Latest releases
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3,215 releases
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Hanna: Leadership failure on bonfires letting communities down
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says a lack of leadership on bonfire issues is failing communities, citing a South Belfast bonfire beside asbestos and a substation and an effigy of refugees in Moygashel. She calls for immediate action from authorities and elected leaders.
Community relations and legacy Issue: South Belfast substation bonfire risk near hospitals Original release: Hanna: Leadership failure on bonfires letting communities down (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Fein Thumbs Its Nose at IRA Victims Again
TUV chairman Allister Kyle, a Causeway councillor, accuses Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald of showing contempt for IRA victims by praising IRA member Joe McDonnell as a "beacon" on social media. He says McDonnell should be remembered for a failed furniture shop bombing and related convictions.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Mary Lou McDonald social media tribute to Joe McDonnell Original release: Sinn Fein Thumbs Its Nose at IRA Victims Again (opens in a new tab)
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Death of Lord Tebbit
TUV leader Jim Allister KC MP expresses sadness at the death of Lord Tebbit, praising his courage after the 1984 Brighton bombing and his devotion to his wife, and condemning critics who question his opposition to the IRA.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Original release: Death of Lord Tebbit (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole urges Minister Muir to step up on asbestos bonfire
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole questions why Environment Minister Andrew Muir has not intervened at a bonfire site near Meridi Street in south Belfast containing asbestos. He calls on Muir to direct the NIEA to remove the risk before the bonfire is lit this week.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Asbestos at bonfire site near Meridi Street, south Belfast Original release: O’Toole urges Minister Muir to step up on asbestos bonfire (opens in a new tab)
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Flags erected at St Comgall’s Chapel Corner in Antrim should be removed immediately – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney calls for the immediate removal of flags erected near St Comgall's Chapel Corner in Antrim, describing them as sectarian provocation and intimidation ahead of the Twelfth. He urges political, civic and public agencies to uphold community relations.
Community relations and legacy Issue: Flags erected near St Comgall's Chapel Corner, Antrim Original release: Flags erected at St Comgall’s Chapel Corner in Antrim should be removed immediately – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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GP dispute must be resolved to ensure patients get the care they need – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan urges the Health Minister to meet GP representatives urgently and work towards a swift resolution to the dispute, after GP partners voted in favour of collective action over funding. He says pressure on GPs is affecting patients' access to appointments.
Health Issue: GP partners vote for collective action over funding dispute Original release: GP dispute must be resolved to ensure patients get the care they need – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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‘Time for decisive action to end foul odour at Warrenpoint Port’ – Ennis
Sinn Féin South Down MLA Sinéad Ennis says the party is resigning from the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority board over the foul odour from Refuse Derived Fuel storage and handling at Warrenpoint Port. She says concerns raised on the board were ignored and calls for a complete, permanent end to RDF…
Environment and climate Health Issue: Sinn Féin resignation from Warrenpoint Harbour Authority board over RDF odour Original release: ‘Time for decisive action to end foul odour at Warrenpoint Port’ – Ennis (opens in a new tab)
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McAllister urges Minister to get round the table with GPs to ensure delivery of services to public
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA urges the Health Minister to hold urgent talks with GPs after their overwhelming vote for industrial action, which the BMA says followed the minister's imposed funding settlement and contract. She warns patient services are at risk.
Health Issue: GP partners vote for collective action over funding dispute Original release: McAllister urges Minister to get round the table with GPs to ensure delivery of services to public (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Fundamental change needed at Belfast Trust
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the Belfast Trust needs systemic reform after its chair's departure, citing a Cardiac Unit workplace culture scandal and the delayed maternity hospital. He urges the Health Minister to appoint a new chair quickly.
Health Issue: Belfast Trust chair departure Original release: McGrath: Fundamental change needed at Belfast Trust (opens in a new tab)
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The problems that have led to the initial service collapse at SWAH have not been fully addressed – Cullen
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen says he is deeply concerned by the Western Trust’s plan to launch a consultation on permanently removing Emergency General Surgery at South West Acute Hospital, noting that the problems that caused the 2022 service collapse have not been fully addressed and urging a thorough,
Health Issue: Western Trust consultation on removing Emergency General Surgery at SWAH Original release: The problems that have led to the initial service collapse at SWAH have not been fully addressed – Cullen (opens in a new tab)
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British internment decision vindictive – Gerry Adams
Former Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams criticises the British government's plan for new legislation to block compensation for internees wrongfully imprisoned in the 1970s, after a 2020 Supreme Court ruling found almost 400 were unlawfully detained.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: British government plan to block internee compensation legislation Original release: British internment decision vindictive – Gerry Adams (opens in a new tab)
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International community must step up and support children of Gaza – Cullen
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen, MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, calls on Britain to issue visas so children from Gaza can receive life-saving medical treatment, after a London briefing on evacuating them and on the damage to Gaza's healthcare system.
