Latest releases
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2,560 releases
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Tree Protection Bill
Alliance Party calls for a Tree Protection Bill to strengthen legal protections for single trees, groups of trees and ancient woodland, citing a NIPSO report finding only one of 369 reported tree protection breaches led to enforcement action. The bill would reinforce Tree Preservation Orders…
Environment and climate Issue: Tree Protection Bill consultation and NIPSO tree protection breaches report Original release: Tree Protection Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Blair welcomes DAERA Minister’s commitment to key environmental decisions
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's commitment to a series of environmental strategies this Assembly mandate, citing a written answer. He calls for political will across the chamber and reform of the Executive approval process, which he says is…
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's environmental strategies commitment for remainder of mandate Original release: Blair welcomes DAERA Minister’s commitment to key environmental decisions (opens in a new tab)
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Councillor Truesdale welcomes decision by DAERA Minister to reject gondola proposal due to environmental concerns
Alliance Mournes Councillor Jill Truesdale welcomes DAERA's rejection of a proposal to site a gondola in Kilbroney Forest Park, Rostrevor, saying it would threaten wildlife and the surrounding landscape. She says Alliance and local residents have long opposed the project over economic and…
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: DAERA rejection of Kilbroney Forest Park gondola proposal Original release: Councillor Truesdale welcomes decision by DAERA Minister to reject gondola proposal due to environmental concerns (opens in a new tab)
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Hard Border ‘Cements-in’ the Division of the United Kingdom from Today – ‘Permanent’ Border Control Posts Operationalise
TUV leader Jim Allister KC MP says the permanent Border Control Post at Larne, opening today, cements a hard Irish Sea border that cuts Northern Ireland off from the UK Internal Market for Goods, with Belfast following on 11 August.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Larne permanent Border Control Post opening Original release: Hard Border ‘Cements-in’ the Division of the United Kingdom from Today – ‘Permanent’ Border Control Posts Operationalise (opens in a new tab)
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Trump/EU trade deal brings more challenges than opportunities for Windsor Framework stifled Northern Ireland - Aiken
Ulster Unionist Windsor Framework spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken MLA says the 15% EU-US tariff avoids a 30% cliff edge but the Irish Sea Border will add bureaucracy for Northern Ireland imports from the United States. He says the Secretary of State has not taken a firm stance on tariff variations and…
Economy and employment International affairs Issue: US tariff announcement affecting Ireland Original release: Trump/EU trade deal brings more challenges than opportunities for Windsor Framework stifled Northern Ireland - Aiken (opens in a new tab)
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Irish Unity, tariffs and genocide in Gaza raised during US trip – Mary Lou McDonald TD
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, on a two-day US visit, says she pressed Washington contacts and Capitol Hill figures on Irish unity referendums, American trade duties and Gaza, calling for an immediate ceasefire and urging the Irish government to prepare for a border poll.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Mary Lou McDonald US visit on Irish unity, tariffs and Gaza Original release: Irish Unity, tariffs and genocide in Gaza raised during US trip – Mary Lou McDonald TD (opens in a new tab)
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Taoiseach needs to spend additional Shared Island NDP funding on planning for constitutional change – Senator Conor Murphy
Sinn Féin Seanad leader Conor Murphy calls on the Taoiseach to commit the additional €0.99 billion NDP allocation to the Shared Island Initiative to establishing a Citizens' Assembly on Irish unity and planning for constitutional change.
Constitutional affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Additional €0.99 billion NDP allocation to Shared Island Initiative Original release: Taoiseach needs to spend additional Shared Island NDP funding on planning for constitutional change – Senator Conor Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Other parties must step up and support Minister on tackling Lough Neagh crisis, says Blair following suspension of eel fishing
Alliance AERA spokesperson John Blair MLA says other parties must step up and support the Minister in tackling the Lough Neagh crisis, following the Lough Neagh Fishermen's Co-Operative Society's decision to suspend commercial eel fishing for the 2025 season.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Lough Neagh commercial eel fishing suspended for remainder of 2025 season Original release: Other parties must step up and support Minister on tackling Lough Neagh crisis, says Blair following suspension of eel fishing (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone urges support after eel fishing suspended
SDLP AERA spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA asks Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir for an immediate support package for businesses and seasonal workers hit by the suspension of eel fishing on Lough Neagh, which he blames on years of pollution and political inaction.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Lough Neagh commercial eel fishing suspended for remainder of 2025 season Original release: McGlone urges support after eel fishing suspended (opens in a new tab)
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Minister must urgently establish financial support scheme for commercial fishermen – Kearney
SDLP... no, Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney urges the Agriculture Minister to set up a crisis support fund for eel fishermen after commercial eel fishing on Lough Neagh was suspended for the rest of the 2025 season. He also says the Irish government must engage directly, including meeting local…
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: Lough Neagh commercial eel fishing suspended for remainder of 2025 season Original release: Minister must urgently establish financial support scheme for commercial fishermen – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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British government must ensure 16 and 17 year olds can vote in 2027 elections – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker welcomes the British government's plan to extend the vote to 16 and 17-year-olds and calls for the legislation to be in place in time for the 2027 Assembly and Council elections in the north. The party says it will press London on this.
