Latest releases
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3,068 releases
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Allen Welcomes OSCE delegation to Stormont
UUP Communities Spokesperson and East Belfast MLA Andy Allen MBE says he met a delegation of women from the OSCE, including visitors from Kosovo and Serbia, at Stormont during their week-long visit. He says a functioning government would better show visitors what Northern Ireland can deliver.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Allen Welcomes OSCE delegation to Stormont (opens in a new tab)
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Who Is Posie Parker And Why We Protest
People Before Profit says Posie Parker (Kellie-Jay Keen) is a social media influencer whose campaign against trans people targets the Gender Recognition Act, and says her Irish events are linked to far-right figures, which is why the party is protesting her.
Disability and equality Issue: Posie Parker Belfast rally protest Original release: Who Is Posie Parker And Why We Protest (opens in a new tab)
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Honeyford dismayed by failure to provide SEN pupils adequate school transport provision
Alliance Lagan Valley MLA David Honeyford says the failure to provide school transport for pupils with special educational needs is the latest in a series of failures, citing nearly 400 children awaiting special school placement and halved funding for mainstream SEN support staff. He looks forward…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Special educational needs school transport provision failure, September 2023 Original release: Honeyford dismayed by failure to provide SEN pupils adequate school transport provision (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin: Summit shows need to grasp economic opportunities
SDLP Economy Spokesperson and Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin says the Northern Ireland Investment Summit showed the need to seize available economic opportunities. She calls for an Executive and Assembly at Stormont, and asks the Department of Business and Trade to highlight the north west and other…
Economy and employment Constitutional affairs Issue: Northern Ireland Investment Summit 2023 Original release: McLaughlin: Summit shows need to grasp economic opportunities (opens in a new tab)
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Delivery, not briefings required on removing Irish Sea border:…
DUP MP Gregory Campbell says briefings claiming significant progress towards removing the Irish Sea border should stop and delivery should begin. He says Downing Street has been briefing the media while the DUP's paper on frictionless trade within the UK has been under review for months.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Delivery, not briefings required on removing Irish Sea border:… (opens in a new tab)
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The path to stability
TUV leader Jim Allister says political instability in Northern Ireland will persist while the Protocol remains, criticising those who lament instability at the Belfast Investment Conference without addressing it. He calls for restoring Article 6 of the Acts of Union and removing the Irish Sea…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Belfast Investment Conference launch and political instability comments Original release: The path to stability (opens in a new tab)
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Legacy Bill will face legal challenges, says Farry
Alliance Deputy Leader and North Down MP Stephen Farry says the Legacy Bill lacks legitimacy and is likely to face numerous legal challenges after clearing its final Lords stage, arguing it is unlikely to comply with the European Convention on Human Rights.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Legacy Bill passing final Lords stage before Royal Assent Original release: Legacy Bill will face legal challenges, says Farry (opens in a new tab)
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TUV publishes response to Department of Education RSE consultation
TUV leader Jim Allister says the party has published its response to the Department of Education's RSE consultation, arguing that the post-primary curriculum changes interfere in a devolved matter under Section 9 of the 2019 Act and that the consultation is a box-ticking exercise.
