Latest releases
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476 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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Armstrong: Farm fire costs rose four times faster here than across the UK
Ulster Unionist MLA Diana Armstrong calls for investment in rural fire services after farm fire costs rose 73% in Northern Ireland.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: NFU Mutual's Farm Fires Report 2025 statistics release Original release: Armstrong: Farm fire costs rose four times faster here than across the UK (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood urges UK Government to intervene over BBC NI Irish-language cuts
SDLP Foyle MP Colum Eastwood has written to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy urging the UK Government to intervene over proposed BBC Northern Ireland cuts to Irish-language services, including a reported halving of its Irish-language unit staffing.
Disability and equality Issue: BBC NI Irish-language services proposed cuts announcement Original release: Eastwood urges UK Government to intervene over BBC NI Irish-language cuts (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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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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McGlone: BBC Cuts Demand Scrutiny
SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone seeks an urgent meeting with BBC Northern Ireland leadership over reported job losses and restructuring, wanting clarity on effects for staff, local output and Irish language services. He also plans talks with Foras na Gaeilge.
Disability and equality Economy and employment Issue: BBC Northern Ireland job losses and restructuring plans Original release: McGlone: BBC Cuts Demand Scrutiny (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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Armstrong: Full story on Enniskillen Bypass delay still untold
Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Diana Armstrong calls on the Infrastructure Minister to publish a clear timetable for the A4 Enniskillen Southern Bypass, detailing the High Court procurement challenge, its impact on start dates and the availability of the £6.6 million budget.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: High Court challenge to Enniskillen bypass procurement Original release: Armstrong: Full story on Enniskillen Bypass delay still untold (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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Swann calls on Treasury to scrap Air Passenger Duty in Northern Ireland
UUP MP Robin Swann writes to the Chancellor urging HM Treasury to consider abolishing or substantially, gradually reducing Air Passenger Duty for flights from Northern Ireland airports ahead of the Budget, arguing Dublin Airport gains a competitive edge.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Air Passenger Duty reform for Northern Ireland airports ahead of Budget Original release: Swann calls on Treasury to scrap Air Passenger Duty in Northern Ireland (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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Armstrong: Biomethane consultation must deliver what the Assembly already voted for
UUP Deputy Leader and Agriculture Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA welcomes the Biomethane Strategy consultation, six months after an Assembly motion she says called for one, and sets out three tests the strategy must meet. These include a stable, inflation-proofed support mechanism, planning and…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Biomethane Strategy consultation launch Original release: Armstrong: Biomethane consultation must deliver what the Assembly already voted for (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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Armstrong marks International Day of Rural Women with call for action on women in farming
UUP Deputy Leader Diana Armstrong MLA asks DAERA what progress it has made since the Breaking the Grass Ceiling report on women in agriculture, four years on. She calls for recognition of women's farm work, support for women without legal stake in family farms, and rural service provision.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Original release: Armstrong marks International Day of Rural Women with call for action on women in farming (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 15 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP challenges Executive over broken pledge on racial equality legislation
SDLP Opposition challenges the Executive over delayed racial equality legislation after record race hate incidents and crimes in 2025/26, and calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to explain the delay. Its Black History Month Opposition Day motion also recognised black communities.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Executive delay to racial equality legislation following record race hate figures Original release: SDLP challenges Executive over broken pledge on racial equality legislation (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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Minister threatens every farmer’s herd over a problem he says is 7%
UUP Deputy Leader and Agriculture Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA challenges the Agriculture Minister over Belfast Telegraph remarks that about 7% of farmers produce around 70% of phosphorus, and his warning about herd size. She calls for support for the 90% of farmers doing the right thing and…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Agriculture Minister's phosphorus remarks and herd size warning in Belfast Telegraph interview Original release: Minister threatens every farmer’s herd over a problem he says is 7% (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 14 October 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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Diesel up 60p a litre since February with no end in sight
UUP Deputy Leader and Agriculture Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA calls on the Chancellor to rule out any fuel duty rise in this month's Budget, citing diesel prices averaging over 194p a litre in Fermanagh and Tyrone and the heavier impact on rural households and farm businesses.
Economy and employment Agriculture and rural affairs Original release: Diesel up 60p a litre since February with no end in sight (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McDaid: Abuse of women in public life must stop
SDLP Ballyarnett Councillor Catherine McDaid says personal abuse aimed at female public representatives, both online and in person, has to end. She says challenging misogyny must apply even to politicians whose views one opposes, and that such abuse deters people from entering public life.
Disability and equality Original release: McDaid: Abuse of women in public life must stop (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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Ulster Unionist Party responds to A5 judgment
UUP Infrastructure Spokesperson John Stewart MLA responds to the Court of Appeal judgment clearing the A5 Western Transport Corridor, blaming departmental failures for years of delay. He calls on the Infrastructure Minister to publish a realistic timetable, an updated cost figure, funding plans…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Court of Appeal ruling overturning A5 road judgment Original release: Ulster Unionist Party responds to A5 judgment (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 7 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong seeks clarity for A5 landowners following Court of Appeal judgment
UUP MLA Diana Armstrong urges the Department for Infrastructure and Land and Property Services to specify the valuation date, reinstatement cost settlement and payment timetable for farmers whose land along the A5 will be vested after the Court of Appeal judgment.
Infrastructure and transport Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Court of Appeal ruling overturning A5 road judgment Original release: Armstrong seeks clarity for A5 landowners following Court of Appeal judgment (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong: A5 farmers to be paid 2024 prices for land taken in 2026
UUP Deputy Leader and Agriculture spokesperson Diana Armstrong says A5 route farmers are being shortchanged, as the Infrastructure Minister confirmed land taken for the scheme will be valued at November 2024 prices. She calls for the valuation law to be changed and asks what discretion exists over…
Agriculture and rural affairs Infrastructure and transport Issue: A5 land vesting compensation valued at November 2024 prices Original release: Armstrong: A5 farmers to be paid 2024 prices for land taken in 2026 (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 October 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)