Latest releases
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3,454 releases
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O’Toole: Petition of concern confusion exposes Stormont farce
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole says confusion over petitions of concern exposes Stormont dysfunction, as standing orders to implement 2022 reforms remain unintroduced. He calls a petition of concern against the non-binding EU Observer Status motion an abuse of power and urges the…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Assembly Petition of Concern defeats Sinn Féin EU observer status motion Original release: O’Toole: Petition of concern confusion exposes Stormont farce (opens in a new tab)
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Ulster Unionist Party Rejects Sinn Féin Proposal for EU Office in Belfast
The Ulster Unionist Party opposes Sinn Féin's proposal for an EU office in Belfast, calling it a political stunt. Economy Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA and Windsor Framework Spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA say Northern Ireland already has EU representation, the office raises sovereignty…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Murphy review recommendation on EU office for Belfast businesses Original release: Ulster Unionist Party Rejects Sinn Féin Proposal for EU Office in Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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People of NI are demanding reform, says Eastwood, ahead of Westminster Hall debate
Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood says public demand for reform of Stormont's institutions is growing and calls on the UK and Irish Governments, as Good Friday Agreement co-guarantors, to act ahead of her Westminster Hall debate on Tuesday 13 January.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Westminster Hall debate on Stormont institutional reform Original release: People of NI are demanding reform, says Eastwood, ahead of Westminster Hall debate (opens in a new tab)
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Now tray bakes in EU’s sights
TUV MP Jim Allister says a local bakery in his North Antrim constituency must relabel its tray bakes to list allergens under EU law, though it sells only locally and UK law does not require this. He calls it an example of EU law being imposed on Northern Ireland.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Now tray bakes in EU’s sights (opens in a new tab)
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Farmers Need Action, Not Speeches, to Restore Confidence says Butler
UUP Deputy Leader Robbie Butler MLA says Minister Andrew Muir's Oxford Farming Conference address offered warm words but not the action needed to restore farmers' confidence. He calls for concrete progress on bovine TB, ammonia regulation and farm transfer, rather than pilots and timelines.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Minister Andrew Muir's Oxford Farming Conference address Original release: Farmers Need Action, Not Speeches, to Restore Confidence says Butler (opens in a new tab)
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Boylan welcomes active travel funding for greenway projects
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan welcomes over £1m in active travel funding from Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins for greenway projects in Belfast, Derry and Strabane, and Newry, Mourne and Down councils. He says the projects will provide cleaner connections and support health and the economy.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Active travel greenway funding for three councils from Infrastructure Minister Original release: Boylan welcomes active travel funding for greenway projects (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna welcomes Prime Minister’s engagement on Stormont reform
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP welcomes Prime Minister Keir Starmer's willingness to discuss Stormont reform proposals at PMQs, calling it a significant shift. She urges both governments to open an inclusive dialogue with all parties on reforms to safeguard power-sharing and stop repeated collapses.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Starmer willingness to discuss Stormont reform at PMQs Original release: Hanna welcomes Prime Minister’s engagement on Stormont reform (opens in a new tab)
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de Faoite: Infrastructure Minister must build on success of late night services
SDLP Belfast City Council Group Leader Councillor Séamas de Faoite says the Infrastructure Minister must build on Translink's late-night festive services, which saw around 30,000 journeys, up over 70%. He calls for enhanced timetables, more routes and considering lower fares.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Translink late-night festive services journey figures Original release: de Faoite: Infrastructure Minister must build on success of late night services (opens in a new tab)
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Ulster Unionist Party Warns Draft Budget Ignores Public Service Reform and Fiscal Advice
UUP finance spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA criticises Finance Minister John O'Dowd's draft budget for 2029/30, saying its £63 billion allocations fail to deliver transformation in Health, Education and Policing. He calls for efficiency reform and says Sinn Féin ignores existing fiscal advice…
Public finance and taxation Infrastructure and transport Issue: Draft Budget 2026–2029/30 Executive disagreement Original release: Ulster Unionist Party Warns Draft Budget Ignores Public Service Reform and Fiscal Advice (opens in a new tab)
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Irish Government must make Irish Unity a central feature of this year’s EU Presidency – Senator Conor Murphy
