Latest releases
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19 releases
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Pulling Stormont Brake is another DUP stunt, says Tennyson
Alliance leader Naomi Long's party colleague Tennyson, identified in the release as Alliance's representative, calls the DUP's push to pull the Stormont brake a cynical, self-defeating stunt ahead of a UK-EU summit. He says it undermines progress on an SPS agreement and business confidence.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Stormont brake request on EU goods regulations Original release: Pulling Stormont Brake is another DUP stunt, says TennysonArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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Burrows challenges Chief Constable over Provisional IRA remarks
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA rejects Chief Constable Jon Boutcher’s reported claim that remaining Provisional IRA members are older people who pose no harm, calling the group’s continued existence anathema to democracy and urging a fresh security assessment and equal law enforcement.
Justice and policing Issue: Chief Constable's comments on Provisional IRA existence Original release: Burrows challenges Chief Constable over Provisional IRA remarksArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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O’Toole: People Deserve a Future Beyond Political Petulance
SDLP Leader Matthew O'Toole says people deserve a future beyond political petulance and calls for a new Ireland with hope and opportunity for all.
Constitutional affairs Original release: O’Toole: People Deserve a Future Beyond Political PetulanceArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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Hanna: UK Budget Underlines Failure of Executive to Do Its Job
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP welcomes any UK Budget support for Northern Ireland households facing rising energy and bill costs, but says the Executive must agree its own Budget and move away from short-term crisis management. She calls for recognition of home heating oil users and rural communities.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Budget announcement Original release: Hanna: UK Budget Underlines Failure of Executive to Do Its JobArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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O’Toole: Belfast transport plan long on aspiration, short on delivery commitments
SDLP Opposition Leader Matthew O’Toole MLA calls for firm delivery commitments after the Belfast section of the Eastern Transport Plan 2035 was published, saying the proposals are aspirational but lack budget and clear timelines, and urging the Minister to ensure pedestrianisation, safeguard the‑dis
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Eastern Transport Plan 2035 Belfast portion publication Original release: O’Toole: Belfast transport plan long on aspiration, short on delivery commitmentsArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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Whitehall asleep as EU parcel tax and AI rules hit Northern Ireland
UUP spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA welcomes the proposed UK-EU SPS agreement but says it does not cover customs or tariffs. He criticises Whitehall's handling of the Union Customs Code parcel handling fee and EU AI Act provisions in Northern Ireland, and calls for the Stormont Brake to be used.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU handling fees on Northern Ireland parcels Original release: Whitehall asleep as EU parcel tax and AI rules hit Northern IrelandArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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Burrows: ‘I’ll take no lectures from Sinn Féin on democracy, on equality or on the past’
UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA says he will not accept Sinn Féin’s accusations of supremacism, rejects their right to lecture on democracy, equality or the past, and criticises their government record after North Antrim MLA Philip McGuigan’s scripted attack in the Assembly.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Philip McGuigan's Assembly speech accusing Jon Burrows MLA of supremacist attitude Original release: Burrows: ‘I’ll take no lectures from Sinn Féin on democracy, on equality or on the past’
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Call-in reveals serious concerns around transparency and fairness in council funding, says Murray
Alliance councillor Murray says a call-in found serious concerns over transparency and fairness in Belfast City Council's £339,242 discretionary funding redirection, which DUP and Sinn Féin backed with UUP and SDLP support. He claims legal opinion validated Alliance's concerns about procedures and…
Local government Public finance and taxation Issue: Belfast City Council discretionary funding allocation call-in Original release: Call-in reveals serious concerns around transparency and fairness in council funding, says Murray
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Bradshaw condemns DUP gaslighting over Flags Bill
Alliance MLA Paul Bradshaw accuses the DUP of using filibustering tactics to delay the Flags Bill, which he says is an attempt to block legislation on abusive flags. He says the Committee Stage should move faster and that he has drafted amendments and offered meetings with other parties.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: DUP attempt to filibuster Flags Bill in Assembly Committee Stage Original release: Bradshaw condemns DUP gaslighting over Flags Bill
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Minister putting unsustainable additional workload on teachers, says Mathison, ahead of TransformED motion
Alliance Education spokesperson Nick Mathison says the Education Minister is placing an unsustainable additional workload on teachers through the TransformED reforms, ahead of an Assembly motion on the day raising concerns from teachers, principals and parents.
