Latest releases
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33 releases
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Aiken warns of long and frustrating winter as EU-UK reset delayed again
UUP Windsor Framework spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken MLA warns that repeated delays to EU-UK reset talks, with the timetable slipping from July to October and now late November, leave agribusiness and manufacturing firms without needed certainty.
Education Economy and employment Issue: EU-UK reset talks timetable delayed again to late November Original release: Aiken warns of long and frustrating winter as EU-UK reset delayed again (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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Brain drain and vocational pathways matter more than the transfer test row, says Burrows
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA calls for the education debate to shift from the transfer test to tackling brain drain and creating properly funded vocational pathways into apprenticeships, while defending parents' right to choose a child's school.
Education Economy and employment Original release: Brain drain and vocational pathways matter more than the transfer test row, says Burrows (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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30 years on from BSE but has Beef ever properly recovered?
TUV agriculture spokesman Causeway Councillor Allister Kyle says beef prices have not recovered in real terms since the 1996 BSE crisis, citing October 1995 and 2025 meat plant quotes and rising red diesel, fertiliser, feed and land costs. He says processor margins have grown too large and that…
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Original release: 30 years on from BSE but has Beef ever properly recovered? (opens in a new tab)
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Not a lot of Christmas cheer for our farmers
TUV agricultural spokesman Councillor Allister Kyle says farmers face mounting anxiety over falling milk prices, beef price pressure from Republic plants, and the first confirmed Bluetongue case in Northern Ireland with its 20km Control Zone. He warns of possible losses on store lamb investments.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: Bluetongue virus confirmed in Northern Ireland with 20km Control Zone Original release: Not a lot of Christmas cheer for our farmers (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister: Small steps can make a big difference this winter
The Department of Health, speaking through Health Minister Mike Nesbitt during National Self-Care Week, urges the public to manage their physical health and mental wellbeing this winter, check on older neighbours, and use community pharmacies via the Pharmacy First service for minor illnesses.
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Focus should be on realistic solutions to health service challenges
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA says Northern Ireland's health service needs practical investment and reform, and calls proposals for an all-Ireland healthcare system unnecessary and unrealistic. She says General Practice pressures should be tackled locally through workforce stability and…
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All-island approach needed to tackle air pollution – Finnegan
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan calls for an all-island approach to tackle air pollution on Clean Air Day, arguing it harms health, worsens health inequalities and contributes to hundreds of deaths each year. She pledges support for the Executive and the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and…
Environment and climate Health Original release: All-island approach needed to tackle air pollution – Finnegan (opens in a new tab)
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Farmers must not pay the price for addressing environmental challenges in securing a sustainable future – Butler
Ulster Unionist spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA says farmers must not bear the cost of climate action, calling for codesigned measures after recent changes to create a Climate Commissioner office raised concerns. He says the changes should not pit environmental goals against agriculture.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Assembly vote to create a Climate Commissioner role Original release: Farmers must not pay the price for addressing environmental challenges in securing a sustainable future – Butler (opens in a new tab)
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Executive’s investment in childcare is bringing down costs for workers and families – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason says important progress has been made on childcare costs since the Executive was restored, citing a 15% cut in bills from the childcare subsidy scheme and a doubled childcare budget. She urges the education minister to publish the childcare strategy.
Education Economy and employment Original release: Executive’s investment in childcare is bringing down costs for workers and families – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson - we call a spade a spade
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP, in his New Year message, sets out 2025 priorities including the childcare subsidy scheme and broadband completion, and rejects new taxes to fix health pressures, calling instead for accountability and better management in the health service.
Constitutional affairs Health Original release: Robinson - we call a spade a spade (opens in a new tab)
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New Year Message from Ulster Unionist Party Leader Mike Nesbitt
UUP leader Mike Nesbitt, now Health Minister, uses his New Year message to call for change in health and social care and for every Executive party to commit to never collapsing the institutions again.
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Hope and change: Left republican cooperation is the way forward – Kearney
Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney MLA writes in An Phoblacht that the 2024 Irish general election has realigned Dáil politics, ending the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael duopoly, and argues left republican and progressive parties should cooperate as an opposition.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: 2024 Irish general election result and realignment of Dáil politics Original release: Hope and change: Left republican cooperation is the way forward – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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‘No Dignity in Lying’: Carla Lockhart
DUP MLA Carla Lockhart argues that the 'dignity' language used by assisted suicide campaigners, such as Dignity in Dying, is a misleading framing. She says legalising assisted suicide would lower the perceived worth of disabled, poor and homeless people, citing a Canadian poll on MAID eligibility.
Disability and equality Health Original release: ‘No Dignity in Lying’: Carla Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Conference 2024 - Cheryl Brownlee MLA
DUP MLA Cheryl Brownlee, addressing the 2024 party conference, says she is proud to represent East Antrim and pledges to press for better school funding, childcare support and local investment, drawing on her experience as a mother.
Education Original release: Conference 2024 - Cheryl Brownlee MLA (opens in a new tab)
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Deputy First Minister addresses UFU AGM
Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly addresses the Ulster Farmers' Union AGM, calling for government action on wet weather, veterinary medicines supply, climate change act targets and Bovine TB, and urging investment in technology and innovation.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Original release: Deputy First Minister addresses UFU AGM (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson - "keep focused on making this place prosperous"
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP welcomes Shadow Secretary of State Hilary Benn to Lagan Valley and urges focus on prosperity, citing fibre broadband rollout, the lowest UK unemployment rate and a rejection of a border poll.
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Original release: Robinson - "keep focused on making this place prosperous" (opens in a new tab)
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Elliott explains that the complex interaction between farming and climate change requires addressing
UUP agriculture spokesperson Tom Elliott MLA says farming's role in climate change needs addressing, arguing farmers are partners rather than scapegoats. He points to carbon sequestration, renewable energy on farms and the sector's economic importance, and calls for incentives and collaboration.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Original release: Elliott explains that the complex interaction between farming and climate change requires addressing (opens in a new tab)
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McAleer welcomes protected status for high-quality Irish beef produce
Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer welcomes all-Ireland Protected Geographical Indicator status for Irish grass-fed beef, saying it will boost northern beef farmers, increase EU exports and strengthen producers' reach in global markets.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: All-Ireland PGI protected status for Irish grass-fed beef Original release: McAleer welcomes protected status for high-quality Irish beef produce (opens in a new tab)
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Transformation of Special Educational Needs essential – Givan
The DUP's Education Minister Paul Givan reaffirms his commitment to transform the Special Educational Needs system in Northern Ireland, following a visit to Fleming Fulton School. He says children with SEN do not always achieve the same outcomes as peers and will press Executive colleagues for…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Transformation of Special Educational Needs essential – Givan (opens in a new tab)
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Delargy meets with Student Union President to discuss vision for students
Sinn Féin higher and further education spokesperson Pádraig Delargy met NUS‑USI President Chloe Ferguson to discuss rising rents, energy and food costs and their impact on students’ studies and mental health, saying the party will champion financial support for university, further‑education, Apprent
Education Economy and employment Issue: Sinn Féin meeting with NUS‑USI President on student cost of living Original release: Delargy meets with Student Union President to discuss vision for students (opens in a new tab)