Latest releases
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4,705 releases
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Forsythe - menace to women should be in jail for longer
DUP South Down MLA Diane Forsythe welcomes the Lady Chief Justice's response to her complaint about Judge Sherrard's comments in Dungannon, which led to further judicial guidance and training. She says the comments were ill-judged and will write to Justice Minister Naomi Long on whether…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Judge Sherrard's comments in Dungannon court case Original release: Forsythe - menace to women should be in jail for longer (opens in a new tab)
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Campbell welcomes rollout of Full-Fibre broadband in Claudy area
DUP MP Gregory Campbell welcomes the rollout of full-fibre broadband in the Claudy area under the Project Stratum scheme, which he says will connect up to 571 premises this winter. He credits £150million secured through the 2017 DUP Confidence and Supply Agreement and cites NI's 82% full-fibre…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Project Stratum full-fibre broadband rollout in Claudy Original release: Campbell welcomes rollout of Full-Fibre broadband in Claudy area (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds urges EU delegation to change negotiating mandate
Upper Bann MLA Diane Dodds, speaking for the DUP, says the EU must change its negotiating mandate after meeting European Parliament members, arguing unionists need Northern Ireland's place in the UK single market restored before devolution can resume.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Dodds meeting with European Parliament delegation on Protocol negotiating mandate Original release: Dodds urges EU delegation to change negotiating mandate (opens in a new tab)
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Lord Empey reflects on three years since the deal that put a border in the Irish Sea
UUP peer Lord Empey marks three years since the Irish Sea Border deal, arguing Boris Johnson's 2019 proposals to the EU created the Protocol and that the DUP endorsed them without an Assembly veto in place. He calls for negotiations between London and Brussels that directly involve Stormont's…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Third anniversary of the Irish Sea Border deal Original release: Lord Empey reflects on three years since the deal that put a border in the Irish Sea (opens in a new tab)
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Farry gives evidence to Seanad Committee on constitutional future
Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry MP has given evidence to a Seanad Éireann committee on Ireland's constitutional future. He says Alliance does not define itself by the constitutional question and wants debate to move to detailed points on structures, finances and public services.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Seanad committee hearing on constitutional future of Ireland Original release: Farry gives evidence to Seanad Committee on constitutional future (opens in a new tab)
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Belfast Peoples Assembly calls on Irish Government to establish a Citizen’s Assembly
Sinn Féin says a Belfast Peoples Assembly attended by over 300 people backed, by a show of hands, a call on the Irish Government to set up a Citizens' Assembly on constitutional change. Michelle O'Neill MLA, Sinn Féin's Leas Uachtarán, also urged both governments to prepare for it.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Irish government Citizens’ Assembly on New Ireland Original release: Belfast Peoples Assembly calls on Irish Government to establish a Citizen’s Assembly (opens in a new tab)
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Adoption of Brexit report at Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe ‘welcome’ – Senator Gavan
Sinn Féin Senator Paul Gavan welcomes the adoption of a Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly report on Brexit's impact on human rights in Ireland, which criticises the British Government over the Protocol and its Legacy Bill, and calls for a Citizens Assembly on Irish Unity.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: PACE report on Brexit and human rights in Ireland debate Original release: Adoption of Brexit report at Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe ‘welcome’ – Senator Gavan (opens in a new tab)
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Council of Europe warned that hostility to unionist concerns must end
DUP North Antrim MP Ian Paisley tells the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly that a report claiming Brexit caused human rights backsliding in Northern Ireland is wrong, and calls for unionist concerns about the Protocol to end being treated as expendable.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: PACE report on Brexit and human rights in Ireland debate Original release: Council of Europe warned that hostility to unionist concerns must end (opens in a new tab)
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£330,000 budget to pander to 10 English-speaking MLAs who might occasionally wish to speak in Irish
TUV leader Jim Allister criticises a £330,000 translation and interpretation service for Irish use in the Assembly, noting only 10 MLAs want to use it, and warns of further costs from Irish language legislation and an Irish Language Commissioner.
