Latest releases
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11,724 releases
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More conversation around homelessness sorely needed, says Armstrong, in recognition of Homelessness Awareness Week
Alliance's Kellie Armstrong MLA, speaking during Homelessness Awareness Week, calls for more public conversation on homelessness, especially familial homelessness, citing 4,820 families presenting to the Housing Executive as homeless between October 2021 and September 2022. She urges continued…
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McGrath: Health service collapsing before our eyes
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath says the health service is collapsing, citing overcrowded emergency departments at the Royal Victoria Hospital and winter pressures plus rising Strep A cases. He calls for an Assembly and Executive to be restored to deliver health reform.
Health Original release: McGrath: Health service collapsing before our eyes (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Public must receive detailed welfare advice
SDLP Social Justice Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan says the public must receive detailed welfare advice, after the Ombudsman found a taxi driver was badly advised on a Universal Credit claim and should be compensated over £11,000. He says he will seek reassurances from the Department for…
Social security and welfare Issue: Ombudsman finding on taxi driver's Universal Credit advice and compensation Original release: McCrossan: Public must receive detailed welfare advice (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Businesses clear on Protocol benefits
SDLP Stormont Leader Matthew O'Toole cites an NICCI and Invest NI survey finding 54% of members believe the Protocol is helping their businesses grow, and calls for the EU and UK to address Brexit-related goods issues while retaining its benefits. He also criticises the DUP's boycott of…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: NICCI and Invest NI survey on Protocol benefits for businesses Original release: O’Toole: Businesses clear on Protocol benefits (opens in a new tab)
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Make the payment now – Lockhart
DUP MP Carla Lockhart backs the Consumer Council NI's call for the UK Government to issue the Energy Bill Support Scheme payment to Northern Ireland households immediately. She says the delay is politically motivated and that the Government could pay now.
Economy and employment Constitutional affairs Issue: £600 energy support payment delay in Northern Ireland Original release: Make the payment now – Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Ennis welcomes IRC report on tackling paramilitarism and criminal enterprises
Sinn Féin's Sinead Ennis welcomes the Independent Reporting Commission's latest report on paramilitarism, urging a twin-track policing and justice approach alongside tackling socio-economic deprivation. She also calls for organised crime legislation and a paramilitary transition process, and for…
Justice and policing Issue: Independent Reporting Commission report on tackling paramilitarism Original release: Ennis welcomes IRC report on tackling paramilitarism and criminal enterprises (opens in a new tab)
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Independent Reporting Commission on paramilitaries again fails to mention any paramilitaries
TUV leader Jim Allister says the Independent Reporting Commission's latest report again names no paramilitary group, and questions why the 2015 PIRA findings are being ignored. He also opposes formal government engagement with paramilitary groups, which he says would wound victims of terrorism.
Justice and policing Issue: Independent Reporting Commission report on tackling paramilitarism Original release: Independent Reporting Commission on paramilitaries again fails to mention any paramilitaries (opens in a new tab)
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Form Executive now to give £600 energy payment to families – Michelle O’Neill
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill calls on the DUP to rethink its boycott and form an Executive now, so a £600 energy payment can reach families struggling with cold homes and rising bills. She also urges the British government to resolve the nurses' pay dispute and intensify EU negotiations.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Assembly recall over Executive formation and £600 energy payment delay Original release: Form Executive now to give £600 energy payment to families – Michelle O’Neill (opens in a new tab)
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Assembly stunt provides useful distraction for Sinn Fein: Lyons
DUP MLA Gordon Lyons says the recalled Assembly sitting was a political stunt that distracted from Special Criminal Court proceedings in Dublin concerning Sinn Féin's alleged links to gangsterism. He calls on the UK Government to deliver the Energy Support Payment to all parts of the UK.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Assembly recall over Executive formation and £600 energy payment delay Original release: Assembly stunt provides useful distraction for Sinn Fein: Lyons (opens in a new tab)
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Sheerin welcomes Supreme Court decision to uphold Safe Access Zones Bill
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin welcomes the Supreme Court's ruling that Safe Access Zones legislation passed by the Assembly does not infringe the right to protest. She says patients and families should not face harassment or intimidation when seeking healthcare.
