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2,560 releases
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Ulster Unionist Party responds to Alliance Leaders' comments on Border Poll conditions
UUP deputy leader Robbie Butler MLA says Alliance's call for the Secretary of State to set out border poll conditions reveals a shifting constitutional position. He argues the Belfast Agreement already sets the framework, that defining electoral thresholds would entrench constitutional division…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Alliance call for Secretary of State to set border poll conditions Original release: Ulster Unionist Party responds to Alliance Leaders' comments on Border Poll conditions (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance remains committed to planting more trees, says Blair, following announcement of Tree Planting Action Plan
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says the party remains committed to planting more trees, after DAERA Minister Andrew Muir announced a Tree Planting Action Plan at a Woodland Trust event launching a report on Northern Ireland's woods and trees.
Environment and climate Issue: Tree Planting Action Plan announcement at Woodland Trust State of Woods and Trees report launch Original release: Alliance remains committed to planting more trees, says Blair, following announcement of Tree Planting Action Plan (opens in a new tab)
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Finnegan raises concern over discovery of Asian hornet nest
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan expresses concern after an Asian hornet nest was found, the first confirmed sighting of the species in the north. She welcomes the Environment Agency's response and urges the public to report suspected sightings or nests.
Environment and climate Issue: Asian hornet nest discovery in Northern Ireland Original release: Finnegan raises concern over discovery of Asian hornet nest (opens in a new tab)
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Senator Conor Murphy leads Sinn Féin delegation at British Irish Parliamentary Assembly
Sinn Féin Leader in the Seanad Senator Conor Murphy, leading a six-strong delegation at the 67th BIPA plenary in Surrey, says constitutional change is firmly on the agenda and calls for discussion of a date for Irish Unity referendums at future meetings.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Senator Conor Murphy leads Sinn Féin delegation at British Irish Parliamentary Assembly (opens in a new tab)
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Jim Allister KC MP, Leader of the TUV, responds to EU demands for tighter enforcement of the Irish Sea Border
TUV leader Jim Allister KC MP condemns EU calls for stricter Irish Sea Border enforcement, arguing the UK should instead trigger Article 16 and reject a UK-wide SPS Agreement that would disenfranchise Great Britain too.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU demand for stricter Irish Sea Border enforcement before SPS talks Original release: Jim Allister KC MP, Leader of the TUV, responds to EU demands for tighter enforcement of the Irish Sea Border (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP Speech SDLP Conference 2025
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says the party is launching a new phase to recruit members and candidates, pledges to champion fairness, anti‑sectarianism and a New Ireland, and criticises the Executive for failing on housing, services and environmental issues.
Constitutional affairs Community relations and legacy Original release: SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP Speech SDLP Conference 2025 (opens in a new tab)
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Budget is a missed opportunity to advance constitutional change – Senator Conor Murphy
Sinn Féin's Senator Conor Murphy says Budget 2026 is a missed opportunity for constitutional change and urges the Irish government to set up a Citizens' Assembly on Irish unity, backed by funding, with economic planning for reunification.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Budget 2026 constitutional change and Irish unity planning Original release: Budget is a missed opportunity to advance constitutional change – Senator Conor Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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TUV responds to UUP attack
TUV councillor Anna Henry accuses UUP leader Mike Nesbitt of abandoning unionist promises after he called TUV demands undeliverable, citing the 2021 United Unionist Declaration and claiming TUV now polls ahead of the UUP.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Mike Nesbitt comments on TUV demands in Belfast Telegraph Original release: TUV responds to UUP attack (opens in a new tab)
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Wildfires framework a milestone for the Mournes, says McMurray
Alliance South Down MLA Andrew McMurray welcomes DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's newly launched framework on wildfires, which follows this year's fires in the Mournes and Sperrins. He backs its focus on prevention, enforcement and peatland restoration, while saying more work remains.
