Latest releases
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4,431 releases
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Brett – “ineffective planning system stunting economic growth”
North Belfast DUP MLA Phillip Brett says Infrastructure Minister figures show regionally significant planning applications averaged 172.5 weeks to process between April 2016 and December 2021, against a 30-week target. He calls on the minister to act to restore confidence in the planning system.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Regionally significant planning application processing times figures released Original release: Brett – “ineffective planning system stunting economic growth” (opens in a new tab)
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British government should focus on solutions and stop giving DUP cover to block Executive - Finucane - Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane urges the UK government to drop its backing for the DUP's blocking of an Executive and instead negotiate Protocol solutions with the EU, arguing the Protocol is working for businesses and jobs.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: British government bill on Northern Ireland Protocol moving to next stage Original release: British government should focus on solutions and stop giving DUP cover to block Executive - Finucane - Sinn Féin (opens in a new tab)
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TUV maximised the Unionist vote
TUV leader Jim Allister says the DUP's claims that a split in the unionist vote cost seats are inaccurate, citing transfer losses in Strangford, East Antrim, Lagan Valley and North Antrim. He says TUV transfers helped elect 11 unionist MLAs and that TUV's 65,000 votes maximised the unionist turnout.
Constitutional affairs Issue: DUP claims of unionist vote split in 2022 Assembly election Original release: TUV maximised the Unionist vote (opens in a new tab)
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Failure to reform Assembly and Executive risks future of devolution, says Long, as she writes to Governments
Alliance leader Naomi Long MLA warns that failing to reform the Assembly and Executive threatens devolution, and has written to the UK and Irish Governments proposing changes to nomination rules, weighted majority voting and petitions of concern.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Assembly and Executive reform proposals letter to UK and Irish Governments Original release: Failure to reform Assembly and Executive risks future of devolution, says Long, as she writes to Governments (opens in a new tab)
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Human rights laws in the North undermined by know-nothing Tories - Senator Paul Gavan - Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin Senator Paul Gavan condemns the British Government's plan for a so-called British Bill of Rights, saying it would weaken human rights law in the North, undermine the European Court of Human Rights and the Good Friday Agreement.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: British government plans to repeal the Human Rights Act Original release: Human rights laws in the North undermined by know-nothing Tories - Senator Paul Gavan - Sinn Féin (opens in a new tab)
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Protocol apologists need to listen to alternative US message
DUP peer Lord Dodds says comments by former US UN Ambassador Nikki Haley show that views from a recent US congressional delegation are not the only US opinion on the Protocol. He calls for local effort from all sides to restore consensus politics in Northern Ireland, rejecting outside input.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Nikki Haley comments on the Northern Ireland Protocol at Policy Exchange Original release: Protocol apologists need to listen to alternative US message (opens in a new tab)
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Sir Jeffrey – “bill now needs to progress rapidly through legislative…
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP welcomes the scheduling of the Commons second reading of the Northern Ireland Protocol legislation on Monday. He urges MPs to back it, says it should progress quickly before the summer recess, and warns against amendments that would weaken it.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Northern Ireland Protocol Bill Second Reading in House of Commons Original release: Sir Jeffrey – “bill now needs to progress rapidly through legislative… (opens in a new tab)
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‘Children with no school places need certainty from education minister’ – Sheehan - Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan urges the Education Minister and Education Authority to give pupils with special educational needs and their families clarity on school placements for September, after reports that 300 such children lack a place. He also blames the DUP's boycott for stalling an Executive.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Over 300 SEN pupils without school places for September Original release: ‘Children with no school places need certainty from education minister’ – Sheehan - Sinn Féin (opens in a new tab)
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Cost of Fuel could leave some motability car users housebound - Doyle
Aontú Cllr Emmet Doyle says rising fuel and maintenance costs are pushing some disabled Motability car users in Derry to consider handing back their vehicles, and calls on Motability to extend its fuel-price payment to existing customers with long-term agreements.
