Latest releases
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5,779 releases
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SDLP Opposes Tory ‘Anti Trade Union’ Bill
SDLP Leader and Foyle MP Colum Eastwood opposes the British Government's Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill, which would let employers in critical public services sack and sue striking staff. He says nurses are using food banks and calls for essential workers to be paid properly.
Economy and employment Health Issue: Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill in the House of Commons Original release: SDLP Opposes Tory ‘Anti Trade Union’ Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Agreement on sharing trade data welcome – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney welcomes an agreement between the EU and British government on sharing trade data. He calls for continued work towards a pragmatic, durable Protocol solution and an early resolution giving certainty to local businesses.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU-UK agreement on sharing trade data Original release: Agreement on sharing trade data welcome – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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It’s not pandering to EU we need
TUV leader Jim Allister says a joint UK-EU statement on EU access to UK IT systems should not be taken as progress on restoring UK sovereignty over Northern Ireland. He claims it means more EU involvement and that current talks only address better implementation of the Protocol, with the EU's…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Joint UK-EU statement on EU access to UK IT systems Original release: It’s not pandering to EU we need (opens in a new tab)
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Sir Jeffrey: Protocol recognised as the problem for unionists
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP said after a call with Irish Foreign Minister Micheál Martin that the NI Protocol is now viewed in London, Dublin and Brussels as a unionist problem, calling for its replacement with arrangements that restore Northern Ireland’s place in the UK internal market and尊
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: DUP leader phone call on Northern Ireland Protocol Original release: Sir Jeffrey: Protocol recognised as the problem for unionists (opens in a new tab)
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Response to ‘Centre for the Union’ publication on the Protocol
TUV leader Jim Allister says the Protocol is a sovereignty issue and calls for Northern Ireland’s full restoration to the United Kingdom, respecting the equal‑footing principle of Article 6. He backs the Centre for the Union’s Constitutional Bill and argues that any border solution must reverse EU‑U
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Centre for the Union publication on the Protocol Original release: Response to ‘Centre for the Union’ publication on the Protocol (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent investigation needed into year-long waits for red flag referrals, says Bradshaw
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw calls for an urgent investigation into red flag referral waits that are now taking months, with some cancer referrals exceeding a year. She says MLAs should return to Stormont to scrutinise health reform.
Health Issue: Red flag referral waiting times for cancer patients in Northern Ireland Original release: Urgent investigation needed into year-long waits for red flag referrals, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance MLAs meet with DAERA to discuss environmental protection, budgetary pressures and other issues
Alliance MLAs John Blair and Kate Nicholl say they met DAERA's Permanent Secretary and senior team about pressures from having no Minister, including climate and environmental protection and budgets. Blair calls on the DUP to end its Assembly boycott and reform the institutions.
Environment and climate Issue: Alliance meeting with DAERA Permanent Secretary on Ministerial vacancy Original release: Alliance MLAs meet with DAERA to discuss environmental protection, budgetary pressures and other issues (opens in a new tab)
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Farry welcomes UK-EU deal on data sharing
Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry MP says trust is essential to reaching a sustainable, mutually agreed Northern Ireland Protocol solution, welcoming the UK-EU data-sharing deal as a basis for further talks. He argues the Protocol Bill's unilateral option undermines that trust.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU-UK agreement on sharing trade data Original release: Farry welcomes UK-EU deal on data sharing (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan urges action on single-use plastics ban
SDLP Climate Change Spokesperson Mark H Durkan urges the North to move forward with a ban on single-use plastics after England announced one would proceed before year's end. He points to Scotland's ban, Wales' plans and the New Decade, New Approach pledge on plastic pollution.