International affairs Health Issue: London briefing on evacuating Gaza children for medical treatment Original release: International community must step up and support children of Gaza – Cullen (opens in a new tab)
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Belfast to host Hunger Strike Commemoration
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan announces that Belfast will host this year's National Hunger Strike Commemoration on Sunday 24 August, urging republicans and activists from across Ireland to attend and honour the 1981 hunger strikers.
Constitutional affairs Community relations and legacy Issue: Belfast National Hunger Strike Commemoration 2025 announcement Original release: Belfast to host Hunger Strike Commemoration (opens in a new tab)
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EU must continue support for Peace Programme – Kathleen Funchion MEP
Sinn Féin MEP for Ireland South Kathleen Funchion says the upcoming EU Budget must continue funding Ireland's Peace Programme, and has written to Commissioner Fitto seeking support for a successor to Peace Plus. She calls for the in-principle agreement by the Irish and British governments to…
Community relations and legacy International affairs Original release: EU must continue support for Peace Programme – Kathleen Funchion MEP (opens in a new tab)
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Intolerance Displayed Once Again Towards Orange Culture, and the Responsibility Does Not Lie Solely with the Perpetrators
TUV deputy leader and Belfast councillor Ron McDowell says Orange parades were attacked verbally and physically in multiple city locations, including his lodge on Royal Avenue, and questions why Loyal Order members receive less police and media protection than other groups.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Attacks on Orange parades in Belfast on 1 July 2025 Original release: Intolerance Displayed Once Again Towards Orange Culture, and the Responsibility Does Not Lie Solely with the Perpetrators (opens in a new tab)
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Chambers welcomes publication of Protect Life 2 Action Plan
Ulster Unionist Health Spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA welcomes the publication of the Protect Life 2 Action Plan and Implementation Plan on suicide prevention and self-harm. He says a whole-government approach is needed and that the Minister has listened to an independent review and stakeholder…
Health Issue: Protect Life 2 suicide prevention action plan publication Original release: Chambers welcomes publication of Protect Life 2 Action Plan (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance welcomes extra cash to promote social and racial cohesion
Alliance welcomes the Executive Office's announcement of an extra £220,000 for urgent work on social and racial cohesion, with Paula Bradshaw MLA backing a clear stance against racist or xenophobic violence. Stewart Dickson MLA says more direct action on prevention is needed.
Community relations and legacy Disability and equality Issue: Executive Office £220,000 funding for social and racial cohesion Original release: Alliance welcomes extra cash to promote social and racial cohesion (opens in a new tab)
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Dolan welcomes additional funding for departments
Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan welcomes the Executive's £118 million allocation after the June monitoring round, citing £25 million each for health and education and £9 million for social and affordable homes. She also calls for an end to British government cuts.
Public finance and taxation Education Issue: Executive £118 million allocation following June monitoring round Original release: Dolan welcomes additional funding for departments (opens in a new tab)
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Only a public inquiry can deliver truth for Sean Brown’s family – Mallaghan
Sinn Féin MP Cathal Mallaghan urges the UK government to set up an independent public inquiry into the 1997 killing of Sean Brown without further delay, as the Brown family travels to London to press their campaign.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Original release: Only a public inquiry can deliver truth for Sean Brown’s family – Mallaghan (opens in a new tab)
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Consistent standards needed to address divisive rhetoric - Butler
UUP Deputy Leader Robbie Butler MLA calls for consistent accountability over multiple provocative statements by the Belfast rap trio Kneecap, arguing their rhetoric has crossed into incitement and that criticism should be applied equally to other divisive acts such as a sectarian bonfire mattress…
Community relations and legacy Original release: Consistent standards needed to address divisive rhetoric - Butler (opens in a new tab)