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3,064 releases
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Armstrong: Labour’s red hand strikes farmers again
UUP Deputy Leader and Agriculture Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA says the Budget leaves the Family Farm Tax unchanged and sets a cliff edge on red diesel from July next year. She welcomes fertiliser and kerosene tariff suspensions but calls for index-linking of the agriculture budget.
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 (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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Swann responds to Budget
UUP MP Robin Swann welcomes £7.5 million for cyber and AI research in Belfast and £1 million for a Northern Ireland Investment Summit, but says the Budget's £270 million Barnett consequentials are spread over four years and fall short. He calls for clarity on whether they will be allocated this…
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: British government budget and Executive funding for Northern Ireland Original release: Swann responds to Budget (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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Alliance representatives express concern following devastating oil contamination incident
Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland and Braid Councillor Chelsea Harwood express shock over an oil contamination incident at BEWWT in Broughshane, which killed several birds including two Trumpeter swans. They pay tribute to volunteers, and Harwood urges people with knowledge of the vandalism to contact…
Environment and climate Issue: Broughshane Environment Waterfowl and Wildlife Trust oil contamination Original release: Alliance representatives express concern following devastating oil contamination incident (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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UK Budget taking place without NI Budget is a shameful indictment, says Eastwood
Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood says it is a shameful indictment that Northern Ireland has no budget ahead of the UK Budget during a cost-of-living crisis. She warns public services are on the brink and calls for a UK Budget with practical support to tackle business costs and boost growth.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: UK Budget without NI Budget Original release: UK Budget taking place without NI Budget is a shameful indictment, says Eastwood (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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New Strategy must mark a turning point for nature in Northern Ireland, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes the launch of the Nature Recovery Strategy, calling it a chance to turn around decades of decline. He points to 12 per cent of species facing extinction and urges other parties to back the strategy without further delay.
Environment and climate Issue: Launch of Nature Recovery Strategy Original release: New Strategy must mark a turning point for nature in Northern Ireland, says Blair (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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Swann sets out key Budget priorities
UUP MP Robin Swann sets out Budget priorities ahead of Chancellor John Healey's first Budget, calling on the Treasury to reform hospitality VAT, scrap Air Passenger Duty for Northern Ireland and give assurances on farm inheritance tax.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: UK Budget without NI Budget Original release: Swann sets out key Budget priorities (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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Donnelly welcomes consultation on pedestrianisation and public transport
Sinn Féin councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly urges residents to comment on new transport proposals unveiled by Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins, which include extra car-free city streets, extended Glider lines and improved bus links across Belfast. She says the plans would make the city centre…
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins's Belfast transport and pedestrianisation consultation proposals Original release: Donnelly welcomes consultation on pedestrianisation and public transport (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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McGrath: Patients Are Waiting While Executive Fails to Deliver Budget
SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath says Executive inaction on a budget is leaving patients exposed as emergency department waiting times worsen, citing September figures and Ulster Hospital performance. He calls for funding to plan winter pressures, staffing and services, including fuller use of…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Department of Health emergency department waiting times statistics September Original release: McGrath: Patients Are Waiting While Executive Fails to Deliver Budget (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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O'Toole: DUP/SF mudslinging distracting from Christmas pay scandal
SDLP Opposition Leader Matthew O'Toole MLA says a bitter DUP-Sinn Féin clash at the Executive Office Committee drew attention from the Department of Finance confirmation that civil servants' pay settlement cannot reach Christmas wages because no Budget has been agreed, calling on Ministers to…
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: Civil service pay settlement missing Christmas wages due to no Budget Original release: O'Toole: DUP/SF mudslinging distracting from Christmas pay scandal (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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Durkan Urges Cross-Border Action to Advance A2 Buncrana Road Project
SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan says he has written to the Taoiseach, the Transport Minister and the Infrastructure Minister urging them to explore Shared Island funding for the A2 Buncrana Road widening scheme. He criticises repeated delays and says the project should be treated as cross-border.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: A2 Buncrana Road Widening Scheme delay Original release: Durkan Urges Cross-Border Action to Advance A2 Buncrana Road Project (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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McDaid slams ‘wear more clothes’ advice in schools
