Latest releases
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6,285 releases
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NEW YEAR MESSAGE FROM THE LEADER OF THE ULSTER UNIONIST PARTY
UUP leader Doug Beattie offers a New Year message urging the DUP to decide yes or no on the UK Government's final offer to restore devolved government, arguing a yes would release £3.3 billion for public services. He warns a no would deepen the Stormont boycott's impact.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Original release: NEW YEAR MESSAGE FROM THE LEADER OF THE ULSTER UNIONIST PARTY (opens in a new tab)
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Christmas Message from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson issues a Christmas message thanking those working over the holiday, reflecting on loneliness and loss, and saying the party continues negotiating with the Government to secure new arrangements on the Protocol and restore the Assembly and Executive.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Christmas Message from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson (opens in a new tab)
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The imperative of standing firm
TUV leader Jim Allister says the Protocol remains damaging to the Union and urges unionists to keep opposing it in 2024. He rejects Stormont implementation and calls for full restoration of the Union with no Irish Sea border or foreign law.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: The imperative of standing firm (opens in a new tab)
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John Blair MLA reiterates the need to do better for nature’s recovery
Alliance Agriculture and Environment Spokesperson John Blair MLA says the natural environment is depleting rapidly, citing Lough Neagh, and urges urgent action after meeting Ulster Wildlife, hoping a restored Assembly will make nature‑proofing central to government policy.
Environment and climate Issue: Meeting with Ulster Wildlife on nature recovery Original release: John Blair MLA reiterates the need to do better for nature’s recovery (opens in a new tab)
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UUP comment on Irish Government announcement of inter-state legacy case
UUP leader Doug Beattie MLA responds to the Irish Government's decision to bring an inter-state legacy case against the UK Government, saying it is unsurprising given an approaching election. He accuses Dublin of failing to address legacy and says returning to the Stormont House mechanisms is not…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Irish Government interstate challenge to UK Legacy Act Original release: UUP comment on Irish Government announcement of inter-state legacy case (opens in a new tab)
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Legacy Act is wrong – but Republic in no position to lecture
TUV leader Jim Allister says the Legacy Act is wrong mainly for granting amnesty, but calls the Republic's international legal action against it shameless hostile meddling. He accuses the Republic of sheltering IRA terrorists and of hypocrisy over Article 2 and the right to life.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Irish Government interstate challenge to UK Legacy Act Original release: Legacy Act is wrong – but Republic in no position to lecture (opens in a new tab)
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Interstate case will strengthen challenge to shameful Legacy Act – McDonald
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD welcomes the Irish Government's decision to bring an interstate case under the European Convention on Human Rights challenging the British Legacy Act. She says the legislation was rushed through despite opposition from victims, families and human rights…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Irish Government interstate challenge to UK Legacy Act Original release: Interstate case will strengthen challenge to shameful Legacy Act – McDonald (opens in a new tab)
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Increasing ‘safe access zones’ boundaries will serve little purpose – Brolly
Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly says expanding the safe access zone around Causeway Hospital by 250 metres, which the Northern Trust is considering, will have no effect and further erodes the right to protest. She also criticises abortion providers promoting their work on social media.
Disability and equality Issue: Northern Trust considering extending Causeway Hospital safe access zone by 250 metres Original release: Increasing ‘safe access zones’ boundaries will serve little purpose – Brolly (opens in a new tab)
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DUP reverse power-trip costing lives and needs to end – Tóibín
Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín accuses the DUP of blocking the restoration of Stormont powersharing, claiming its refusal to re-engage is costing lives and livelihoods, and calls for measures so no single party can collapse the Executive.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: DUP refusal to re-engage with Stormont powersharing December 2023 Original release: DUP reverse power-trip costing lives and needs to end – Tóibín (opens in a new tab)
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Councillor Derek Hussey has welcomed an update on proposals for much needed Health, Education and Leisure provision for Strabane and the wider area
Ulster Unionist Alderman Derek Hussey welcomes an update on City Deal proposals for Health, Education and Leisure provision in Strabane, including a new leisure centre, a North West Regional College campus and a Health Hub.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Strabane City Deal Health, Education and Leisure proposals update Original release: Councillor Derek Hussey has welcomed an update on proposals for much needed Health, Education and Leisure provision for Strabane and the wider area (opens in a new tab)
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Councillor Linzi McLaren welcomes Ulster Unionist Party Vaping Policy and brings Motion forward to council on the matter
UUP councillor Linzi McLaren welcomes the Ulster Unionist Party's vaping policy statement and says she has brought a motion to Ards and North Down Council. She calls for a council review of options on disposable vapes, tighter enforcement on illicit imports and sales, and Stormont legislation…
Health Local government Issue: Ulster Unionist Party vaping policy statement Original release: Councillor Linzi McLaren welcomes Ulster Unionist Party Vaping Policy and brings Motion forward to council on the matter (opens in a new tab)
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Young Persons Survey reinforces need for full implementation of Mental Health Strategy, says Bradshaw
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA calls for the Executive to be restored urgently so the Mental Health Strategy can be properly resourced and scrutinised, citing the Young Persons Behaviour and Attitudes Survey showing rising mental health concerns among 11-16 year olds.
