Latest releases
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3,450 releases
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2025 Report of the Commission on the Future of Ireland
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald welcomes the publication of the Commission on the Future of Ireland's annual report, saying the Irish unity conversation is growing and calling on the Irish and British governments to plan for constitutional change. The release lists 2025 events, including 23…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Sinn Féin Commission on the Future of Ireland 2025 annual report Original release: 2025 Report of the Commission on the Future of Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison expresses disappointment to PAC appeal on Tullynagardy Wood Development
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison says he is disappointed that the developer of five proposed houses in Tullynagardy Wood, Newtownards, has appealed to the Planning Appeals Commission after the council's committee unanimously moved to reject the plan. He calls on the council to defend its position firmly…
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Tullynagardy Wood five-house development appeal to PAC Original release: Mathison expresses disappointment to PAC appeal on Tullynagardy Wood Development (opens in a new tab)
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The EU Grinch brings unpleasant gifts for the New Year
UUP Windsor Framework spokesperson Steve Aiken warns that tightening EU rules and ending grace periods from 1 January 2026 will bring new customs checks, bureaucracy and Irish Sea Border controls, and accuses DAERA, the Government and the Executive of failing to publish a full list of changes.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Windsor Framework Committee review of incoming EU regulations Original release: The EU Grinch brings unpleasant gifts for the New Year (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison calls for urgent clarity on EA Home to School Transport provision
Alliance education spokesperson and Education Committee chair Nick Mathison MLA urges the Education Minister to give schools and parents swift certainty on EA home-to-school transport and to protect pupils. He questions the EA's request that taxi drivers cut rates by 10% and asks for the evidence…
Education Infrastructure and transport Issue: EA request for taxi drivers to cut rates by 10% Original release: Mathison calls for urgent clarity on EA Home to School Transport provision (opens in a new tab)
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Strength, not weakness remains TUV’s watchword
TUV leader Jim Allister tells the Central Council in Antrim that 2025 confirmed TUV as central to unionism, criticises the DUP's return to government with Sinn Fein over the Protocol, and says the party is starting preparations for the 2027 elections.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Strength, not weakness remains TUV’s watchword (opens in a new tab)
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TUV congratulates new Orange Grand Master
TUV Party Chairman Cllr Allister Kyle congratulates Harold Henning on becoming Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland. He says the Institution has long supported unionism and that the Protocol remains a threat, and TUV says it will engage constructively with the new leader.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Harold Henning elected Grand Master of the Orange Order in Ireland Original release: TUV congratulates new Orange Grand Master (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin MPs meet British government minister on votes at 16
Sinn Féin MPs John Finucane, Paul Maskey and Cathal Mallaghan report a recent meeting with UK minister Samantha Dixon on lowering the voting age to 16, which they say will bring a positive step for democracy and a voice for young people in the north.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Votes at 16 extension confirmed for UK elections Original release: Sinn Féin MPs meet British government minister on votes at 16 (opens in a new tab)
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Secretary of State must act following historic Assembly vote for reform, says Long
Alliance leader Naomi Long urges the Secretary of State to start an institutional reform process at Stormont after the Assembly backed Alliance's call following the Covid Inquiry's latest report. She says she will write to request talks with the co-guarantors and local parties.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Assembly vote backing Stormont institutional reform after Covid Inquiry report Original release: Secretary of State must act following historic Assembly vote for reform, says Long (opens in a new tab)
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DUP MPs fail to block pro-EU Bill
TUV leader Jim Allister says he is dismayed that DUP MPs abstained in the Commons on a Bill to rejoin the EU Customs Union, letting it be introduced after a tied vote and a casting vote. He says the DUP could have blocked it and calls on every DUP MP to explain their decision.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Commons vote on private member's Bill to rejoin EU Customs Union Original release: DUP MPs fail to block pro-EU Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Dolan welcomes investment in public services and workers
Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan welcomes Finance Minister John O'Dowd's monitoring round allocation of £162 million for capital projects and £104 million for public sector pay awards. She says it will improve roads, public transport, housing, healthcare and education, and urges parties to work together…
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Executive monitoring round allocates £162m capital and £104m public sector pay Original release: Dolan welcomes investment in public services and workers (opens in a new tab)
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Time to move forward and build the A5 – Begley
Sinn Féin MP Órfhlaith Begley says the A5 upgrade in the north west must stay a priority ahead of an appeal against a decision to proceed with the scheme. She calls on parties and campaigners to stay united and says she hopes work can soon begin to prevent further deaths.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: A5 road upgrade appeal against decision to proceed Original release: Time to move forward and build the A5 – Begley (opens in a new tab)
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O'Toole: Quarter of a billion unspent capital underlines staggering Executive mismanagement
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the £250 million underspend revealed in the December monitoring round shows Executive financial mismanagement, criticises delays on the A5, Casement Park and Royal Victoria Children’s Hospital, welcomes PSNI and public‑sector pay allocations and
Public finance and taxation Infrastructure and transport Issue: Executive monitoring round allocates £162m capital and £104m public sector pay Original release: O'Toole: Quarter of a billion unspent capital underlines staggering Executive mismanagement (opens in a new tab)
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Lord Empey shocked by huge cost of Trader Support Service
Ulster Unionist peer Lord Empey says Treasury Parliamentary Answers show £385.01m spent over four years on the Trader Support Service, calling the cost colossal and warning that businesses and consumers will bear the costs of the Windsor Framework.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Trader Support Service cost revealed in Treasury Parliamentary Answers Original release: Lord Empey shocked by huge cost of Trader Support Service (opens in a new tab)
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Unionists Unite to Secure Petition of Concern on EU Observer Status…
The DUP says it welcomes 30 unionist MLAs signing a Petition of Concern to block a Sinn Féin motion proposing EU observer status for Northern Ireland, arguing the move would weaken the region’s place in the United Kingdom.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Sinn Féin motion on EU observer status Original release: Unionists Unite to Secure Petition of Concern on EU Observer Status… (opens in a new tab)
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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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Environment Agency delays holding mid Ulster back – Mallaghan
Sinn Féin MP Cathal Mallaghan says delays by the Environment Agency in responding to planning consultations are holding back economic development in mid Ulster. He says the Agriculture and Environment Minister declined his request for an urgent meeting, and calls for updates and transparency for…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Environment Agency planning consultation backlog in mid Ulster Original release: Environment Agency delays holding mid Ulster back – Mallaghan (opens in a new tab)