Latest releases
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5,398 releases
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Stable foundation for devolution is a necessity: Campbell
DUP MP Gregory Campbell says DUP MLAs have a mandate to resolve the Northern Ireland Protocol and urges a stable devolution foundation, arguing it outweighs any threat to Assembly salaries, and calls on the Secretary of State to set a consistent approach, including comparable action on MPs who miss
Constitutional affairs Issue: Northern Ireland Protocol and Assembly salary threat Original release: Stable foundation for devolution is a necessity: Campbell (opens in a new tab)
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Time to Remove the NI Protocol
The DUP publishes a paper setting out the experiences of businesses affected by the Northern Ireland Protocol and calls for the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill to progress rapidly through Commons stages. It argues the Protocol has harmed the economy, stability and constitutional position, and says…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Northern Ireland Protocol Bill progress through Commons Original release: Time to Remove the NI Protocol (opens in a new tab)
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Brett – “ineffective planning system stunting economic growth”
North Belfast DUP MLA Phillip Brett says Infrastructure Minister figures show regionally significant planning applications averaged 172.5 weeks to process between April 2016 and December 2021, against a 30-week target. He calls on the minister to act to restore confidence in the planning system.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Regionally significant planning application processing times figures released Original release: Brett – “ineffective planning system stunting economic growth” (opens in a new tab)
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MP points to the absurdity of the abortion debate.
DUP North Antrim MP Ian Paisley says the US Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v Wade contrasts with Northern Ireland's abortion law changes, which he says were imposed by the Secretary of State and the NIO. He says Northern Ireland should have had its opinions respected and calls for alternative…
Health International affairs Issue: US Supreme Court overturns Roe v Wade Original release: MP points to the absurdity of the abortion debate. (opens in a new tab)
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British government should focus on solutions and stop giving DUP cover to block Executive - Finucane - Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane urges the UK government to drop its backing for the DUP's blocking of an Executive and instead negotiate Protocol solutions with the EU, arguing the Protocol is working for businesses and jobs.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: British government bill on Northern Ireland Protocol moving to next stage Original release: British government should focus on solutions and stop giving DUP cover to block Executive - Finucane - Sinn Féin (opens in a new tab)
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TUV maximised the Unionist vote
TUV leader Jim Allister says the DUP's claims that a split in the unionist vote cost seats are inaccurate, citing transfer losses in Strangford, East Antrim, Lagan Valley and North Antrim. He says TUV transfers helped elect 11 unionist MLAs and that TUV's 65,000 votes maximised the unionist turnout.
Constitutional affairs Issue: DUP claims of unionist vote split in 2022 Assembly election Original release: TUV maximised the Unionist vote (opens in a new tab)
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Failure to reform Assembly and Executive risks future of devolution, says Long, as she writes to Governments
Alliance leader Naomi Long MLA warns that failing to reform the Assembly and Executive threatens devolution, and has written to the UK and Irish Governments proposing changes to nomination rules, weighted majority voting and petitions of concern.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Assembly and Executive reform proposals letter to UK and Irish Governments Original release: Failure to reform Assembly and Executive risks future of devolution, says Long, as she writes to Governments (opens in a new tab)
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Human rights laws in the North undermined by know-nothing Tories - Senator Paul Gavan - Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin Senator Paul Gavan condemns the British Government's plan for a so-called British Bill of Rights, saying it would weaken human rights law in the North, undermine the European Court of Human Rights and the Good Friday Agreement.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: British government plans to repeal the Human Rights Act Original release: Human rights laws in the North undermined by know-nothing Tories - Senator Paul Gavan - Sinn Féin (opens in a new tab)
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Small step forward, but health workers still being short-changed –…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart urges Health Minister Robin Swann to revisit the mileage rate paid to home care and community nursing staff, after he announced a modest rise for mileage above 3,500 miles. She calls the change temporary and wants a permanent fix and a firm payment deadline.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Health Minister Robin Swann mileage reimbursement increase Original release: Small step forward, but health workers still being short-changed –… (opens in a new tab)
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Protocol apologists need to listen to alternative US message
DUP peer Lord Dodds says comments by former US UN Ambassador Nikki Haley show that views from a recent US congressional delegation are not the only US opinion on the Protocol. He calls for local effort from all sides to restore consensus politics in Northern Ireland, rejecting outside input.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Nikki Haley comments on the Northern Ireland Protocol at Policy Exchange Original release: Protocol apologists need to listen to alternative US message (opens in a new tab)
