Latest releases
Searching a long passage? Find similar statements.
2,552 releases
-
Hughes and Finucane meet British Government on lowering of voting of age
Sinn Féin MPs Dáire Hughes and John Finucane say they met British ministers Samantha Dixon and Mathew Patrick to discuss preparations for lowering the voting age to 16, following recently introduced legislation. Hughes welcomes the change as a step for democracy.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Lowering of voting age to 16 legislation introduced Original release: Hughes and Finucane meet British Government on lowering of voting of age (opens in a new tab)
-
Ulster Unionist Party leadership meet with Secretary of State
UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA says he, Deputy Leader Diana Armstrong MLA and Deputy Chief Whip John Stewart MLA met Secretary of State Hilary Benn and pressed him on the Local Growth Fund funding cliff edge, legacy, and governance reform. He says the party will keep raising Local Growth Fund concerns…
Constitutional affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Ulster Unionist leadership meeting with Secretary of State Hilary Benn Original release: Ulster Unionist Party leadership meet with Secretary of State (opens in a new tab)
-
Marine Protected Areas Strategy crucial for healthier habitats, says Blair, following publication
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair welcomes the launch of Northern Ireland’s Marine Protected Areas Strategy by Minister Andrew Muir, calling it a vital step to restore marine and freshwater habitats, boost biodiversity and use carbon‑absorbing seagrass and kelp to aid climate action.
Environment and climate Issue: Launch of Northern Ireland Marine Protected Areas Strategy Original release: Marine Protected Areas Strategy crucial for healthier habitats, says Blair, following publication (opens in a new tab)
-
Voices of Irish diaspora must be brought into discussion on constitutional change – Rose Conway Walsh TD
Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway Walsh says the Oireachtas Good Friday Agreement committee must bring the Irish diaspora in Britain into constitutional change discussions, after meeting Irish community groups in London during a delegation visit to Westminster.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Voices of Irish diaspora must be brought into discussion on constitutional change – Rose Conway Walsh TD (opens in a new tab)
-
Ulster Unionist Leader Jon Burrows to visit US for St Patrick’s Day and meet Secretary of State
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA says he will travel to the US for St Patrick's Day with Health Minister Mike Nesbitt MLA, then meet Secretary of State Hilary Benn to press on the Windsor Framework, the Legacy Bill and the Shared Prosperity Fund funding cliff edge.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Ulster Unionist Leader Jon Burrows to visit US for St Patrick’s Day and meet Secretary of State (opens in a new tab)
-
Abuse of cross-community voting during Covid pandemic only demonstrates need for reform, says Guy
Alliance MLA Michelle Guy says cross-community voting abuse in the Executive blocked Covid-era public health measures and argues the Covid Inquiry findings alone justify institutional reform. She calls on the Assembly to change the system so one party cannot paralyse government, pointing to the…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Assembly Executive Review Committee questioning of Arlene Foster on institutional reform Original release: Abuse of cross-community voting during Covid pandemic only demonstrates need for reform, says Guy (opens in a new tab)
-
O’Toole: First Ministers’ evidence must drive real Stormont reform
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says evidence from former First Ministers Arlene Foster and Mark Durkan to the Assembly and Executive Review Committee offers a chance to revive Stormont reform. He proposes that the committee hear from ex-First Ministers on improving how devolved…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Assembly and Executive Review Committee evidence from Arlene Foster and Mark Durkan on Stormont reform Original release: O’Toole: First Ministers’ evidence must drive real Stormont reform (opens in a new tab)
-
Reilly hails ‘historic’ vote at Conradh na Gaeilge Ard Fheis
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly welcomes a motion passed at the Conradh na Gaeilge annual gathering pledging the organisation to pursue Irish unity, calling it a historic decision. She credits its proposers, Belfast's Comhairle Ceantair branch, and says the years ahead offer chances to advance…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Conradh na Gaeilge motion backing Irish unity Original release: Reilly hails ‘historic’ vote at Conradh na Gaeilge Ard Fheis (opens in a new tab)
-
Farmers Failed by Stormont: TUV Slams Slurry Ban, TB Crisis and Windsor Framework
TUV agriculture spokesman Councillor Allister Kyle tells a West Tyrone fundraiser that farming is failing under Stormont, calling for the agriculture and environment roles to be split, citing over 20,000 TB-infected cattle in 2025 and urging action to eradicate bovine TB.
Agriculture and rural affairs Constitutional affairs Original release: Farmers Failed by Stormont: TUV Slams Slurry Ban, TB Crisis and Windsor Framework (opens in a new tab)
-
Step change in flooding interventions for Six Mile Water required – Kearney
SDLP... no. Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, calls for a strategic step change in flood interventions for homes near Antrim's Six Mile Water after Storm Chandra. He urges Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to speed up the Flood Risk Feasibility Study and to order a NI Water review of…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Storm Chandra flooding in Antrim Town Six Mile Water Original release: Step change in flooding interventions for Six Mile Water required – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
-
TUV comment on £14k pay hike for MLAs
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says the Independent Remuneration Board's determination lifting MLA salaries by about 27%, a £14,000 rise, was the outcome MLAs intended. He argues Stormont's powers have shrunk and calls for public consultation on the pay decision.
