Latest releases
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1,743 releases
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Wilson – “motorists need a break not a tax hike”
DUP East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson warns that Treasury indications of a fuel duty rise would hit Northern Ireland motorists, especially rural families who rely on cars. He says the party will press the Chancellor to rule out any increase and give motorists a break.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Treasury indications of a fuel duty increase Original release: Wilson – “motorists need a break not a tax hike” (opens in a new tab)
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Archibald to seek clarity on A6 opening date
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald says she will seek clarity from the Department for Infrastructure on the expected opening of the A6 upgrade and Dungiven bypass, after an official suggested an end-of-April date. She also calls for better communication with the local community and road users.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: A6 Dungiven bypass opening date comments by Department for Infrastructure official Original release: Archibald to seek clarity on A6 opening date (opens in a new tab)
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Time for Government to implement Union Connectivity Review- Brett
DUP infrastructure spokesman and North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett calls on the UK Government to implement the Union Connectivity Review's recommendations, including cutting domestic aviation tax and revising aviation subsidy rules, following the collapse of Flybe.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Flybe administration and Belfast job losses Original release: Time for Government to implement Union Connectivity Review- Brett (opens in a new tab)
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Gregory Campbell – calls for A6 opening date
DUP MP Gregory Campbell calls on the Department for Infrastructure to publicly commit to a firm opening date for the overdue A6 upgrade, after he wrote to its Permanent Secretary over repeated delays. He says temporary restrictions cause frustration and safety concerns.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: A6 upgrade overdue opening and Department for Infrastructure timescale Original release: Gregory Campbell – calls for A6 opening date (opens in a new tab)
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“Record Western Rail Corridor passenger numbers highlight potential of rail in the West” – Chris MacManus MEP
Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus says record 607,000 passengers on the Western Rail Corridor's Ennis to Athenry line in 2022 show rail is viable in the West. He calls for the later phases to Mayo and Sligo to reopen without further delay and seeks clarity from Minister Eamon Ryan.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Western Rail Corridor record 2022 passenger numbers Original release: “Record Western Rail Corridor passenger numbers highlight potential of rail in the West” – Chris MacManus MEP (opens in a new tab)
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Wilson welcomes progress of trophy hunting legislation
DUP's Sammy Wilson welcomes progress of the Hunting Trophies Importation Prohibition Bill through Commons scrutiny, saying it is needed to stop trophy hunting of near-extinct animals. He warns the bill cannot cover Northern Ireland because of the Protocol, creating a smuggling loophole, and urges…
Environment and climate Constitutional affairs Issue: Hunting Trophies Importation Prohibition Bill Commons scrutiny Original release: Wilson welcomes progress of trophy hunting legislation (opens in a new tab)
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UK Government must not be found asleep at the wheel on NI air connectivity to London
UUP leader Lord Empey calls on the UK Government to act on Belfast City to Heathrow air connectivity after Flybe's collapse left the route with one airline, urging slot allocation changes, fare protection and scrapping Air Passenger Duty.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Flybe administration and Belfast job losses Original release: UK Government must not be found asleep at the wheel on NI air connectivity to London (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP welcomes long overdue funding for Phase 3 Derry rail line
The SDLP welcomes confirmation of funding for phase three of the Derry rail line, previously shelved by the Department for Infrastructure, and credits former Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon with restoring the project. Mark H Durkan says he will meet the South's Transport Minister on the…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Phase three Derry rail line funding confirmation Original release: SDLP welcomes long overdue funding for Phase 3 Derry rail line (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin to meet Department for Infrastructure over delay in A6 completion
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald says drivers are increasingly frustrated by the delayed opening of the A6 upgrade and Dungiven bypass. She has written to the Department for Infrastructure seeking clarity on the completion date and says she and colleagues will meet senior officials.
