Latest releases
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3,004 releases
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Swann welcomes Joint UK-EU Agreement on parcel fees ahead of Parliamentary Partnership Assembly
UUP MP Robin Swann welcomes confirmed arrangements exempting "not at risk" consumer parcels entering Northern Ireland under Windsor Framework schemes from new EU handling fees, ahead of the Joint Committee meeting. He flags unresolved questions over how EU artificial intelligence rules would…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU handling fees on Northern Ireland parcels Original release: Swann welcomes Joint UK-EU Agreement on parcel fees ahead of Parliamentary Partnership Assembly (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Whitehall asleep as EU parcel tax and AI rules hit Northern Ireland
UUP spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA welcomes the proposed UK-EU SPS agreement but says it leaves customs and tariffs in Northern Ireland. He criticises Whitehall for ignoring the Union Customs Code parcel handling fee and calls for the Stormont Brake to be applied, and says applying parts of…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: EU handling fees on Northern Ireland parcels Original release: Whitehall asleep as EU parcel tax and AI rules hit Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance calls for progress in making Fleadh more accessible
Alliance Belfast Councillor Michael Long welcomes Belfast City Council's endorsement of an Alliance proposal to have council officers meet the Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee before next year's Fleadh. The move follows disability groups' concerns about this year's event.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Fleadh 2026 accessibility concerns and proposals Original release: Alliance calls for progress in making Fleadh more accessible (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Beyond constant crisis
SDLP calls for a continuing, staged programme of democratic reform, starting with immediate legislative changes, then a structured review of further reforms in the next mandate and a longer-term debate on power-sharing, citing the Budget impasse and falling trust.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Beyond constant crisis (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Draft agreement between EU and British government ‘further evidence of failed Brexit project’ – Ferguson
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson welcomes a draft EU-UK agreement on food and plant products, calling it further evidence that Brexit failed economically, socially and politically. She says she met the British Cabinet Office Windsor Framework team and that Sinn Féin will focus on reducing trade…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU-UK food and plant products agreement Original release: Draft agreement between EU and British government ‘further evidence of failed Brexit project’ – Ferguson (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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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 and that the new EU customs code will increase 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 (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Anna Henry welcomes £1.95 million investment in endometriosis services
TUV councillor Anna Henry welcomes the £1.95 million funding for endometriosis services across Northern Ireland, including £250,000 for the Northern Trust and a new Regional Endometriosis Pathway. She says more work is needed to cut waiting times and improve diagnosis.
Health Disability and equality Issue: £1.95 million investment in endometriosis services announced Original release: Cllr Anna Henry welcomes £1.95 million investment in endometriosis services (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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TUV welcomes Carla Lockhart move
TUV leader Jim Allister welcomes Carla Lockhart MP's decision to leave the DUP, saying she followed her conscience. He claims the DUP chose Michelle O'Neill over Lockhart due to its 'O'Neill Must Stay' preference, and looks forward to working with her on unionist issues.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Carla Lockhart leaves the DUP Original release: TUV welcomes Carla Lockhart move (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Flynn welcomes investment in Endometriosis services and new surgical technology
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn welcomes a new gynaecological surgical robot in Belfast, used in 130 surgeries, and the £1.95 million for regional endometriosis centres. She calls for the investment to improve diagnosis and access, and says she has written to the Health Minister on an all-island…
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 (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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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 calls on the British government to drop proposals giving the British Attorney General decisive authority over conflict-related prosecutions, after former DPP Barra McGrory warned of a two-tier justice system. Finucane also urges the Irish government to oppose the plans.
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 (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Unionist Unity and ‘O’Neill Must Stay’ don’t go together
TUV leader Jim Allister says talk of unionist unity is hollow without substance, arguing the DUP has not shifted its platform on the Protocol and questioning what unity would be for. He also says the DUP rejected his unity platform at the last Westminster election and accuses it of using unity as…
Constitutional affairs Issue: DUP's unionist unity message with Sinn Fein Original release: Unionist Unity and ‘O’Neill Must Stay’ don’t go together (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Egan welcomes Bail Support Pilot for women
Alliance Justice Spokesperson Connie Egan MLA welcomes the Department of Justice’s new bail‑support scheme for women in Belfast and Ballymena, saying it recognises complex needs, offers early help for women on remand and should improve outcomes for them, families and community safety.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Bail Support Pilot announcement Original release: Egan welcomes Bail Support Pilot for women (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Irish unity preparations must advance with urgency – Mary Lou McDonald
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald TD welcomes the Taoiseach's plan to put a proposal before Cabinet ahead of the festive period for a body examining Ireland's constitutional future. She calls for urgent preparations for Irish unity, with a clear timetable and resources, and for the Irish…
Constitutional affairs Original release: Irish unity preparations must advance with urgency – Mary Lou McDonald (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Carroll: DUP Will Pocket the Wage and Wreck the Work
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll responds to a DUP statement on its continued Executive engagement, saying the party will keep ministerial pay while using Petition of Concern to obstruct Assembly business. He cites the age of criminal responsibility, the Good Jobs Bill and the conversion…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: DUP Stormont brake request on MLA wages and ministerial cars Original release: Carroll: DUP Will Pocket the Wage and Wreck the Work (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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DUP’s sham response beyond pathetic
TUV leader Jim Allister says the DUP's response today was pathetic and a sham, arguing that refusing joint appearances with O'Neill while keeping him in office is pointless. He contrasts this with Carla Lockhart MP's principled stance and accuses the DUP of clinging to office.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Stormont brake request on EU goods regulations Original release: DUP’s sham response beyond pathetic (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Statement from the Democratic Unionist Party
The DUP accuses Sinn Féin and deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill of undermining the institutions after the Garvaghy Road blockade in Portadown, and calls for the Chief Constable to be transparent about threats, a fresh security assessment of dissidents and the Provisional IRA, and new…
Justice and policing Constitutional affairs Original release: Statement from the Democratic Unionist Party (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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You cannot champion the Union by leaving Northern Ireland's chair empty
UUP leader Jon Burrows says the DUP's refusal to send Northern Ireland to tomorrow's Glasgow economic forum harms the region rather than the deputy First Minister, and urges another Executive minister, such as Health Minister Robbie Butler, to attend.
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 (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Taoiseach’s welcome shift on Irish unity must now be matched by action – Conor Murphy
Sinn Féin Senator Conor Murphy welcomes the Taoiseach's commitment to a new initiative on constitutional change, saying it must produce an inclusive planning process for Irish unity. He calls on the Taoiseach to set out its remit, resources and timetable, and says a Citizens' Assembly would help.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Original release: Taoiseach’s welcome shift on Irish unity must now be matched by action – Conor Murphy (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Assembly election an opportunity to break the cycle of crises, says Tennyson, following re-selection
Alliance Deputy Leader and Upper Bann MLA Eóin Tennyson says the 2027 Assembly election gives voters a chance to demand better from Stormont, break the cycle of political crises and move Northern Ireland forward beyond deadlock and division.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Stormont deadlock and public services disarray Original release: Assembly election an opportunity to break the cycle of crises, says Tennyson, following re-selection (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Drumcree proving to be a pyrrhic victory for republicans – Empey
Ulster Unionist Peer Lord Empey says the Drumcree standoff has backfired on republicans, criticising Gerry Adams’s intervention and Sinn Féin’s involvement, and argues the dispute exposes threats to the Orange tradition and highlights demographic changes in a united Ireland.
Community relations and legacy Immigration Issue: Garvaghy Road residents' protest against Orange Order march Original release: Drumcree proving to be a pyrrhic victory for republicans – Empey (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)