Latest releases
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11,700 releases
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‘Time to plan for a better future together’ – Finucane on 2021 census results
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane says the 2021 Census results show historic change is under way and calls for planning and dialogue on a better future to begin now. He urges the Irish government to establish a Citizens' Assembly to prepare for a possible Unity referendum.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Catholics outnumbering Protestants in Northern Ireland census figures Original release: ‘Time to plan for a better future together’ – Finucane on 2021 census results (opens in a new tab)
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TUV comments on census figures
TUV leader Jim Allister comments on the 2021 Census results, arguing that Catholic population growth in Northern Ireland contrasts with Protestant decline in the Republic and that nationalist voting has not risen since 1998 despite more Catholic identifiers. He says the Union offers benefits to…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Catholics outnumbering Protestants in Northern Ireland census figures Original release: TUV comments on census figures (opens in a new tab)
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Green Party NI announces co-option of Rachel Woods to Ards and North Down Borough Council
Green Party NI in Ards and North Down announces that Rachel Woods has been co-opted to fill the Holywood and Clandeboye seat on Ards and North Down Borough Council, succeeding Lauren Kendall. Woods says she will push for community energy projects, warmer homes and youth representation.
Local government Environment and climate Issue: Rachel Woods co-option to Ards and North Down Borough Council Original release: Green Party NI announces co-option of Rachel Woods to Ards and North Down Borough Council (opens in a new tab)
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£100 Home heating oil payment falls short of what’s needed – Allen
UUP Communities Spokesperson Andy Allen MLA says a one-off £100 UK Government payment for home heating oil users falls short of the support needed, and calls for medium to long-term solutions. He also urges a business energy support scheme for Northern Ireland matching the one announced for GB.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: £100 home heating oil payment announcement by British Government Original release: £100 Home heating oil payment falls short of what’s needed – Allen (opens in a new tab)
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A modern pluralist society is developing in Northern Ireland - Nesbitt
UUP MLA Mike Nesbitt says the Census findings need detailed analysis, but his initial view is that the evidence backs the UUP's stance since 1998 and shows a modern pluralist society developing in Northern Ireland. He says the party will keep making the case for the Union.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Catholics outnumbering Protestants in Northern Ireland census figures Original release: A modern pluralist society is developing in Northern Ireland - Nesbitt (opens in a new tab)
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It is a ‘false economy’ not to invest in home care, says Bradshaw
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA says failing to fund domiciliary care is a poor financial choice, citing figures showing home care package waiting numbers rose over 60% since October 2021. She calls for step-down care, minimum visit durations and better staff conditions, and says a…
Health Issue: Northern Ireland home care package waiting list increase figures Original release: It is a ‘false economy’ not to invest in home care, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Murray: Drink spike tests for licensed premises now a reality
Alliance Councillor Micky Murray says licensed venues across Belfast will soon offer drink spike test kits and staff training after his scheme won cross-party backing at the licensing committee, pending a final council vote. He says it aims to deter spiking and help victims access support.
Justice and policing Local government Issue: Belfast licensed premises drink spike testing kits scheme Original release: Murray: Drink spike tests for licensed premises now a reality (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: Census figures demonstrate total transformation of our society
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP says the 2021 census figures showing a greater proportion of Catholics in Northern Ireland mark a seminal moment that should not be downplayed. He urges sincere reflection on the scale of change and a conversation about a social democratic new Ireland.
Constitutional affairs Community relations and legacy Issue: Catholics outnumbering Protestants in Northern Ireland census figures Original release: Eastwood: Census figures demonstrate total transformation of our society (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Schools feeling pressure from cost of living emergency
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan warns schools face a deepening cost of living crisis, citing Education Authority advice of a threefold rise in heating costs. He calls on the Education and Finance Ministers to fund schools for heating bills and on the Education Authority to publish a support…
Education Economy and employment Issue: Education Authority advice on schools' heating cost increases Original release: McCrossan: Schools feeling pressure from cost of living emergency (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin: Minister’s response on small business support “woefully inadequate”
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin says Economy Minister Gordon Lyons's reply to her question on small business support is inadequate, noting he set out no new schemes of his own. She calls for urgent aid for businesses facing winter closures and job cuts, and backs a business sector plan seeking…
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: Economy Minister's response on small business support to SDLP question Original release: McLaughlin: Minister’s response on small business support “woefully inadequate” (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: Government must rethink home heating oil support
SDLP South Belfast MP Claire Hanna urges the UK Government to provide proper support for households reliant on home heating oil ahead of the Chancellor's mini-budget, calling the proposed £100 support inadequate. She reiterates the SDLP's plan for a 1000-litre home heating oil voucher scheme.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: £100 home heating oil payment announcement by British Government Original release: Hanna: Government must rethink home heating oil support (opens in a new tab)
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Pedestrian and Cyclist Crossing for Ardenlee
SDLP representatives call for a pedestrian and cyclist crossing at Ardenlee, though the release text provided contains only the title and no further detail on who is speaking or the specific request.
