Latest releases
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2,560 releases
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Secretary of State has failed at the first hurdle
UUP MLA Dr Steve Aiken says the Secretary of State's decision undermines Windsor Framework safeguards, arguing the Democratic Scrutiny Committee has become a party political tool and that the Stormont Brake was ignored. He claims divergence from EU rules is increasing and that the Secretary of…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Secretary of State's Stormont Brake decision on EU Regulation 2024/2865 Original release: Secretary of State has failed at the first hurdle (opens in a new tab)
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Long calls on incoming Irish Government to make political reform here a high priority
Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA writes to Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris, urging the incoming Irish Government to prioritise reform of Northern Ireland’s Assembly and Executive, citing its co‑guarantor role in the Good Friday Agreement.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Incoming Irish Government formation Original release: Long calls on incoming Irish Government to make political reform here a high priority (opens in a new tab)
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Closer alignment needed between UK Government and European Commission, says Tennyson
Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson MLA says issues arising from EU regulations should be resolved early through UK Government and European Commission engagement, after the Secretary of State declined to trigger the Stormont Brake on chemical packaging and labelling rules. He urges the UK…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Secretary of State's Stormont Brake decision on EU Regulation 2024/2865 Original release: Closer alignment needed between UK Government and European Commission, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Stormont Brake distraction from real issues
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says ongoing debate over the Stormont Brake distracts from real issues, and calls on the Secretary of State and UK Government to pursue a permanent EU solution recognising Northern Ireland's dual market access.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Stormont brake debate and dual market access Original release: O’Toole: Stormont Brake distraction from real issues (opens in a new tab)
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Foot and Mouth restrictions should be based on protecting farmers -…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart questions why Northern Ireland farms face higher Foot and Mouth Disease risk than Great Britain, noting Germany's restrictions on cattle, sheep, pig and dairy imports are stricter locally due to the Windsor Framework. She calls for full protection for NI agriculture.
Agriculture and rural affairs International affairs Issue: UK ban on animal imports from Germany over foot and mouth disease Original release: Foot and Mouth restrictions should be based on protecting farmers -… (opens in a new tab)
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Conor Murphy demands action on Presidential voting rights for Irish citizens in the North and the diaspora
Sinn Féin Seanad candidate Conor Murphy urges the incoming government to extend presidential voting rights to citizens living in Northern Ireland and abroad, noting the draft Programme for Government omits the issue and a 2017 referendum commitment has stalled.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Draft Programme for Government omits presidential voting rights for citizens abroad Original release: Conor Murphy demands action on Presidential voting rights for Irish citizens in the North and the diaspora (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna welcomes Irish Government commitment to Northern Ireland
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP welcomes the draft Irish Government Programme for Government, citing its reflection of SDLP proposals on a skills task force, cross-border environment and waterways, and Erasmus access, plus a €1bn-plus Shared Island Unit commitment and a John Hume Fund.
Constitutional affairs Infrastructure and transport Issue: Draft Programme for Government omits presidential voting rights for citizens abroad Original release: Hanna welcomes Irish Government commitment to Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Allister comments on Secretary of State’s upcoming decision on the Stormont Brake
TUV leader Jim Allister KC MP sets out limits of the Stormont Brake and Applicability Motion ahead of the Secretary of State's decision, arguing they offer only restricted rights against EU law and urging unionists to oppose the arrangement while backing his Mutual Enforcement Bill.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Secretary of State's Stormont Brake decision on EU Regulation 2024/2865 Original release: Allister comments on Secretary of State’s upcoming decision on the Stormont Brake (opens in a new tab)
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Allister Hails Significant Moment in Fight against the Sea Border
TUV leader Jim Allister welcomes a Commons division forced on the Official Controls (Amendment) Regulations 2024, saying it broke a 'glass ceiling' with 77 MPs backing Northern Ireland against the Irish Sea Border. He also points to his Mutual Enforcement Bill as an alternative avoiding a hard…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Draft Official Control Amendment Regulations Irish Sea border vote Original release: Allister Hails Significant Moment in Fight against the Sea Border (opens in a new tab)
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Detail and reform needed to provide reassurance about future public emergencies, says Bradshaw
Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA welcomes the Executive Office's acceptance, at least in part, of the ten UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 1 recommendations. She calls for clarity on rejected recommendations, implementation timescales and reform of Northern Ireland's government…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Executive Office response to UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 1 recommendations Original release: Detail and reform needed to provide reassurance about future public emergencies, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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McAleer encourages community participation in Dalradian inquiry
Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer urges residents across the north west to take part in the additional consultation on Dalradian's proposed Sperrins goldmine and processing plant, after its planning inquiry was suspended. He calls the delay regrettable and stresses the project's possible environmental…
Environment and climate Issue: Dalradian Sperrins goldmine planning inquiry suspension Original release: McAleer encourages community participation in Dalradian inquiry (opens in a new tab)
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Jim Allister raises the Protocol threat to a UK-US trade deal with the Prime Minister
TUV leader Jim Allister says the Prime Minister failed to answer his PMQs question on a UK-US trade deal given Northern Ireland's continued subjection to EU trade law. He argues his Mutual Enforcement Bill would avoid a hard border and calls on the PM to restore full UK sovereignty before…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Allister's PMQs question on US trade deal and Northern Ireland EU law Original release: Jim Allister raises the Protocol threat to a UK-US trade deal with the Prime Minister (opens in a new tab)
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Rose Conway-Walsh welcomes vital and gamechanging tool for the development of economic policy across the island
Sinn Féin public expenditure and reform spokesperson Rose Conway-Walsh TD welcomes the new macro‑economic modelling tool created by ESRI and NIESR for the north of Ireland, saying it will enable island‑wide policy forecasting and urges the incoming government to use it for positive economic outcomes
Economy and employment Constitutional affairs Issue: ESRI report on a new economic model for the North Original release: Rose Conway-Walsh welcomes vital and gamechanging tool for the development of economic policy across the island (opens in a new tab)
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Donnelly deeply disappointed after proposed goldmine public inquiry delay
Alliance Councillor Stephen Donnelly says he is deeply disappointed that the public inquiry into the proposed Co Tyrone goldmine has been suspended after the Department for Infrastructure was found to have failed to consult adequately on transboundary issues. He calls on the Department to carry…
Environment and climate Issue: Dalradian Sperrins goldmine planning inquiry suspension Original release: Donnelly deeply disappointed after proposed goldmine public inquiry delay (opens in a new tab)
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Nelson welcomes announcement of investment in Giant’s Park
Alliance Councillor Sam Nelson welcomes the £100 million investment announced for Giant’s Park by the city council and the park’s development company, praising the plan for an urban adventure park that will create jobs, boost tourism, improve public coastal access and enhance connectivity for North
Local government Economy and employment Issue: £100m investment in Giant’s Park Original release: Nelson welcomes announcement of investment in Giant’s Park (opens in a new tab)
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This week the Government Has Blown Its Irish Sea Border Cover
TUV leader Jim Allister, MP for North Antrim, argues in a News Letter opinion piece that Government regulations on goods movement effectively treat Northern Ireland as a third country, and says the Irish Sea border is unworkable. He says he will press for a Commons vote opposing the draft Official…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Draft Official Control Amendment Regulations Irish Sea border vote Original release: This week the Government Has Blown Its Irish Sea Border Cover (opens in a new tab)
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Well done Protocol Implementers!
TUV leader Jim Allister says Northern Ireland is excluded from the UK-wide ban on animal imports from Germany after foot and mouth disease was confirmthere, because NI remains subject to EU rules that still permit imports. He links this to MLAs' recent vote on the Windsor Framework.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: UK ban on animal imports from Germany over foot and mouth disease Original release: Well done Protocol Implementers! (opens in a new tab)
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British government cannot hide behind veil of secrecy; the truth behind murder of John Francis Green must be told – Matt Carthy TD
Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy calls for the full truth behind the 1975 killing of IRA Volunteer John Francis Green near Castleblayney to be told, and accuses the British government of hiding behind secrecy. Speaking at the 50th anniversary commemoration, he pledges party support for the Green family's…
Constitutional affairs Community relations and legacy Issue: 50th anniversary commemoration of John Francis Green's killing Original release: British government cannot hide behind veil of secrecy; the truth behind murder of John Francis Green must be told – Matt Carthy TD (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson – “the Government must demonstrate greater urgency”
The DUP's Gavin Robinson MP says the Windsor Framework review must be an honest assessment, not an exercise in papering over problems, and calls for more urgency from the Government in appointing the Independent Monitoring Panel and enabling Intertrade UK to start work.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Windsor Framework review appointment and Independent Monitoring Panel delays Original release: Robinson – “the Government must demonstrate greater urgency” (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna welcomes review commitment to examine north-south and EU relationships
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP welcomes the publication of terms of reference for the independent Windsor Framework review, saying it will cover the North's future EU ties and protect all-island cooperation. Party leader Matthew O'Toole calls for a European Commission office in Belfast and freedom of…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Windsor Framework review appointment and Independent Monitoring Panel delays Original release: Hanna welcomes review commitment to examine north-south and EU relationships (opens in a new tab)