Latest releases
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11,733 releases
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Boyd nails vote splitting nonsense
TUV council candidate Norman Boyd rejects DUP claims that voters split the Unionist vote, saying there were not four Unionist quotas in East Antrim and that the DUP's North Antrim seat loss reflects its own 15% vote fall. He also cites the DUP's support for Alex Maskey as Speaker.
Constitutional affairs Issue: DUP claims about Unionist vote splitting in 2023 council elections Original release: Boyd nails vote splitting nonsense (opens in a new tab)
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Sir Jeffrey discusses recent disturbances with Chief Constable
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP says he has met the PSNI Chief Constable after recent unrest in Newtownards and a shooting overnight in West Belfast. He says criminal gangs have no place on the streets, pledges full support for police in jailing those involved, and calls for illegal guns to be…
Justice and policing Issue: Newtownards and West Belfast disturbances and shooting, March 2023 Original release: Sir Jeffrey discusses recent disturbances with Chief Constable (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds tables amendments to outlaw glorification of terrorism
DUP peer Lord Dodds has tabled amendments in the Lords to the Legacy Bill to create an offence of glorifying terrorism, citing rising glorification of IRA violence and criticising Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill over remarks on the IRA campaign.
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: Dodds Lords amendments on glorification of terrorism in Legacy Bill Original release: Dodds tables amendments to outlaw glorification of terrorism (opens in a new tab)
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Why the different treatment for Linfield?
TUV party secretary Ron McDonwell criticises the rescheduling of a Linfield match, moved for a visit by President Biden, and questions why PSNI and NIFL cannot provide policing for it while covering two other nearby matches. He says the PSNI and NIFL have refused to let Linfield discuss the issue.
Justice and policing Issue: Linfield Easter Tuesday match rescheduled for President Biden visit Original release: Why the different treatment for Linfield? (opens in a new tab)
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Health workers deserve fair pay and safe working conditions – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon calls for fair pay and safer conditions for health and social care staff, arguing the British government must act while Stormont is not functioning, and urges an Executive, health minister and cross-party investment.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Pay offer for NHS staff in England not extended to Northern Ireland Original release: Health workers deserve fair pay and safe working conditions – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Vote splintering weakens unionism: Robinson
DUP East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson says divided unionist votes will only benefit non-unionist candidates, citing North Antrim, and urges people to register to vote before the Council elections while maximising their vote.
Local government Original release: Vote splintering weakens unionism: Robinson (opens in a new tab)
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Whyte: Belfast School of Music services must be protected
SDLP councillor Carl Whyte says he met the Education Authority about the Belfast School of Music's future, urging that its services be protected and a modern base be set up in central Belfast. He welcomes the EA's willingness to engage and its plans to partner with other organisations.
Education Local government Issue: Education Authority review of Belfast School of Music future Original release: Whyte: Belfast School of Music services must be protected (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: Relief for some but SPF is a net loss to local groups
SDLP South Belfast MP Claire Hanna says UK Government funding announced to replace European Social Fund money fell short of its commitment, calling the process a debacle with groups left uncertain and some losing out. She links the situation to Brexit and says the SDLP will work to limit the damage.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: UK Government allocation of replacement funding for former European Social Fund projects Original release: Hanna: Relief for some but SPF is a net loss to local groups (opens in a new tab)
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Joe Biden’s Double Standards
People Before Profit says US President Joe Biden's planned April visit to Ireland masks double standards, citing sanctions on Russia against no sanctions on Israel over Palestinian territory and US support for Saudi attacks on Yemen. The party announces a series of meetings to expose this.
International affairs Issue: Joe Biden visit to Ireland April 2023 Original release: Joe Biden’s Double Standards (opens in a new tab)
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‘Economic opportunities must be seized’ – O’Neill
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill, First Minister Designate, says the Northern Ireland economy faces missed opportunities from the Executive's absence and calls for its immediate restoration. She urges priorities of reforming Invest NI, tackling skills shortages and making childcare affordable.
