Latest releases
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4,116 releases
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President Trump calling time on Irish Republic underscores the urgent need for the UK to stand up for NI and reject the Protocol
TUV leader Jim Allister, MP for North Antrim, argues that Donald Trump's move against Irish Republic tax arrangements shows the UK must challenge the Republic's special status, and calls on the UK Government to press Dublin to back an end to the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Trump action on Republic of Ireland corporate tax dispensation Original release: President Trump calling time on Irish Republic underscores the urgent need for the UK to stand up for NI and reject the Protocol (opens in a new tab)
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Respite provision failing families in need – Dodds
DUP MLA Diane Dodds says health trusts across Northern Ireland lack a clear pathway for respite care, with over 800 unallocated cases and 500 in the South Eastern Trust. She calls for urgent action to cut waiting lists and deliver the respite beds promised by the £13 million investment.
Health Disability and equality Issue: BBC Spotlight ‘I am not OK’ documentary on respite care Original release: Respite provision failing families in need – Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Don’t Let the Government Pull the Wool over your Eyes with talk of the ‘UK Internal Market System’ – It is really ‘the Windsor Framework GB – EU/NI International Trade Border System.’
TUV's Dan Boucher says the term 'UK Internal Market System' misrepresents the Windsor Framework, arguing the Green Lane still involves customs and SPS border checks. His party's written evidence to a Westminster committee inquiry on the framework says the label is misleading and calls for honesty…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Windsor Framework inquiry evidence on UK Internal Market System terminology Original release: Don’t Let the Government Pull the Wool over your Eyes with talk of the ‘UK Internal Market System’ – It is really ‘the Windsor Framework GB – EU/NI International Trade Border System.’ (opens in a new tab)
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Long welcomes planned delivery of green bus stop roofs scheme
Alliance Lisnasharragh Councillor Michael Long welcomes plans to fit green roofs on bus stop shelters in East Belfast, following installations on the Shankill Road, with further stops on the Castlereagh, Cregagh and Holywood roads due next year.
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: Translink green bus stop roofs scheme East Belfast Original release: Long welcomes planned delivery of green bus stop roofs scheme (opens in a new tab)
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EU retaliation to tariffs drives home how Northern Ireland has been cut off from the rest of our own country
North Antrim TUV MP Jim Allister says EU retaliatory tariffs against US steel and aluminium duties would leave Northern Ireland businesses on EU tariff rules, adding inflation pressure. He calls on the UK Government to scrap the Irish Sea border and seek a US trade deal.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: EU retaliatory tariffs response to US steel and aluminium tariffs Original release: EU retaliation to tariffs drives home how Northern Ireland has been cut off from the rest of our own country (opens in a new tab)
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Panel for Bhaile Ghib People’s Assembly announced – Darren O’Rourke TD
Sinn Féin TD Darren O’Rourke announced the independent chairperson and panel for the People’s Assembly at Halla Bhaile Ghib on 14 March, urging the public to attend and discuss future constitutional arrangements, language rights and an all‑island economy.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Bhaile Ghib People’s Assembly panel announcement Original release: Panel for Bhaile Ghib People’s Assembly announced – Darren O’Rourke TD (opens in a new tab)
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Pan-UK approach to tackle drugs needed : Campbell
DUP MP Gregory Campbell urges the UK Government to work with devolved administrations on a joined-up, pan-UK drugs strategy, prioritising prevention and reviewing enforcement, after raising the issue at Justice Questions in the Commons.
Justice and policing Health Original release: Pan-UK approach to tackle drugs needed : Campbell (opens in a new tab)
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McGuigan concerned by Ambulance Handover waiting times
Sinn Féin Health Committee Chair Phillip McGuigan, North Antrim MLA, expresses concern at an Audit Office report on ambulance handovers, calling on the Health Department to act on its recommendations and review ambulance workforce and hospital and social care capacity.
