Latest releases
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5,395 releases
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Green Party Leader welcomes Royal Assent for Clare Bailey’s Buffer Zones Bill.
Green Party leader Councillor Mal O'Hara welcomes Royal Assent for the Buffer Zones Bill, which he says will be enforceable from 7 May 2023 and end intimidation of people accessing abortion services. He credits former MLA Clare Bailey and campaigners.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Safe Access Zones Act receiving Royal Assent and becoming law Original release: Green Party Leader welcomes Royal Assent for Clare Bailey’s Buffer Zones Bill. (opens in a new tab)
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Supreme Court ruling highlights legitimate concerns of Unionists – Aiken
UUP MLA Dr Steve Aiken says the Supreme Court's findings on the Protocol show Unionist concerns are legitimate, and calls on the UK Government to replace it with an agreement restoring Northern Ireland's place in the UK Internal Market.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Supreme Court ruling on Northern Ireland Protocol lawfulness Original release: Supreme Court ruling highlights legitimate concerns of Unionists – Aiken (opens in a new tab)
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We need to focus on pragmatic solutions after Supreme Court’s Protocol judgement, says Farry
Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry MP says the UK Supreme Court's ruling that the NI Protocol is lawful shows pragmatic solutions are needed, calling for all Northern Ireland parties to focus on a deal through the current UK-EU negotiations and restored institutions.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Supreme Court ruling on Northern Ireland Protocol lawfulness Original release: We need to focus on pragmatic solutions after Supreme Court’s Protocol judgement, says Farry (opens in a new tab)
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Fare increases regrettable and a step backwards as consequence of underinvestment in public transport, says Muir
Alliance Infrastructure Spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA says planned Translink fare rises of around 7% from 6 March will deter public transport use and hit struggling households, calling for a more sustainable funding model for bus and rail.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Bus and train fare increase during cost-of-living crisis Original release: Fare increases regrettable and a step backwards as consequence of underinvestment in public transport, says Muir (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP statement following Supreme Court judgment
SDLP Assembly Leader Matthew O'Toole MLA welcomes the Supreme Court's ruling that the Northern Ireland Protocol is lawful and urges EU and UK negotiators to reach a resolution protecting Northern Ireland's access to the Single Market while addressing implementation concerns. He also urges caution…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Supreme Court ruling on Northern Ireland Protocol lawfulness Original release: SDLP statement following Supreme Court judgment (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Translink fares increase will punish worst off
SDLP Infrastructure Spokesperson and Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says a 7% Translink fares increase, directed by Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris, will hit families struggling with the cost of living. He calls for sustainable transport to be made more accessible rather than costlier.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Translink 7% fares increase directed by Secretary of State Original release: Durkan: Translink fares increase will punish worst off (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: Roundtable talks must address restoration proposals
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP says roundtable talks with the British Government in Belfast must address Assembly reform and restoration, and calls on other parties to back the SDLP's proposal to change how an Assembly Speaker is elected to end the deadlock.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Roundtable talks between parties and British Government in Belfast Original release: Eastwood: Roundtable talks must address restoration proposals (opens in a new tab)
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Lockhart – Protocol has undermined stability
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says the Protocol was a mistake pressed ahead despite unionist opposition, and calls for it to be replaced with arrangements unionists can support, after an exchange with Sir John Major at the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Sir John Major exchange at Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on the Protocol Original release: Lockhart – Protocol has undermined stability (opens in a new tab)
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TUV announces Braid council candidates
TUV announces Cllr Christopher Jamieson and Matthew Warwick as its Braid council candidates for Mid & East Antrim, saying they offer rural and urban representation and calling for accountable local government. Jim Allister pays tribute to outgoing Cllr Brian Collins after nine years.
Local government Constitutional affairs Original release: TUV announces Braid council candidates (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw marks Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week and calls for restoration of the Executive so that vital action can be taken
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw backs this week's awareness campaign and says she has tabled an Assembly motion on infant mental health, urging support for the Mental Health Strategy and its infant-focused action. She blames the DUP's boycott for blocking action and calls for the…
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Ennis slams invasive use of counselling records in sexual assault trials
Sinn Féin MLA Sinead Ennis says the practice of introducing survivors’ counselling notes as evidence in sexual‑assault prosecutions is unacceptable, breaches privacy and could discourage victims from seeking help or reporting crimes.
