Latest releases
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4,114 releases
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Protecting and restoring Lough Neagh a priority for Sinn Féin – Finnegan
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan says safeguarding Lough Neagh is a party priority ahead of an Assembly debate, citing recurring blue-green algae. She backs a workable Nutrient Action Programme and calls for short and long term actions under the Executive's Lough Neagh Action Plan, shaped by lough…
Environment and climate Issue: Assembly debate on Lough Neagh blue-green algae Original release: Protecting and restoring Lough Neagh a priority for Sinn Féin – Finnegan (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston granted oral hearing in Grand Central Station Irish signage case
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says he has been granted an oral hearing after lodging a High Court application to intervene in Jamie Bryson's challenge to Sinn Féin Minister Liz Kimmons' order requiring Irish-language signs at Belfast's Grand Central Station. He argues the Minister's reliance on a section…
Constitutional affairs Justice and policing Issue: Grand Central Station Irish signage High Court challenge oral hearing Original release: Gaston granted oral hearing in Grand Central Station Irish signage case (opens in a new tab)
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We must continue working together to restore Lough Neagh – Mallaghan
Sinn Féin MP Cathal Mallaghan says all parties have a responsibility to work together to tackle blue-green algae on Lough Neagh, following a public meeting on the issue. He calls for the Executive's plan to continue progressing alongside other measures.
Environment and climate Original release: We must continue working together to restore Lough Neagh – Mallaghan (opens in a new tab)
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Time for DUP to accept Brexit reality and work together to maximise economic opportunities – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney calls on the DUP to accept the Windsor Framework and work with other Assembly parties to maximise economic opportunities, after a DUP motion calling for its dismantling. He claims the motion reflects DUP electoral pressure from the TUV.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: DUP Assembly motion calling for dismantling of Windsor Framework Original release: Time for DUP to accept Brexit reality and work together to maximise economic opportunities – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP motion a chance for SF and DUP to rethink Lough Neagh approach
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA urges Sinn Féin, the DUP and the UUP to reverse their opposition to the Nutrients Action Programme consultation ahead of an SDLP motion on Lough Neagh pollution. He says the Executive is failing the lake and calls for a levy on large agri-food…
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Assembly debate on Lough Neagh blue-green algae Original release: SDLP motion a chance for SF and DUP to rethink Lough Neagh approach (opens in a new tab)
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Mary Lou McDonald TD addresses Sinn Féin Dáil think-in
Sinn Féin TD Mary Lou McDonald calls for three €450 energy credits to be included in the upcoming 2025 Budget, condemns the government’s cost‑of‑living policies and urges action on rising prices, housing and childcare to protect ordinary households.
Economy and employment Health Issue: 2025 Irish Budget Original release: Mary Lou McDonald TD addresses Sinn Féin Dáil think-in (opens in a new tab)
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Divisive border poll talk reflective of SFs misguided priorities –…
DUP Deputy Leader Michelle McIlveen says First Minister Michelle O'Neill's call for a border poll to coincide with the Belfast Agreement's 30th anniversary reflects misguided priorities. She claims it lays groundwork for using the 2027 election cycle as a mandate and urges Sinn Fein to focus on…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Michelle O'Neill call for border poll around Belfast Agreement anniversary Original release: Divisive border poll talk reflective of SFs misguided priorities –… (opens in a new tab)
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We must get real on standards reform - Beattie
UUP MLA Doug Beattie says the Standards Commissioner's oversight is dominated by major parties and calls for lay members with voting rights on the Committee on Standards, citing the 2020 New Decade New Approach commitment. He also argues MLAs' conduct should be investigated when it brings the…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Assembly vote on new Northern Ireland Commissioner for Standards Original release: We must get real on standards reform - Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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Efforts to divide communities will fail, we all must stand against racism – Hughes
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes says equality and solidarity will defeat current efforts to stoke division, responding to fresh attempts by small groups to turn people against migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. He cites migrant workers' role in stabilising services at Daisy Hill Hospital and blames…
Immigration Health Original release: Efforts to divide communities will fail, we all must stand against racism – Hughes (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney calls on Irish trade union movement to become an active player in unity debate
Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney urges Irish trade unions to play a decisive role in the Irish unity debate, citing the benefits of higher union density and the Assembly's Good Jobs Bill as a step toward stronger collective bargaining and worker protections.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Good Jobs Bill advancing in the Assembly Original release: Kearney calls on Irish trade union movement to become an active player in unity debate (opens in a new tab)
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EU noose tightens again – now on potatoes from GB
TUV leader Jim Allister says the Labour Government let the Movement Assistance Scheme regulations expire, so potato shipments from GB to NI now carry inspection fees and certificate costs passed on to merchants. He says he is pursuing the issue with government.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Movement Assistance Scheme expiry and potato inspection fees on GB imports Original release: EU noose tightens again – now on potatoes from GB (opens in a new tab)
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Racist attacks on Trust employees are “deplorable” – Cullen
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen condemns recent racist attacks on Western Trust employees as unacceptable and calls for them to be dealt with through the courts, stressing that everyone has a right to feel safe at work.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Racist attacks on Western Trust employees Original release: Racist attacks on Trust employees are “deplorable” – Cullen (opens in a new tab)
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Why Has Dr Hilary Cass Been Brought in After Minister Nesbitt Has Already Made His Decision?