Education Constitutional affairs Issue: Department of Education consultation on Relationships and Sexuality Education publication Original release: TUV publishes response to Department of Education RSE consultation (opens in a new tab)
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Varadkar all-Ireland comments show how he views Protocol
TUV leader Jim Allister says former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's all-Ireland remarks reveal his view of the Protocol, arguing it creates a stepping stone towards Irish unity and calling on unionists to resist it.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Varadkar all-Ireland comments on Protocol and Windsor Framework Original release: Varadkar all-Ireland comments show how he views Protocol (opens in a new tab)
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Everyone has a part to play in tackling Violence Against Women and Girls in Northern Ireland, says Egan
Alliance MLA Connie Egan urges wider public response to the Executive Office's Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls, now out to consultation, after two research reports on violence against women and girls. She calls for improved Relationship and Sex Education as prevention.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: NI Executive Office violence against women and girls research reports launch Original release: Everyone has a part to play in tackling Violence Against Women and Girls in Northern Ireland, says Egan (opens in a new tab)
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It’s about much more than NI to GB trade
TUV leader Jim Allister says the Protocol issues go well beyond Northern Ireland to Great Britain trade, arguing that GB to Northern Ireland trade is key because ceding control to the EU created the Irish Sea Border. He says underwriting NI to GB trade would not solve the problem, which he calls…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Secretary of State comments on Protocol trade in response to Hilary Benn Original release: It’s about much more than NI to GB trade (opens in a new tab)
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Cross-community consent the foundation of political progress
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says restoring cross-community consent is essential for devolved government, arguing the Protocol has undermined consent and urging the SDLP to recognise the Irish Sea border's impact on trade and identity. She also rejects the idea that a restored Executive will solve public…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Colum Eastwood evidence to Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on local political institutions Original release: Cross-community consent the foundation of political progress (opens in a new tab)
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Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly Meets Commissioner for Children and Young People over Special Education Needs Shortfalls
Aontú deputy leader Gemma Brolly says she met NICCY's chief executive to discuss special educational needs (SEND) shortfalls, citing waiting lists, cuts to mental health funding and failure to implement earlier reports. NICCY reportedly agreed to pass the concerns on and arrange a meeting with the…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly Meets Commissioner for Children and Young People over Special Education Needs Shortfalls (opens in a new tab)
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A “united Ireland”? Not in my lifetime – or yours.
Former DUP leader Peter Robinson, writing online, argues a united Ireland is not inevitable, urging unionists to win over the 'Third Block' of neutral voters and the 'Fourth Block' of abstainers, mainly from unionist areas, to keep the Union.
Constitutional affairs Original release: A “united Ireland”? Not in my lifetime – or yours. (opens in a new tab)
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Properly funded Executive needed – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy calls for a fully funded Executive to be restored immediately so it can set Northern Ireland's own budget. He warns that the UK Treasury's budget will hit public services and households hard, and urges a new fiscal framework with a funding floor and tax powers.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: UK Government budget impact on Northern Ireland public services Original release: Properly funded Executive needed – Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Butler Praises Commitment of Classroom Assistants and Highlights Continued Stormont Failures
UUP education spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA marks the new school year by praising classroom assistants who support children with special educational needs. He blames the lack of an Executive for vacant posts and funding gaps, and says a returned Assembly will push for a review of their pay and…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Butler Praises Commitment of Classroom Assistants and Highlights Continued Stormont Failures (opens in a new tab)
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Essential those with disabilities have permanent seat at decision-making table, says Skinner, following passing of motion
Alliance Knockagh Councillor Aaron Skinner welcomes the passing of his motion at Mid and East Antrim Council to set up a disability lived experience group as a subcommittee. He says the group would give disabled people a formal route to advise councillors on accessibility, infrastructure and…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Mid and East Antrim Council disability lived experience group motion Original release: Essential those with disabilities have permanent seat at decision-making table, says Skinner, following passing of motion (opens in a new tab)
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Tánaiste Must Become Proactive on Policing Reform as the PSNI goes into Melt Down. – Tóibín
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín calls on Tánaiste Micheál Martin to act on policing reform after PSNI data breach and Chief Constable resignation, demanding 50/50 recruitment, a joint Irish/British inspectorate and removal of MI5 from policing.
Justice and policing Constitutional affairs Issue: PSNI officer data breach and Chief Constable Simon Byrne resignation Original release: Tánaiste Must Become Proactive on Policing Reform as the PSNI goes into Melt Down. – Tóibín (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood welcomes appointment of Hilary Benn as shadow Secretary of State
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP welcomes Hilary Benn's appointment as shadow Northern Ireland minister, reading it as a sign Keir Starmer's Labour is serious about the region's pressing issues. He thanks Peter Kyle for his time in the role and looks forward to working with Benn on restoring devolved…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Hilary Benn appointed Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Original release: Eastwood welcomes appointment of Hilary Benn as shadow Secretary of State (opens in a new tab)
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DUP comments regarding votes at 16 incredibly disappointing, says Irwin
Alliance Councillor Hannah Irwin expresses disappointment at DUP and UUP comments in an Ards and North Down Council debate that rejected a motion backing votes at 16, saying they undermined young people's maturity and intelligence.
Constitutional affairs Local government Issue: Ards and North Down Council vote rejecting support for votes at 16 Original release: DUP comments regarding votes at 16 incredibly disappointing, says Irwin (opens in a new tab)