Economy and employment International affairs Issue: Stormont Executive restoration delay and economic opportunities Original release: ‘Economic opportunities must be seized’ – O’Neill (opens in a new tab)
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Brett Welcomes funding extension for Community Transport
DUP Infrastructure Spokesman and North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett welcomes confirmation from the Permanent Secretary that community transport 'dial-a-lift' providers will receive core funding beyond the end of April. He says the service provides around 200,000 journeys a year and calls for a…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Community transport dial-a-lift funding extension beyond April Original release: Brett Welcomes funding extension for Community Transport (opens in a new tab)
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NIO must make budget decisions: Dodds
DUP Education Spokesperson Diane Dodds expresses disappointment at the Department for Education's decision to end the Engage and Healthy Happy Minds schemes and School Holiday Food Grants. She says the NIO must make budget decisions and calls for education to be prioritised in future funding.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Department of Education axing Holiday Hunger Payments, Happy Healthy Minds and ENGAGE programmes Original release: NIO must make budget decisions: Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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TUV blasts Nationalism’s little helpers following Ards and North Down decision on Union Flag
TUV candidate Peter Wilson accuses a council majority of overturning a vote on flying the Union Flag at Ards and North Down war memorials and civic buildings, and says the Alliance Party's call-in is questionable. He asks Edwin Poots to answer questions about the legislation.
Community relations and legacy Local government Issue: Ards and North Down council Union Flag decision called in Original release: TUV blasts Nationalism’s little helpers following Ards and North Down decision on Union Flag (opens in a new tab)
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Lack of dedicated retrofitting programme for solid fuel households a risk to public health – Darren O’Rourke TD
Sinn Féin climate spokesperson Darren O'Rourke TD urges the government to revise its National Retrofit Plan with specific targets for solid-fuel-heated homes, citing a cross-border study linking air pollution to up to 1,000 early deaths yearly. He proposes €50m for a dedicated retrofit scheme.
Environment and climate Health Issue: Cross-border air pollution and mortality assessment on solid fuel burning Original release: Lack of dedicated retrofitting programme for solid fuel households a risk to public health – Darren O’Rourke TD (opens in a new tab)
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McAuley to stand in Ballymoney for TUV
TUV announces Jonathan McAuley as its candidate for Ballymoney in the forthcoming local government elections, with leader Jim Allister backing him. McAuley pledges to demand accountability from Causeway Coast and Glens Council over recent revelations about its conduct.
Local government Original release: McAuley to stand in Ballymoney for TUV (opens in a new tab)
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Dillon calls for Executive to be restored now to cut chronic waiting lists
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says rising waiting times for cancer treatment are unacceptable, faulting the delay in acting on the cancer strategy, and urges the Executive to be restored immediately to tackle long waiting lists.
Health Issue: Rising cancer treatment waiting times in Northern Ireland Original release: Dillon calls for Executive to be restored now to cut chronic waiting lists (opens in a new tab)
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Caravans Act Review a big disappointment – TUV
TUV leader Jim Allister says the departmental review of the Caravans Act is a major letdown, arguing its suggestion of better Trading Standards oversight falls short for caravan owners. He says the review ignores the need for legislative change to address insecure occupancy terms and short…
Housing Issue: Departmental review of the Caravans Act recommendations Original release: Caravans Act Review a big disappointment – TUV (opens in a new tab)
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‘Children and young people paying price for savage Tory Budget cuts’ – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says savage Tory Budget cuts will axe Holiday Hunger Payments and the Happy Healthy Minds and ENGAGE programmes in schools, and calls for the Executive to be restored now.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Department of Education axing Holiday Hunger Payments, Happy Healthy Minds and ENGAGE programmes Original release: ‘Children and young people paying price for savage Tory Budget cuts’ – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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British government’s failure to fully replace lost European funding will cause the loss of essential services and jobs – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy says Brexit and Westminster's shortfall in replacing lost EU funding will cost vital community projects and jobs, and calls for the money to be restored immediately.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Loss of EU funding for community services and jobs Original release: British government’s failure to fully replace lost European funding will cause the loss of essential services and jobs – Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Dunne condemns attacks
North Down MLA Stephen Dunne condemns recent acts of violence and destruction across the Ards and North Down areas, appeals for calm and urges those responsible to be brought to justice. He also encourages anyone with information to contact the PSNI.
Justice and policing Original release: Dunne condemns attacks (opens in a new tab)