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Sir Jeffrey – “bill now needs to progress rapidly through legislative…
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP welcomes the scheduling of the Commons second reading of the Northern Ireland Protocol legislation on Monday. He urges MPs to back it, says it should progress quickly before the summer recess, and warns against amendments that would weaken it.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Northern Ireland Protocol Bill Second Reading in House of Commons Original release: Sir Jeffrey – “bill now needs to progress rapidly through legislative… (opens in a new tab)
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‘Increase in mileage for health workers welcome’ – Ní Chuilín - Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín welcomes the health minister's rise in mileage reimbursement for Trust staff, but says care workers in the independent sector and agencies still face fuel costs. She calls for an Executive to be restored and urges the DUP to end its Assembly boycott.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Health Minister Robin Swann mileage reimbursement increase Original release: ‘Increase in mileage for health workers welcome’ – Ní Chuilín - Sinn Féin (opens in a new tab)
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Action needed on returning GP services to pre-Covid arrangements
DUP East Londonderry MLA Maurice Bradley welcomes the Health Minister's stroke care and orthopaedic initiatives but calls on Robin Swann to act on returning GP surgeries to pre-Covid working arrangements, citing constituents unable to get appointments.
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‘Children with no school places need certainty from education minister’ – Sheehan - Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan urges the Education Minister and Education Authority to give pupils with special educational needs and their families clarity on school placements for September, after reports that 300 such children lack a place. He also blames the DUP's boycott for stalling an Executive.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Over 300 SEN pupils without school places for September Original release: ‘Children with no school places need certainty from education minister’ – Sheehan - Sinn Féin (opens in a new tab)
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Cost of Fuel could leave some motability car users housebound - Doyle
Aontú Cllr Emmet Doyle says rising fuel and maintenance costs are pushing some disabled Motability car users in Derry to consider handing back their vehicles, and calls on Motability to extend its fuel-price payment to existing customers with long-term agreements.
Economy and employment Disability and equality Original release: Cost of Fuel could leave some motability car users housebound - Doyle (opens in a new tab)
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Children with special educational needs left behind yet again, says Egan
Alliance Education spokesperson Connie Egan MLA says children with special educational needs have been left behind again after reports that over 300 lack a school place for September. She blames area planning failures by the Education Minister and the Education Authority, and calls for the…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Over 300 SEN pupils without school places for September Original release: Children with special educational needs left behind yet again, says Egan (opens in a new tab)
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Lack of concrete action on nurse and carer travel risks vital services, says Bradshaw
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA warns that delay in addressing nurse and carer travel rates risks services, especially in rural areas. She calls for travel rates to be raised permanently and possibly tied to fuel prices, saying Scotland and Wales had already acted.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Nurse and carer travel rates response amid rising petrol prices Original release: Lack of concrete action on nurse and carer travel risks vital services, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Mileage increase will only go so far
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath says the Health Minister's rise in mileage pay to 30p per mile above 3,500 miles for health and social care staff is welcome but only a first step, as it will not cover rising fuel costs. He calls for wider reform so staff are paid fairly.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Health Minister Robin Swann mileage reimbursement increase Original release: McGrath: Mileage increase will only go so far (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan dismayed at lack of school places for SEN children
SDLP Education Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan says he is dismayed that more than 300 children with special educational needs lack a school place for September, and blames the Education Authority for repeated failures and weak strategic planning. He calls for the placements to be confirmed…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Over 300 SEN pupils without school places for September Original release: McCrossan dismayed at lack of school places for SEN children (opens in a new tab)
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‘British Government must not threaten our rights or our peace' - Sheerin - Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin says it is deplorable that the British government is pushing plans to repeal the Human Rights Act. She argues the move would avoid accountability to an independent court and threatens the European Convention on Human Rights, which she says underpins the Good Friday…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: British government plans to repeal the Human Rights Act Original release: ‘British Government must not threaten our rights or our peace' - Sheerin - Sinn Féin (opens in a new tab)