Latest releases
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11,735 releases
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O’Toole: Executive needs to level on rates and national insurance funding
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA calls on the Executive and Finance Minister to clarify how much money is promised and received to cover increased employers' national insurance costs for councils and the public sector. He says ratepayers are being asked to pay more while figures…
Public finance and taxation Local government Issue: Executive funding for employer national insurance increases for councils Original release: O’Toole: Executive needs to level on rates and national insurance funding (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin: Economy Minister must prioritise addressing skills crisis
SDLP Economy Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin calls on the Economy Minister to make upskilling workers an urgent priority after the latest NI Skills Barometer found a shortfall of over 5,000 skilled workers a year, especially at mid-level and in STEM and healthcare.
Economy and employment Education Issue: NI Skills Barometer skills shortage report Original release: McLaughlin: Economy Minister must prioritise addressing skills crisis (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: NI temporary accommodation spend soars to almost £46k per day
SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan condemns rising spending on hotels and B&Bs for temporary housing, which he says grew from zero in 2016/17 to an expected £16.6 million in 2024/25, and calls on the Executive to act urgently.
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Assembly question on non-standard temporary accommodation spend Original release: Durkan: NI temporary accommodation spend soars to almost £46k per day (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: SDLP will not attend St Patrick’s Day in Washington
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says the party will skip all Washington St Patrick’s Day events this year, citing the US government's role in the Gaza conflict and rhetoric from President Trump, which she says contradicts SDLP values.
International affairs Issue: SDLP boycott of White House St Patrick's Day reception Original release: Hanna: SDLP will not attend St Patrick’s Day in Washington (opens in a new tab)
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Minister sees benefits of new Innovation Centre in County Antrim
The DUP's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons says he visited the new Innovation Centre in Cushendall, run by Grow the Glens, to see how the refurbished former PSNI station benefits the area. He highlights its hot desking, consultation and meeting rooms and says his Department helped fund…
Economy and employment Issue: Cushendall Innovation Centre visit by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons Original release: Minister sees benefits of new Innovation Centre in County Antrim (opens in a new tab)
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Justice Minister’s ‘nothing to do with me’ attitude will concern…
DUP MLA Trevor Clarke says a High Court ruling has further damaged the Police Ombudsman's Office and criticises the Justice Minister's response in the Assembly to his Urgent Question on it. He says the minister gave no detailed answers for former officers, serving officers or the public on the…
Justice and policing Issue: High Court judicial review ruling on Police Ombudsman's remit Original release: Justice Minister’s ‘nothing to do with me’ attitude will concern… (opens in a new tab)
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Government must stand foursquare with Clonoe SAS personnel – Robinson
DUP leader Gavin Robinson MP says he pressed the Defence Secretary in the Commons to make clear the Government stands behind SAS personnel present at Clonoe, after an inquest ruling he calls unbelievable and says undermines those who served.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Clonoe inquest ruling on killing of four IRA men Original release: Government must stand foursquare with Clonoe SAS personnel – Robinson (opens in a new tab)
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Mega silo mentality must end in NICS – Forsythe
South Down DUP MLA Diane Forsythe says the Northern Ireland Civil Service must make itself more accountable for cost overruns and delays on public projects, citing a reported multibillion-pound shortfall on major capital schemes. She claims the NICS Board lacks proper oversight and criticises a…
Public finance and taxation Issue: NICS capital projects overspend and accountability concerns Original release: Mega silo mentality must end in NICS – Forsythe (opens in a new tab)
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‘Racist graffiti is disgusting and deplorable’ – Maskey
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey condemns racist graffiti that has appeared in west Belfast in recent days, calling it repugnant and urging that racism be opposed and challenged. He says the majority of local people reject such hatred and pledges continued support for diversity.
Disability and equality Issue: West Belfast racist graffiti condemnation Original release: ‘Racist graffiti is disgusting and deplorable’ – Maskey (opens in a new tab)
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Time for tougher sentencing for those who attack police – Middleton
DUP Foyle MLA Gary Middleton calls on the Justice Minister to explore tougher sentences for those convicted of attacking PSNI officers, following weekend attacks in Londonderry and Strabane. He says penalties are too lenient and urges action beyond condemnation.
