Latest releases
Searching a long passage? Find similar statements.
- Infrastructure and transport: remove filter
- Disability and equality: remove filter
- Constitutional affairs: remove filter
- Health: remove filter
5,395 releases
-
Beware of well packaged but meaningless change on Protocol
TUV leader Jim Allister warns unionists against settling for less than full restoration of UK sovereignty over Northern Ireland in the Protocol talks with the EU. He sets out tests for any deal, including whether EU single market, customs and VAT laws still apply and whether Irish Sea checks remain.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU-UK talks on the Northern Ireland Protocol Original release: Beware of well packaged but meaningless change on Protocol (opens in a new tab)
-
Lisnaskea GP practice pressures reinforce need for MLAs to get to work on reform, says Bradshaw
Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw says the Stormont deadlock is worsening pressures on GPs after the Maple Healthcare practice in Lisnaskea signalled it may hand back its contract. She calls for MLAs to restore the Executive and pursue health reform, and accuses the DUP of using health services as…
Health Issue: Maple Healthcare Lisnaskea GP practice contract hand-back Original release: Lisnaskea GP practice pressures reinforce need for MLAs to get to work on reform, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
-
Urgent need for a negotiated solution on veterinary medicines, says Brown
Alliance's Patrick Brown MLA urges an extension of the grace period for veterinary medicines to give EU and UK negotiators more time, warning that disruption could harm animal welfare and cut supply in Northern Ireland. He also criticises the DUP for boycotting the Assembly and Executive while…
Agriculture and rural affairs International affairs Issue: Veterinary medicines grace period expiry under the Northern Ireland Protocol Original release: Urgent need for a negotiated solution on veterinary medicines, says Brown (opens in a new tab)
-
McNulty slams decision to punish teams for wearing OneLove armbands at World Cup
SDLP Sports Spokesperson Justin McNulty criticises FIFA's threat of bookings against teams wearing OneLove armbands at the World Cup, calling it a disgrace and urging players to find other ways to show solidarity with the LGBT+ community in Qatar.
Disability and equality International affairs Issue: FIFA threat of bookings over OneLove armbands at World Cup Original release: McNulty slams decision to punish teams for wearing OneLove armbands at World Cup (opens in a new tab)
-
Finucane tells British Lords that legacy bill is cruel, callous and offensive
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane says he has written to members of the House of Lords to reiterate opposition to the British government's Legacy Bill, which he claims will block families seeking truth and justice. He calls on peers to urge the government to implement the Stormont House Agreement legacy…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: British government Legacy Bill House of Lords Original release: Finucane tells British Lords that legacy bill is cruel, callous and offensive (opens in a new tab)
-
Gildernew deeply concerned ambulances and crews are tied up outside hospitals
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew says he is deeply concerned that ambulance cover in some areas is being held up for hours outside hospitals, calling the pressures on staff and patients a crisis. He urges the DUP to end its boycott so an Executive and health minister can be restored.
Health Issue: Ambulance crews delayed outside hospitals reports Original release: Gildernew deeply concerned ambulances and crews are tied up outside hospitals (opens in a new tab)
-
Forsythe – Protocol not acceptable to unionists
DUP South Down MLA Diane Forsythe says she told Taoiseach Micheál Martin during his constituency visit that the Protocol must be replaced with arrangements unionists can support. She also questions the Narrow Water bridge project, citing Trader Support Service costs and urging investment in…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Taoiseach Micheál Martin's visit to South Down and Narrow Water bridge progress Original release: Forsythe – Protocol not acceptable to unionists (opens in a new tab)
-
Irish language not part of “shared heritage”
TUV North Down spokesperson John Gordon criticises Alliance's Stephen Farry and the party for welcoming the Identity and Language Bill and describing Irish as shared heritage, arguing Irish is not a shared heritage because unionists do not regard it as part of their identity and citing 2021 Census…
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Issue: Identity and Language Bill passage through Westminster Commons Original release: Irish language not part of “shared heritage” (opens in a new tab)
-
Ennis hails progress on Narrow Water Bridge project
Sinn Féin MLA Sinéad Ennis welcomes progress on the Narrow Water Bridge project after meeting the Taoiseach at the proposed site, calling it key to South Down's economic potential. She also urges the Irish government to deliver other infrastructure projects outlined in New Decade, New Approach.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Narrow Water Bridge project progress after Taoiseach site meeting Original release: Ennis hails progress on Narrow Water Bridge project (opens in a new tab)
-
Temporary removal of emergency surgical services from South West Acute Hospital ‘deeply disappointing’ – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew says the announced suspension of emergency surgical services at South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen from 18 December is deeply disappointing. She calls on the Western Trust to publish a concrete plan to recruit emergency general surgeons and restore the service.