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston questions why Baroness Hilary Cass was brought in to assess Northern Ireland's gender identity services after Health Minister Mike Nesbitt had already allocated £806,000 for expansion. He calls on the Minister to explain the sequence and whether her review can shape policy…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Baroness Cass review of Northern Ireland gender identity services Original release: Why Has Dr Hilary Cass Been Brought in After Minister Nesbitt Has Already Made His Decision? (opens in a new tab)
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"We do not need another review, we need healthcare" - Ash Jones
Green Party representative Ash Jones calls the Health Minister's decision to commission Hilary Cass to review local Gender Identity Services a betrayal of trans patients. Jones says the review is unnecessary given recent local reviews, criticises the Cass Review's use for puberty blocker…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Baroness Cass review of Northern Ireland gender identity services Original release: "We do not need another review, we need healthcare" - Ash Jones (opens in a new tab)
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Cullen meets Health Minister about SWAH consultation ‘pause’
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen says his meeting with Health Minister Mike Nesbitt underlines the need for a rapid vision plan and a patient‑centred revised consultation on emergency general surgery at the South West Acute Hospital, urging the Trust to base decisions on public input and clinical evidence.
Health Issue: Pause of emergency surgery consultation at SWAH Original release: Cullen meets Health Minister about SWAH consultation ‘pause’ (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister must clarify what he knew about cases settled within Belfast Trust – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan, Chairperson of the Health Committee, says he will question the Health Minister and his department about money paid in settlements to former Belfast Trust employees, including legal fees. He calls for clarity on what the Minister knew about settled cases and what…
Health Issue: Belfast Trust staff settlements and legal fees reports Original release: Health Minister must clarify what he knew about cases settled within Belfast Trust – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Murphy Review a total failure: Robinson
DUP leader Gavin Robinson MP calls the Murphy review of the Windsor Framework a total failure and a missed opportunity, saying it offered no serious solutions, did not challenge EU-made laws, and that the UK Government must return lawmaking powers to Westminster and Stormont.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Murphy review of Windsor Framework outcome Original release: Murphy Review a total failure: Robinson (opens in a new tab)
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The Murphy review was only ever intended to be a whitewash, and so it has turned out to be
TUV leader Jim Allister says the Murphy review offers no answer to the constitutional consequences of EU law applying in parts of the UK, trade diversion or Irish Sea border practicalities, and calls on the DUP and UUP to reject Stormont implementation of the Protocol. He says TUV will back no…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Murphy review of Windsor Framework outcome Original release: The Murphy review was only ever intended to be a whitewash, and so it has turned out to be (opens in a new tab)
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Irish Government has no interest in dealing with legacy; so why would the SoS involve them in the ICRIR – Beattie
UUP justice spokesperson Doug Beattie MLA says it would be outrageous for the Secretary of State to let the Irish Government nominate members to or have any input into the ICRIR oversight body, arguing it would undermine the commission's independence and integrity.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Irish Government role in ICRIR oversight body proposal Original release: Irish Government has no interest in dealing with legacy; so why would the SoS involve them in the ICRIR – Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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Lord Murphy understands the issues, but just doesn't go far enough - Aiken
UUP Windsor Framework spokesperson Steve Aiken OBE MLA says Lord Murphy's independent review sets out 16 recommendations that should be adopted, but argues it fails to address the framework's core problems, including trade diversion and border costs.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Murphy review of Windsor Framework outcome Original release: Lord Murphy understands the issues, but just doesn't go far enough - Aiken (opens in a new tab)