Latest releases
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57 releases
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Aiken: Food checks deal welcome, but Irish Sea border is far from gone
UUP MLA Dr Steve Aiken welcomes the draft UK‑EU sanitary and phytosanitary agreement on food checks, but warns that Northern Ireland will stay separated from the rest of the UK on many regulations, tariffs and the new EU customs code, increasing trade disruption.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU-UK food and plant products agreement Original release: Aiken: Food checks deal welcome, but Irish Sea border is far from gone
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TransformED is taking education system in the wrong direction – Sheehan
Sinn Féin education spokesperson Pat Sheehan MLA says Paul Givan’s TransformED plan steers education the wrong way, increasing high‑stakes exams, cutting coursework and narrowing the curriculum while adding pressure on teachers and ignoring academic selection, and calls on the Minister to listen to
Education Issue: TransformED education reforms announcement Original release: TransformED is taking education system in the wrong direction – Sheehan
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Belfast to bid for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2028 – Maskey
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey welcomes Belfast City Council's decision to bid for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2028
Local government Issue: Belfast City Council bid to host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2028 Original release: Belfast to bid for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2028 – Maskey
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Burrows calls for end to private fireworks sales
UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA urges a thorough overhaul of NI fireworks legislation, proposing a ban on private sales except in rare cases, limiting fireworks to organised public displays, encouraging low‑noise options and harsher penalties for illegal supply and use.
Justice and policing Issue: Fireworks law reform call by party leader Jon Burrows MLA Original release: Burrows calls for end to private fireworks sales
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Flynn welcomes investment in Endometriosis services and new surgical technology
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn welcomes investment in endometriosis services and new surgical technology, calls for real improvements in diagnosis and treatment.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Introduction of new gynaecological surgical robot in Belfast Original release: Flynn welcomes investment in Endometriosis services and new surgical technology
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Allen welcomes opening of new Harland & Wolff fabrication hall
UUP MLA Andy Allen welcomes the opening of Harland & Wolff’s new Resurgent Hall, calling it a milestone for Belfast shipbuilding. He notes the £100 million investment, 900 jobs and apprenticeships, and the construction of three Royal Fleet Auxiliary support ships, and says the party will press for更多
Economy and employment Issue: Harland & Wolff £100 million investment announcement Original release: Allen welcomes opening of new Harland & Wolff fabrication hall
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Butler Announces £1.95m Investment in Endometriosis Services
Ulster Unionist Party Health Minister Robbie Butler announces £1.95m investment in endometriosis services to improve access and reduce waiting times.
Health Public finance and taxation Original release: Butler Announces £1.95m Investment in Endometriosis Services
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Michelle O’Neill pays tribute to Ciara Mageean
Leas-Uachtarán Sinn Féin Michelle O’Neill offers heartfelt condolences to the family of Ciara Mageean, who died after a battle with cancer, praising her Olympic representation, European gold and her warmth, courage and strength.
Other Original release: Michelle O’Neill pays tribute to Ciara Mageean
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Sinn Féin will oppose any attempt to place British state forces beyond reach of accountability – Finucane
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane says the British government must drop proposals to give the British Attorney General final authority over conflict‑related prosecutions, calling the move a threat to the independence of the prosecution service and to accountability for state forces, and pledges to stand by
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: British government proposals to give Attorney General final say on conflict-related prosecutions Original release: Sinn Féin will oppose any attempt to place British state forces beyond reach of accountability – Finucane
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Health Minister: 'Let’s work together to protect our Health Service this winter'
UUP Health Minister Robbie Butler urges the public to help protect the Health Service this winter, highlighting the six HSC Trusts' and PHA's Winter Surge plans, a new Surge Oversight Programme Board, and calling for vaccinations, early community care and respectful treatment of staff.
Health Issue: Winter Surge plans publication Original release: Health Minister: 'Let’s work together to protect our Health Service this winter'
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You cannot champion the Union by leaving Northern Ireland's chair empty
The party Leader Jon Burrows criticises DUP's decision to exclude Northern Ireland from an economic forum, saying it punishes Northern Ireland and undermines the Union. He suggests Health Minister Robbie Butler should attend instead.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: DUP's decision to exclude Northern Ireland from Economic Forum in Glasgow Original release: You cannot champion the Union by leaving Northern Ireland's chair empty
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Burrows: rule of law must apply without fear or favour
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA says the High Court judgment confirms Portadown District’s legal right to parade and condemns the protest that sought to block it, urging reforms to bar offending officials and calling for on‑the‑spot super fines and prosecutions for breaches of parade legislation.
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: Drumcree parade ban High Court judgment Original release: Burrows: rule of law must apply without fear or favour
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Armstrong: Labour’s red hand strikes farmers again
Ulster Unionist Deputy Leader Diana Armstrong criticises Labour's Family Farm Tax and red diesel changes. She says these policies are causing stress and financial difficulties for farmers.
Agriculture and rural affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Labour's Family Farm Tax implementation and red diesel duty changes Original release: Armstrong: Labour’s red hand strikes farmers again
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Swann responds to Budget
UUP MP Robin Swann welcomes £7.5 m for cyber/AI research and £1 m for an investment summit in the new UK Budget, but says the overall settlement – £270 m via the Barnett formula and the rise in Air Passenger Duty – falls far short of stabilising public services, supporting local industry and giving
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Budget announcement Original release: Swann responds to Budget
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Ebrington Hotel device put families at risk, says Alderman Guy
UUP Alderman Darren Guy condemns those responsible after the PSNI confirmed a viable explosive device was left at the Ebrington Hotel in Derry, saying the act put families at risk during the Halloween funfair and endangers staff and guests.
Justice and policing Original release: Ebrington Hotel device put families at risk, says Alderman Guy
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Common sense prevails as Queen’s lifts Remembrance collarette ban
Ulster Unionist Party's Jay Basra welcomes Queen's University Belfast's decision to lift the ban on Orange collarettes at its Remembrance Sunday service.
Community relations and legacy Education Original release: Common sense prevails as Queen’s lifts Remembrance collarette ban
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Queen’s urged to explain Remembrance collarette ban
Ulster Unionist Party's Jay Basra calls on Queen's University Belfast to explain its ban on Orange collarettes at Remembrance Sunday services.
Community relations and legacy Education Issue: Queen's University Belfast Remembrance Sunday service collarette ban Original release: Queen’s urged to explain Remembrance collarette ban
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Drumcree proving to be a pyrrhic victory for republicans – Empey
UUP peer Lord Empey says the recent Drumcree stand‑off has back‑fired on republicans, arguing Gerry Adams’ praise of both Orangemen and Garvaghy Road residents shows a strategic defeat. He claims the dispute exposes Sinn Féin’s anti‑Orange stance and fuels unionist fears about a united Ireland.
Community relations and legacy Constitutional affairs Issue: Garvaghy Road residents' protest against Orange Order march Original release: Drumcree proving to be a pyrrhic victory for republicans – Empey
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Green Party call for independent mediation as Drumcree "fails" the people of Garvaghy Road
The party calls for independent mediation over Drumcree, citing failure to serve the people of Garvaghy Road. Lesley Veronica and Cllr Brian Smyth comment.
Community relations and legacy Constitutional affairs Issue: Drumcree dispute Original release: Green Party call for independent mediation as Drumcree "fails" the people of Garvaghy Road
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Green Party statement on Parades Commission ruling
The party's Cllr Brian Smyth comments on the Parades Commission ruling, calling for a peaceful Orange Order parade. He also seeks transparency in the Commission's decision-making process.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Parades Commission Garvaghy Road ruling Original release: Green Party statement on Parades Commission ruling