SDLP councillor Catherine McDaid criticises Education Authority guidance telling pupils to dress warmer in schools amid high energy costs, linking it to cuts and crumbling school buildings. She raised the issue at a Derry City and Strabane council committee.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Education Authority "wear more clothes" energy cost advice to schools Original release: McDaid slams ‘wear more clothes’ advice in schools (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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Armstrong: Full story on Enniskillen Bypass delay still untold
Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Diana Armstrong calls on the Infrastructure Minister to publish a clear timetable for the A4 Enniskillen Southern Bypass, detailing the High Court procurement challenge, its impact on start dates and the availability of the £6.6 million budget.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: High Court challenge to Enniskillen bypass procurement Original release: Armstrong: Full story on Enniskillen Bypass delay still untold (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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British government making a political choice not to properly fund the north – O’Dowd
Sinn Féin MLA John O'Dowd says the British budget on Wednesday will not break from past approaches, arguing the Executive is underfunded because of political choices, not a lack of money. He calls for public sector pay rises and for banks and oil and gas firms' profits to be taxed.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: British government budget and Executive funding for Northern Ireland Original release: British government making a political choice not to properly fund the north – O’Dowd (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 1 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney urges driver vigilance approaching Staffordstown/Greenan crossroads
Sinn Féin South Antrim MLA Declan Kearney welcomes DfI Roads' installation of pedestrian warning signs and 'slow' markings at the Staffordstown/Greenan crossroads in Creggan. He urges drivers to take extreme care there at school transport times and says he is awaiting Translink proposals on the…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Staffordstown/Greenan crossroads road safety measures installed by DfI Roads Original release: Kearney urges driver vigilance approaching Staffordstown/Greenan crossroads (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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A29 Cookstown Bypass Must Remain a Priority Following A5 Judgement – Mallaghan
Sinn Féin MP Cathal Mallaghan has contacted Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins requesting a progress update on the A29 Cookstown Bypass following a recent court ruling on the A5. He says the bypass would improve road safety and journey times, and that Mid South West Growth Deal funding gives the…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: A5 court judgement and A29 Cookstown Bypass update request Original release: A29 Cookstown Bypass Must Remain a Priority Following A5 Judgement – Mallaghan (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Swann calls on Treasury to scrap Air Passenger Duty in Northern Ireland
UUP MP Robin Swann writes to the Chancellor urging HM Treasury to consider abolishing or substantially, gradually reducing Air Passenger Duty for flights from Northern Ireland airports ahead of the Budget, arguing Dublin Airport gains a competitive edge.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Air Passenger Duty reform for Northern Ireland airports ahead of Budget Original release: Swann calls on Treasury to scrap Air Passenger Duty in Northern Ireland (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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Boylan welcomes further roll-out of part-time 20mph zones at schools
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan welcomes Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins's announcement that a further 34 schools will receive part-time 20mph speed limit schemes. He says the measures will improve child road safety, especially on rural roads, and urges motorists to slow down near schools.
Infrastructure and transport Education Issue: Further part-time 20mph school speed limit schemes for 34 schools Original release: Boylan welcomes further roll-out of part-time 20mph zones at schools (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Planning system continues to hold back economic growth, says McReynolds
Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Peter McReynolds MLA says the planning system is holding back growth, citing provisional statistics for April to June 2026 showing over 30% of live applications open for more than a year. He calls for a comprehensive reform programme, including mandatory…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Planning system statistics and business concerns Original release: Planning system continues to hold back economic growth, says McReynolds (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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Armstrong: Biomethane consultation must deliver what the Assembly already voted for
UUP Deputy Leader and Agriculture Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA welcomes the Biomethane Strategy consultation, six months after an Assembly motion she says called for one, and sets out three tests the strategy must meet. These include a stable, inflation-proofed support mechanism, planning and…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Biomethane Strategy consultation launch Original release: Armstrong: Biomethane consultation must deliver what the Assembly already voted for (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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Richard Brown-Stewart selected as Alliance East Londonderry Assembly candidate
Alliance councillor Richard Brown-Stewart says he has been selected to stand for East Londonderry in the 2027 Assembly election, citing his record as councillor and Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens. He pledges work on childcare, public transport, second homes and holiday lets, and energy…
Economy and employment Local government Original release: Richard Brown-Stewart selected as Alliance East Londonderry Assembly candidate (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 22 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)