Latest releases
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5,395 releases
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Unionist co-operation stops SF’s observer status proposal – Robinson
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson says a Petition of Concern defeating Sinn Féin's motion for EU observer status shows unionists can work together to resist SF's pro-EU agenda. He claims the move would deepen EU links and damage Northern Ireland's economy.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Assembly Petition of Concern defeats Sinn Féin EU observer status motion Original release: Unionist co-operation stops SF’s observer status proposal – Robinson (opens in a new tab)
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Over 72,000 incidents of abuse against health and social care staff -…
DUP health spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA says Health Minister figures show over 72,000 recorded incidents of abuse against health and social care staff over five years, and says the true number is higher. She calls for further information on alcohol, substances, mental illness, time off work and…
Health Issue: Health Minister figures on abuse against health and social care staff Original release: Over 72,000 incidents of abuse against health and social care staff -… (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Petition of concern confusion exposes Stormont farce
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole says confusion over petitions of concern exposes Stormont dysfunction, as standing orders to implement 2022 reforms remain unintroduced. He calls a petition of concern against the non-binding EU Observer Status motion an abuse of power and urges the…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Assembly Petition of Concern defeats Sinn Féin EU observer status motion Original release: O’Toole: Petition of concern confusion exposes Stormont farce (opens in a new tab)
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Ulster Unionist Party Rejects Sinn Féin Proposal for EU Office in Belfast
The Ulster Unionist Party opposes Sinn Féin's proposal for an EU office in Belfast, calling it a political stunt. Economy Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA and Windsor Framework Spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA say Northern Ireland already has EU representation, the office raises sovereignty…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Murphy review recommendation on EU office for Belfast businesses Original release: Ulster Unionist Party Rejects Sinn Féin Proposal for EU Office in Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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People of NI are demanding reform, says Eastwood, ahead of Westminster Hall debate
Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood says public demand for reform of Stormont's institutions is growing and calls on the UK and Irish Governments, as Good Friday Agreement co-guarantors, to act ahead of her Westminster Hall debate on Tuesday 13 January.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Westminster Hall debate on Stormont institutional reform Original release: People of NI are demanding reform, says Eastwood, ahead of Westminster Hall debate (opens in a new tab)
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North Down TUV demands accountability from local council
TUV North Down chairman Peter Wilson accuses Ards and North Down Council of poor governance after it funded a first-time Fleadh Fringe event in Bangor alongside the Ulster Pipe Band Championships. He says a formal complaint has been lodged, demands an Equality Impact Assessment, and questions why…
Local government Public finance and taxation Issue: Fleadh Fringe event in Bangor clashing with Ulster Pipe Band Championships Original release: North Down TUV demands accountability from local council (opens in a new tab)
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Now tray bakes in EU’s sights
TUV MP Jim Allister says a local bakery in his North Antrim constituency must relabel its tray bakes to list allergens under EU law, though it sells only locally and UK law does not require this. He calls it an example of EU law being imposed on Northern Ireland.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Now tray bakes in EU’s sights (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna calls for recognition of TG4 in Northern Ireland
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP backs a campaign by Foras na Gaeilge for TG4 to gain formal status as a public broadcaster in the North and move to Freeview Channel 8. She welcomes Minister Ian Murray's pledge to examine the issue but says progress must come soon.
Disability and equality Issue: Foras na Gaeilge campaign for TG4 recognition and Freeview Channel 8 placement Original release: Hanna calls for recognition of TG4 in Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Action to deliver better outcomes for women’s health is urgently needed – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon calls on the Health Minister to urgently set out a dedicated women's health plan, citing rising gynaecology waiting lists and long delays for women and girls with endometriosis. She urges specialist services with clear diagnosis and treatment targets.
Health Disability and equality Original release: Action to deliver better outcomes for women’s health is urgently needed – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Women being routinely failed by gynaecology waiting lists, says McAllister
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA calls on the Health Minister to urgently explain how gynaecology waiting lists will be cleared, citing around 60,000 women reported by the RCOG and no timetable for a Women's Health Action Plan.
