaigning role in divisive…
DUP East Belfast MLA David Brooks writes to the GAA's Ulster Council seeking a clear position on campaigning for a border poll, after social media posts quoted GAA member Niall Murphy backing such calls. Brooks says the GAA cannot be purely a sporting body if it campaigns, and questions public…
Constitutional affairs Community relations and legacy Issue: GAA member Niall Murphy's social media posts on a border poll Original release: Brooks calls for explanation on GAA campaigning role in divisive… (opens in a new tab)
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Ireland’s Future Cannot Be Built On Ireland’s Past
People Before Profit says a united Ireland must be radically different from the two existing states, calling for a border poll without delay and a socialist country that ends partition, church control of schools, and tax havens. It rejects confederation and Commonwealth membership as 'more of the…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Original release: Ireland’s Future Cannot Be Built On Ireland’s Past (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney urges support for unprecedented conference on constitutional change
Sinn Féin National Party Chairperson Declan Kearney MLA urges supporters of constitutional change and Irish unity to register for the Ireland's Future conference at Dublin's 3Arena on 1 October. He calls on the Irish government to set up a Citizens' Assembly on unification.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Ireland's Future constitutional change conference in Dublin, 1 October 2022 Original release: Kearney urges support for unprecedented conference on constitutional change (opens in a new tab)
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Brooks - Woodward out of touch on border poll
DUP MLA David Brooks says Shaun Woodward, a former Northern Ireland Secretary, is out of touch after he claimed on BBC Radio Ulster that pro-border poll parties hold a majority in the Assembly. Brooks says only 38% of MLAs are from such parties and calls for focus on making Northern Ireland work…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Shaun Woodward comments on border poll on BBC Radio Ulster Original release: Brooks - Woodward out of touch on border poll (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Fein does not seek government to unify Northern Ireland but to unify Ireland
TUV leader Jim Allister says the talk of a border poll is orchestrated and that Sinn Fein seeks government to unify Ireland rather than to make Northern Ireland work. He argues the Belfast Agreement points toward Irish unity and calls on unionists to see enthroning Sinn Fein in government as folly.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Sinn Fein does not seek government to unify Northern Ireland but to unify Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Demographic Changes Demand Need For a Referendum For a Pluralist all Ireland Republic - Tóibín
Aontú Leader and Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín says census demographic results showing a Catholic-background majority in Northern Ireland's counties are hugely significant. He calls for reform of northern political institutions and a referendum within five years on a pluralist, democratic…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Catholics outnumbering Protestants in Northern Ireland census figures Original release: Demographic Changes Demand Need For a Referendum For a Pluralist all Ireland Republic - Tóibín (opens in a new tab)
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Labour Party playing dangerous games
DUP East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson warns that Labour would be playing dangerous games if it goes along with Sinn Féin's plans for a border poll. He accuses Labour of having been drawn into Sinn Féin's orbit under Jeremy Corbyn and urges Shadow NI Secretary Peter Kyle to focus on removing the…
Constitutional affairs Original release: Labour Party playing dangerous games (opens in a new tab)
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Politicians should be focusing on the immediate challenges facing Northern Ireland - Beattie
UUP leader Doug Beattie MLA says politicians should focus on the cost of living, the Northern Ireland Protocol and political stability, after Labour's Peter Kyle said he would set out criteria for a border poll. Beattie calls the remarks a distraction and says he has contacted Kyle to express…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Peter Kyle MP comments on criteria for a border poll Original release: Politicians should be focusing on the immediate challenges facing Northern Ireland - Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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SF has no interest in a shared future - Robinson
DUP MP Gavin Robinson says Sinn Féin's focus on a border poll shows no commitment to a shared future, citing the census showing three minorities and claiming unionists are excluded from nationalist-controlled councils. He also criticises Sinn Féin's support for the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Constitutional affairs Local government Issue: Catholics outnumbering Protestants in Northern Ireland census figures Original release: SF has no interest in a shared future - Robinson (opens in a new tab)
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Census should focus on shared future rather than lazy conclusions –…
DUP North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett says the 2021 census should prompt focus on investment and public services rather than a border poll, calling political conclusions drawn from Protestant and Catholic numbers simplistic. He accuses Sinn Fein of prioritising removing Northern Ireland from the UK…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Catholics outnumbering Protestants in Northern Ireland census figures Original release: Census should focus on shared future rather than lazy conclusions –… (opens in a new tab)
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‘Time to plan for a better future together’ – Finucane on 2021 census results
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane says the 2021 Census results show historic change is under way and calls for planning and dialogue on a better future to begin now. He urges the Irish government to establish a Citizens' Assembly to prepare for a possible Unity referendum.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Catholics outnumbering Protestants in Northern Ireland census figures Original release: ‘Time to plan for a better future together’ – Finucane on 2021 census results (opens in a new tab)
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TUV comments on census figures
TUV leader Jim Allister comments on the 2021 Census results, arguing that Catholic population growth in Northern Ireland contrasts with Protestant decline in the Republic and that nationalist voting has not risen since 1998 despite more Catholic identifiers. He says the Union offers benefits to…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Catholics outnumbering Protestants in Northern Ireland census figures Original release: TUV comments on census figures (opens in a new tab)
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A modern pluralist society is developing in Northern Ireland - Nesbitt
UUP MLA Mike Nesbitt says the Census findings need detailed analysis, but his initial view is that the evidence backs the UUP's stance since 1998 and shows a modern pluralist society developing in Northern Ireland. He says the party will keep making the case for the Union.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Catholics outnumbering Protestants in Northern Ireland census figures Original release: A modern pluralist society is developing in Northern Ireland - Nesbitt (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: Census figures demonstrate total transformation of our society
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP says the 2021 census figures showing a greater proportion of Catholics in Northern Ireland mark a seminal moment that should not be downplayed. He urges sincere reflection on the scale of change and a conversation about a social democratic new Ireland.
Constitutional affairs Community relations and legacy Issue: Catholics outnumbering Protestants in Northern Ireland census figures Original release: Eastwood: Census figures demonstrate total transformation of our society (opens in a new tab)
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Gerry Carroll MLA On The News That Catholics Outnumber Protestants In The North
Gerry Carroll MLA welcomes the news that Catholics now outnumber Protestants in the North as a historic milestone, but says it will not by itself bring substantive change. He calls for a socialist, united Ireland built on working-class movements that tackles wages, homelessness, health and climate.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Catholics outnumbering Protestants in Northern Ireland census figures Original release: Gerry Carroll MLA On The News That Catholics Outnumber Protestants In The North (opens in a new tab)