Latest releases
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300 releases
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O’Toole: Belfast transport plan long on aspiration, short on delivery commitments
SDLP Opposition Leader Matthew O'Toole MLA says the Belfast section of the Eastern Transport Plan 2035 is long on aspiration and short on firm delivery commitments, questioning how the north-south Glider will be funded without an agreed budget. He also raises concerns about cuts to cycling…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Eastern Transport Plan 2035 Belfast portion publication Original release: O’Toole: Belfast transport plan long on aspiration, short on delivery commitments (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: Budget must deliver support now and invest in Northern Ireland's future
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP writes to the Chancellor ahead of the Budget, urging targeted help for households facing high energy and bills, including extra money for the home heating oil scheme and an Essentials Guarantee for Universal Credit. She also proposes a ten-year investment partnership on…
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Stormont budget request for household support and infrastructure investment Original release: Hanna: Budget must deliver support now and invest in Northern Ireland's future (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan Urges Cross-Border Action to Advance A2 Buncrana Road Project
SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan says he has written to the Taoiseach, the Transport Minister and the Infrastructure Minister urging them to explore Shared Island funding for the A2 Buncrana Road widening scheme. He criticises repeated delays and says the project should be treated as cross-border.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: A2 Buncrana Road Widening Scheme delay Original release: Durkan Urges Cross-Border Action to Advance A2 Buncrana Road Project (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Newcastle's Bendy Tree Makes History with UK First
SDLP MLA Colin McGrath welcomes Newcastle's Bendy Tree being named UK Tree of the Year 2026 by the Woodland Trust, the first Northern Ireland tree to take the award. He has written to Newry, Mourne and Down Council asking for a permanent commemorative plaque beside it.
Environment and climate Issue: Newcastle Bendy Tree named UK Tree of the Year 2026 Original release: McGrath: Newcastle's Bendy Tree Makes History with UK First (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan welcomes landmark A5 decision
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan welcomes the Court of Appeal ruling on the A5 road and urges the Department and Executive to start construction immediately. He cites more than fifty road deaths since 2006 as the reason for urgency and pays tribute to campaigners.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Court of Appeal ruling overturning A5 road judgment Original release: McCrossan welcomes landmark A5 decision (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP proposes “no regrets” actions to enhance all-island cooperation
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP urges the Irish Government to fast-track all-island economic integration in its upcoming 2027 spending plans, seeking more Shared Island Fund investment and an All-Island Economic Task Force. She warns that Stormont's lack of budgets is creating uncertainty for public…
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Original release: SDLP proposes “no regrets” actions to enhance all-island cooperation (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP selects Pete Byrne for Newry and Armagh
The SDLP announces that Councillor Pete Byrne has been selected by party members to contest Newry and Armagh at the 2027 Assembly election. Byrne pledges to champion fighting for Daisy Hill, local businesses and infrastructure, and Leader Claire Hanna praises his experience.
Other Local government Issue: SDLP selection of Pete Byrne for Newry and Armagh 2027 Assembly election Original release: SDLP selects Pete Byrne for Newry and Armagh (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: A5 must be delivered as the cost of failure is too high
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan says the A5 must be delivered ahead of a judgment due on 6 October, citing road safety deaths, economic harm and delays. He blames the Sinn Féin/DUP-led Executive for incompetence and dysfunction and calls for the Department to get the project right.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: A5 road judgment due 6 October 2026 Original release: McCrossan: A5 must be delivered as the cost of failure is too high (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Gannon: Broadband investment welcome but delivery is what matters
SDLP Fermanagh and South Tyrone Councillor Adam Gannon welcomes confirmation that 1,892 local premises are included in Project Gigabit, the highest of any constituency, and calls for prompt delivery. He urges the Economy Minister to begin planning now for what follows the project and identify…
Infrastructure and transport Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Project Gigabit premises figures for Fermanagh and South Tyrone Original release: Gannon: Broadband investment welcome but delivery is what matters (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood welcomes trust purchase of St Columb’s Hall
SDLP Foyle MP Colum Eastwood welcomes National Lottery funding that will bring St Columb's Hall in Derry into the ownership of the St Columb's Hall Trust, allowing a substantial redevelopment to begin. He says the restored venue will return the whole building to public use.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: National Lottery funding for St Columb's Hall trust ownership Original release: Eastwood welcomes trust purchase of St Columb’s Hall (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone: Long-overdue NI Water audit must deliver answers and accountability