Sinn Féin Senator Conor Murphy calls on the Irish Government to make Irish unity within the EU a central priority of its EU Council Presidency in July, citing a Amárach Research poll for European Movement Ireland and urging preparation for a border poll.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Irish Government must make Irish Unity a central feature of this year’s EU Presidency – Senator Conor Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson congratulates new DUP MLA
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson welcomes new Newry & Armagh MLA Gareth Wilson, saying he is a champion for the constituency and that the DUP will keep making Northern Ireland work; Wilson says he will be a strong pro‑Union voice for the area.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Gareth Wilson takes up Newry & Armagh MLA seat Original release: Robinson congratulates new DUP MLA (opens in a new tab)
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TUV Leader’s New Year Message
TUV leader says the 1 January ICS2 customs controls and ban on GB veterinary and pet medicines will add paperwork and costs at the Irish Sea border, and attacks Stormont's record and Sinn Fein's role. He calls on unionists, including DUP and UUP activists, to join TUV before the 2027 elections.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: TUV Leader’s New Year Message (opens in a new tab)
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2026 New Year Message
Alliance leader Naomi Long MLA says 2025 must be the last year of dysfunctional government and calls for the institutions to be reformed. She says Alliance's call for reform, backed by an Assembly majority, is now being pressed on the UK and Irish governments to launch a process in the new year.
Constitutional affairs Original release: 2026 New Year Message (opens in a new tab)
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New Year Message from DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP calls for less rhetoric and more delivery in 2026, prioritising working families, the economy and public services over a border poll and what he describes as ideology on climate policy.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Original release: New Year Message from DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Leader’s New Year Message
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says attention must return to Northern Ireland's challenges in 2026, criticising Executive infighting and unmet promises in 2025 and calling on the Executive to deliver for people. The release also urges the UK and Irish Governments to begin preparation ahead of any…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: SDLP Leader’s New Year Message (opens in a new tab)
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Support welcome but collaboration needed with eel fishermen – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney welcomes DAERA's announcement of a support payment for Lough Neagh brown eel fishers, but urges the department to work closely with fishing families on a lasting plan to rebuild the lough's commercial fishing sector.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: DAERA financial support for Lough Neagh eel fishermen Original release: Support welcome but collaboration needed with eel fishermen – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Project Gigabit will improve access to broadband to rural premises across the north – Delargy
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy welcomes the Economy Minister's announcement that Fibrus Networks will deliver Project Gigabit, saying it will bring high-quality broadband to thousands of rural homes and businesses and support regional balance.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Project Gigabit broadband delivery contract awarded to Fibrus Networks Original release: Project Gigabit will improve access to broadband to rural premises across the north – Delargy (opens in a new tab)
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McNulty: Delivery of rail review could transform island
SDLP Opposition Infrastructure Spokesperson Justin McNulty MLA welcomes the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy as an important step, but says delivery must follow. He criticises Fermanagh's exclusion from the plans and urges ministers to work with the Irish Government on proposed rail reopenings…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy publication Original release: McNulty: Delivery of rail review could transform island (opens in a new tab)
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Windsor Framework Still Failing to Deliver for Northern Ireland
UUP spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA says the government's response to Lord Murphy's recommendations and House of Lords findings on the Windsor Framework is cautiously welcome but falls well short of fixing Irish Sea Border problems. He points to retailer refusals, veterinary medicines…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Government response to Lord Murphy's Windsor Framework recommendations Original release: Windsor Framework Still Failing to Deliver for Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Prioritisation strategy outlines how best to deliver recommendations in All-Island rail review – Boylan
Sinn Féin transport spokesperson Cathal Boylan MLA welcomes the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy as progress on delivering the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, highlighting the Armagh-Portadown, Derry-Portadown and Lisburn-Antrim lines and commending Minister Kimmins.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy publication Original release: Prioritisation strategy outlines how best to deliver recommendations in All-Island rail review – Boylan (opens in a new tab)