Justice and policing Issue: Weekend attacks on PSNI officers in Londonderry and Strabane Original release: Time for tougher sentencing for those who attack police – Middleton (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin publishes Report of Irish Unity and the all island Economy
West Tyrone MP Órfhlaith Begley welcomes the Sinn Féin Commission on the Future of Ireland's report on Irish Unity and the all-island economy, arguing partition is costly and that reunification would unlock economic gains, and calls on the Irish government to begin pro-active planning for unity…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Sinn Féin Commission report on Irish Unity and the all-island economy Original release: Sinn Féin publishes Report of Irish Unity and the all island Economy (opens in a new tab)
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Irish government must act on growing support for Irish unity – Rose Conway-Walsh TD
Sinn Féin's Rose Conway-Walsh TD welcomes an Irish Times/ARINS poll showing growing support for Irish unity, particularly in the North, and urges the Irish government to move to proactive planning for unity referendums under the Good Friday Agreement.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Irish Times/ARINS poll on support for Irish unity Original release: Irish government must act on growing support for Irish unity – Rose Conway-Walsh TD (opens in a new tab)
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Green Party Secures Support for Humane XL Bully Legislation Reform
Green councillors Lauren Kendall and Barry McKee say an Ards and North Down Environment Committee motion calling on the DAERA Minister to relax Northern Ireland's XL Bully rehoming ban has been approved. The motion would let registered charities and shelters rehome these dogs after professional…
Local government Issue: Ards and North Down Environment Committee XL Bully rehoming motion Original release: Green Party Secures Support for Humane XL Bully Legislation Reform (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong calls for a level playing field on Hospitality VAT
UUP Economy Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA urges Executive Ministers to press for aligning Northern Ireland's hospitality VAT with the Republic's planned cut to 9%, arguing the 11-point gap threatens border businesses and calls for an interim support package meanwhile.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Irish Government reduction of hospitality VAT to nine per cent Original release: Armstrong calls for a level playing field on Hospitality VAT (opens in a new tab)
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Upcoming diplomatic meetings reinforce need for clear international relations objectives, says Bradshaw.
Alliance's Paula Bradshaw, Executive Office spokesperson, says upcoming Chinese engagement and St Patrick's Day events in Washington reinforce the need for an International Relations Strategy, which she claims is badly out of date. She calls for a draft strategy to be published before March.
International affairs Issue: Executive Office meeting with Chinese Consul General and Washington St Patrick's Day events Original release: Upcoming diplomatic meetings reinforce need for clear international relations objectives, says Bradshaw. (opens in a new tab)
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Reilly expresses condolences following passing of John Cooney
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly offers sympathy to the family, partner and friends of boxer John Cooney, 28, after his death following a brain haemorrhage during a title defence in the Ulster Hall. She also pays tribute to staff at the Royal Victoria Hospital who tried to save him.
Other Original release: Reilly expresses condolences following passing of John Cooney (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin select Aoife Finnegan as new Newry & Armagh MLA
Sinn Féin has selected Slieve Gullion councillor Aoife Finnegan to fill the Newry and Armagh Assembly seat vacated after Conor Murphy was elected to the Seanad. Finnegan pledges to work on local services and to strengthen public services, and pays tribute to Murphy.
Other Issue: Sinn Féin selection of Aoife Finnegan for Newry and Armagh Assembly seat Original release: Sinn Féin select Aoife Finnegan as new Newry & Armagh MLA (opens in a new tab)
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Taoiseach’s failure to appoint anyone from the North a missed opportunity – Senator Conor Murphy
Sinn Féin Senator Conor Murphy says the Taoiseach's failure to nominate anyone from the North to the Seanad is a missed opportunity to show unionist and Protestant people they are welcome in a united Ireland. He notes the Seanad has had no Northern unionist voice since 2020.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Taoiseach's Seanad nominations exclude anyone from Northern Ireland Original release: Taoiseach’s failure to appoint anyone from the North a missed opportunity – Senator Conor Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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High Court right to call out overreach by Police Ombudsman
TUV leader Jim Allister welcomes a High Court ruling in a judicial review brought by a retired police officers' group against the Police Ombudsman. He says the judgment confirms the Ombudsman's role is investigative, not adjudicative, and urges the office to stop making findings of collusion.
Justice and policing Issue: High Court judicial review ruling on Police Ombudsman's remit Original release: High Court right to call out overreach by Police Ombudsman (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson – “Clonoe judgement beggars belief”
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP says the SAS operation at Clonoe was necessary and lawful, calling a judgement on it "beggars belief" and describing the IRA unit as legitimate military targets. Mid Ulster DUP MLA Keith Buchanan says the four men killed had just attacked Coalisland police station and…
Justice and policing Issue: Clonoe inquest ruling on killing of four IRA men Original release: Robinson – “Clonoe judgement beggars belief” (opens in a new tab)