Latest releases
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4,116 releases
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Conference 2024 - Jonathan Buckley MLA
Upper Bann MLA Jonathan Buckley, addressing the DUP's 2024 Party Conference, calls for a new generation of unionists to step forward and lead, and says the party must learn honestly from past shortcomings. He stresses the need to adapt how the Union's benefits are presented to younger voters.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Conference 2024 - Jonathan Buckley MLA (opens in a new tab)
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If the Health Minister is opposed to mandatory vaccination why is he consulting on it?
Traditional Unionist Voice says Health Minister Mike Nesbitt should not be consulting on mandatory vaccination after stating he opposes it, and warns the Public Health Bill also grants powers for domestic travel bans, compulsory medical examinations, hospital orders and new offences for headteachers
Health Issue: Department of Health consultation on new Public Health Bill powers Original release: If the Health Minister is opposed to mandatory vaccination why is he consulting on it? (opens in a new tab)
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Progress, but more to do – Robinson
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson welcomes the Secretary of State's appointments to the Independent Monitoring Panel under the Safeguarding the Union Command Paper and progress towards establishing Intertrade UK. He says more work remains and calls for the removal of EU law and the Irish Sea border.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Independent Monitoring Panel appointments and Intertrade UK progress Original release: Progress, but more to do – Robinson (opens in a new tab)
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Allister tells EU it’s not for them to pass legislation dividing our country
TUV MP for North Antrim Jim Allister says the UK Government should demand the EU27 recognise the UK's territorial integrity and remove the SPS border, after reports it postponed indefinitely 'Not for EU' meat and dairy labelling. He says anything less than applying such labels across the whole…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Government postponement of 'Not for EU' meat and dairy labelling Original release: Allister tells EU it’s not for them to pass legislation dividing our country (opens in a new tab)
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Removing Stormont’s cross-community vote for the Northern Ireland Protocol violates the Belfast Agreement
TUV says a Stormont cross-community vote on the Northern Ireland Protocol would breach the Belfast Agreement, arguing MLAs cannot renounce constituents' right to be represented in lawmaking without a referendum and majority consent. The article is by Dr Dan Boucher in the News Letter.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Stormont consent vote on the Northern Ireland Protocol by simple majority Original release: Removing Stormont’s cross-community vote for the Northern Ireland Protocol violates the Belfast Agreement (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw submits petition calling for 24/7 access to thrombectomy
Alliance South Belfast MLA Paula Bradshaw submitted a petition to the Assembly Speaker urging the Minister to deliver 24/7 thrombectomy for eligible stroke survivors, highlighting current low access and the need for infrastructure, equipment and training.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Petition for 24/7 thrombectomy service Original release: Bradshaw submits petition calling for 24/7 access to thrombectomy (opens in a new tab)
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Waiting List Crisis Requires New Approach – Dodds
DUP health spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA calls on Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to implement the Bengoa report and press the Treasury for more funding, after a 9.4% rise in people awaiting first consultant-led outpatient appointments. She has tabled an Assembly motion calling for additional…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Rise in first consultant-led outpatient waiting lists in NI trusts Original release: Waiting List Crisis Requires New Approach – Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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North South continues as usual while evidence of Union dismantling Protocol mounts
TUV councillor David Clarke criticises Unionist Executive Ministers for attending a North South Ministerial Council meeting in Dublin, arguing the DUP's deal changed nothing on the Protocol and warning of a forthcoming Stormont vote on it.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: North South Ministerial Council meeting in Dublin amid Protocol concerns Original release: North South continues as usual while evidence of Union dismantling Protocol mounts (opens in a new tab)
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Disruption of Sea Parcel Border already starting to bite
TUV leader Jim Allister MP warns that the Irish Sea parcels border, starting 30 September, is already causing providers in the rest of the UK to stop trading with Northern Ireland. He says the Government has failed to give hauliers clear information on the parcels processes and calls on the new…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Irish Sea parcels border start date and trader information delays Original release: Disruption of Sea Parcel Border already starting to bite (opens in a new tab)
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Deputy leader attends NIHRC annual report launch
Green Party Northern Ireland Deputy Leader Lesley Veronica says the party fully supports a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland, calling it a missed Good Friday Agreement promise and a post‑Brexit necessity, and welcomes the NIHRC annual report and recent Windsor Framework court rulings while applaud
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Issue: NIHRC annual report launch Original release: Deputy leader attends NIHRC annual report launch (opens in a new tab)
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Honesty required over health spending – Chambers
UUP health spokesperson Alan Chambers accuses DUP MLA Phillip Brett of inaccurately claiming an extra £76m was given to tackle waiting lists, saying the money is not additional, comprises £34m from UK Government and £42m from internal Department of Health prioritisation.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: DUP claim of extra £76m for health waiting lists Original release: Honesty required over health spending – Chambers (opens in a new tab)
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We Must Oppose Orwellian Public Health Powers - Brolly
Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly opposes proposed powers in a Department of Health consultation on a new Public Health Bill, including forced entry to premises, compulsory vaccination and detention in hospital. She calls on the Health Minister to rescind the consultation document immediately.