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA wildfire strategic framework launch Original release: Wildfires framework a milestone for the Mournes, says McMurray (opens in a new tab)
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Time for a Citizens' Assembly on reform of NI Institutions, says Guy
Alliance MLA Michelle Guy says reform of the Assembly and Executive is overdue and calls for a Citizens' Assembly to be explored, after the Assembly Executive Review Committee backed her proposal to examine how one could be set up. She argues no single party can deliver reform and that the public…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Assembly Executive Review Committee backing for a Citizens' Assembly proposal Original release: Time for a Citizens' Assembly on reform of NI Institutions, says Guy (opens in a new tab)
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Bower welcomes passing of motion encouraging more community orchards in Belfast
Alliance Belfast City Councillor Christine Bower welcomes council's passing of her motion urging Belfast to develop community orchards, citing food access, local resilience and green space, and calls for council to back their creation with local groups and families.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Belfast City Council motion on community orchards passed Original release: Bower welcomes passing of motion encouraging more community orchards in Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP secures proposal for First Ministers to give evidence on Stormont reform
SDLP Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole says the First Ministers should appear before the Assembly and Executive Review Committee to give evidence on Stormont reform. The proposal, which he tabled at the committee, covers rules to prevent future collapses, equalising the First Minister titles…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Assembly and Executive Review Committee proposal to hear evidence from First Ministers on reform Original release: SDLP secures proposal for First Ministers to give evidence on Stormont reform (opens in a new tab)
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Leaving the ECHR would be a strategic mistake, says Nesbitt.
UUP leader Mike Nesbitt MLA criticises Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch's plan to withdraw from the ECHR, arguing it would breach the 1998 Agreement's guaranteed access to the convention and that the real issue is domestic court interpretation.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Conservative plan to withdraw from ECHR if returned to government Original release: Leaving the ECHR would be a strategic mistake, says Nesbitt. (opens in a new tab)
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Minister must take action to reduce energy costs and tackle fuel poverty urgently, says Armstrong
Alliance's Kellie Armstrong MLA urges the Communities Minister to set out plans for social housing built to higher energy efficiency and renewable integration standards, ahead of an Assembly motion on the issue tomorrow, to cut household energy costs and fuel poverty.
Housing Economy and employment Issue: Alliance Assembly motion on higher energy efficiency standards for social housing Original release: Minister must take action to reduce energy costs and tackle fuel poverty urgently, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Minister faces uphill battle to establish independent EPA
SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan says the Environment Minister faces an uphill battle to set up an independent Environmental Protection Agency, and his party will table an Opposition Day motion next week urging parties to back it. He says delays have cut the time left before the mandate ends.
Environment and climate Issue: Minister's Executive push for independent Environmental Protection Agency Original release: McCrossan: Minister faces uphill battle to establish independent EPA (opens in a new tab)
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Allister challenges Secretary of State on “misleading” Internal Market Guarantee
TUV MP for North Antrim Jim Allister KC writes to the Secretary of State, alleging that the UK Internal Market Scheme and its ‘Guarantee’ misrepresent goods movements as internal market trade when they still require EU customs and SPS paperwork, border checks and other burdens. He asks for truthful‑
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: UK Internal Market Guarantee green lane arrangements Original release: Allister challenges Secretary of State on “misleading” Internal Market Guarantee (opens in a new tab)
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Better animal welfare has a positive impact on environment, climate change and productivity – Finnegan
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan welcomes the Agriculture Minister's acknowledgement of links between animal welfare, environmental impact and farm productivity, and asks whether he considered a study on methane from cattle and sheep. She calls for firm timelines and delivery on the Blueprint for…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Ruminant Health and Welfare study on methane from cattle and sheep Original release: Better animal welfare has a positive impact on environment, climate change and productivity – Finnegan (opens in a new tab)
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Catney: Residents concerned at proposed poultry farm
SDLP Lisburn North councillor Pat Catney says residents are concerned about a proposed poultry farm for up to 32,000 hens in the Tullynacross Road area, citing traffic, smell and manure transport to Sligo. He asks who will monitor the manure transfers.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Tullynacross Road poultry farm planning application Original release: Catney: Residents concerned at proposed poultry farm (opens in a new tab)
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Oireachtas na Samhna chun imeacht Aontacht na hÉireann a óstáil i mBéal Feirste – Declan Kearney
Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney MLA announces a Commission for a United Ireland event at Oireachtas na Samhna in Belfast on 31 October, titled 'The Role of Gaels in Building a New Ireland', to be held entirely in Irish at the ICC.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Sinn Féin Commission on the Future of Ireland Oireachtas na Samhna event Original release: Oireachtas na Samhna chun imeacht Aontacht na hÉireann a óstáil i mBéal Feirste – Declan Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Oireachtas na Samhna to host Irish Unity event in Belfast – Declan Kearney
Sinn Féin National Party Chair Declan Kearney MLA announces a Commission on the Future of Ireland event at Oireachtas na Samhna in Belfast's ICC on 31 October, to be held entirely in Irish on the role of gaeilgeoirí in building a new Ireland. He says it is one of three Commission events in October…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Sinn Féin Commission on the Future of Ireland Oireachtas na Samhna event Original release: Oireachtas na Samhna to host Irish Unity event in Belfast – Declan Kearney (opens in a new tab)