Latest releases
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2,552 releases
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Hazzard makes case for Strangford Lough Bridge Study
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard calls on Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to commission a feasibility study into a bridge linking Portaferry and Strangford across Strangford Lough, arguing it would boost economic and social development. He also cites possible tidal energy and cycling lanes.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Original release: Hazzard makes case for Strangford Lough Bridge Study (opens in a new tab)
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McIlveen: DUP Brings Common Sense to Debate on New Environment Quango
DUP Deputy Leader Michelle McIlveen MLA says the DUP alone applied common sense in an Assembly debate on a proposed independent Environmental Protection Agency, arguing it would add another unelected arm's length body and shift responsibility from DAERA's Minister. Alliance, Sinn Féin and the SDLP…
Environment and climate Issue: Assembly debate on proposed independent Environmental Protection Agency Original release: McIlveen: DUP Brings Common Sense to Debate on New Environment Quango (opens in a new tab)
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Cost of living crisis tops agenda in meeting between Sinn Féin and British Prime Minister
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald says her delegation pressed Prime Minister Keir Starmer on urgent British Government help with energy and fuel costs, the Gaza crisis and an immediate ceasefire. She also calls on him to establish an inquiry into the 1997 killing of Sean Brown and meet his widow.
Economy and employment International affairs Issue: Sinn Féin delegation meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer Original release: Cost of living crisis tops agenda in meeting between Sinn Féin and British Prime Minister (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP tells PM that change needed to end Executive dysfunction
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says she pressed Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the SDLP's reform proposals after raising energy costs and Executive dysfunction, and urges both governments to begin serious talks on change at Stormont.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: SDLP meeting with Prime Minister on Stormont Executive dysfunction Original release: SDLP tells PM that change needed to end Executive dysfunction (opens in a new tab)
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McIlveen warns Maritime Carbon Scheme could drive up costs for…
DUP Deputy Leader Michelle McIlveen warns that extending the carbon market to shipping could raise freight costs by about £15 per trailer, pushing prices up for businesses and households. She criticises Sinn Féin, the SDLP and Alliance for backing the measure and calls for the policy to be…
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Issue: Assembly debate on extending UK carbon pricing to maritime transport Original release: McIlveen warns Maritime Carbon Scheme could drive up costs for… (opens in a new tab)
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The Historical Inevitability of the Union
UUP writes that Irish unity is not inevitable, arguing that polling and the 2024 Westminster vote show Northern Ireland's place in the UK is more likely to endure, and calls on unionists to promote the Union to non-unionist voters.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Original release: The Historical Inevitability of the Union (opens in a new tab)
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Time for NI to move away from fossil fuel dependency, says Bamford
Alliance councillor Jessica Bamford urges the Economy Minister to draft a plan for moving Northern Ireland away from fossil fuel reliance, via a council motion, citing rising home heating oil costs linked to Middle East instability.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Lisburn and Castlereagh council motion on fossil fuel dependency energy plan Original release: Time for NI to move away from fossil fuel dependency, says Bamford (opens in a new tab)
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Only by taking control of our future will we seize our full potential – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney, speaking in a Stormont debate on the island's economy, says all-island cooperation in health, education, transport and trade benefits workers and businesses, and calls on both governments and all parties to plan for Irish unity and set a referendum date by 2030.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Assembly debate on the all-island economy Original release: Only by taking control of our future will we seize our full potential – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Statement from Gerry Adams
Former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams, speaking to reporters after the first day of a London civil case, says he is there to defend himself and challenge the allegations against him. He states he is an Irish republican seeking to end British rule and unite Ireland.
