Latest releases
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5,775 releases
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Government should focus on dealing with the Protocol: Sir Jeffrey
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP urges the Government to concentrate on fixing the Northern Ireland Protocol and restoring Northern Ireland's place in the UK internal market, rather than delaying over a possible election. He says the DUP would contest a snap poll if one were called, but argues…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Government uncertainty over calling a Westminster election amid Protocol dispute Original release: Government should focus on dealing with the Protocol: Sir Jeffrey (opens in a new tab)
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Forget the mind games SOS and get on with removing EU sovereignty over NI
TUV leader Jim Allister says Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris should prioritise recovering full UK sovereignty over Northern Ireland from the EU rather than pressing for an election. He argues the Protocol, under which EU laws govern much of the economy, undermines constitutional certainty…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Forget the mind games SOS and get on with removing EU sovereignty over NI (opens in a new tab)
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Violence and/or the threat of it is never acceptable
The DUP says violence and threats of violence are never acceptable and that democratic processes are the only route to overcoming the challenges of the Protocol. It rejects claims that violence had "no alternative", saying the party has consistently condemned violence.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Violence and/or the threat of it is never acceptable (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent restoration of Executive needed to support local community organisations – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says a visit to South Antrim by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey, meeting community groups in Crumlin and Glenavy, shows the urgent need to restore the power-sharing Executive. He highlights rising food bank demand and space limits at Glenavy Youth Club, and accuses…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey South Antrim community organisation visits Original release: Urgent restoration of Executive needed to support local community organisations – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney welcomes constructive engagement with Translink on local transport services
Sinn Féin South Antrim MLA Declan Kearney describes his meeting with Translink management as very constructive, raising gaps in bus and rail provision, bus shelters in Antrim and Glenavy, reopening the Knockmore Line and better links to Belfast International Airport.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Translink meeting on South Antrim bus and rail provision Original release: Kearney welcomes constructive engagement with Translink on local transport services (opens in a new tab)
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DfI maligns and ignores 100,000 motorcyclists: Paisley
DUP MP Ian Paisley accuses the Department for Infrastructure of maligning and ignoring Northern Ireland's 100,000 motorcyclists, disputing a reported 36% rise in KSI collisions per distance travelled in 2021. He calls for proper data and says he will pursue the issue with the Department.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: DfI New Road Safety Strategy consultation outcome report motorcycling figures Original release: DfI maligns and ignores 100,000 motorcyclists: Paisley (opens in a new tab)
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Green Party Leader calls for clarity from Secretary of State
Green Party leader Mal O'Hara urges the Secretary of State to end uncertainty after announcing a possible Assembly election, saying people need stability and support through winter and the cost of living crisis. He says Greens are ready to contest an election and criticises the DUP's blockade of…
Constitutional affairs Environment and climate Issue: Secretary of State's comments on possible Assembly election Original release: Green Party Leader calls for clarity from Secretary of State (opens in a new tab)
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The days of men and women being sent to fill jail cells or early graves in this country should be over – Beattie
UUP leader Doug Beattie MLA rejects a Loyalist Communities Council letter's suggestion of a return to pre-ceasefire tactics, saying the Protocol should be opposed through talks and political process. He blames the DUP for failing to secure the First Minister post at St Andrew's.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Loyalist Communities Council letter on Protocol and pre-ceasefire tactics Original release: The days of men and women being sent to fill jail cells or early graves in this country should be over – Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Action needed to save lives
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan says action is needed before more lives are lost on local roads after a man died in a car and tractor collision on the Curr Road in Beragh. He calls for urgent intervention and for work on the A5 upgrade to start without delay.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Fatal car and tractor collision on Curr Road, Beragh Original release: McCrossan: Action needed to save lives (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: Time to drop election and focus on restoring institutions
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP says the Secretary of State should abandon the plan for an early Assembly election and instead focus on restoring Stormont, urging renewed UK‑EU talks on the Protocol and warning the DUP’s boycott harms public confidence.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Heaton-Harris threat of December Stormont election Original release: Eastwood: Time to drop election and focus on restoring institutions (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds – “recall stunt will not bring progress”