Health Issue: Northern Ireland Audit Office report on ambulance handover delays Original release: McGuigan concerned by Ambulance Handover waiting times (opens in a new tab)
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End the self-sabotage of our Health Service: Dodds
DUP health spokesperson Diane Dodds, MLA for Upper Bann, calls the Audit Office report on ambulance handover delays devastating and urges an end to what she calls self-sabotage in the health system. She says she has pressed the Health Minister for months to name a senior lead with a dedicated team…
Health Issue: Northern Ireland Audit Office report on ambulance handover delays Original release: End the self-sabotage of our Health Service: Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Patients will continue to suffer without action to fix crisis in ambulance service, says Donnelly
Alliance Health spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA says the Department of Health must take definitive action on the ambulance service crisis, citing an NIAO review that found handover delays cost NIAS £50 million and could have harmed over 3,800 patients. He criticises repeated DoH strategies that…
Health Issue: Northern Ireland Audit Office report on ambulance handover delays Original release: Patients will continue to suffer without action to fix crisis in ambulance service, says Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Audit Office report underlines ambulances crisis
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says an Audit Office report showing a dramatic rise in ambulance handover times – over 11,000 took more than three hours in 2023/24 – highlights a crisis and calls for fundamental change, welcoming the Health Minister’s willingness to discuss the
Health Issue: Northern Ireland Audit Office report on ambulance handover delays Original release: McGrath: Audit Office report underlines ambulances crisis (opens in a new tab)
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Overdue Public Appointments Commissioner must see all public appointments properly regulated, says Alliance representatives
Alliance's Paula Bradshaw MLA and Stewart Dickson MLA welcome the advert for a Public Appointments Commissioner but say it is long overdue. They warn that other public appointments the Department plans to make will proceed without regulation.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Public Appointments Commissioner recruitment advertisement Original release: Overdue Public Appointments Commissioner must see all public appointments properly regulated, says Alliance representatives (opens in a new tab)
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Amplification of women’s voices crucial in constitutional discussion – Rose Conway-Walsh TD
Sinn Féin spokesperson Rose Conway-Walsh TD says a feminist analysis is crucial to the constitutional debate, welcoming the National Women's Council's Women's Assembly report and urging the Irish government to begin planning a referendum on Irish Unity.
Constitutional affairs Disability and equality Issue: National Women's Council Women's Assembly report launch Original release: Amplification of women’s voices crucial in constitutional discussion – Rose Conway-Walsh TD (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP launches plan to reduce pressure on ambulance service and emergency departments
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA launches 'Help Can't Wait', a plan to ease ambulance and emergency department pressure by adopting London's W45 45-minute patient handover policy, which he says could cut handover times by 50% and free up 60,000 operational hours.
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Transparency and accountability needed on hospital building projects
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds calls for an independent review of new Belfast Trust building projects after rot and black mould were discovered in the Acute Mental Inpatient centre, urging the Minister to provide details on repairs, costs, timelines and patient impact.
Health Issue: Rot and black mould found in Belfast Trust Acute Mental Inpatient centre Original release: Transparency and accountability needed on hospital building projects (opens in a new tab)
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DUP delivering on yet another Republican demand
TUV vice chairman Causeway Councillor Allister Kyle says the Executive Office's start of recruitment for an Irish language commissioner gives Sinn Féin a route to directions over the role, and contrasts it with a weaker Ulster Scots commissioner, which he says the DUP's Emma Little-Pengelly…
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Issue: Irish Language Commissioner application process opening announcement Original release: DUP delivering on yet another Republican demand (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong welcomes SoS commitment to progressing votes at 16.
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA welcomes the Secretary of State's commitment to progressing votes at 16 in Northern Ireland, following a letter from Naomi Long MLA. Armstrong says the process will take time and planning, and pledges continued engagement.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Secretary of State commitment to lowering voting age to 16 Original release: Armstrong welcomes SoS commitment to progressing votes at 16. (opens in a new tab)
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It’s time we start recognising the benefits of renewable energy, says Honeyford
Alliance Economy spokesperson David Honeyford MLA says Department for Economy figures showing a decline in renewable electricity use in Northern Ireland are shocking. He calls on the Economy Minister to deliver faster on renewables and meet the 2030 target of 80 percent renewable electricity.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Department for Economy electricity consumption and renewable generation report 2025 Original release: It’s time we start recognising the benefits of renewable energy, says Honeyford (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Every area should benefit from community healthcare funding
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath says all parts of the North should receive multidisciplinary care teams, welcomes the £61 m funding for five new GP Federation areas but urges the Health Minister to fund and roll out MDTs to the remaining five areas lacking the service.
Health Issue: Finance Minister announces £61m MDT funding for five GP Federation areas Original release: McGrath: Every area should benefit from community healthcare funding (opens in a new tab)
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Blair welcomes Minister’s commitment to tackling water pollution in South Antrim
Alliance MLA John Blair says he met DAERA Minister Andrew Muir and angling clubs from South Antrim to discuss recurring pollution on local rivers flowing into Lough Neagh. He says the Minister reaffirmed his commitment to tackling water pollution and pledged ongoing engagement with the angling…
Environment and climate Issue: South Antrim angling clubs meeting with DAERA Minister on river pollution Original release: Blair welcomes Minister’s commitment to tackling water pollution in South Antrim (opens in a new tab)