Latest releases
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11,724 releases
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Any gangland influence on NI politics must be investigated
DUP East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson says evidence from a Dublin Special Criminal Court trial raises questions for Sinn Féin over alleged gang links, including claims of fundraising and vote help from criminals. He calls for a proper investigation and says the party has asked the Chief Constable for…
Justice and policing Issue: Allegations about Mary Lou McDonald and Hutch gang in Special Criminal Court recording Original release: Any gangland influence on NI politics must be investigated (opens in a new tab)
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Secretary of State fanning flames of devolution crisis with abortion…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says the Secretary of State's move to press ahead with commissioning abortion services, confirmed in a letter to party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, is deepening the devolution crisis. She argues abortion is a devolved matter and that funds should instead go to energy support…
Constitutional affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Secretary of State instruction to Department of Health on abortion services commissioning Original release: Secretary of State fanning flames of devolution crisis with abortion… (opens in a new tab)
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Forsythe – NI childcare costs on a par with central London
DUP MLA Diane Forsythe and MP Sammy Wilson say they have jointly written to the Chancellor asking for Tax Free Childcare allowance to be raised beyond 20%, arguing Northern Ireland childcare costs match central London and keep working parents out of work.
Social security and welfare Economy and employment Issue: Employers for Childcare report on Northern Ireland childcare costs Original release: Forsythe – NI childcare costs on a par with central London (opens in a new tab)
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Government priorities don’t include more than £10m of Sinn Fein…
DUP MP Gregory Campbell says swift government action on MLA pay contrasts with inaction on more than £10million in allowances claimed by Sinn Féin MPs over ten years. He says this shows the government's priorities and criticises the lack of scrutiny of the representation allowance.
Public finance and taxation Issue: Government action on MLA pay and Sinn Féin MP allowances Original release: Government priorities don’t include more than £10m of Sinn Fein… (opens in a new tab)
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London's last minute change is delaying energy payments
DUP MLA Gordon Lyons, writing in the Belfast Telegraph, accuses Ministers in London of delaying the £600 energy support payment in Northern Ireland by introducing a last-minute cash-out option. He says the payments were promised for autumn and before Christmas, and calls the change cynical and…
Economy and employment Social security and welfare Issue: £600 energy support payment delay in Northern Ireland Original release: London's last minute change is delaying energy payments (opens in a new tab)
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Save The South West Acute Hospital Now, Save Real Lives Now!’
People Before Profit's Carol Gallagher, Tyrone Branch, says threats to the South West Acute Hospital's emergency services will endanger lives by pushing patients beyond the golden hour. She calls for public protests across Fermanagh and Tyrone to oppose the cuts and the loss of jobs.
Health Issue: Threats to South West Acute Hospital services Original release: Save The South West Acute Hospital Now, Save Real Lives Now!’ (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Anthony Flynn welcomes next stage of Fuel Poverty Hardship Fund
Green Party councillor Anthony Flynn welcomes Belfast City Council's agreement of a £1 million fuel poverty hardship fund offering one-off £100 payments to eligible households this winter. He says the Green Party will do what it can to support the most vulnerable, blaming UK government and DUP…
Social security and welfare Local government Issue: Belfast City Council £1 million fuel poverty hardship fund agreement Original release: Cllr Anthony Flynn welcomes next stage of Fuel Poverty Hardship Fund (opens in a new tab)
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Limiting the impact of both the cost of living crisis and the climate emergency go hand in hand, says McMullan
Alliance Councillor Ross McMullan welcomes Belfast City Council's decision to waive building control fees for individual loft insulation applications, saying it will make insulation more affordable amid the cost of living crisis.
Economy and employment Local government Issue: Belfast City Council waiving building control fees for loft insulation Original release: Limiting the impact of both the cost of living crisis and the climate emergency go hand in hand, says McMullan (opens in a new tab)
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Safe staffing legislation should be consulted upon urgently, says Bradshaw
Alliance health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA urges the Department of Health to prepare a consultation on staffing legislation for a future Health Minister to pursue. She argues it could curb agency spending on nursing cover and redirect funds to staff pay and conditions.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Safe staffing legislation consultation call for incoming Health Minister Original release: Safe staffing legislation should be consulted upon urgently, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Further confirmation of ringfenced funding for reproductive health services a welcome step, say Bradshaw and Egan
Alliance MLAs Paula Bradshaw and Connie Egan welcome the Secretary of State's ringfenced funding and formal instruction to the Department of Health to commission reproductive health services, calling it a further step, while urging swift full provision locally.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Secretary of State instruction to Department of Health on abortion services commissioning Original release: Further confirmation of ringfenced funding for reproductive health services a welcome step, say Bradshaw and Egan (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance North Down representatives welcome conferment of city status on Bangor
Alliance North Down representatives welcome the formal granting of city status to Bangor at today's ceremony, with Stephen Farry MP saying it honours the town's heritage and potential and Connie Egan MLA calling it well-deserved recognition. Andrew Muir MLA hopes for investment in the city centre.