Constitutional affairs Justice and policing Issue: Gerry Adams London civil case first day Original release: Statement from Gerry Adams (opens in a new tab)
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Response from Jim Allister KC MP, leader of the TUV to the Government’s Statement on the ‘UK-EU SPS Agreement – Information for Businesses’
TUV leader Jim Allister KC MP says the Government's UK-EU SPS Agreement undermines Brexit by extending EU animal, plant and food rules to Great Britain, and that it leaves the Irish Sea customs border in place. He calls the arrangement a surrender of sovereignty and says no financial contribution…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Government statement on UK-EU SPS Agreement for businesses Original release: Response from Jim Allister KC MP, leader of the TUV to the Government’s Statement on the ‘UK-EU SPS Agreement – Information for Businesses’ (opens in a new tab)
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SoS must step in to ensure establishment of independent Environmental Protection Agency, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA calls on Secretary of State Hilary Benn to step in and help establish an independent Environmental Protection Agency, which he says all main parties committed to in New Decade, New Approach. He accuses the DUP of blocking it at the Executive ahead…
Environment and climate Constitutional affairs Issue: Independent Environmental Protection Agency establishment blocked at Executive Original release: SoS must step in to ensure establishment of independent Environmental Protection Agency, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston publishes his response to Stormont’s MLA only consultation on MLA pay
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston submits his response to the Independent Remuneration Board consultation, opposing the proposed rise in MLA basic salary from about £53,000 to £67,200. He argues the increase is out of step with public sector pay and that the benchmarking against other legislatures is…
Public finance and taxation Constitutional affairs Issue: Independent Remuneration Board MLA pay determination increase Original release: Gaston publishes his response to Stormont’s MLA only consultation on MLA pay (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP: Single Irish state can unlock our economic potential
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says a single Irish state offers the strongest chance to unlock a New Ireland’s economic potential, unveiling the ‘Success by Design’ paper with proposals for an all‑island infrastructure fund, stronger rail links, skills alignment and a Ministry for a New Ireland.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Launch of SDLP Success by Design policy paper Original release: SDLP: Single Irish state can unlock our economic potential (opens in a new tab)
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No one should have a licence to pollute, says Blair, welcoming stronger wastewater pollution regulations
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes the Environment Minister's Assembly update on stronger wastewater pollution rules, including tougher fines, ending NI Water's licence to pollute and stricter discharge consent standards. He urges Executive approval and urgent Infrastructure…
Environment and climate Issue: Environment Minister's Assembly update on wastewater pollution measures Original release: No one should have a licence to pollute, says Blair, welcoming stronger wastewater pollution regulations (opens in a new tab)
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Forsythe: DfE Must Be Honest About Unrealistic 2030 Energy Targets
DUP South Down MLA Diane Forsythe says the Department for the Economy must be candid about Northern Ireland's 2030 renewable electricity target of 80%, which she calls unachievable on current trajectory. She cites roughly 44% renewable generation today and calls for a credible, deliverable energy…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Economy Committee questioning of Energy Group officials on 2030 renewable electricity target Original release: Forsythe: DfE Must Be Honest About Unrealistic 2030 Energy Targets (opens in a new tab)
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Irish Language Commission links language to IRA campaign – he should go
TUV leader Jim Allister says Irish Language Commissioner Pol Deeds's claim that opposition to Irish is a blow for unification echoes a 1982 IRA-era remark and calls for his removal, urging Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly to act.
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Issue: Irish Language Commissioner Pol Deeds comments on opposition to Irish Original release: Irish Language Commission links language to IRA campaign – he should go (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: Secretary of State must recognise link between need for reform and Executive’s fiscal doom loop
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says Secretary of State Hilary Benn needs to accept that reforming Stormont's institutions is central to tackling the Executive's financial dysfunction. Speaking after his appearance before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, she argues the current system is broken…
Public finance and taxation Constitutional affairs Issue: Secretary of State appearance before Northern Ireland Affairs Committee Original release: Hanna: Secretary of State must recognise link between need for reform and Executive’s fiscal doom loop (opens in a new tab)
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Brooks expresses concern at lack of transparency and consideration around plans for Botanic Gardens
Alliance councillor Tara Brooks voices concern that Belfast City Council's plan to move a community garden and an EU-funded UPSURGE environmental project from Botanic Gardens for a sports pitch lacks transparency. She says her proposal to pause the decision for more information was ignored and…
Local government Environment and climate Issue: Botanic Gardens community garden relocation for new sports pitch Original release: Brooks expresses concern at lack of transparency and consideration around plans for Botanic Gardens (opens in a new tab)
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Murphy welcomes Executive approval to permanently end Petroleum Exploration and Licensing
Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy welcomes the Executive's sign-off on repeal legislation that would permanently halt oil and gas exploration and licensing in the north, including fracking. She says it aligns the region with the rest of the island and will protect Fermanagh communities.
Environment and climate Issue: Executive approval of Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill Original release: Murphy welcomes Executive approval to permanently end Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (opens in a new tab)
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UK Sovereignty Foundation publishes Jim Allister Pamphlet Warning Government is “Using and Betraying” the United Kingdom in “re-set” with EU
TUV leader Jim Allister KC MP, in a pamphlet published by the UK Sovereignty Foundation, says Labour's EU reset uses Northern Ireland to pave the way for dynamic alignment of Great Britain with EU law. He argues the Windsor Framework border means Brexit was not delivered and calls for the UK to be…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: UK Sovereignty Foundation pamphlet on Jim Allister's EU reset critique Original release: UK Sovereignty Foundation publishes Jim Allister Pamphlet Warning Government is “Using and Betraying” the United Kingdom in “re-set” with EU (opens in a new tab)