Health Disability and equality Original release: Women being routinely failed by gynaecology waiting lists, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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Boylan welcomes active travel funding for greenway projects
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan welcomes over £1m in active travel funding from Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins for greenway projects in Belfast, Derry and Strabane, and Newry, Mourne and Down councils. He says the projects will provide cleaner connections and support health and the economy.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Active travel greenway funding for three councils from Infrastructure Minister Original release: Boylan welcomes active travel funding for greenway projects (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna welcomes Prime Minister’s engagement on Stormont reform
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP welcomes Prime Minister Keir Starmer's willingness to discuss Stormont reform proposals at PMQs, calling it a significant shift. She urges both governments to open an inclusive dialogue with all parties on reforms to safeguard power-sharing and stop repeated collapses.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Starmer willingness to discuss Stormont reform at PMQs Original release: Hanna welcomes Prime Minister’s engagement on Stormont reform (opens in a new tab)
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de Faoite: Infrastructure Minister must build on success of late night services
SDLP Belfast City Council Group Leader Councillor Séamas de Faoite says the Infrastructure Minister must build on Translink's late-night festive services, which saw around 30,000 journeys, up over 70%. He calls for enhanced timetables, more routes and considering lower fares.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Translink late-night festive services journey figures Original release: de Faoite: Infrastructure Minister must build on success of late night services (opens in a new tab)
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As Stonewall nears financial ruin why is Stormont still sending it out money?
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston calls on the Finance Minister, First Minister and deputy First Minister to explain why departmental ties with Stonewall continue and whether they will end them, citing its reported £906,000 deficit and written answers on civil service membership and training payments.
Public finance and taxation Disability and equality Issue: Stonewall reported £906,000 deficit and Stormont funding ties Original release: As Stonewall nears financial ruin why is Stormont still sending it out money? (opens in a new tab)
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Ulster Unionist Party Warns Draft Budget Ignores Public Service Reform and Fiscal Advice
UUP finance spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA criticises Finance Minister John O'Dowd's draft budget for 2029/30, saying its £63 billion allocations fail to deliver transformation in Health, Education and Policing. He calls for efficiency reform and says Sinn Féin ignores existing fiscal advice…
Public finance and taxation Infrastructure and transport Issue: Draft Budget 2026–2029/30 Executive disagreement Original release: Ulster Unionist Party Warns Draft Budget Ignores Public Service Reform and Fiscal Advice (opens in a new tab)
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Irish Government must make Irish Unity a central feature of this year’s EU Presidency – Senator Conor Murphy
Sinn Féin Senator Conor Murphy calls on the Irish Government to make Irish unity within the EU a central priority of its EU Council Presidency in July, citing a Amárach Research poll for European Movement Ireland and urging preparation for a border poll.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Irish Government must make Irish Unity a central feature of this year’s EU Presidency – Senator Conor Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson congratulates new DUP MLA
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson welcomes new Newry & Armagh MLA Gareth Wilson, saying he is a champion for the constituency and that the DUP will keep making Northern Ireland work; Wilson says he will be a strong pro‑Union voice for the area.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Gareth Wilson takes up Newry & Armagh MLA seat Original release: Robinson congratulates new DUP MLA (opens in a new tab)
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TUV Leader’s New Year Message
TUV leader says the 1 January ICS2 customs controls and ban on GB veterinary and pet medicines will add paperwork and costs at the Irish Sea border, and attacks Stormont's record and Sinn Fein's role. He calls on unionists, including DUP and UUP activists, to join TUV before the 2027 elections.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: TUV Leader’s New Year Message (opens in a new tab)
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2026 New Year Message
Alliance leader Naomi Long MLA says 2025 must be the last year of dysfunctional government and calls for the institutions to be reformed. She says Alliance's call for reform, backed by an Assembly majority, is now being pressed on the UK and Irish governments to launch a process in the new year.
Constitutional affairs Original release: 2026 New Year Message (opens in a new tab)
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New Year Message from DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP calls for less rhetoric and more delivery in 2026, prioritising working families, the economy and public services over a border poll and what he describes as ideology on climate policy.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Original release: New Year Message from DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP (opens in a new tab)