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Assembly Irish language translation and interpretation service costs Original release: £330,000 budget to pander to 10 English-speaking MLAs who might occasionally wish to speak in Irish (opens in a new tab)
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Only means to restore institutions sustainably is through reform, says Long, as she writes to governments
Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA says the only way to sustainably restore the Executive and Assembly is through institutional reform, urging Prime Minister Liz Truss and Taoiseach Micheál Martin to advance the reform agenda before the October 28 caretaker deadline.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Impending deadline to restore Northern Ireland Executive Original release: Only means to restore institutions sustainably is through reform, says Long, as she writes to governments (opens in a new tab)
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‘Everyone should join the inclusive conversation on the future’ – O’Neill
Sinn Féin First Minister Designate Michelle O’Neill urges people of all backgrounds to join the conversation on a New Ireland and calls on the Irish government to set up a Citizens’ Assembly to prepare for constitutional change under the Good Friday Agreement.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Irish government Citizens’ Assembly on New Ireland Original release: ‘Everyone should join the inclusive conversation on the future’ – O’Neill (opens in a new tab)
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Language and Identity Bill another example of contempt for devolution…
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart says the Government's decision to proceed with the Language and Identity Bill is another case of disregarding devolution to push through legislation lacking cross-community support. The DUP says it will oppose the bill unless Unionist concerns are addressed.
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Issue: Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Bill second reading at Westminster Original release: Language and Identity Bill another example of contempt for devolution… (opens in a new tab)
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NI’s place within the UK must be restored – Sir Jeffrey
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP wishes the EU and UK well in Northern Ireland Protocol talks but says checks are a symptom of NI being subject to laws imposed without elected representation. He says any outcome will be measured against the DUP's seven tests.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Northern Ireland Protocol negotiations between UK and EU in October 2022 Original release: NI’s place within the UK must be restored – Sir Jeffrey (opens in a new tab)
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Brexit and Human Rights report to be debated at PACE – Senator Paul Gavan
Sinn Féin Senator Paul Gavan says a PACE report on Brexit's impact on human rights in Ireland, drafted by rapporteur George Katrougalos, will be debated and voted on the next day. He highlights calls for no loss of rights in the North, smooth Protocol implementation, and firm rejection of the…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: PACE report on Brexit and human rights in Ireland debate Original release: Brexit and Human Rights report to be debated at PACE – Senator Paul Gavan (opens in a new tab)
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Dillon writes to Lady Chief Justice about remarks in Tyrone sexual assault case
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says she has lodged a formal complaint with the Lady Chief Justice over a judge's remarks in a Tyrone sexual assault hearing, including encouraging the defendant to settle down and refusing to bar him from contacting women online. She calls for judges to be trained on…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Tyrone sexual assault hearing judge's remarks complaint to Lady Chief Justice Original release: Dillon writes to Lady Chief Justice about remarks in Tyrone sexual assault case (opens in a new tab)
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DUP prepared to elevate Sinn Fein to First Minister’s post
TUV South Down spokesperson Harold McKee accuses the DUP of being willing to nominate a deputy First Minister under Sinn Féin, citing Lord Dodds's Lords remarks that the party can re-enter the executive under a Sinn Féin First Minister. He calls the stance cynical and says TUV holds that no…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Lord Dodds remarks on DUP re-entering executive under Sinn Féin First Minister Original release: DUP prepared to elevate Sinn Fein to First Minister’s post (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance hitch themselves to all-Ireland bandwagon
TUV South Antrim spokesperson Mel Lucas accuses Alliance of seeking to reconcile with Republicans after its MLA Stephen Farry was named as a panellist with Sinn Féin and the SDLP at an Irish unity event in London, and asks whether Alliance is drifting towards a nationalist position.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Stephen Farry panel appearance at Ireland's Future event in London Original release: Alliance hitch themselves to all-Ireland bandwagon (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr McKee welcomes support for workers undergoing fertility treatment
Green Party councillor Barry McKee welcomes unanimous backing from Ards and North Down Council's Corporate Committee for a motion to expand support for staff undergoing fertility treatment. He hopes officers' forthcoming report leads to a swift introduction of the measures.
Economy and employment Local government Issue: Ards and North Down council motion on fertility treatment support for staff Original release: Cllr McKee welcomes support for workers undergoing fertility treatment (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna welcomes progress on Irish language legislation
SDLP South Belfast MP Claire Hanna welcomes progress on the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Bill ahead of its Westminster second reading, calling for the protections to be enacted promptly and criticising that the legislation is not being progressed locally at Stormont.
Disability and equality Issue: Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Bill second reading at Westminster Original release: Hanna welcomes progress on Irish language legislation (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan criticises refusal to show parking fine leniency
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says he is disappointed Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has declined to lengthen the 50% discount window for parking Penalty Charge Notices. Durkan had proposed extending it from 14 days to six weeks to ease cost-of-living pressures, and urges caretaker ministers…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Infrastructure Minister rejects extended parking fine discount period proposal Original release: Durkan criticises refusal to show parking fine leniency (opens in a new tab)