Latest releases
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12 releases
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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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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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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