Latest releases
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11,735 releases
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Butler Raises Concerns Over German Foot and Mouth Outbreak
UUP AERA Committee Chair Robbie Butler has written to the agriculture minister seeking urgent details of steps to shield Northern Ireland from a reported German foot-and-mouth outbreak. He says Windsor Framework rules leave local farmers without the protections England, Scotland and Wales have…
Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: UK ban on animal imports from Germany over foot and mouth disease Original release: Butler Raises Concerns Over German Foot and Mouth Outbreak (opens in a new tab)
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McAteer sworn in as High Sheriff of Belfast.
Alliance Councillor Fiona McAteer says she is proud to be appointed High Sheriff of Belfast for 2025, sworn in at City Hall, and plans to promote the Integrated Education Fund and Walkway Community Association.
Local government Education Original release: McAteer sworn in as High Sheriff of Belfast. (opens in a new tab)
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Action required on dual market access and skills to maximise economic potential over rest of decade, says Honeyford.
Alliance Economy spokesperson David Honeyford calls on the Economy Minister to prioritise promoting dual market access in Invest NI's marketing and to improve alignment between education and business skills needs. He also urges the Infrastructure Department to speed up planning, including on…
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Issue: ESRI report on a new economic model for the North Original release: Action required on dual market access and skills to maximise economic potential over rest of decade, says Honeyford. (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister must accept responsibility for making tough decisions, says McAllister.
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA says the Health Minister must take responsibility for difficult choices and adopt a stronger stance on efficiency and reform after the Department of Health released its Equality Impact Assessment of the draft 2025‑26 budget.
Health Issue: Department of Health Equality Impact Assessment of 2025‑26 budget Original release: Health Minister must accept responsibility for making tough decisions, says McAllister. (opens in a new tab)
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Donnelly deeply disappointed after proposed goldmine public inquiry delay
Alliance Councillor Stephen Donnelly says he is deeply disappointed that the public inquiry into the proposed Co Tyrone goldmine has been suspended after the Department for Infrastructure was found to have failed to consult adequately on transboundary issues. He calls on the Department to carry…
Environment and climate Issue: Dalradian Sperrins goldmine planning inquiry suspension Original release: Donnelly deeply disappointed after proposed goldmine public inquiry delay (opens in a new tab)
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Nelson welcomes announcement of investment in Giant’s Park
Alliance Councillor Sam Nelson welcomes the £100 million investment announced for Giant’s Park by the city council and the park’s development company, praising the plan for an urban adventure park that will create jobs, boost tourism, improve public coastal access and enhance connectivity for North
Local government Economy and employment Issue: £100m investment in Giant’s Park Original release: Nelson welcomes announcement of investment in Giant’s Park (opens in a new tab)
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McReynolds questions lack of promotion around DfI consultation on taxis in bus lanes.
Alliance spokesperson Peter McReynolds MLA criticises the Department for Infrastructure for insufficient promotion of its consultation on extending taxi use of bus lanes in Belfast city centre. He says the February 5 closing date is too short and urges the Minister to reverse the scheme.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: DfI consultation on taxi use of bus lanes Original release: McReynolds questions lack of promotion around DfI consultation on taxis in bus lanes. (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna challenges Secretary of State to end blockage of legacy cases
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP urges the Secretary of State to table proposals ending the stalled handling of legacy cases, citing the Sean Brown, Alan Black and Kingsmill killings during NI Questions in the Commons. She calls for scrapping the Northern Ireland Office's national security veto…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Original release: Hanna challenges Secretary of State to end blockage of legacy cases (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna welcomes Gaza ceasefire
SDLP leader Claire Hanna MP welcomes reports of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, hoping it is not a false dawn. She says Gaza's services and infrastructure need global support to rebuild and argues a two-state solution remains essential for lasting peace.
International affairs Issue: Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement reported January 2025 Original release: Hanna welcomes Gaza ceasefire (opens in a new tab)
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This week the Government Has Blown Its Irish Sea Border Cover
TUV leader Jim Allister, MP for North Antrim, argues in a News Letter opinion piece that Government regulations on goods movement effectively treat Northern Ireland as a third country, and says the Irish Sea border is unworkable. He says he will press for a Commons vote opposing the draft Official…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Draft Official Control Amendment Regulations Irish Sea border vote Original release: This week the Government Has Blown Its Irish Sea Border Cover (opens in a new tab)
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Well done Protocol Implementers!
