Latest releases
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4,821 releases
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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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It’s time to break the stigma surrounding baby and pregnancy loss, says Kelly
Alliance Councillor Michelle Kelly, Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast, calls for an end to the stigma around baby and pregnancy loss and more awareness of available support, marking the close of Baby Loss Awareness Week. She announces a Remembrance Tree at Belfast City Hall, created with Aching Arms…
Health Local government Original release: It’s time to break the stigma surrounding baby and pregnancy loss, says Kelly (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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DFC Minister Can Act And Should Act On Punitive Debt Deductions
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin calls on the DfC Minister to suspend punitive debt deductions for Universal Credit and other benefit recipients, citing a Derry and Strabane Council motion and Department correspondence showing no plans to act.
Social security and welfare Economy and employment Issue: Derry and Strabane Council motion on suspending benefit debt deductions Original release: DFC Minister Can Act And Should Act On Punitive Debt Deductions (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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McCrossan: Tory benefits plan will plunge thousands into poverty
SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan condemns a reported British Government plan to link benefit uprating to earnings rather than inflation, calling it a betrayal. He has requested that Minister Deirdre Hargey produce figures on how the change would affect Northern Ireland households, citing Resolution…
Social security and welfare Economy and employment Issue: British Government plan to link benefit uprating to earnings growth Original release: McCrossan: Tory benefits plan will plunge thousands into poverty (opens in a new tab)
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Harkin: Council Hardship Fund Hypocrites
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin says the Council Hardship Fund is a tiny drop compared with the need, condemns the SDLP, Sinn Féin, and DUP for blocking or diluting it, and pledges to push for extra funding and stronger action on the cost‑of‑living emergency.
Economy and employment Local government Issue: Council Hardship Fund Original release: Harkin: Council Hardship Fund Hypocrites (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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Support for households relying on oil totally inadequate – Archibald
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald says the British Government's £100 payment for households relying on home heating oil is totally inadequate and an afterthought, and warns the switch to paying it via electricity providers may push people towards costlier electric heating. She also calls on the DUP…
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: £100 home heating oil payment announcement by British Government Original release: Support for households relying on oil totally inadequate – Archibald (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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Adult and social care services under huge pressure – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew says adult and social care services are under huge pressure and near collapse, leaving patients stuck in hospital beds, and calls on the DUP to stop blocking an Executive so Sinn Féin can invest an extra £1 billion in health.
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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)