Economy and employment Disability and equality Original release: Cost of Fuel could leave some motability car users housebound - Doyle (opens in a new tab)
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Children with special educational needs left behind yet again, says Egan
Alliance Education spokesperson Connie Egan MLA says children with special educational needs have been left behind again after reports that over 300 lack a school place for September. She blames area planning failures by the Education Minister and the Education Authority, and calls for the…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Over 300 SEN pupils without school places for September Original release: Children with special educational needs left behind yet again, says Egan (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan dismayed at lack of school places for SEN children
SDLP Education Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan says he is dismayed that more than 300 children with special educational needs lack a school place for September, and blames the Education Authority for repeated failures and weak strategic planning. He calls for the placements to be confirmed…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Over 300 SEN pupils without school places for September Original release: McCrossan dismayed at lack of school places for SEN children (opens in a new tab)
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‘British Government must not threaten our rights or our peace' - Sheerin - Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin says it is deplorable that the British government is pushing plans to repeal the Human Rights Act. She argues the move would avoid accountability to an independent court and threatens the European Convention on Human Rights, which she says underpins the Good Friday…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: British government plans to repeal the Human Rights Act Original release: ‘British Government must not threaten our rights or our peace' - Sheerin - Sinn Féin (opens in a new tab)
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Protocol is protecting the north from worst excesses of Brexit - Archibald - Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald says the Northern Ireland protocol is functioning and shielding the north from the harshest effects of Brexit, citing new LSE‑Resolution Foundation research. She urges the British government to negotiate in good faith with the EU to preserve business opportunities, ‑
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: LSE and Resolution Foundation Brexit economic impact report Original release: Protocol is protecting the north from worst excesses of Brexit - Archibald - Sinn Féin (opens in a new tab)
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Legislative change needed to restore NIs place within the United…
DUP East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell welcomes the Foreign Secretary's commitment to proceed with the NI Protocol Bill and urges the Government to press ahead, saying the Protocol is damaging Northern Ireland and must be replaced by arrangements restoring its place in the UK.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: UK Government Protocol Bill unveiled to disapply parts of Northern Ireland Protocol Original release: Legislative change needed to restore NIs place within the United… (opens in a new tab)
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Opportunities for a new Ireland despite Tory/DUP attack on the Good Friday Agreement – Kearney - Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin National Party Chairperson Declan Kearney accuses the Tories and the DUP of attacking the Good Friday Agreement by blocking power sharing and the North-South Ministerial Council, and says it is time to prepare for constitutional change in Ireland.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Opportunities for a new Ireland despite Tory/DUP attack on the Good Friday Agreement – Kearney - Sinn Féin (opens in a new tab)
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DUP Leader briefs members of the Foreign Press Association
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, after briefing Foreign Press Association members in London, says the Protocol lacked unionist backing and urges a replacement that wins cross-community support, welcoming the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill as a step away from the current arrangements.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: UK Government Protocol Bill unveiled to disapply parts of Northern Ireland Protocol Original release: DUP Leader briefs members of the Foreign Press Association (opens in a new tab)
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Fitting commemoration of Sir Henry Wilson set to take place at Brownlow House
TUV leader Jim Allister commends the Ancre Somme Association for commissioning a painting of Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson, unveiled in Brownlow House, Lurgan, and urges people to attend the free event. He also notes a portrait he long pressed for is now displayed at Stormont.
Community relations and legacy Constitutional affairs Issue: Sir Henry Wilson portrait unveiling at Brownlow House, Lurgan Original release: Fitting commemoration of Sir Henry Wilson set to take place at Brownlow House (opens in a new tab)
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Figures for women still travelling to GB for healthcare nothing short of an outrage, says Bradshaw
Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw says latest figures showing 161 women travelled from Northern Ireland to England or Wales for reproductive healthcare in 2021 are outrageous. She says the law on abortion is not being implemented and calls for those services to be provided locally.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Figures on Northern Ireland women travelling to GB for reproductive healthcare in 2021 Original release: Figures for women still travelling to GB for healthcare nothing short of an outrage, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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McKeown expresses concern following Scottish Mutual Building incident
SDLP South Belfast Councillor Gary McKeown says masonry falling from the Scottish Mutual Building in central Belfast shows the listed structure must be protected and reopened. He calls for urgent regeneration plans and for building administrators to be told to survey it for safety quickly.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Masonry fall from Scottish Mutual Building Belfast Original release: McKeown expresses concern following Scottish Mutual Building incident (opens in a new tab)
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PSNI ‘Spit Hood’ Justification Can’t Be Trusted
People Before Profit Cllr Maeve O'Neill says the PSNI's decision to make spit hood use permanent is unjustifiable, citing refusal to publish consultation findings on equality impact and reported disproportionate use on disabled people, Catholic-background people and children.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: PSNI decision to make spit hood use permanent Original release: PSNI ‘Spit Hood’ Justification Can’t Be Trusted (opens in a new tab)