Health Justice and policing Issue: Supreme Court ruling on Safe Access Zones legislation Original release: Sheerin welcomes Supreme Court decision to uphold Safe Access Zones Bill (opens in a new tab)
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“Abortion Censorship Zones Echo the Ban in Civil Rights Marches in the North” – Denise Mullen
Aontú Cllr Denise Mullen criticises the UK Supreme Court's decision to uphold the Abortion Censorship Bill, arguing it restricts pro-life campaigners and cites 6,412 public submissions, mostly opposed. She calls on Stormont to reverse the bill and fund support for women with unplanned pregnancies.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Supreme Court ruling on Safe Access Zones legislation Original release: “Abortion Censorship Zones Echo the Ban in Civil Rights Marches in the North” – Denise Mullen (opens in a new tab)
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Clare Bailey has welcomed today’s ruling from the Supreme Court
Green Party MLA Clare Bailey welcomes the Supreme Court ruling that the Northern Ireland Assembly had legal competence to pass the Safe Access Zones Bill, which will now proceed to Royal Assent. She pays tribute to campaigners and says the ruling paves the way for similar legislation elsewhere.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Supreme Court ruling on Safe Access Zones legislation Original release: Clare Bailey has welcomed today’s ruling from the Supreme Court (opens in a new tab)
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Outcome of COP15 crucial to secure future for nature, says Nicholl
Alliance MLA Kate Nicholl, Chair of the All Party Group on Climate, argues ahead of COP15 in Montreal that the outcome will be crucial for nature as well as climate. She criticises the Prime Minister's decision not to attend and the Retained EU Law Bill, and says Northern Ireland's absence from…
Environment and climate International affairs Issue: COP15 UN biodiversity conference in Montreal, December 2022 Original release: Outcome of COP15 crucial to secure future for nature, says Nicholl (opens in a new tab)
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Supreme Court ruling shows benefit of functioning Stormont, says Bradshaw
Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw welcomes a UK Supreme Court ruling that allows the Safe Access Zones Bill to become law in Northern Ireland, upholding the ban on protests outside abortion service facilities, and cites it as evidence of a functioning Stormont.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Supreme Court ruling on Safe Access Zones legislation Original release: Supreme Court ruling shows benefit of functioning Stormont, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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People of Northern Ireland are in dire situation due to DUP's dishonesty, says Tennyson
Alliance MLA Eóin Tennyson accuses the DUP of dishonesty after energy support payments promised for November had not arrived, leaving constituents worse off. He calls on the DUP to accept responsibility and return to the Assembly after the failed attempt to restore it.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Failed Assembly restoration attempt over Speaker nominations December 2022 Original release: People of Northern Ireland are in dire situation due to DUP's dishonesty, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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Prime Minister should visit Northern Ireland as soon as possible to hear full spectrum of views on Protocol, says Farry
Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry MP calls on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to visit Northern Ireland promptly to hear political and business leaders’ views on the Northern Ireland Protocol and to inject momentum into stalled UK‑EU talks.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visit on Northern Ireland Protocol Original release: Prime Minister should visit Northern Ireland as soon as possible to hear full spectrum of views on Protocol, says Farry (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Police officers not immune to cost of living emergency
SDLP Policing Board member Mark H Durkan says new PSNI recruits face cost of living pressures and calls for a pay rise after a review into rising resignations among recruits. He says the PSNI's budget strain threatens police numbers.
Justice and policing Economy and employment Issue: PSNI review into resignations among new recruits Original release: Durkan: Police officers not immune to cost of living emergency (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin welcomes Supreme Court ruling on safe access zones
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin welcomes the Supreme Court judgment that the safe access zones legislation is lawful, saying it protects patients and families from abuse and jeering outside healthcare facilities. She calls for the law to be implemented as soon as possible.
Health Issue: Supreme Court ruling on Safe Access Zones legislation Original release: McLaughlin welcomes Supreme Court ruling on safe access zones (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna challenges Sunak on impact of ETA on tourism
SDLP South Belfast MP Claire Hanna challenges Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the impact of the UK Government's Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme on Northern Ireland tourism and on non-Irish EU citizens crossing the border. She warns the plan would deter visitors arriving via Dublin and calls…
Immigration Economy and employment Issue: UK Government Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme for border crossings Original release: Hanna challenges Sunak on impact of ETA on tourism (opens in a new tab)
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Change is in the air – an appeal to Protestant neighbours – Kearney
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney MLA, chair of its Commission on the Future of Ireland, urges Protestant and unionist voters to engage in constitutional change talks and name the guarantees they need. He calls for the Irish government to set up an all-island Citizen's Assembly without delay.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Change is in the air – an appeal to Protestant neighbours – Kearney (opens in a new tab)