Public finance and taxation Constitutional affairs Issue: Independent Remuneration Board MLA pay determination increase Original release: TUV comment on £14k pay hike for MLAs (opens in a new tab)
-
Micheál Martin’s complacency on Irish Unity is a failure of leadership – Mary Lou McDonald
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald TD accuses Taoiseach Micheál Martin of complacency on Irish unity, claiming his remarks on a referendum before 2030 ignore public opinion and the government has failed to prepare for constitutional change.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Taoiseach Micheál Martin's comments on Irish unity referendum on 7 Lá Original release: Micheál Martin’s complacency on Irish Unity is a failure of leadership – Mary Lou McDonald (opens in a new tab)
-
Deis ag Ard Fheis Chonradh na Gaeilge díriú ar Éire nua a thógáil – Kearney | Conradh na Gaeilge Ard Fheis an opportunity to focus on building a new Ireland – Kearney
Sinn Féin's National Chairperson Declan Kearney, speaking ahead of Conradh na Gaeilge's Ard Fheis, calls Belfast's selection as host city significant and says its theme on the Irish language in a united Ireland is timely. He adds that he will join a panel discussion at the event.
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Original release: Deis ag Ard Fheis Chonradh na Gaeilge díriú ar Éire nua a thógáil – Kearney | Conradh na Gaeilge Ard Fheis an opportunity to focus on building a new Ireland – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
-
SDLP proposes amendment to establish independent EPA
SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole says the party has tabled an amendment to an omnibus bill to create an independent environmental protection agency, citing Lough Neagh pollution and DUP blocking at Executive level. The amendment seeks an Assembly debate and vote, with the Speaker deciding whether it…
Environment and climate Issue: SDLP amendment seeking independent environmental protection agency Original release: SDLP proposes amendment to establish independent EPA (opens in a new tab)
-
Brett: First Minister’s Rhetoric Cannot Hide Costly Climate…
DUP MLA Phillip Brett criticises First Minister Michelle O'Neill for not justifying the £1 million annual cost of a proposed Climate Change Commissioner. He says the work is already done at UK level and that NI accounts for 0.04% of world emissions.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Proposed Northern Ireland Climate Change Commissioner cost Original release: Brett: First Minister’s Rhetoric Cannot Hide Costly Climate… (opens in a new tab)
-
O’Toole challenges First Minister on Sinn Féin failure to support Ukraine
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA challenges First Minister Michelle O'Neill in the Assembly over Sinn Féin MEPs voting against a €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine. He says Sinn Féin cannot reconcile that stance with skipping the St Patrick's Day events in Washington.
International affairs Constitutional affairs Issue: European Parliament vote on €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine Original release: O’Toole challenges First Minister on Sinn Féin failure to support Ukraine (opens in a new tab)
-
Communities Committee Performs Embarrassing Climbdown
DUP South Antrim MLA Pam Cameron welcomes the Communities Committee's decision to drop its plan to contact the UK Secretary of State about the DfC Minister, after Assembly legal advice. She says the Committee should also have apologised to the Minister.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Communities Committee rescinds plan to write to Secretary of State about DfC Minister Original release: Communities Committee Performs Embarrassing Climbdown (opens in a new tab)
-
Jim Allister Calls the SDLP and Alliance to Account for Voting to Increase the Cost of Living
TUV leader Jim Allister, MP for North Antrim, criticises the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Maritime Activities) Order 2026, saying its carbon charges on Great Britain–Northern Ireland ferries will raise travel and goods costs. He accuses the SDLP and Alliance of…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme maritime extension order 2026 Original release: Jim Allister Calls the SDLP and Alliance to Account for Voting to Increase the Cost of Living (opens in a new tab)
-
A united Ireland must be shared, inclusive, and welcoming – Cullen
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen says he hosted a Westminster panel on the fracturing of the Union from Irish, Scottish and Welsh perspectives, arguing London is out of touch and calling for informed debate ahead of any referendum on a united Ireland.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Westminster panel on constitutional change across these islands Original release: A united Ireland must be shared, inclusive, and welcoming – Cullen (opens in a new tab)
-
Ferguson welcomes plan to improve management of drainage and wastewater in Derry
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson welcomes a new Living with Water in Derry plan, launched by Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins, covering river flood alleviation, wastewater treatment upgrades, sewer improvements and natural drainage measures. She says it builds on earlier news on wastewater…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Living with Water in Derry drainage and wastewater plan launch Original release: Ferguson welcomes plan to improve management of drainage and wastewater in Derry (opens in a new tab)