Constitutional affairs Issue: British government extension of voting age to 16 and 17-year-olds Original release: British government must ensure 16 and 17 year olds can vote in 2027 elections – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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Votes at 16 welcome, but it must be accompanied by changes to education curriculum - Butler
UUP MLA Robbie Butler, young people's spokesperson, welcomes votes at 16 but says it must be accompanied by changes to the education curriculum adding political education on how the Northern Ireland and UK voting systems work. He hopes this will encourage wider youth turnout.
Constitutional affairs Education Original release: Votes at 16 welcome, but it must be accompanied by changes to education curriculum - Butler (opens in a new tab)
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Votes at 16 must be implemented in time for next NI Assembly election, says Mulholland, welcoming plans
Constitutional affairs Original release: Votes at 16 must be implemented in time for next NI Assembly election, says Mulholland, welcoming plans (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna welcomes lowering of voting age
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP welcomes UK Government confirmation that voting at General Elections will be extended to 16 and 17-year-olds, and calls for the same rights to apply to Assembly and council elections.
Constitutional affairs Issue: UK Government confirmation of votes at 16 for General Elections Original release: Hanna welcomes lowering of voting age (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson tells Belfast Twelfth "When unionism is split, unionism…
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP tells the Belfast Twelfth field that unionism must unite and says a split vote cost Lagan Valley, calling for talks on strategy and electoral understanding ahead of the Assembly and Council elections. He also criticises the Windsor Framework.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Robinson tells Belfast Twelfth "When unionism is split, unionism… (opens in a new tab)
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NOT ON OUR WATCH –THE GPO WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO BE DESTROYED
Aontú, speaking at a public protest against Government-backed plans to redevelop the GPO for mixed use, says the building must not be destroyed. Speakers including TD Brian Stanley and Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín call for a united effort to stop the proposals.
Infrastructure and transport Constitutional affairs Issue: Government backing for GPO redevelopment plans Original release: NOT ON OUR WATCH –THE GPO WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO BE DESTROYED (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: We need to get serious about environmental crime
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says environmental crime is not being taken seriously enough after the PPS decided not to appeal sentences for two men convicted over illegal dumping at Mobuoy near Derry. He calls on the Environment Minister and Justice Minister to urgently review sentencing…
Environment and climate Justice and policing Issue: PPS decision not to appeal Mobuoy illegal dumping sentences Original release: Durkan: We need to get serious about environmental crime (opens in a new tab)
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Flexibility Isn’t Weakness, It’s Wisdom: Butler Backs Locally-Informed Climate Planning
UUP agriculture spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA welcomes the European Commission's more flexible 2040 climate target and calls for a co-designed Rural Climate and Energy Roadmap for Northern Ireland, with cross-departmental leadership and support for anaerobic digestion.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: European Commission 2040 climate target of 90% emissions reduction Original release: Flexibility Isn’t Weakness, It’s Wisdom: Butler Backs Locally-Informed Climate Planning (opens in a new tab)
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Civic Forum can be a vital tool to engage society and shape policy, says Dickson
Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA welcomes the First and deputy First Ministers' announcement to reconstitute the Civic Forum, but says it should have happened long ago. He questions whether it can be established by the end of this mandate and says Alliance will keep…
Constitutional affairs Issue: First and deputy First Ministers announce reconstitution of the Civic Forum Original release: Civic Forum can be a vital tool to engage society and shape policy, says Dickson (opens in a new tab)
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Stewart welcomes recognition of Portstewart Strand as UK Beach of the Year
Alliance Alderman Richard Stewart, Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Council, welcomes Portstewart Strand being ranked the top beach in the UK and Northern Ireland in a Times and Sunday Times guide, praising its scenery, water quality and community spirit.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Portstewart Strand ranked UK top beach in Times and Sunday Times guide Original release: Stewart welcomes recognition of Portstewart Strand as UK Beach of the Year (opens in a new tab)