Latest releases
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3,624 releases
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Mallaghan attends Mid Ulster People’s Assembly in Bellaghy
Sinn Féin MP Cathal Mallaghan says a Mid Ulster People's Assembly event in Bellaghy was an engaging discussion on the future of Ireland, and calls Irish unity an opportunity to build a new Ireland based on equality and social justice. He points to wider public participation in the debate.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Mallaghan attends Mid Ulster People’s Assembly in Bellaghy (opens in a new tab)
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FF TD should respect principle of consent – Buckley
DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley says Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe's remarks show contempt for Northern Ireland and ignore the principle of consent in the Belfast Agreement, which he says keeps Northern Ireland in the UK unless a majority decide otherwise.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Cathal Crowe TD remarks on Irish unity and the Belfast Agreement Original release: FF TD should respect principle of consent – Buckley (opens in a new tab)
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Fianna Fail TD displays Putin like attitude on anniversary of the invasion of the Ukraine
TUV vice chairman Councillor Allister Kyle criticises Fianna Fail TD Cathal Crowe's remarks calling Northern Ireland's existence "a source of hurt", comparing his mindset to Putin's and accusing him of inconsistency on territorial boundaries in a debate on the Ukraine invasion anniversary.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Cathal Crowe TD remarks on Irish unity and the Belfast Agreement Original release: Fianna Fail TD displays Putin like attitude on anniversary of the invasion of the Ukraine (opens in a new tab)
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Ennis welcomes Executive agreement on Programme for Government
Sinn Féin MLA Sinéad Ennis welcomes Executive agreement on a Programme for Government, calling it a positive step forward for workers, families and communities. She says the party will keep contributing constructively to delivery in the Executive and Assembly.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Executive agreement on Programme for Government Original release: Ennis welcomes Executive agreement on Programme for Government (opens in a new tab)
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Jim Allister highlights threat of US tariffs imposed on the EU catching Northern Ireland
TUV leader Jim Allister, North Antrim MP, warns that a 25% US tariff on the EU could apply to Northern Ireland as it is in the EU customs territory. He calls on the Prime Minister to raise this with President Trump and to reclaim sovereignty over Northern Ireland.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: US 25% tariffs on EU goods and Northern Ireland exposure Original release: Jim Allister highlights threat of US tariffs imposed on the EU catching Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Nesbitt comments on Programme for Government
UUP Leader and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt welcomes the Programme for Government agreement as progress, but says it is poorly aligned with Executive priorities and next year's draft budget. He says health funding has fallen to an estimated 1.5% premium and calls for a funding settlement closer to…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Executive agreement on Programme for Government Original release: Nesbitt comments on Programme for Government (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Programme for Government will be judged on delivery for public, not photo-opps
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the Executive's Programme for Government will be judged on whether it delivers targets and priorities that improve people's lives. He criticises ministers for press conferences on a PfG that was signed off but not published for scrutiny.
Other Health Issue: Executive agreement on Programme for Government Original release: O’Toole: Programme for Government will be judged on delivery for public, not photo-opps (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent Action Needed to Protect Access in Fermanagh & South Tyrone -…
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine calls on the Health Minister to act on NHS dental access in Fermanagh and South Tyrone, citing 49% adult registration and limited practice coverage in rural areas, during an Assembly adjournment debate.
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‘One Island-One Environment’ discussion to be hosted in Dublin
MEP Lynn Boylan says she will host ‘One Island, One Environment’ on 4 April at the Ballymun Rediscovery Centre, inviting climate activists to discuss how a united Ireland could strengthen environmental action, north‑south cooperation and future climate policy.
Constitutional affairs Environment and climate Issue: One Island, One Environment event in Dublin Original release: ‘One Island-One Environment’ discussion to be hosted in Dublin (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Programme for Government farce underlines Executive dysfunction
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the postponement of the Executive's Programme for Government reflects dysfunction, citing delays, a last-minute cancellation of a meeting and rising health waiting lists and poverty. He says Alliance must share responsibility.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Executive Programme for Government meeting postponement February 2025 Original release: O’Toole: Programme for Government farce underlines Executive dysfunction (opens in a new tab)
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Popular aspiration for Irish unity is growing – Kearney
Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney says a LucidTalk poll shows 53% of voters and 60% of under-35s aspire to Irish unity within 20 years. He calls on the Irish government to set up a Citizens' Assembly, draft a green paper and appoint a Minister for Reunification.