Infrastructure and transport Original release: Pedestrian and Cyclist Crossing for Ardenlee (opens in a new tab)
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Gerry Carroll MLA On The News That Catholics Outnumber Protestants In The North
Gerry Carroll MLA welcomes the news that Catholics now outnumber Protestants in the North as a historic milestone, but says it will not by itself bring substantive change. He calls for a socialist, united Ireland built on working-class movements that tackles wages, homelessness, health and climate.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Catholics outnumbering Protestants in Northern Ireland census figures Original release: Gerry Carroll MLA On The News That Catholics Outnumber Protestants In The North (opens in a new tab)
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£100 oil payment ‘woefully inadequate’ – Archibald
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald says the £100 payment to households reliant on home heating oil is woefully inadequate, as it does not cover even 100 litres at current prices. She calls for the support to be reviewed and urges an Executive to be formed quickly so ministers can deliver it.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: £100 home heating oil payment announcement by British Government Original release: £100 oil payment ‘woefully inadequate’ – Archibald (opens in a new tab)
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SF and Alliance playing politics with genuine fears - Brett
DUP North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett accuses Sinn Féin and Alliance figures of misleading the public by claiming a functioning Assembly could lower energy prices. He points to a joint letter from devolved Finance Ministers asking the UK Government for a scheme and to a £190m energy cost pressure.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: Devolved Finance Ministers letter to Chancellor on energy costs Original release: SF and Alliance playing politics with genuine fears - Brett (opens in a new tab)
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EU must change mandate for meaningful negotiations
DUP East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson says EU negotiations on the Northern Ireland Protocol would be a merry-go-round unless the European Commission changes its negotiating mandate to address unionist concerns. He calls for the Protocol to be replaced, citing higher steel costs and reduced shop choice.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: President Biden calls for Northern Ireland Protocol negotiations Original release: EU must change mandate for meaningful negotiations (opens in a new tab)
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Government must deliver on wind energy potential to reduce bills and meet climate targets – Maurice Quinlivan TD
Sinn Féin TD Maurice Quinlivan, who chairs the Oireachtas enterprise committee, urges the government to boost investment and planning reform for offshore wind, ahead of a committee visit to Belfast Harbour, the only one of 13 major Irish ports ready for offshore wind construction.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Wind Energy Ireland report on Irish ports' offshore wind readiness Original release: Government must deliver on wind energy potential to reduce bills and meet climate targets – Maurice Quinlivan TD (opens in a new tab)
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‘Executive needed urgently to start fixing health service’ – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew calls for a new Executive without delay to tackle health service problems, including recruiting more doctors and nurses, cutting waiting lists and investing in cancer and mental health care. He blames the DUP's refusal to let the Assembly and Executive function for…
Health Issue: Health minister Robin Swann meeting on Executive formation and health service pressures Original release: ‘Executive needed urgently to start fixing health service’ – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Wilson welcomes Government energy support for NI
DUP East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson welcomes a statement by the Business Secretary that Northern Ireland will receive the same energy supports as the rest of the UK, including a single £400 electricity payment. He accuses Sinn Fein's Finance Minister of inaction and says the DUP is still working on…
Economy and employment Issue: Business Secretary statement on Northern Ireland energy support Original release: Wilson welcomes Government energy support for NI (opens in a new tab)
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DUP must get back to work and form an Executive
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong accuses the DUP of blocking an Executive as the UK Government outlines energy support for Northern Ireland, saying consumers face six more weeks without help. She calls for support at least equal to Great Britain's, scaled up for home heating oil users, and for…
Economy and employment Issue: Business Secretary statement on Northern Ireland energy support Original release: DUP must get back to work and form an Executive (opens in a new tab)