Latest releases
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69 releases
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Robinson welcomes Secretary of State’s openness to ministerial…
DUP leader Gavin Robinson MP welcomes the Secretary of State's openness to legislative change that would let the Northern Ireland Act 1998 impose a sanction on Ministers found guilty of criminal offences. He calls for that openness to become an effective law change.
Constitutional affairs Justice and policing Issue: Secretary of State's openness to ministerial roles Original release: Robinson welcomes Secretary of State’s openness to ministerial… (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 27 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Statement from SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP on the resignation of Keir Starmer
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says Westminster instability has left Northern Ireland challenges unresolved, criticises Stormont Executive parties for jeopardising almost £1 billion over a Budget, and calls for political reforms and a new Ireland debate.
Constitutional affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Keir Starmer announces resignation as Prime Minister Original release: Statement from SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP on the resignation of Keir Starmer (opens in a new tab)
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New Prime Minister must prioritise stability and delivery in NI and the rest of the UK, says Long
Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA says the next UK Prime Minister must enact Assembly and Executive reforms to prevent future power-sharing collapses, following Sir Keir Starmer's resignation as Labour leader. She calls for a focus on cost of living and delivery.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Sir Keir Starmer resignation as Labour Party leader Original release: New Prime Minister must prioritise stability and delivery in NI and the rest of the UK, says Long (opens in a new tab)
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Reforms to strengthen Executive and Assembly discussed at GFA Committee – Senator Conor Murphy
Sinn Féin Leader in the Seanad, Senator Conor Murphy, welcomes a GFA Committee discussion with academics from Queens, Oxford and University College London on party proposals to strengthen the institutions. He says reform cannot address underfunding or Westminster austerity and points to Irish…
Constitutional affairs Issue: GFA Committee discussion on Sinn Féin institutional reform proposals Original release: Reforms to strengthen Executive and Assembly discussed at GFA Committee – Senator Conor Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin responds to Alliance’s reform proposals – Ennis
Sinn Féin MLA Sinéad Ennis welcomes Alliance Party’s Assembly and Executive reform proposals, saying reform is needed but will not solve parties opposed to power‑sharing, and that constitutional change toward a united Ireland is the most effective solution.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Alliance Party Assembly and Executive reform proposals Original release: Sinn Féin responds to Alliance’s reform proposals – Ennis (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Committee Performs Embarrassing Climbdown
DUP South Antrim MLA Pam Cameron welcomes the Communities Committee's decision to drop its plan to contact the UK Secretary of State about the DfC Minister, after Assembly legal advice. She says the Committee should also have apologised to the Minister.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Communities Committee rescinds plan to write to Secretary of State about DfC Minister Original release: Communities Committee Performs Embarrassing Climbdown (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna welcomes Prime Minister’s engagement on Stormont reform
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP welcomes Prime Minister Keir Starmer's willingness to discuss Stormont reform proposals at PMQs, calling it a significant shift. She urges both governments to open an inclusive dialogue with all parties on reforms to safeguard power-sharing and stop repeated collapses.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Starmer willingness to discuss Stormont reform at PMQs Original release: Hanna welcomes Prime Minister’s engagement on Stormont reform (opens in a new tab)
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Reform of Petition of Concern essential after latest abuse, says Tennyson
Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson calls the DUP, UUP and TUV petition of concern against an Assembly motion on European Parliament observer status a democratic abuse needing urgent reform. He says the mechanism serves party interests and should be restored to its original purpose.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Sinn Féin motion on EU observer status Original release: Reform of Petition of Concern essential after latest abuse, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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DUP welcomes Speaker’s ruling on DfE Israel decision
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson welcomes the Speaker's ruling that the DUP-backed call-in petition on the Economy Minister's Israel trade decision is valid and must go to the Executive. He says the matter should be placed before the Executive and says ministers must follow established government…
Economy and employment International affairs Issue: DfE Israel trade decision call-in petition Speaker's ruling Original release: DUP welcomes Speaker’s ruling on DfE Israel decision (opens in a new tab)
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Unionist Protections Are Non-Negotiable Amid Reform Debate
UUP MLA John Stewart warns against diluting the Belfast Agreement's cross-community protections, arguing that an SDLP motion on reforming the institutions, including removing ministers, sets a dangerous precedent and that reform must not proceed without unionist input.
