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2,560 releases
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Border posts to stay, it seems, despite proclaimed deal
TUV leader Jim Allister MP says a parliamentary answer shows no UK-EU deal removing SPS checks exists, so Irish Sea border posts at Northern Ish ports may still be needed, calling the proclaimed deal smoke and mirrors.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: UK-EU Reset Deal announcement Original release: Border posts to stay, it seems, despite proclaimed deal (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: A New Ireland is the only route back to Europe
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says a united Ireland is the only realistic way back into the EU, ahead of an Assembly Opposition motion marking nine years since the Brexit vote and urging other parties to accept it.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Assembly Opposition motion on a New Ireland and EU rejoining Original release: O’Toole: A New Ireland is the only route back to Europe (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood seeks clarity on BBC geoblocking
SDLP MP Colum Eastwood has written to BBC Northern Ireland's director asking for confirmation that the broadcaster will not add geoblocking to its news content, after weekend reports it was considering such a move. He argues restricting cross-border news access would harm audiences and the public…
Constitutional affairs Issue: BBC considering geoblocking of news content for Republic of Ireland audiences Original release: Eastwood seeks clarity on BBC geoblocking (opens in a new tab)
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A new constitutional future in the EU ‘best for island’ – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says the best future for the island is repairing Brexit's damage through deeper EU ties and Irish unity via a referendum. He welcomes EU and UK engagement on a new relationship but wants details on the north. He calls for observer status for northern MEPs and an EU…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Assembly motion on a European future for the north Original release: A new constitutional future in the EU ‘best for island’ – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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UK-EU Reset Deal Is a Sell-Out
TUV North Down chairman Peter Wilson calls the UK-EU Reset Deal a betrayal of the Union, arguing that the Irish Sea border persists through new Larne port border posts and EU customs and SPS rules. He accuses the DUP of repackaging surrender as success.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: UK-EU Reset Deal announcement Original release: UK-EU Reset Deal Is a Sell-Out (opens in a new tab)
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Good Friday Agreement Committee must build on progress from last term – Hughes
Sinn Féin MP for Newry and Armagh Dáire Hughes says the Oireachtas Good Friday Agreement Committee must build on its last-term work on legacy, all-island healthcare and constitutional change. He calls for proactive engagement with northern voices, including unionist and British identity voices.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Joint Oireachtas Good Friday Agreement Committee first meeting of new term Original release: Good Friday Agreement Committee must build on progress from last term – Hughes (opens in a new tab)
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Farmers Have Found Their Voice – The Minister Must Listen or Go
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says farmers at the NAP consultation event in Greenmount rejected proposals that must be withdrawn, criticising Minister Muir's absence and Department officials' lack of answers on water quality and food security.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: NAP consultation event at Greenmount Original release: Farmers Have Found Their Voice – The Minister Must Listen or Go (opens in a new tab)
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Lough Neagh remains a critical priority for Sinn Féin – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney, with party leader Michelle O'Neill MLA, says they met Lough Neagh commercial fishermen and families about the latest crisis facing the industry, following a recent eel fishing moratorium. He says fishermen stressed the need for urgency to secure the lough's future…
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Lough Neagh eel fishing moratorium and commercial fishing crisis Original release: Lough Neagh remains a critical priority for Sinn Féin – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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OEP evidence indicates pressing need to reduce our impact on natural environment, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says Office for Environmental Protection evidence to the agriculture committee shows wastewater infrastructure and the agri-food sector are placing unsustainable pressure on the environment. He calls for cross-sector collaboration, including on the…
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: OEP evidence to Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs on environmental pressures Original release: OEP evidence indicates pressing need to reduce our impact on natural environment, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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EU-British agreement to reduce trade barriers welcome, but we need to talk about legacy – Kathleen Funchion MEP
Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion welcomes parts of the EU-British agreement announced at the May 19 UK-EU Summit but warns of caution, arguing the British government is using the reset to reinterpret agreements. She says the Legacy Act breaches the ECHR and Article 2 of the Windsor Framework, and…
Community relations and legacy International affairs Issue: UK-EU summit on 19 May 2025 Original release: EU-British agreement to reduce trade barriers welcome, but we need to talk about legacy – Kathleen Funchion MEP (opens in a new tab)
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Patsy McGlone: Incentives and clarity for farmers needed amid nutrients action programme changes
SDLP Opposition AERA Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA calls on DAERA to match nutrients action programme regulation with increased financial support and a realistic lead-in time for farmers. He cites Irish Government low-emission slurry spreading and advisory supports as a model.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: DAERA consultation on Nutrients Action Programme review and 2026-2029 programme Original release: Patsy McGlone: Incentives and clarity for farmers needed amid nutrients action programme changes (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney calls on DUP to end opposition to additional funding for north-south bodies
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says the DUP's blocking of extra Irish government funding for north-south bodies is indefensible, after the Assembly backed a Sinn Féin motion urging the party to drop its opposition within the Executive.