Infrastructure and transport Original release: Sinn Féin to meet Department for Infrastructure over delay in A6 completion (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood welcomes Irish Government’s renewed commitment to A5
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP welcomes a letter from Taoiseach Leo Varadkar pledging continued Irish Government backing for the A5 road upgrade. He says delays caused by objections and political dysfunction are regrettable, and calls for urgent progress and a restored Stormont to deliver the scheme.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar letter backing A5 road upgrade Original release: Eastwood welcomes Irish Government’s renewed commitment to A5 (opens in a new tab)
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Flybe falling into administration greatly disappointing, and employees and passengers must now be prioritised, says Muir
Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA expresses disappointment at Flybe falling into administration and says employees and passengers must be prioritised. He calls on the government to protect Northern Ireland's air connectivity on the affected routes.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Flybe administration and Belfast job losses Original release: Flybe falling into administration greatly disappointing, and employees and passengers must now be prioritised, says Muir (opens in a new tab)
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North Down Green councillors attempt to halt Greenway plans
Green Party councillors Stephen Dunlop and Rachel Woods say they will not support the current Kinnegar to Donaghadee Greenway plans, seconding a motion to pause the planning application and calling for smaller sections with community input.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Kinnegar to Donaghadee Greenway planning application pause motion Original release: North Down Green councillors attempt to halt Greenway plans (opens in a new tab)
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de Faoite welcomes support from London Night Czar
SDLP Belfast City Councillor Séamas de Faoite welcomes a visit from London's night-time adviser to share expertise on developing Belfast's night-time economy. He proposes the council examine supporting night-time activity, including appointing a city night-time champion.
Economy and employment Local government Issue: London Night Czar visit to Belfast night-time economy Original release: de Faoite welcomes support from London Night Czar (opens in a new tab)
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TUV raises neglect of Markethill High in capital programme
TUV spokesperson Keith Ratcliff says Markethill High School, built in 1959 for 200 pupils, now has 503 on roll and eight mobile classrooms, and calls for a replacement. He says TUV has written to the Education Department's senior civil servant over its absence from the capital programme and…
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Markethill High School overcrowding and capital programme replacement Original release: TUV raises neglect of Markethill High in capital programme (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Life-saving A5 project must proceed immediately
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan says the vital A5 road upgrade must be carried out without further delay, welcomes the new community campaign and will consult churches and business leaders, while SDLP Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone pledges continued support for the life‑saving project.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Enough is Enough campaign launch for A5 road upgrade Original release: McCrossan: Life-saving A5 project must proceed immediately (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Deposit Return Scheme effectiveness depends on cross-border cooperation
SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan has written to DAERA and Irish Minister Ossian Smyth asking for an all-island approach to the planned Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers, which DAERA says will launch in Northern Ireland in 2025. He argues cross-border working would deter fraud and bring economies…
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA confirmation of 2025 Deposit Return Scheme launch in Northern Ireland Original release: Durkan: Deposit Return Scheme effectiveness depends on cross-border cooperation (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna challenges UK Government on missing asylum seeker children
SDLP South Belfast MP Claire Hanna challenges the UK Government after around 200 asylum seeking children reportedly went missing from Home Office contingency hotels, calling the asylum system chaotic and urging an end to demonising asylum seekers.
Immigration Housing Issue: 200 asylum seeking children missing from Home Office accommodation Original release: Hanna challenges UK Government on missing asylum seeker children (opens in a new tab)
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A5 road must be upgraded with ‘no more delays’ – O’Neill
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill, First Minister Designate, calls for work on the A5 road upgrade to begin immediately once legal challenges are overcome, saying the dualling from Derry to Aughnacloy will save lives and bring economic benefits.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: GAA Enough lives lost on the A5 campaign launch at Garvaghey Original release: A5 road must be upgraded with ‘no more delays’ – O’Neill (opens in a new tab)
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Paisley looks ahead to full reinstatement of Rathlin ferry service
North Antrim MP Ian Paisley says he welcomes the intended full reinstatement of the Rathlin ferry service by the end of the week, after a meeting with the director of public transport operations. He notes checks remain and says former staff will be offered jobs in the new service.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Rathlin ferry service reinstatement Original release: Paisley looks ahead to full reinstatement of Rathlin ferry service (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood expresses alarm at reports of landlords claiming energy vouchers
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP expresses alarm that landlords are claiming £600 energy support payment vouchers intended for tenants. He says he has contacted the Post Office about assistance for affected tenants and whether landlords can be prevented from claiming the money.
Social security and welfare Economy and employment Issue: Landlords claiming £600 energy support payment vouchers intended for tenants Original release: Eastwood expresses alarm at reports of landlords claiming energy vouchers (opens in a new tab)