SDLP Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone welcomes the long-overdue audit of NI Water governance but says its terms of reference must establish accountability over public money and the handling of whistleblower concerns. He warns against a toothless investigation and says the Executive cannot shift blame…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins forensic governance audit of NI Water Original release: McGlone: Long-overdue NI Water audit must deliver answers and accountability (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Allister Vindicated as UK Carbon Levy Hits Ferry Passengers
TUV MP Jim Allister KC says P&O Ferries' confirmation of a £10 surcharge on coach bookings between Cairnryan and Larne shows his earlier warnings about the UK carbon trading scheme extension to shipping were justified. He calls the costs unfair to Northern Ireland passengers and businesses and…
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: P&O Ferries £10 coach surcharge linked to UK Emissions Trading Scheme Original release: Allister Vindicated as UK Carbon Levy Hits Ferry Passengers (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McNulty: Minister must make up for lost time on school bus safety legislation
SDLP Opposition Infrastructure Spokesperson Justin McNulty MLA warns that school bus safety laws must not run out of time before the Assembly mandate ends, after Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said she plans legislation on overtaking halted buses in the autumn, pending Executive approval. He…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Infrastructure Minister plans school bus overtaking legislation Original release: McNulty: Minister must make up for lost time on school bus safety legislation (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Opportunity to build on legacy of Fleadh can’t be squandered
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA urges the First Minister and deputy First Minister to act on proposals for Belfast after the 2026 Fleadh, including a car-free city centre, licensing reform, better transport, good relations funding and an annual music festival.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: 2026 Belfast Fleadh legacy proposals Original release: O’Toole: Opportunity to build on legacy of Fleadh can’t be squandered (opens in a new tab)
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Whyte: Repeat of Belfast roadworks gridlock must be avoided
SDLP North Belfast Councillor Carl Whyte calls on the Infrastructure Minister and her department to run a public awareness campaign before M3 Lagan Bridge maintenance begins on 14 August. He also wants extra public transport and a joint DfI and police traffic plan to avoid a repeat of past gridlock.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: M3 Lagan Bridge maintenance closures from 14 August Original release: Whyte: Repeat of Belfast roadworks gridlock must be avoided (opens in a new tab)
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Whyte expresses concern following North Belfast road traffic collisions.
SDLP North Belfast Councillor Carl Whyte says he is concerned after two serious crashes in north Belfast, one early in the day and one in the afternoon. He thanks emergency responders and urges witnesses and anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage to contact police.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: North Belfast road traffic collisions on 16 July 2026 Original release: Whyte expresses concern following North Belfast road traffic collisions. (opens in a new tab)
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McNulty: Translink savings plans will hit young people and economy
SDLP Opposition Infrastructure Spokesperson Justin McNulty MLA says Translink's proposed cuts to youth discounts and late-night services would hurt young people, local hospitality businesses and the wider economy, and calls them the wrong direction for public transport.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Translink public consultation on cost-saving measures including youth discounts and late-night services Original release: McNulty: Translink savings plans will hit young people and economy (opens in a new tab)
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McNulty: Damage costs following racist riots indefensible
SDLP Opposition Infrastructure Spokesperson Justin McNulty MLA says a written Assembly answer put the cost of damage from the June riots at £1.5 million, including a burned glider bus in East Belfast, and calls the cost indefensible. He urges the Executive to ensure people feel safe and to bring…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Costs of June 2026 racist riot damage to public property Original release: McNulty: Damage costs following racist riots indefensible (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP: Executive must provide clarity on Casement Park status
SDLP Opposition Leader Matthew O'Toole calls on Executive ministers to urgently set out where the Casement Park stadium project stands after reports of further scaling back. He says the First Minister's earlier pledge now rings hollow, and SDLP MLA Justin McNulty accuses the Executive of failures…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Casement Park stadium scaled-back plans reports Original release: SDLP: Executive must provide clarity on Casement Park status (opens in a new tab)
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Whyte: Irish Government funding for Sailortown Bridge project must be matched by DFI.
SDLP North Belfast councillor Carl Whyte welcomes €800,000 from the Shared Island Fund for the next design phase of the Sailortown–Odyssey pedestrian and cycle bridge in Belfast. He calls on the Department for Infrastructure to guarantee funding to completion, warning against repeating the…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Shared Island Fund €800,000 for Cork–Belfast Docklands Bridges project Original release: Whyte: Irish Government funding for Sailortown Bridge project must be matched by DFI. (opens in a new tab)