Justice and policing Health Issue: Counselling records used in sexual assault trials Original release: Ennis slams invasive use of counselling records in sexual assault trials (opens in a new tab)
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Red and green lanes means acceptance of a border dividing the UK
TUV leader Jim Allister says proposed red and green lanes would confirm and solidify the Irish Sea border, with the UK policing the EU single market and costly declarations and spot checks inhibiting trade. He argues the Protocol's sovereignty issue, including EU law imposed on Northern Ireland…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Red and green lanes proposal in possible UK-EU deal Original release: Red and green lanes means acceptance of a border dividing the UK (opens in a new tab)
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Latest reports on progress in protocol talks very encouraging – Kearney
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Brexit Declan Kearney welcomes reports of possible new progress in EU-UK talks on the Northern Ireland Protocol, citing British government movement on sharing goods-flow data. He calls for the Assembly to be restored immediately and urges the DUP to end its blocking of…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Reports of new EU-UK progress in Northern Ireland Protocol talks Original release: Latest reports on progress in protocol talks very encouraging – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Protocol – a strategy for Irish unity
TUV leader Jim Allister says the Protocol is a deliberate strategy for Irish unity, arguing it intensifies harmonisation on the island and undermines the UK's internal market, and calls for it to be scrapped in full.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Protocol – a strategy for Irish unity (opens in a new tab)
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A6 must be opened as quickly as possible – Archibald
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald says the Department of Infrastructure must ensure the A6 road and Dungiven Bypass are opened as quickly as possible, urging faster completion after a meeting that highlighted delays, lighting and signage timelines and community frustration.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: A6 Dungiven bypass opening date comments by Department for Infrastructure official Original release: A6 must be opened as quickly as possible – Archibald (opens in a new tab)
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‘No time to waste on forming Executive to deliver for people’ – Michelle O’Neill after Tánaiste meeting
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill, Leas-Uachtarán, urges the DUP to return to the Executive table and form an Executive quickly, after meeting Tánaiste Micheál Martin in Belfast. She says the DUP's block is hurting public services, energy costs and Dáithí's Law on organ donation.
Constitutional affairs Health Issue: Michelle O'Neill and Tánaiste Micheál Martin Belfast meeting on Executive formation Original release: ‘No time to waste on forming Executive to deliver for people’ – Michelle O’Neill after Tánaiste meeting (opens in a new tab)
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Sir Jeffrey - "Protocol must be replaced with arrangements that…
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP says he met Irish Foreign Minister Micheál Martin in Belfast, urging that the Protocol be swapped for arrangements unionists can back. He also calls on the Republic to run a parallel process to the Omagh bombing inquiry.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Donaldson meeting with Micheál Martin in Belfast on Omagh inquiry Original release: Sir Jeffrey - "Protocol must be replaced with arrangements that… (opens in a new tab)
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Irish translation service costing over £100,000 while Assembly doesn’t sit
TUV leader Jim Allister says the Irish-English interpretation service introduced after a June 2021 Assembly vote has cost the public purse £117,075.41, including agency staff costs, while the Assembly is not sitting. He calls the spending scandalous.
Public finance and taxation Constitutional affairs Issue: Irish/English interpretation service cost figures from Assembly Commission Original release: Irish translation service costing over £100,000 while Assembly doesn’t sit (opens in a new tab)
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Utterly shameful Northern Ireland remains without a First and deputy First Minister, says Long
Alliance leader Naomi Long MLA says the year-long absence of a First and deputy First Minister is damaging society, citing unpassed legislation including hate crime and violence against women strategies, and urges those blocking the Executive to end the deadlock.
Constitutional affairs Issue: One year without First and deputy First Minister after Givan resignation Original release: Utterly shameful Northern Ireland remains without a First and deputy First Minister, says Long (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw marks World Cancer Day and calls for consistent five-year cancer strategies for NI
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw calls for consistent five-year cancer strategies in Northern Ireland, pointing to Denmark and England as comparators and saying NI has lagged on survival rates since 1995 ahead of World Cancer Day.