Health Issue: Young Persons Behaviour and Attitudes Survey publication Original release: Young Persons Survey reinforces need for full implementation of Mental Health Strategy, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP welcomes inter-state case on legacy legislation
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP welcomes confirmation from the Tánaiste that Dublin will bring an inter-state case against the British Government's legacy legislation. He says the legislation shuts victims out of justice and calls for the challenge to be pursued robustly.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Irish Government interstate challenge to UK Legacy Act Original release: SDLP welcomes inter-state case on legacy legislation (opens in a new tab)
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Time to face up to reality that Stormont has no future under the Protocol
TUV leader Jim Allister calls on the DUP and the UK Government to publish the proposed Protocol deal so it can be judged, arguing Stormont has no future if it requires implementing the Protocol and condemning a financial package tied to that.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Government and DUP Protocol negotiations conclusion announcement Original release: Time to face up to reality that Stormont has no future under the Protocol (opens in a new tab)
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Kyle welcomes timely Grand Lodge intervention
Traditional Unionist Voice vice‑chairman and Causeway councillor Allister Kyle welcomes the Grand Lodge’s December meeting summary, saying it reminds Unionist politicians to keep their pledges and to oppose a return to Stormont until the NI Protocol/Windsor Framework is fully reformed on trade andEU
Constitutional affairs Issue: Grand Lodge December meeting opposition to Stormont return Original release: Kyle welcomes timely Grand Lodge intervention (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone: Lough Neagh must be high priority for any new Executive
SDLP MLA for Mid Ulster Patsy McGlone calls for the Lough Neagh crisis to be a high priority for any new Executive, after a meeting with DAERA on its steering group response to blue-green algae blooms. He says a report with 113 recommendations is due in February 2024 and urges prompt action.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: DAERA Lough Neagh steering group response and recommendations report Original release: McGlone: Lough Neagh must be high priority for any new Executive (opens in a new tab)
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Close the deal, restore devolution urges SDLP
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP urges Northern Ireland's parties to finish a deal forming a power-sharing Executive before Christmas, after the Secretary of State announced the Hillsborough talks had effectively concluded. He ties this to wages, hospital waiting lists and public services.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Hillsborough talks conclusion announced by Secretary of State Chris Heaton Harris Original release: Close the deal, restore devolution urges SDLP (opens in a new tab)
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TUV focus on undermining unionist negotiating team rather than…
DUP Deputy Leader Gavin Robinson MP accuses the TUV of undermining the unionist negotiating team with anonymous posters attacking the DUP over an unreached agreement. He asks Jim Allister whether the posters were party-directed and says ongoing talks with the UK Government continue.
Constitutional affairs Issue: TUV posters attacking DUP over Stormont negotiations Original release: TUV focus on undermining unionist negotiating team rather than… (opens in a new tab)
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Green Party deputy leader criticises cuts to free, centralised counselling for children in NI
Green Party deputy leader Lesley Veronica criticises cuts to free, centralised counselling for children who have suffered sexual abuse, after Nexus said it can no longer see 4–7-year-olds and has paused help for a large group of older children. She argues underinvestment will shift costs onto…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Nexus withdraws child sexual abuse counselling services Original release: Green Party deputy leader criticises cuts to free, centralised counselling for children in NI (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent action needed to provide free counselling to children who have experienced sexual abuse, say Bradshaw and Egan
Alliance MLAs Paula Bradshaw and Connie Egan call on the Department of Health to fully fund free counselling for children and young people under 16 who have experienced sexual abuse, after charity Nexus withdrew its service because of budget pressures.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Nexus withdraws child sexual abuse counselling services Original release: Urgent action needed to provide free counselling to children who have experienced sexual abuse, say Bradshaw and Egan (opens in a new tab)