Constitutional affairs Issue: SDLP motion on reform of Stormont cross-community consent for removing ministers Original release: Unionist Protections Are Non-Negotiable Amid Reform Debate (opens in a new tab)
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New Public Appointments Commissioner welcome but long overdue, says Dickson
Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA welcomes the appointment of Claire Keatinge as Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland but says the delay was long overdue. He calls on the Executive Office to explain the delays and give assurances they will not be…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Claire Keatinge appointed Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland Original release: New Public Appointments Commissioner welcome but long overdue, says Dickson (opens in a new tab)
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Civic Forum can be a vital tool to engage society and shape policy, says Dickson
Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA welcomes the First and deputy First Ministers' announcement to reconstitute the Civic Forum, but says it should have happened long ago. He questions whether it can be established by the end of this mandate and says Alliance will keep…
Constitutional affairs Issue: First and deputy First Ministers announce reconstitution of the Civic Forum Original release: Civic Forum can be a vital tool to engage society and shape policy, says Dickson (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Speaker’s rebuke underlines importance of constructive Opposition
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA endorses the Speaker's rebuke of MLAs over the standard of Assembly debate, accusing Executive parties of treating the Chamber as an inconvenience. He points to Sinn Féin and other parties failing to vote or attend at an Opposition Day.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Speaker Edwin Poots rebuke to MLAs over Assembly debate standards Original release: O’Toole: Speaker’s rebuke underlines importance of constructive Opposition (opens in a new tab)
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Independent report lays bare the damage of stop-start government in Northern Ireland, says Bradshaw
Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA says a UCL report on Assembly collapses shows stop-start government is damaging public services and blocking reform. She calls for removing Executive veto powers and for institutional reform talks before the next Assembly election.
Constitutional affairs Health Issue: UCL report on Stormont power-sharing reform and Assembly collapses Original release: Independent report lays bare the damage of stop-start government in Northern Ireland, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Ennis welcomes Executive agreement on Programme for Government
Sinn Féin MLA Sinéad Ennis welcomes Executive agreement on a Programme for Government, calling it a positive step forward for workers, families and communities. She says the party will keep contributing constructively to delivery in the Executive and Assembly.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Executive agreement on Programme for Government Original release: Ennis welcomes Executive agreement on Programme for Government (opens in a new tab)
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TUV urge public to have their say on planned MLA pay rise
TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston urges the public to respond to the Assembly committee's call for evidence on the Assembly Members (Remuneration Board) Bill, which he says would give MLAs a massive pay rise, and shares the TUV's submission opposing the proposals.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Assembly Members (Remuneration Board) Bill call for evidence Original release: TUV urge public to have their say on planned MLA pay rise (opens in a new tab)
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Detail and reform needed to provide reassurance about future public emergencies, says Bradshaw
Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA welcomes the Executive Office's acceptance, at least in part, of the ten UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 1 recommendations. She calls for clarity on rejected recommendations, implementation timescales and reform of Northern Ireland's government…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Executive Office response to UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 1 recommendations Original release: Detail and reform needed to provide reassurance about future public emergencies, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Jim Allister welcomes emergency hearing secured by Jamie Bryson
TUV leader Jim Allister welcomes an emergency court hearing secured by Jamie Bryson challenging a consent motion due to be voted on at Stormont without cross-community consent. Allister says the vote breaches Belfast Agreement cross-community commitments and promised public consultation.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Assembly democratic consent vote on Windsor Framework Articles 5-10 Original release: Jim Allister welcomes emergency hearing secured by Jamie Bryson (opens in a new tab)
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New Prime Minister will hopefully mark a new start for relationships, says Long.
Alliance leader Naomi Long MLA describes her meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Parliament Buildings as positive and constructive, saying she hopes it signals a fresh start in relations between Belfast, London and Dublin. She says Alliance raised legacy, Windsor Framework implementation…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Alliance meeting with incoming UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Original release: New Prime Minister will hopefully mark a new start for relationships, says Long. (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP seeks assurance on appointment of Intertrade UK Chair
SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan writes to Commissioner for Public Appointments Sir William Shawcross seeking assurances that former First Minister Arlene Foster’s appointment as Chair of Intertrade UK will be made through a competitive, open and merit‑based process, given the body was created by an exclus
Constitutional affairs Issue: Arlene Foster appointment as Intertrade UK Chair Original release: SDLP seeks assurance on appointment of Intertrade UK Chair (opens in a new tab)