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6,156 releases
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£600 energy payment confirmation relief to people struggling to pay bills – Archibald
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald says confirmation that the £600 energy payment will arrive from January as a single payment will ease pressure on households struggling with heating and power bills. She calls for urgent clarity on voucher arrangements for prepaid meter customers and blames DUP and…
Economy and employment Social security and welfare Issue: British Government confirmation of £600 energy payment timing from January Original release: £600 energy payment confirmation relief to people struggling to pay bills – Archibald (opens in a new tab)
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Mary Lou McDonald speech on the 100th anniversary of the Greyabbey Martyrs
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald marks the centenary of the execution of seven IRA volunteers, the Greyabbey Martyrs, by the Free State in December 1922. She recalls their capture at Moore's Bridge, describes the killing of Thomas Behan, and calls for the republic to be realised.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Centenary of the Greyabbey Martyrs executions Original release: Mary Lou McDonald speech on the 100th anniversary of the Greyabbey Martyrs (opens in a new tab)
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Imperative that the energy bill support scheme is delivered promptly - Allen
East Belfast UUP MLA and Communities spokesperson Andy Allen MBE cautiously welcomes the announcement that energy bill support for Northern Ireland households will start in January 2023. He calls for a question and answer guide from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and…
Economy and employment Social security and welfare Issue: Energy bill support scheme January 2023 start for Northern Ireland households Original release: Imperative that the energy bill support scheme is delivered promptly - Allen (opens in a new tab)
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Long hopes appointment of Special Envoy increases chances of quick restoration of institutions
Alliance leader Naomi Long MLA hopes the appointment of Joe Kennedy as the US Special Envoy will draw international attention to the political impasse and speed up the restoration of devolved institutions before the Good Friday Agreement's 25th anniversary. She also hopes his economic remit will…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Joe Kennedy appointed as US Special Envoy Original release: Long hopes appointment of Special Envoy increases chances of quick restoration of institutions (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong says urgent clarity needed over energy payments after more details emerge
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong calls for urgent clarity on the UK Government's £600 energy payment, saying direct debit customers get paid first while the most vulnerable, including those in temporary accommodation, are left at the back of the queue.
Economy and employment Social security and welfare Issue: British Government confirmation of £600 energy payment timing from January Original release: Armstrong says urgent clarity needed over energy payments after more details emerge (opens in a new tab)
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‘Don’t suffer in silence this Christmas’ McKernan message to those suffering domestic abuse
SDLP Representative for Cusher Emmajayne McKernan urges people experiencing domestic abuse to seek support over the festive period, after a meeting with Women's Aid. She directs people to Armagh Down Women's Aid for confidential help.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: ‘Don’t suffer in silence this Christmas’ McKernan message to those suffering domestic abuse (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone: British government must return EU act of good faith
SDLP Rural Communities Spokesperson Patsy McGlone welcomes the EU's extension of grace periods for veterinary medicines sent to the North from Britain. He calls on the British government to reciprocate the EU's good faith and reach a deal on the Protocol.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU Commission extension of veterinary medicines supply to Northern Ireland Original release: McGlone: British government must return EU act of good faith (opens in a new tab)
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Mary Lou McDonald TD speech following election of Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach
Sinn Féin TD Mary Lou McDonald, speaking after Leo Varadkar's election as Taoiseach, says the Fianna Fáil–Fine Gael–Green coalition has failed, citing the housing emergency, hospital waiting lists and foodbank reliance.
Housing Health Issue: Change of Taoiseach in the Republic of Ireland December 2022 Original release: Mary Lou McDonald TD speech following election of Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach (opens in a new tab)
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Mary Lou McDonald TD speech following nomination of Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald TD says the Taoiseach nomination of Leo Varadkar will not be supported, citing housing, healthcare and rent rises under Fine Gael and arguing the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael government has failed people.
Housing Health Issue: Change of Taoiseach in the Republic of Ireland December 2022 Original release: Mary Lou McDonald TD speech following nomination of Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach (opens in a new tab)
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Long congratulates Varadkar on second term as Taoiseach and pays tribute to Martin
Alliance leader Naomi Long MLA congratulates Leo Varadkar on starting his second term as Taoiseach, thanks Micheál Martin for his work, and pays tribute to Simon Coveney as he likely leaves Foreign Affairs.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Change of Taoiseach in the Republic of Ireland December 2022 Original release: Long congratulates Varadkar on second term as Taoiseach and pays tribute to Martin (opens in a new tab)
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Get on with delivering energy payments: Lyons
DUP MLA Gordon Lyons says the Government must deliver the Energy Support Payments to Northern Ireland now, after speculation that the process could run until June. He criticises the late-added 'cash out' option and says a statement on payment dates is not enough.