TUV leader Jim Allister says Northern Ireland is excluded from the UK-wide ban on animal imports from Germany after foot and mouth disease was confirmthere, because NI remains subject to EU rules that still permit imports. He links this to MLAs' recent vote on the Windsor Framework.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: UK ban on animal imports from Germany over foot and mouth disease Original release: Well done Protocol Implementers! (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston blasts Assembly whitewash of Sinn Fein press officer scandal
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston calls the Assembly legal services report into alleged misuse of public funds by Sinn Fein a whitewash, arguing it was rushed, involved no interviews and went easy on Michelle O'Neill. He says he will expose it in the Assembly.
Public finance and taxation Issue: Assembly legal services report on Sinn Fein press officer funding Original release: Gaston blasts Assembly whitewash of Sinn Fein press officer scandal (opens in a new tab)
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Attack on nurse ‘shocking’ and ‘disgraceful’ – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn describes as disgraceful an assault on a young nurse from the Royal Maternity Hospital on Saturday evening, expressing her thoughts for the victim. She says nurses are the backbone of the health system and calls the attack shocking, and she urges a man who intervened…
Justice and policing Health Issue: Assault on nurse at Royal Maternity Hospital, Saturday evening Original release: Attack on nurse ‘shocking’ and ‘disgraceful’ – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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Parties must explain opposition to public discussion on consent
DUP Justice Spokesperson Joanne Bunting questions why Alliance, Sinn Féin and SDLP members opposed an amendment calling for consultation on pretrial jury education and the legal definition of reasonable belief of consent. She says the Justice Minister had indicated during the violence against…
Justice and policing Issue: Assembly vote on consultation amendment on consent and pretrial jury education Original release: Parties must explain opposition to public discussion on consent (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister’s reform of housing points welcomed
DUP East Antrim MLA Cheryl Brownlee welcomes Communities Minister Gordon Lyons's commitment to reform the Housing Executive points system for intimidated applicants. She urges swift reforms so housing is allocated on genuine need rather than intimidation points, which she says criminals can abuse.
Housing Disability and equality Issue: Removal of Housing Executive intimidation points Original release: Communities Minister’s reform of housing points welcomed (opens in a new tab)
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Health and education ministers must improve mental health services in schools – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason calls on the health and education ministers to enhance mental‑health provision in schools, urging faster, compassionate support for children and youth clubs amid long waiting lists and suicide‑prevention concerns.
Health Education Original release: Health and education ministers must improve mental health services in schools – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Chancellor devastating local businesses while seeking global trade…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says family farms and small businesses across the UK are being devastated by the Chancellor's Budget, while she travels abroad to build trade relationships, and urges the government to look at issues closer to home.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Original release: Chancellor devastating local businesses while seeking global trade… (opens in a new tab)
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Bravery of Paddy Mayne merits VC award – Shannon
Strangford DUP MP Jim Shannon calls for Blair 'Paddy' Mayne to be posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, having tabled a Commons motion urging MPs to back the campaign. He says the BBC drama SAS: Rogue Heroes took creative licence with Mayne's character.
Other Original release: Bravery of Paddy Mayne merits VC award – Shannon (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald calls on British Government to stop the cover-up of the murder of GAA official Sean Brown
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD urges the UK government to halt what she calls delay and cover-up in the case of Sean Brown, killed by an LVF gang in 1997, and to set up a statutory public inquiry ahead of a Court of Appeal hearing.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Sean Brown murder inquiry appeal by British government Original release: Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald calls on British Government to stop the cover-up of the murder of GAA official Sean Brown (opens in a new tab)
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BBC accept TUV complaint about article containing slur against the SAS
TUV press officer Sammy Morrison welcomes the BBC's acceptance of a party complaint that its Northern Ireland news website article should not have called the SAS "infamous". He calls on BBC Northern Ireland to reflect on its internal culture toward the security forces.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: BBC Northern Ireland article describing the SAS as infamous complaint upheld Original release: BBC accept TUV complaint about article containing slur against the SAS (opens in a new tab)