Latest releases
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3,059 releases
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Major impact on mournes gondola project: Forsythe
South Down DUP MLA Diane Forsythe says a National Trust refusal of lease arrangements for a Mournes gondola project could put £30m of City Deal funding at risk. She urges stakeholders to engage constructively to balance environmental protection with community benefit.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: National Trust halts Newry, Mourne and Down Council Gondola talks over Thomas's Quarry Original release: Major impact on mournes gondola project: Forsythe (opens in a new tab)
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1 May – UKIMS Registration – The Answer to the Irish Sea Border?
TUV says the UKIMS registration scheme does not remove the Irish Sea border, arguing that the £2 million turnover limit, goods categories and ongoing checks leave businesses facing customs burdens.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: UKIMS registration and the parcels border from 1 May 2025 Original release: 1 May – UKIMS Registration – The Answer to the Irish Sea Border? (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance representatives welcome reconsideration of Gondola project
Alliance South Down MLA Andrew McMurray and Mournes Councillor Jill Truesdale welcome the National Trust's decision not to consider a bid for land at Thomas's Quarry for the Mournes Gondola project, citing environmental damage from recent fires and economic viability concerns.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: National Trust halts Newry, Mourne and Down Council Gondola talks over Thomas's Quarry Original release: Alliance representatives welcome reconsideration of Gondola project (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Fein department cites lack of support for petition in aid of their case to impose Irish signage on Grand Central
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says the Department for Infrastructure cited the lack of signatures on his petition against dual-language signage at Grand Central as justification for claiming the decision was not controversial. He calls on every Unionist MLA to explain why they did not support the…
Disability and equality Infrastructure and transport Issue: Grand Central Irish signage court hearing and petition signatures Original release: Sinn Fein department cites lack of support for petition in aid of their case to impose Irish signage on Grand Central (opens in a new tab)
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A New Ireland, A Time of Opportunity – Senator Conor Murphy
Sinn Féin Senator Conor Murphy urges the Irish government to take a more proactive role in planning for constitutional change and to set up a Citizens' Assembly so people across the island can help shape the future, speaking at the Institute of International and European Affairs.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Original release: A New Ireland, A Time of Opportunity – Senator Conor Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP focused on constitutional politics rather than public services
DUP South Down MLA Diane Forsythe says the SDLP's Assembly motion seeking further fiscal powers for the Executive is unrealistic and a distraction from practical funding reform. She argues a needs-based funding model would help public services sooner, and warns fiscal devolution would add…
Public finance and taxation Constitutional affairs Issue: SDLP motion on NI Executive fiscal powers in the Assembly Original release: SDLP focused on constitutional politics rather than public services (opens in a new tab)
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Farce of Surrendering the Union deal exposed
TUV leader Jim Allister MP says the Government's decision to press ahead with a new EU rule under the Windsor Framework, despite opposition from unionists, shows the Safeguarding the Union deal was a farce that surrendered the Union.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Government decision to adopt new EU rule under Windsor Framework Original release: Farce of Surrendering the Union deal exposed (opens in a new tab)
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EU Law Blocks UK Tobacco Ban
DUP Peer Lord Dodds warns that the proposed generational smoking ban cannot apply in Northern Ireland because the EU Tobacco Products Directive still governs it under the Windsor Framework. He calls on the Government to clarify whether it will override the Directive.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Generational smoking ban and EU Tobacco Products Directive in Northern Ireland Original release: EU Law Blocks UK Tobacco Ban (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Executive must recognise opportunities of investment in public transport
SDLP Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA welcomes Translink's reported rise of three million passenger journeys to about 81.2 million in 2024/25 and urges the Executive to invest in public transport. He claims per-head spending in the North is the lowest in the UK.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Translink passenger journeys increase for 2024/25 Original release: Durkan: Executive must recognise opportunities of investment in public transport (opens in a new tab)
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Mary Lou McDonald’s address at Sinn Féin’s annual Easter Rising Commemoration in Carrickmore, Co Tyrone
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald addressed the Easter Rising commemoration in Carrickmore, condemned the government’s support for a British developer’s Moore Street redevelopment plan and urged backing for the Moore Street Preservation Trust’s fight to protect the site.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Moore Street redevelopment plan Original release: Mary Lou McDonald’s address at Sinn Féin’s annual Easter Rising Commemoration in Carrickmore, Co Tyrone (opens in a new tab)
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Taoiseach wrong on Irish Unity – Matt Carthy TD
Sinn Féin Justice spokesperson Matt Carthy TD says the Taoiseach is wrong to dismiss a border poll this decade, urging a referendum on Irish unity and claiming a united Ireland would deliver a stronger, fairer country for all.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Taoiseach rules out border poll this decade Original release: Taoiseach wrong on Irish Unity – Matt Carthy TD (opens in a new tab)
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If Secretary of State doesn’t understand the “fuss” about Irish signs he should speak to the people of Sandy Row
TUV deputy leader Councillor Ron McDowell says Secretary of State Hilary Benn is wrong to dismiss the row over Irish signage at Grand Central and should visit Sandy Row to hear residents. He urges unionist MLAs to back TUV's Timothy Gaston's petition to halt the signage.
