Latest releases
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3,054 releases
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European observer status would strengthen relations, but DUP Petition of Concern ‘makes no sense’ – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says granting European Parliament observer status to northern representatives would strengthen relations with the European Commission, and calls the DUP's Petition of Concern against the motion an inappropriate use of a minority-rights mechanism.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Sinn Féin motion on EU observer status Original release: European observer status would strengthen relations, but DUP Petition of Concern ‘makes no sense’ – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Petition of Concern on Observer Status in the European Parliament
UUP MLAs have signed a Petition of Concern against Sinn Féin's motion on European Parliament observer status, which the party says is a political stunt aimed at undermining the Good Friday Agreement. It argues observer status is limited to accession states and calls for focus on the Irish Sea…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Sinn Féin motion on EU observer status Original release: Petition of Concern on Observer Status in the European Parliament (opens in a new tab)
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Reform of Petition of Concern essential after latest abuse, says Tennyson
Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson calls the DUP, UUP and TUV petition of concern against an Assembly motion on European Parliament observer status a democratic abuse needing urgent reform. He says the mechanism serves party interests and should be restored to its original purpose.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Sinn Féin motion on EU observer status Original release: Reform of Petition of Concern essential after latest abuse, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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Time to end dysfunctional politics and reform Stormont to deliver for the people of NI, says Bradshaw
Alliance TEO spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA says Covid Inquiry findings show instability is built into Stormont's structures and calls for reform ahead of an Alliance motion in the Assembly urging the Secretary of State to convene an institutional reform process.
Constitutional affairs Health Issue: Covid Inquiry second report findings Original release: Time to end dysfunctional politics and reform Stormont to deliver for the people of NI, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney addresses ‘International Peace and Democratic Society Conference’ in Istanbul
Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney MLA reports speaking at an Istanbul conference on peace between Türkiye's government and Kurdish political representatives, citing the Good Friday Agreement. He urges both sides to begin inclusive negotiations and calls for Abdullah Öcalan's immediate…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Kearney addresses ‘International Peace and Democratic Society Conference’ in Istanbul (opens in a new tab)
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DUP seeks cross-community vote on EU observer status debate
DUP Leader Rt Hon Gavin Robinson MP says DUP MLAs will invoke a Petition of Concern to require cross‑community support for a Sinn Féin motion that would grant Northern Ireland representatives observer status in the European Parliament, and urges unionist members to reject it.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Sinn Féin motion on EU observer status Original release: DUP seeks cross-community vote on EU observer status debate (opens in a new tab)
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British Secretary of State ignoring ‘exciting and energetic’ debate underway on Irish unity – Hughes
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes accuses Secretary of State Hilary Benn of ignoring the active public debate on a united Ireland after Benn said a border poll remains distant. Hughes calls on the British government to work with the Irish government to prepare for future constitutional change.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Hilary Benn comments on border poll on Stormont Sources podcast Original release: British Secretary of State ignoring ‘exciting and energetic’ debate underway on Irish unity – Hughes (opens in a new tab)
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Time for government action as Houses of Oireachtas support Irish unity motion – Conor Murphy
Sinn Féin Seanad leader Senator Conor Murphy says the Irish government must now lead preparations for Irish unity after both Houses of the Oireachtas backed a party motion calling for an all-island citizens' assembly and a parliamentary committee on reunification.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Oireachtas motion on Irish unity preparations passed by both Houses Original release: Time for government action as Houses of Oireachtas support Irish unity motion – Conor Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Dillon welcomes progress on Legislation protecting right to breastfeed in public
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon welcomes the response to her consultation on a Bill that would give legal protection to breastfeeding in public and require businesses and service providers to make premises breastfeeding-friendly. She urges councils, businesses and public facilities to display…
Disability and equality Issue: Linda Dillon breastfeeding in public Bill consultation closure Original release: Dillon welcomes progress on Legislation protecting right to breastfeed in public (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson “London must defend our single market”
DUP leader Gavin Robinson MP says the UK Government is failing to defend Northern Ireland's place in the internal market, during a Westminster Hall debate on veterinary medicines. He calls for certainty on supplies for wholesalers, manufacturers and farmers, and for EU law to end in Northern…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Westminster Hall debate on veterinary medicines supply to Northern Ireland Original release: Robinson “London must defend our single market” (opens in a new tab)
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Zero FDI Investment in Northern Ireland as a result of Dual Market…
DUP Economy Spokesperson Phillip Brett, who chairs the Economy Committee, says Invest NI could give no example of foreign direct investment resulting from the Windsor Framework and calls the claimed benefits a myth. He urges the UK Government and Assembly supporters of the Framework to act on its…
Economy and employment Constitutional affairs Issue: Invest NI evidence to Economy Committee on Windsor Framework FDI Original release: Zero FDI Investment in Northern Ireland as a result of Dual Market… (opens in a new tab)
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Public health and care at heart of new Ireland – Cullen
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen thanks attendees of a Westville Hotel event on rural health and care, where Mary Lou McDonald calls for a Citizens' Assembly on Ireland's future with health as a key theme and for an all-island public health framework.