Economy and employment Social security and welfare Issue: Energy Support Payments delivery delays and speculation Original release: Get on with delivering energy payments: Lyons (opens in a new tab)
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Sunak must set out ‘definitive date’ for payment of £600 to families
Sinn Féin First Minister Designate Michelle O'Neill calls on the British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, to give a definitive date for payment of the £600 energy payment during his Belfast visit, saying people cannot wait longer to heat their homes. She also blames DUP refusal to form an Executive…
Economy and employment Social security and welfare Issue: Sunak Belfast visit and £600 energy payment timing Original release: Sunak must set out ‘definitive date’ for payment of £600 to families (opens in a new tab)
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Varadkar has a lot of work to do in rebuilding relations with Unionists – Beattie
UUP leader Doug Beattie says Leo Varadkar's return as Taoiseach comes at a sensitive point in EU-UK talks and Anglo-Irish relations. He wishes Micheál Martin well, but says Varadkar must repair ties with unionists and hopes he has matured on Brexit and the Protocol.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Change of Taoiseach in the Republic of Ireland December 2022 Original release: Varadkar has a lot of work to do in rebuilding relations with Unionists – Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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Issues at South West Acute Hospital reinforce need for planned transformation, says Bradshaw
Alliance's Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA says a meeting with the Western Health and Social Care Trust over recruitment difficulties at South West Acute Hospital showed the need for planned transformation, and calls for a functioning Executive with a cross-departmental plan.
Health Issue: South West Acute Hospital recruitment difficulties and Western Trust meeting Original release: Issues at South West Acute Hospital reinforce need for planned transformation, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Planned cuts to youth services greatly concerning, says Alliance representatives, particularly for LGBTQIA+ young people
Alliance representatives express concern at planned Education Authority cuts to youth services, which could close LGBTQ youth groups. Connie Egan MLA says she has written to the EA seeking Section 75 protections in funding applications, while Andrew Muir MLA calls for the decision to be reversed.
Disability and equality Education Issue: Education Authority cuts to youth services and LGBTQ youth groups Original release: Planned cuts to youth services greatly concerning, says Alliance representatives, particularly for LGBTQIA+ young people (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: PM should stop toying with families over energy payment
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood MP calls on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to stop delaying and give clarity on when the £600 energy support payment will reach families in the North, after Sunak said an announcement would come soon.
Economy and employment Social security and welfare Issue: Sunak Belfast visit and £600 energy payment timing Original release: Eastwood: PM should stop toying with families over energy payment (opens in a new tab)
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Girvan welcomes further steps for victims of contaminated blood
DUP South Antrim MP Paul Girvan welcomes further Government steps to address people affected by contaminated blood products from the 1970s and 1980s. He says he will meet victims in Northern Ireland to consider the announcement with them, building on the £100k interim payment announced last August.
Health Issue: Government announcement on contaminated blood victims redress Original release: Girvan welcomes further steps for victims of contaminated blood (opens in a new tab)
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Solutions needed to maintain Heathrow connectivity – Lockhart
DUP MP Carla Lockhart has written to Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris urging urgent action on the Aer Lingus Belfast City to Heathrow route, which faces disruption from EU carrier rules after March 2023. She calls for a derogation or faster UK registration and certification for the…
Infrastructure and transport International affairs Issue: Aer Lingus Belfast City to Heathrow route withdrawal Original release: Solutions needed to maintain Heathrow connectivity – Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Appointment of new GP contractor at Flax Medical Centre welcome news for patients – Kelly
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly welcomes confirmation that a new contractor has been brought in to run GP services at Flax Medical Centre in North Belfast. He says GP services must be protected and calls on an Executive and health minister to be restored, pledging an extra £1 billion for health.
Health Issue: Appointment of new GP contractor at Flax Medical Centre Original release: Appointment of new GP contractor at Flax Medical Centre welcome news for patients – Kelly (opens in a new tab)
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Court ruling on reckless attempt to halt port checks ‘welcome’ – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney welcomes a court ruling that found former agriculture minister Edwin Poots acted unlawfully in trying to stop checks on goods at ports. He also urges the DUP to end its Executive boycott and return to work amid the cost-of-living crisis.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Court ruling on attempt to halt Northern Ireland port checks Original release: Court ruling on reckless attempt to halt port checks ‘welcome’ – Kearney (opens in a new tab)