Health Issue: Department of Health consultation on new Public Health Bill powers Original release: We Must Oppose Orwellian Public Health Powers - Brolly (opens in a new tab)
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Maghie welcomes further expansion of kerb side glass recycling services.
Alliance Ormiston Councillor Jenna Maghie welcomes Belfast City Council's decision to extend kerbside glass recycling to over 6,000 more homes in Greater Belfast, with collections due to begin by March 2025. She says Alliance proposed the extra funding and pledges to push for citywide expansion.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Belfast City Council kerbside glass recycling expansion decision Original release: Maghie welcomes further expansion of kerb side glass recycling services. (opens in a new tab)
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Planning and preparation for a new Ireland should start now, Cullen tells TUC meeting
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen calls for planning and preparation for a new Ireland to start now, urging the Irish government to lead this and immediately establish a Citizens' Assembly, while asking trade unionists and progressives in Britain and beyond to join the effort.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Original release: Planning and preparation for a new Ireland should start now, Cullen tells TUC meeting (opens in a new tab)
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It’s time to end austerity and invest in public services, says Tennyson
Alliance Finance spokesperson Eóin Tennyson MLA urges the UK Government to abandon austerity and reprioritise investment, ahead of an Alliance Assembly motion on the issue. He also calls on the Finance Minister to produce an overdue Sustainability Plan with a new funding formula.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Alliance Assembly motion on austerity and public service funding Original release: It’s time to end austerity and invest in public services, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong marks International Day of Democracy by calling for Votes at 16.
Alliance's Kellie Armstrong MLA calls for the voting age to be lowered to 16 and 17-year-olds, marking International Day of Democracy and pointing to Scotland, Wales and other regions that have already made the change.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Armstrong marks International Day of Democracy by calling for Votes at 16. (opens in a new tab)
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PfG short on clear commitments: O’Toole
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole says the draft Programme for Government contains few specific targets, citing no clear waiting list reduction target and no measures on Lough Neagh or Special Educational Needs backlogs. He calls for binding targets.
Health Issue: Draft Programme for Government launch Original release: PfG short on clear commitments: O’Toole (opens in a new tab)
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Renewed call for Baby Loss Certificates to be introduced in Northern…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart renews her call for baby loss certificates to be introduced in Northern Ireland, following a Westminster Hall debate and an online petition. She urges the Health Minister to prioritise an optional scheme, which she says would align with England's rollout.
Health Issue: Westminster Hall debate on baby loss certificates Original release: Renewed call for Baby Loss Certificates to be introduced in Northern… (opens in a new tab)
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PM does not uphold Belfast Agreement in all its parts – hypocrisy exposed
TUV leader Jim Allister MP accuses the UK and Irish Prime Ministers of hypocrisy over the Belfast Agreement, claiming Stormont is denied a cross-community vote on the Windsor Framework (the Protocol) and that Sir Keir Starmer only upholds its nationalist-favouring parts.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Stormont consent vote on the Northern Ireland Protocol by simple majority Original release: PM does not uphold Belfast Agreement in all its parts – hypocrisy exposed (opens in a new tab)
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TB and critical industry issues on agenda for DUP and UFU
DUP MP Carla Lockhart and MLA Michelle McIlveen, after meeting the Ulster Farmers' Union, call for Stormont and DAERA to implement the bTB eradication strategy outlined by former minister Edwin Poots, and for urgent action on the freeze on farm building planning applications.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Original release: TB and critical industry issues on agenda for DUP and UFU (opens in a new tab)