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4,925 releases
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Sir Jeffrey – “We need to clear away the debris of the Protocol years”
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP says the Protocol must be replaced by arrangements unionists can support, ahead of his meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin. He calls on Brussels to loosen its negotiating mandate so renegotiation can proceed.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Sir Jeffrey – “We need to clear away the debris of the Protocol years” (opens in a new tab)
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DUP Leader congratulates Peter Weir & Arlene Foster on Life Peerage
The DUP welcomes Peter Weir's elevation to a Life Peer in the House of Lords, citing his 24 years as an MLA, and also welcomes the peerage for former First Minister Arlene Foster. Weir says he will advocate for Northern Ireland and the Union, and urges the removal of the Protocol.
Other Constitutional affairs Issue: Peter Weir and Arlene Foster Life Peerages Original release: DUP Leader congratulates Peter Weir & Arlene Foster on Life Peerage (opens in a new tab)
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4,136 abortions in Northern Ireland under more liberal regulations
TUV leader Jim Allister publishes Department of Health figures showing 4,136 abortions in Northern Ireland since the March 2020 change in the law, broken down by Health Trust. He says the reasons for abortions are not recorded, unlike in Great Britain, and calls for regular publication of figures…
Health Issue: Department of Health abortion figures released since March 2020 law change Original release: 4,136 abortions in Northern Ireland under more liberal regulations (opens in a new tab)
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‘British government must work with EU in good faith’ – Kearney
Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney welcomes the European Parliament's International Trade Committee's commitment to resolve issues around the Protocol and calls on the British government to negotiate in good faith with the EU. He says the Protocol must be protected rather than…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: European Parliament International Trade Committee meeting on the Protocol Original release: ‘British government must work with EU in good faith’ – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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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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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 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 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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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)