Latest releases
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4,933 releases
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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)
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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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Agency spend issue should long ago have been dealt with, says Bradshaw
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw says the Department of Health's order to cut £15 million from agency staff spending shows the issue was known for years and Northern Ireland has not addressed it, unlike other parts of the UK that regulated agency pay or introduced safe staffing…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Department of Health £15 million agency staff spending cut instruction Original release: Agency spend issue should long ago have been dealt with, says Bradshaw (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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Gildernew requests urgent meeting over emergency surgical services at Enniskillen Hospital
Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew says she has written to the Western Trust's chief executive seeking an urgent meeting over worries about emergency surgery provision at Enniskillen Hospital, after raising the issue with Health Minister Robin Swann last month.
Health Issue: Enniskillen Hospital emergency surgery concerns raised with Western Trust Original release: Gildernew requests urgent meeting over emergency surgical services at Enniskillen Hospital (opens in a new tab)
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Northern Ireland's place within the United Kingdom must be restored
DUP peer Lord Dodds of Duncairn, speaking in the Lords 2nd reading debate on the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill, says the Protocol removes democratic control over Northern Ireland's laws and undermines the Belfast Agreement, and argues it breaches international law on political participation.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Northern Ireland Protocol Bill second reading in the House of Lords Original release: Northern Ireland's place within the United Kingdom must be restored (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to support businesses and protect jobs – Archibald
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald calls for the Executive to be restored to support businesses and protect jobs, citing Ulster Bank's monthly outlook on rising costs and NISRA figures showing a fall in payroll employees. She blames the British government and the DUP's boycott for blocking support.
Economy and employment Constitutional affairs Original release: Executive needed to support businesses and protect jobs – Archibald (opens in a new tab)
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Dickson encourages victims of hate crime to come forward and report incidents
Alliance East Antrim MLA Stewart Dickson urges victims and witnesses of hate crime to come forward to support services and police, citing recent PSNI figures showing rises in five motivation categories, with disability-motivated incidents at their highest since records began.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: PSNI hate crime statistics showing rises across five motivation categories Original release: Dickson encourages victims of hate crime to come forward and report incidents (opens in a new tab)
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‘Executive needed now to support mother and babies’ – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn calls for an Executive to be formed immediately to fund a specialised mother and baby unit for women facing severe mental illness during or after pregnancy. She says the party is ready to form one now and back a three-year health budget.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Campaign for specialised mother and baby mental health unit Original release: ‘Executive needed now to support mother and babies’ – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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Leaders Key Note Speech Aontú Ard Fheis 2022
Aontú expresses solidarity with the people of Cresslough after a tragic weekend, thanks volunteers for organising the Ard Fheis, highlights 55,000 votes and 1,300 new members, condemns the abortion law and cost‑of‑living crisis, and calls for a compassionate society that protects vulnerable children
Economy and employment Health Issue: Creeslough, Co Donegal tragedy with ten deaths Original release: Leaders Key Note Speech Aontú Ard Fheis 2022 (opens in a new tab)