Environment and climate Issue: England single-use plastics ban announcement January 2023 Original release: Durkan urges action on single-use plastics ban (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole welcomes progress on access to trade data
SDLP Assembly Leader Matthew O'Toole MLA welcomes an agreement giving access to UK IT systems that provide real-time trade flow data, saying it builds trust in Northern Ireland Protocol talks. He also calls for a restored Executive to address public service delivery.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU-UK agreement on sharing trade data Original release: O’Toole welcomes progress on access to trade data (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Clear benefits of progressing A5 scheme
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan says work on the A5 Western Transport Corridor should begin at the first opportunity after submitting his views to the Department for Infrastructure on supplementary environmental information. He backs the 'do something' option, citing forecast reductions in…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: A5 Western Transport Corridor supplementary environmental information consultation Original release: McCrossan: Clear benefits of progressing A5 scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew concerned at the rising crisis in our health service
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew says it is deeply concerning that non-urgent operations are being cancelled because of health service pressures. He blames years of Tory cuts and calls for substantial health investment, fair pay for workers, and the DUP to return to the Executive.
Health Issue: Cancellation of non-urgent surgeries due to health service pressures Original release: Gildernew concerned at the rising crisis in our health service (opens in a new tab)
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Problems being caused to medicines supply by Protocol “indefensible” – Beattie
UUP Leader Doug Beattie MC MLA says a Nuffield Trust report confirms Protocol effects on medicine availability in Northern Ireland, calls for medicines to be removed from the Protocol's scope, and urges the UK Government to track divergence and defend equal access.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Nuffield Trust report on medicine availability under the NI Protocol Original release: Problems being caused to medicines supply by Protocol “indefensible” – Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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Health crisis will continue to deepen without political leadership – Chambers
UUP health spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA warns that the health service crisis will worsen while the Executive remains unrestored, saying winter pressures are costing lives and staff are being let down. He says the delay is leaving the health system without the leadership needed to implement…
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Continued lack of Budget could lead to unprecedented and harmful consequences, says Muir
Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA warns that a continued lack of an Executive could harm public health and safety, citing a Department for Infrastructure letter on Budget shortfalls and possible cuts to road gritting and street lighting. He calls on the DUP to end its boycott…
Public finance and taxation Infrastructure and transport Issue: Department for Infrastructure letter on Budget shortfall and possible service cuts Original release: Continued lack of Budget could lead to unprecedented and harmful consequences, says Muir (opens in a new tab)
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Lack of Executive causing more stress for cancer patients – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew says the lack of an Executive is adding stress for cancer patients, citing Department of Health figures showing under 40 percent start treatment within 62 days of an urgent GP referral. He urges the DUP to end its blockade and form an Executive to invest £1 billion in…
Health Issue: Department of Health cancer waiting times figures January 2023 Original release: Lack of Executive causing more stress for cancer patients – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Further confirmation that Protocol is disrupting medicine supplies
DUP South Antrim MLA Pam Cameron describes a Nuffield Trust report on NI Protocol medicine supply as deeply alarming, claiming many medicines available in Great Britain are not in Northern Ireland and calling for the Protocol to be replaced.
Constitutional affairs Health Issue: Nuffield Trust report on medicine availability under the NI Protocol Original release: Further confirmation that Protocol is disrupting medicine supplies (opens in a new tab)
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Scenes at Causeway Hospital confirmation of recent accounts - Brolly
Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly says recent scenes at Causeway Hospital confirm patients' experiences, pointing to bed waits and ambulance delays, and calls on MLAs to return to work and overhaul the health system, blaming Stormont parties.
Health Issue: Causeway Hospital scenes and patient accounts of bed and ambulance delays Original release: Scenes at Causeway Hospital confirmation of recent accounts - Brolly (opens in a new tab)
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Crucial support is put in place for Rathlin inhabitants by Department, says O'Lynn
Alliance North Antrim MLA Patricia O'Lynn says proper support must be put in place for Rathlin Island residents while strike action halts ferry sailings to Ballycastle. She has contacted the Department for Infrastructure asking which immediate steps it is taking to help islanders.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Rathlin Island ferry strike action and sailing cancellations Original release: Crucial support is put in place for Rathlin inhabitants by Department, says O'Lynn (opens in a new tab)
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Sunak’s priority should be reclaiming U.K. sovereignty over NI
TUV leader Jim Allister says Rishi Sunak's top priority should be restoring UK sovereignty over Northern Ireland, criticising the Prime Minister for making no such commitment in his five priorities and claiming the Protocol subjects NI to foreign laws, customs and VAT.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Sunak's five priorities announcement Original release: Sunak’s priority should be reclaiming U.K. sovereignty over NI (opens in a new tab)