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4,968 releases
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Jim Allister raises the Protocol threat to a UK-US trade deal with the Prime Minister
TUV leader Jim Allister says the Prime Minister failed to answer his PMQs question on a UK-US trade deal given Northern Ireland's continued subjection to EU trade law. He argues his Mutual Enforcement Bill would avoid a hard border and calls on the PM to restore full UK sovereignty before…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Allister's PMQs question on US trade deal and Northern Ireland EU law Original release: Jim Allister raises the Protocol threat to a UK-US trade deal with the Prime Minister (opens in a new tab)
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Rose Conway-Walsh welcomes vital and gamechanging tool for the development of economic policy across the island
Sinn Féin public expenditure and reform spokesperson Rose Conway-Walsh TD welcomes the new macro‑economic modelling tool created by ESRI and NIESR for the north of Ireland, saying it will enable island‑wide policy forecasting and urges the incoming government to use it for positive economic outcomes
Economy and employment Constitutional affairs Issue: ESRI report on a new economic model for the North Original release: Rose Conway-Walsh welcomes vital and gamechanging tool for the development of economic policy across the island (opens in a new tab)
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Action required on dual market access and skills to maximise economic potential over rest of decade, says Honeyford.
Alliance Economy spokesperson David Honeyford calls on the Economy Minister to prioritise promoting dual market access in Invest NI's marketing and to improve alignment between education and business skills needs. He also urges the Infrastructure Department to speed up planning, including on…
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Issue: ESRI report on a new economic model for the North Original release: Action required on dual market access and skills to maximise economic potential over rest of decade, says Honeyford. (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister must accept responsibility for making tough decisions, says McAllister.
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA says the Health Minister must take responsibility for difficult choices and adopt a stronger stance on efficiency and reform after the Department of Health released its Equality Impact Assessment of the draft 2025‑26 budget.
Health Issue: Department of Health Equality Impact Assessment of 2025‑26 budget Original release: Health Minister must accept responsibility for making tough decisions, says McAllister. (opens in a new tab)
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Donnelly deeply disappointed after proposed goldmine public inquiry delay
Alliance Councillor Stephen Donnelly says he is deeply disappointed that the public inquiry into the proposed Co Tyrone goldmine has been suspended after the Department for Infrastructure was found to have failed to consult adequately on transboundary issues. He calls on the Department to carry…
Environment and climate Issue: Dalradian Sperrins goldmine planning inquiry suspension Original release: Donnelly deeply disappointed after proposed goldmine public inquiry delay (opens in a new tab)
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Nelson welcomes announcement of investment in Giant’s Park
Alliance Councillor Sam Nelson welcomes the £100 million investment announced for Giant’s Park by the city council and the park’s development company, praising the plan for an urban adventure park that will create jobs, boost tourism, improve public coastal access and enhance connectivity for North
Local government Economy and employment Issue: £100m investment in Giant’s Park Original release: Nelson welcomes announcement of investment in Giant’s Park (opens in a new tab)
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McReynolds questions lack of promotion around DfI consultation on taxis in bus lanes.
Alliance spokesperson Peter McReynolds MLA criticises the Department for Infrastructure for insufficient promotion of its consultation on extending taxi use of bus lanes in Belfast city centre. He says the February 5 closing date is too short and urges the Minister to reverse the scheme.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: DfI consultation on taxi use of bus lanes Original release: McReynolds questions lack of promotion around DfI consultation on taxis in bus lanes. (opens in a new tab)
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This week the Government Has Blown Its Irish Sea Border Cover
TUV leader Jim Allister, MP for North Antrim, argues in a News Letter opinion piece that Government regulations on goods movement effectively treat Northern Ireland as a third country, and says the Irish Sea border is unworkable. He says he will press for a Commons vote opposing the draft Official…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Draft Official Control Amendment Regulations Irish Sea border vote Original release: This week the Government Has Blown Its Irish Sea Border Cover (opens in a new tab)
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Well done Protocol Implementers!
TUV leader Jim Allister says Northern Ireland is excluded from the UK-wide ban on animal imports from Germany after foot and mouth disease was confirmthere, because NI remains subject to EU rules that still permit imports. He links this to MLAs' recent vote on the Windsor Framework.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: UK ban on animal imports from Germany over foot and mouth disease Original release: Well done Protocol Implementers! (opens in a new tab)
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Attack on nurse ‘shocking’ and ‘disgraceful’ – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn describes as disgraceful an assault on a young nurse from the Royal Maternity Hospital on Saturday evening, expressing her thoughts for the victim. She says nurses are the backbone of the health system and calls the attack shocking, and she urges a man who intervened…
Justice and policing Health Issue: Assault on nurse at Royal Maternity Hospital, Saturday evening Original release: Attack on nurse ‘shocking’ and ‘disgraceful’ – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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Health and education ministers must improve mental health services in schools – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason calls on the health and education ministers to enhance mental‑health provision in schools, urging faster, compassionate support for children and youth clubs amid long waiting lists and suicide‑prevention concerns.