Other Issue: Bangor city status conferment ceremony Original release: Alliance North Down representatives welcome conferment of city status on Bangor (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP selects Cusher candidate EmmaJayne McKernan
Local government Original release: SDLP selects Cusher candidate EmmaJayne McKernan (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD welcomes European Commission President von der Leyen in Oireachtas address
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD welcomes European Commission President von der Leyen to the Oireachtas and sets out her address on EU solidarity over Ukraine, Brexit and the Good Friday Agreement. She says the Protocol is working and calls on the British government to match Rishi Sunak's…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD welcomes European Commission President von der Leyen in Oireachtas address (opens in a new tab)
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EU should focus on solutions rather than sanctions: Dodds
DUP Upper Bann MLA Diane Dodds says the EU should replace the Northern Ireland Protocol with arrangements unionists and nationalists can support, rather than threatening sanctions after EU plans to restrict trade with the UK. She calls on Ministers to hold their nerve and back the Protocol Bill.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU plans to restrict trade with UK over Northern Ireland Protocol Original release: EU should focus on solutions rather than sanctions: Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Confirmation people in the north will not receive £600 energy payment until after Christmas “devastating” for workers and families – O’Dowd
Upper Bann MLA John O'Dowd says the delay of the £600 energy payment in the north until after Christmas will hit struggling workers and families hard. He blames the DUP for collapsing the Executive, which stopped funding being allocated, and urges an Executive be formed now.
Economy and employment Social security and welfare Issue: £600 energy support payment delay in Northern Ireland Original release: Confirmation people in the north will not receive £600 energy payment until after Christmas “devastating” for workers and families – O’Dowd (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson welcomes Covenant Duty advice to education sector
DUP MP Gavin Robinson welcomes Department of Education guidance to education stakeholders on the Armed Forces Covenant Act, which took effect on 22 November. He says the Act includes Northern Ireland fully and hopes other departments will issue similar guidance, and that the duty extends to…
Education Issue: Armed Forces Covenant Duty guidance to education sector Original release: Robinson welcomes Covenant Duty advice to education sector (opens in a new tab)
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Government exposes its own duplicity on Protocol
TUV leader Jim Allister says government lawyers argued in the Supreme Court that the Protocol "disapplies" Article 6 of the Acts of Union, calling this a wrecking ball to the Union and urging unionists to keep opposing the Protocol.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Northern Ireland Protocol legal challenge reaches UK Supreme Court Original release: Government exposes its own duplicity on Protocol (opens in a new tab)
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Matt Carthy TD slams former Fine Gael leader’s demonisation of border communities
Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy calls on former Fine Gael leader Alan Dukes to withdraw and apologise for remarks on the RTÉ documentary Quinn Country that he says demonise border communities. He says the comments reflect attitudes within some sections of Fine Gael.
Community relations and legacy Issue: Alan Dukes remarks on border communities in RTÉ Quinn Country Original release: Matt Carthy TD slams former Fine Gael leader’s demonisation of border communities (opens in a new tab)
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‘Securing future of Shantallow GP practice must be priority’ – Ferguson
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson calls on the Department of Health and Western Trust to urgently secure the future of the Shantallow GP practice after reports that Racecourse Practice has handed back its contract, with six months remaining on it.
Health Issue: Racecourse Practice Shantallow GP contract handback Original release: ‘Securing future of Shantallow GP practice must be priority’ – Ferguson (opens in a new tab)
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Royal Mail Strike Belfast: Picket Interviews Pt. 4
People Before Profit publishes an interview with an East Belfast picketer, given the name Robert, from the second 48-hour Royal Mail strike by the Communication Workers Union. It argues workers face declining pay and standards and urges members to share picket stories, invite speakers, and back…
Economy and employment Issue: Royal Mail strike East Belfast Original release: Royal Mail Strike Belfast: Picket Interviews Pt. 4 (opens in a new tab)