Constitutional affairs Issue: LucidTalk poll on Irish unity aspirations Original release: Popular aspiration for Irish unity is growing – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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We must work together to improve dental services in Fermanagh and South Tyrone – Dolan
Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan calls for urgent action on the shortage of NHS dentists in Fermanagh, urging parties and ministers to work together. She says low NHS fee uplifts are driving dentists away and asks the Health Minister to explore reinstating financial support schemes.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Assembly debate on dental services in Fermanagh and South Tyrone Original release: We must work together to improve dental services in Fermanagh and South Tyrone – Dolan (opens in a new tab)
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25 February 2025: The Arrival of the ‘West – East’ Irish Sea Border
TUV MP Jim Allister KC says export procedures on Northern Ireland goods moving to Great Britain show the Irish Sea border is cementing division, and calls on the government to abandon the Parcels Border and pursue Mutual Enforcement instead.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: West – East Irish Sea Border enforcement commencement on Northern Ireland to GB goods Original release: 25 February 2025: The Arrival of the ‘West – East’ Irish Sea Border (opens in a new tab)
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DUP Peers welcome Gambling Levy
DUP peer Lord Browne says the draft gambling levy regulations are too low to meaningfully address gambling harm, citing 2.5% of adults affected and costs possibly near £5 billion, and urges the Minister to raise rates, including to at least 5% for the most harmful remote licences.
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Draft gambling harm levy regulations for Great Britain Original release: DUP Peers welcome Gambling Levy (opens in a new tab)
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Ministers repeatedly dodging Assembly accountability: O’Toole
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA accuses Executive Ministers of repeatedly avoiding Assembly scrutiny, citing the Finance Minister's draft Budget and monitoring rounds issued by written statement. He also cites the Health Minister's grant funding cuts and an AERA avian flu update…
Constitutional affairs Public finance and taxation Original release: Ministers repeatedly dodging Assembly accountability: O’Toole (opens in a new tab)
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“We have lost a great patriot who lived his life for the freedom and unity of Ireland”
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald sends condolences after the death of Bik McFarlane, describing him as a lifelong republican and a key figure in the H-Blocks and the peace process. She pays tribute to his music and extends sympathy to his family.
Other Constitutional affairs Original release: “We have lost a great patriot who lived his life for the freedom and unity of Ireland” (opens in a new tab)
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Children with special educational needs in Irish-medium schools must not be left behind – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason urges the Health and Education departments to act urgently on support for children with special educational needs in Irish-medium schools, after a joint committee meeting. She says there is no clear picture of allied health professionals in the sector and calls for…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Joint Health and Education Committees meeting on SEN support in Irish-medium schools Original release: Children with special educational needs in Irish-medium schools must not be left behind – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Department of Health’s Core Grant scheme "exploitative" - Cllr Kendall
Green Party NI Councillor Lauren Kendall says the health department's core grant programme is exploitative, with only 25 of 259 applicants receiving £1.8m for 2025/26 – half the previous allocation – and urges an immediate restoration of funding for community wellbeing services.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health Department core grant funding cuts 2025/26 Original release: Department of Health’s Core Grant scheme "exploitative" - Cllr Kendall (opens in a new tab)
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Donnelly expresses concern over disparity in cancer death rates between areas
Alliance Health spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA expresses concern over a Cancer Research UK report showing cancer death rates about 45% higher in Northern Ireland's most deprived areas. He urges the Department of Health to introduce lung cancer screening for high-risk people aged 55 to 74 and…
Health Issue: Cancer Research UK report on cancer mortality and deprivation in Northern Ireland Original release: Donnelly expresses concern over disparity in cancer death rates between areas (opens in a new tab)
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TUV urge public to have their say on planned MLA pay rise
TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston urges the public to respond to the Assembly committee's call for evidence on the Assembly Members (Remuneration Board) Bill, which he says would give MLAs a massive pay rise, and shares the TUV's submission opposing the proposals.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Assembly Members (Remuneration Board) Bill call for evidence Original release: TUV urge public to have their say on planned MLA pay rise (opens in a new tab)