Health Constitutional affairs Issue: Delivering Rural Health and Care in a New Ireland event, Westville Hotel Original release: Public health and care at heart of new Ireland – Cullen (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: UK and Irish Governments must prepare for New Ireland
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP calls on the UK and Irish Governments to work together now to plan for constitutional change and a New Ireland, citing lessons from Brexit about preparing before any referendum.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Hanna: UK and Irish Governments must prepare for New Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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McGuigan marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities, calling for better public services, expanded supports, a narrower employment gap and accessible transport and public spaces.
Disability and equality Original release: McGuigan marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities (opens in a new tab)
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Green Party Cllr Kendall Again Condemns Executive Over Continued Delay of Safe Leave
Green Party Councillor Lauren Kendall accuses the Economy Minister and the Executive of stalling Safe Leave, which would give paid leave to domestic abuse victims, and says the delay is letting victims down. She links the criticism to new Women's Aid figures on refuge use and referrals in 2024/25.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Safe Leave legislation delay and inaction Original release: Green Party Cllr Kendall Again Condemns Executive Over Continued Delay of Safe Leave (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 29 November 2025 (opens in a new tab)
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Dual Vehicle Approval System Is Damaging Northern Ireland’s Car Market
DUP peer Lord Dodds, speaking in the House of Lords, says the dual vehicle type approval regulations breach Section 46 of the UK Internal Market Act and are damaging Northern Ireland's car market, citing a 6% sales fall and about 17,600 jobs. He calls for an extension of the transition period and…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Dual vehicle type approval regulations affecting Northern Ireland car market Original release: Dual Vehicle Approval System Is Damaging Northern Ireland’s Car Market (opens in a new tab)
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Citizens’ Assembly on future of Ireland must have healthcare front and centre – Mary Lou McDonald TD
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, speaking at a Commission on the Future of Ireland event in Enniskillen on rural health, urges Dublin to hold a citizens' forum on the island's future with health and social care central, and urges deeper cross-border health planning and an all-island public…
Health Constitutional affairs Original release: Citizens’ Assembly on future of Ireland must have healthcare front and centre – Mary Lou McDonald TD (opens in a new tab)
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Brett – TEO Committee to Request City Hall Documents
DUP North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett welcomes the Executive Office Committee’s decision to adopt his motion to obtain all papers concerning the 19 October 2024 Belfast City Hall event that damaged a former DUP Lord Mayor’s portrait, and says Sinn Féin’s lack of cooperation must end.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Belfast City Hall portrait damage document request Original release: Brett – TEO Committee to Request City Hall Documents (opens in a new tab)
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Mason welcomes support to allow girls the right to wear trousers in school
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason welcomes cross-party support on the Education Committee for a proposal giving girls a clear right to wear trousers in school. She says the DUP Education Minister missed a chance to modernise school uniform policy and pledges to work with others to deliver it.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Committee proposal on girls' right to wear trousers in school Original release: Mason welcomes support to allow girls the right to wear trousers in school (opens in a new tab)
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TUV responds to Budget
TUV leader Jim Allister says the Budget does little for Northern Ireland, criticising the continued farm death tax, lack of funding for PSNI data breach costs and officer shortages, and a £16m Irish Sea border payment he says amounts to under £5m a year over three years.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: November 2025 Budget income tax threshold freeze Original release: TUV responds to Budget (opens in a new tab)