Community relations and legacy Infrastructure and transport Issue: Irish language signage at Grand Central Station announcement Original release: If Secretary of State doesn’t understand the “fuss” about Irish signs he should speak to the people of Sandy Row (opens in a new tab)
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Nesbitt seeking clarification from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland following his extraordinary interview on BBC Radio Ulster this morning
UUP leader Mike Nesbitt MLA seeks clarification from Secretary of State Hilary Benn after a BBC Radio Ulster interview, disputing his praise of Ian Paisley over the 1998 Agreement and his remarks on Irish language signage at Grand Central Station.
Constitutional affairs Community relations and legacy Issue: Hilary Benn BBC Radio Ulster interview on the 1998 Agreement Original release: Nesbitt seeking clarification from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland following his extraordinary interview on BBC Radio Ulster this morning (opens in a new tab)
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McKeown welcomes major step forward on Lagan Bridge
SDLP councillor Gary McKeown welcomes the Lagan Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge moving to the next stage of procurement, saying it will ease cross-river travel for cyclists and pedestrians. He notes the Belfast Region City Deal is substantially funding it and calls for no further delays, as a…
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Lagan Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge moves to next procurement stage Original release: McKeown welcomes major step forward on Lagan Bridge (opens in a new tab)
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When ducks take to the potholes it’s long past time for action
TUV chairman Keith Ratcliffe, a Cusher councillor, says the Department of Infrastructure has taken no action on potholes on Marlacoo Road despite several reminders, with craters now flooding into ponds after heavy rain.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Marlacoo Road potholes and Department of Infrastructure inaction Original release: When ducks take to the potholes it’s long past time for action (opens in a new tab)
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Over £6 million spent on Executive Brussels office since Brexit vote
TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston says over £6.7 million has been spent on the Northern Ireland Executive Office in Brussels since the Brexit referendum, questioning its purpose and calling for more openness. He contrasts this with InterTrade UK, which he says has no offices, budget or staff…
Public finance and taxation International affairs Issue: Executive Office Brussels office spending figures from Assembly question Original release: Over £6 million spent on Executive Brussels office since Brexit vote (opens in a new tab)
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ESRI research highlights importance of all-island public health system – Rose Conway-Walsh TD
Sinn Féin's Rose Conway-Walsh TD welcomes an ESRI economic overview of Ireland and Northern Ireland, saying it shows an all-island approach to public health would improve care, and calls on the Irish government to resource Irish unity planning and establish a citizens' assembly.
Health Constitutional affairs Issue: ESRI 'Economic Overview of Ireland and Northern Ireland' report launch Original release: ESRI research highlights importance of all-island public health system – Rose Conway-Walsh TD (opens in a new tab)
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Worsening outcomes for people in the north highlights the need for Irish unity – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says an ESRI report commissioned by the Shared Island Unit, showing higher southern wages, growth and living standards, illustrates the need for Irish unity. He calls for a unity referendum, a Citizens' Assembly on Irish unity and a Minister for Reunification.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: ESRI Shared Island report on north-south economic and living standards comparison Original release: Worsening outcomes for people in the north highlights the need for Irish unity – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Starmer needs to drop self-defeating red lines when it comes to European relationship, says Tennyson
Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson MLA urges Prime Minister Keir Starmer to abandon red lines on Single Market and Customs Union ties, calling them counterproductive, and to secure a food and agricultural deal with the EU quickly before the summit.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: UK-EU summit food and agricultural regulatory alignment speculation Original release: Starmer needs to drop self-defeating red lines when it comes to European relationship, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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Time for full reconsideration of Gondola project viability, says Alliance representatives
Alliance's South Down representatives, MLA Andrew McMurray and Councillor Jill Truesdale, say the National Trust's halting of talks with Newry, Mourne and Down Council over Thomas's Quarry land means the Gondola project's viability should be fully reconsidered.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: National Trust halts Newry, Mourne and Down Council Gondola talks over Thomas's Quarry Original release: Time for full reconsideration of Gondola project viability, says Alliance representatives (opens in a new tab)