Education Issue: TransformED education reforms announcement Original release: Minister putting unsustainable additional workload on teachers, says Mathison, ahead of TransformED motion
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DUP putting cynical party politics ahead of people’s livelihoods, says Tennyson
Alliance leader Naomi Long's party colleague Tennyson accuses the DUP of blocking Executive participation in a UK-wide Economic Forum, saying it puts party interest ahead of the public and risks livelihoods while there is no agreed budget.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Original release: DUP putting cynical party politics ahead of people’s livelihoods, says Tennyson
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Armstrong: Labour’s red hand strikes farmers again
Ulster Unionist Deputy Leader Diana Armstrong criticises Labour's Family Farm Tax and red diesel changes. She says these policies are causing stress and financial difficulties for farmers.
Agriculture and rural affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Labour's Family Farm Tax implementation and red diesel duty changes Original release: Armstrong: Labour’s red hand strikes farmers again
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UK Budget taking place without NI Budget is a shameful indictment, says Eastwood
Alliance Party MLA Eastwood says the UK Budget taking place without a Northern Ireland Budget is a shameful indictment, warning public services are on the brink. He calls for a budget with practical measures to make life more affordable and tackle the cost of doing business.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: UK Budget without NI Budget Original release: UK Budget taking place without NI Budget is a shameful indictment, says Eastwood
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Drumcree proving to be a pyrrhic victory for republicans – Empey
UUP peer Lord Empey says the recent Drumcree stand‑off has back‑fired on republicans, accusing Gerry Adams of strategic interference and Michelle O’Neill of unlawful action, and warns that sectarian attacks and rising immigration undermine a united Ireland vision.
Community relations and legacy Constitutional affairs Issue: Garvaghy Road residents' protest against Orange Order march Original release: Drumcree proving to be a pyrrhic victory for republicans – Empey
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McGrath: Patients Are Waiting While Executive Fails to Deliver Budget
SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath says patients are paying the price as Executive failure to agree a Budget delays action on emergency department waiting times, citing September Department of Health figures and Ulster Hospital data.
Health Public finance and taxation Original release: McGrath: Patients Are Waiting While Executive Fails to Deliver Budget
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O'Toole: DUP/SF mudslinging distracting from Christmas pay scandal
SDLP Opposition Leader Matthew O'Toole MLA says a bitter DUP and Sinn Féin exchange at the Executive Office Committee distracted from civil service pay, after the Department of Finance confirmed no pay deal can reach Christmas wages without an Executive Budget.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: Stormont brake request on Budget agreement Original release: O'Toole: DUP/SF mudslinging distracting from Christmas pay scandal
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McDaid slams ‘wear more clothes’ advice in schools
SDLP Councillor Catherine McDaid criticised the Education Authority's advice that pupils should “ wear more clothes” in D Derry schools, arguing it reflects cut budgets and inadequate heating rather than protecting children and staff, and she urged action on heating and repairs.
Education Local government Original release: McDaid slams ‘wear more clothes’ advice in schools
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McGrath: Our Doctors and Nurses Are Not Pawns in a Political Game
SDLP MLA Colin McGrath accuses the Executive of allowing health workers to be caught in a political standoff with Secretary of State Sir Chris Bryant over pay disputes, after the BMA confirmed further November strikes by doctors.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Stormont handling of health service pay disputes Original release: McGrath: Our Doctors and Nurses Are Not Pawns in a Political Game
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Planning system continues to hold back economic growth, says McReynolds
Alliance MLA McReynolds says the planning system is holding back economic growth, citing June 2026 figures showing over 30% of live applications were over a year old and only three councils met statutory timeframes. She calls for a comprehensive reform programme with mandatory timeframes and…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Planning system statistics and business concerns Original release: Planning system continues to hold back economic growth, says McReynolds