Health Issue: Potential loss of emergency surgical services at South West Acute Hospital Original release: Temporary removal of emergency surgical services from South West Acute Hospital ‘deeply disappointing’ – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
-
Wilson - DUP MPs will oppose fuel duty hike
DUP MP Sammy Wilson says DUP MPs will oppose the Government's plan to raise fuel duty by 23% from next March, warning motorists will be billions worse off and that rural residents, care providers and district nurses will be hit hardest.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Government plan to increase fuel duty by 23% Original release: Wilson - DUP MPs will oppose fuel duty hike (opens in a new tab)
-
Ordinary workers and families will pay the price for Tory budget – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy says the Tory budget will push the economy deeper into a needless downturn, citing an OBR forecast of a 2% contraction and a 7% drop in living standards, and calls for a credible plan to rebuild public services.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: 2022 UK autumn budget public spending cuts Original release: Ordinary workers and families will pay the price for Tory budget – Murphy (opens in a new tab)
-
Mary Lou McDonald TD delivers keynote address to European Infrastructure Conference
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald TD calls for a new industrial policy with the State leading, a new Whitaker-style plan, planning reform and an all-island approach to infrastructure, energy and housing at a European Infrastructure Conference in Dublin.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Original release: Mary Lou McDonald TD delivers keynote address to European Infrastructure Conference (opens in a new tab)
-
Paisley presses Chancellor on Autumn statement
DUP North Antrim MP Ian Paisley responds to the Chancellor's Autumn Statement, saying Northern Ireland benefits from UK-wide schemes but the budget is challenging. He calls for a clear timetable for the increased oil and electricity payments and for Tax-Free Childcare to be increased.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Chancellor's Fiscal Statement November 2022 Northern Ireland funding Original release: Paisley presses Chancellor on Autumn statement (opens in a new tab)
-
Lockhart secures Equality Commission commitment on Ulster-Scots…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says Census 2021 figures show similar ability in Irish and Ulster-Scots, yet funding is far unequal, and welcomes an Equality Commission pledge to assess the equality implications of the £4m An Ciste Infheistiochta Gaeilge award.
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Census 2021 language findings and Equality Commission funding assessment commitment Original release: Lockhart secures Equality Commission commitment on Ulster-Scots… (opens in a new tab)
-
McGrath welcomes confirmation of cross-party meeting with Department of Health
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA welcomes Department of Health confirmation of a meeting with party health spokespeople next week on health priorities and reform. He calls for urgent political and health leadership action on the emergency care crisis and urges the DUP to end its…
Health Issue: Department of Health cross-party meeting on health priorities and reform Original release: McGrath welcomes confirmation of cross-party meeting with Department of Health (opens in a new tab)
-
SDLP delegation meets with IFA
SDLP delegation including sports spokesperson Justin McNulty met the Irish Football Association at Windsor Park to discuss a joint UK-Ireland bid for Euro 2028 and wider football issues. McNulty says Casement Park must be built in time for the tournament.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: SDLP delegation meeting with IFA on Euro 2028 bid Original release: SDLP delegation meets with IFA (opens in a new tab)
-
Protocol’s threat to medicine supply still looms large: Cameron
DUP South Antrim MLA Pam Cameron says the Protocol threatens future medicine supply to Northern Ireland, citing Teva UK evidence on product licensing burdens and NHS Confederation and PAGB concerns about EU legislation expiry and food supplement certification.
Constitutional affairs Health Issue: Teva UK evidence on Protocol medicine licensing challenges Original release: Protocol’s threat to medicine supply still looms large: Cameron (opens in a new tab)
-
Medicines should be removed from the scope of the Protocol – Beattie
UUP leader Doug Beattie says medicines should be taken out of the Northern Ireland Protocol, warning that patients could lose equitable access to new and innovative drugs and cancer treatments. He calls on the EU to recognise the problems, urges a parallel MHRA and EMA system for centrally…
Constitutional affairs Health Issue: Medicines divergence under the Northern Ireland Protocol Original release: Medicines should be removed from the scope of the Protocol – Beattie (opens in a new tab)
-
SDLP calls for ‘fiscal guarantee’ to protect Northern Ireland public finances
SDLP Stormont leader Matthew O'Toole MLA calls on the UK Government to provide a fiscal guarantee covering a £650m shortfall in devolved finances ahead of the Chancellor's Fiscal Statement, and urges support for households awaiting energy price aid and heating oil.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Chancellor's Fiscal Statement November 2022 Northern Ireland funding Original release: SDLP calls for ‘fiscal guarantee’ to protect Northern Ireland public finances (opens in a new tab)