Health Education Original release: Health and education ministers must improve mental health services in schools – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Ambulance delays contributing to health service collapse
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says ambulance delays are adding to pressure on the health service, citing ambulances queuing outside emergency departments over Christmas and patients waiting in vehicles for hours. He calls on the Executive to implement health transformation.
Health Issue: Assembly debate on ambulance response times, January 2025 Original release: McGrath: Ambulance delays contributing to health service collapse (opens in a new tab)
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British government cannot hide behind veil of secrecy; the truth behind murder of John Francis Green must be told – Matt Carthy TD
Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy calls for the full truth behind the 1975 killing of IRA Volunteer John Francis Green near Castleblayney to be told, and accuses the British government of hiding behind secrecy. Speaking at the 50th anniversary commemoration, he pledges party support for the Green family's…
Constitutional affairs Community relations and legacy Issue: 50th anniversary commemoration of John Francis Green's killing Original release: British government cannot hide behind veil of secrecy; the truth behind murder of John Francis Green must be told – Matt Carthy TD (opens in a new tab)
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Plan needed to tackle unacceptable delays in ambulance services, says Donnelly, ahead of Assembly motion
Alliance Health spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA calls for a plan to tackle ambulance service delays ahead of an Assembly motion urging the Health Minister to bring forward proposals, including a workforce plan, to boost ambulance capacity.
Health Issue: Assembly motion on Northern Ireland Ambulance Service capacity and response times Original release: Plan needed to tackle unacceptable delays in ambulance services, says Donnelly, ahead of Assembly motion (opens in a new tab)
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DUP representatives meet hospital staff to discuss pressures and…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says she visited Craigavon Area Hospital's Emergency Department and met staff and management about patient flow, long waits and corridor care. She calls for further investment in domiciliary care, citing 700 outstanding care packages, and says she will press the Minister on…
Health Issue: Craigavon Area Hospital Emergency Department visit on patient flow pressures Original release: DUP representatives meet hospital staff to discuss pressures and… (opens in a new tab)
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NI patients waiting a decade for orthopaedic and plastic surgery treatment
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says Assembly answers show some patients have waited over a decade for orthopaedic inpatient or daycase treatment, with longer waits than published data suggests. He criticises the Programme for Government on the issue and says waiting times have grown since devolution…
Health Issue: Assembly answers on orthopaedic and plastic surgery waiting times Original release: NI patients waiting a decade for orthopaedic and plastic surgery treatment (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson – “the Government must demonstrate greater urgency”
The DUP's Gavin Robinson MP says the Windsor Framework review must be an honest assessment, not an exercise in papering over problems, and calls for more urgency from the Government in appointing the Independent Monitoring Panel and enabling Intertrade UK to start work.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Windsor Framework review appointment and Independent Monitoring Panel delays Original release: Robinson – “the Government must demonstrate greater urgency” (opens in a new tab)
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Amount of money spent in health system without value for money checks staggering, warns McAllister.
Alliance Health Spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA warns that £619 million a year spent on independent care homes in Northern Ireland escapes procurement and value for money checks. She calls on the Health Minister to answer questions on how the money is spent and what outcomes it buys.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: £619 million independent care home spending outside procurement processes Original release: Amount of money spent in health system without value for money checks staggering, warns McAllister. (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna welcomes review commitment to examine north-south and EU relationships
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP welcomes the publication of terms of reference for the independent Windsor Framework review, saying it will cover the North's future EU ties and protect all-island cooperation. Party leader Matthew O'Toole calls for a European Commission office in Belfast and freedom of…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Windsor Framework review appointment and Independent Monitoring Panel delays Original release: Hanna welcomes review commitment to examine north-south and EU relationships (opens in a new tab)
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Murphy review a calculated two fingers to unionism
TUV leader Jim Allister says the Murphy Review's terms of reference make any recommendations subject to cross-community support, which he argues gives nationalists a veto over changes to the Protocol. He calls the arrangement an unmitigated failure from the Donaldson/DUP deal and says unionists…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Murphy Review terms of reference on cross-community support for Protocol changes Original release: Murphy review a calculated two fingers to unionism (opens in a new tab)