DUP MLA Diane Dodds says Sinn Féin's recall of the Assembly was a stunt and urges focus on replacing the Northern Ireland Protocol instead. She claims the Protocol is hurting health medicine supply, steel costs for infrastructure, transport and shop prices, and green energy tax breaks.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Assembly recall to nominate Speaker amid DUP boycott Original release: Dodds – “recall stunt will not bring progress” (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance Party dancing to SF’s tune – Brett
DUP North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett challenges the Alliance Party over refusing to back DUP recall attempts of the Assembly during Sinn Fein's three-year boycott of devolution, while now seeking an Executive without unionists. He accuses Alliance of a two-tier approach to the DUP and Sinn Fein.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Alliance Party dancing to SF’s tune – Brett (opens in a new tab)
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Everyone should be free to take part in discussion on the future – Archibald
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald says everyone should be free to join an informed debate on Ireland's constitutional future. She calls on unionist politicians to stop attempts to stifle academic debate after criticism of Professor Colin Harvey's Irish Unity report and his university logo, and urges…
Constitutional affairs Education Issue: Criticism of Professor Colin Harvey's Irish Unity report and university logo use Original release: Everyone should be free to take part in discussion on the future – Archibald (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to tackle child waiting lists – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew calls for a new Executive to be formed immediately after Department of Health figures showed a 184% rise in children awaiting a consultant, urging a three-year budget and £1 billion investment to reduce waiting lists.
Health Issue: Department of Health figures on children waiting to see a consultant Original release: Executive needed to tackle child waiting lists – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Stormont needs to take action to preserve Emergency Surgical Services at South West Acute Hospital, Enniskillen – Cllr Mullen
Aontú Cllr Denise Mullen urges the acting Stormont Ministers to intervene this week to safeguard emergency surgical provision at the South West Acute Hospital, warning that cuts could jeopardise A&E and maternity care and force patients to travel long distances for treatment.
Health Issue: Potential loss of emergency surgical services at South West Acute Hospital Original release: Stormont needs to take action to preserve Emergency Surgical Services at South West Acute Hospital, Enniskillen – Cllr Mullen (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson in no position to lecture given the strategic errors made under his leadership - Aiken
UUP MLA Steve Aiken OBE says Peter Robinson is in no position to criticise the UUP, arguing the DUP backed the Protocol before opposing it and that Robinson's St Andrews changes to the Belfast Agreement harmed unionism.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Robinson in no position to lecture given the strategic errors made under his leadership - Aiken (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Political failure testing public faith in institutions
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole says the failure to restore Stormont institutions is testing public faith in politics and risks a winter Assembly election. He blames the DUP's boycott and calls for the institutions to be restored, arguing this would help people facing cost of living…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Assembly recall to elect Executive before 28 October deadline Original release: O’Toole: Political failure testing public faith in institutions (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: Election will only cause further harm to North
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood MP says an Assembly election would waste millions without solving issues such as heating costs, health waiting lists and housing, after meeting the Northern Ireland Secretary in London. He blames the DUP's blocking of the institutions and calls for the Irish government's…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Heaton-Harris threat of December Stormont election Original release: Eastwood: Election will only cause further harm to North (opens in a new tab)
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Historic day as legislation passes to give official recognition to the Irish language – O’Neill
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill welcomes legislation passing to give official recognition to the Irish language, saying it secures Irish speakers' rights to public services and court use. She credits grassroots activists and points to a planned Irish language commissioner with statutory powers.
Disability and equality Issue: Irish Language Act legislation passes Original release: Historic day as legislation passes to give official recognition to the Irish language – O’Neill (opens in a new tab)
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Culture Bill shatters fine balance secured by NDNA: Gavin Robinson
DUP MP Gavin Robinson says the party will not support the Identity and Language Bill, arguing it departs from the New Decade New Approach agreement and shatters the fine balance secured in 2020. He criticises the Government for ignoring unionist concerns raised during Commons debate.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Bill final Commons reading and defeated SDLP amendment Original release: Culture Bill shatters fine balance secured by NDNA: Gavin Robinson (opens in a new tab)