Constitutional affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Assembly motion urging DUP to end opposition to north-south funding Original release: Kearney calls on DUP to end opposition to additional funding for north-south bodies (opens in a new tab)
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Nutrient Action Programme proposals unworkable – McAleer
Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer says the Nutrient Action Programme proposals – cutting the P balance to 8 kg/ha from 2029 and mandating Low Emission Slurry Spreading Equipment by 2030 – are unworkable, could force farmers out of business and ignore local conditions, and urges the Minister to listen and
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: DAERA consultation on Nutrients Action Programme review and 2026-2029 programme Original release: Nutrient Action Programme proposals unworkable – McAleer (opens in a new tab)
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Latest EU Rules threaten treatments for minor conditions
DUP North Down MLA Peter Martin expresses serious concern at EU proposals that could reclassify common anti-viral and anti-fungal treatments, such as those for dandruff, athlete's foot and cold sores, as prescription-only. He says this would add strain to GP services and calls for certainty on…
Health International affairs Issue: EU proposals to reclassify anti-viral and anti-fungal treatments as prescription-only Original release: Latest EU Rules threaten treatments for minor conditions (opens in a new tab)
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Murphy Review a Sham Designed to Cement the Protocol
TUV leader Jim Allister MP calls the Murphy Review of the Protocol a sham as the party publishes its 46-page response, arguing its terms are biased and that requiring cross-community support for any change gives nationalists a veto.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Murphy Review of the Protocol terms and TUV response Original release: Murphy Review a Sham Designed to Cement the Protocol (opens in a new tab)
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All-island approach needed to address biodiversity crisis – Réada Cronin TD
Sinn Féin spokesperson Réada Cronin TD urges the government to take an island-wide approach to biodiversity loss during Dáil statements, citing poor habitat and bird species figures and calling for stronger Marine Protected Areas legislation.
Environment and climate Constitutional affairs Issue: Dáil statements on biodiversity Original release: All-island approach needed to address biodiversity crisis – Réada Cronin TD (opens in a new tab)
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Allister welcomes Wrightbus to Westminster
TUV MP Jim Allister welcomes Wrightbus's hydrogen bus display at Parliament as North Antrim MP, calls for government to prioritise UK manufacturing in zero emission bus rollout and support diesel bus conversions, and hopes Wrightbus expands into hydrogen coaches at Galgorm.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Wrightbus hydrogen bus display at Parliament Original release: Allister welcomes Wrightbus to Westminster (opens in a new tab)
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New Nutrients Action Programme Proposals Will Devastate Family Farms Without Delivering Real Environmental Gains
TUV vice chairman Causeway Councillor Allister Kyle says proposed Nutrients Action Programme measures for 2026–2029 would harm small and medium farms, citing slurry spreading limits, a 3-metre buffer strip and low emission equipment rules. He calls on the Department to redraft the programme and…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: DAERA consultation on Nutrients Action Programme review and 2026-2029 programme Original release: New Nutrients Action Programme Proposals Will Devastate Family Farms Without Delivering Real Environmental Gains (opens in a new tab)
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Jim Allister tables Early Day Motion on EU deal
TUV MP Jim Allister has tabled an Early Day Motion in the Commons regretting that the UK-EU summit failed to restore full UK sovereignty over Northern Ireland. It argues the SPS deal leaves goods subject to EU customs checks and that an Irish Sea border still divides the UK.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: UK-EU agreement on SPS trade and Windsor Framework Original release: Jim Allister tables Early Day Motion on EU deal (opens in a new tab)
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We will judge agreement on how it impacts NI’s place within the…
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson says the party will judge the UK-EU agreement by its impact on Northern Ireland's place within the UK, calling for a radical move beyond the Windsor Framework and full removal of EU law and the Irish Sea border.
Constitutional affairs Community relations and legacy Issue: UK-EU agreement on SPS trade and Windsor Framework Original release: We will judge agreement on how it impacts NI’s place within the… (opens in a new tab)