Latest releases
Searching a long passage? Find similar statements.
- Constitutional affairs: remove filter
- Infrastructure and transport: remove filter
- Social security and welfare: remove filter
- Education: remove filter
- Criticism: remove filter
30 releases
-
O’Toole: People Deserve a Future Beyond Political Petulance
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA calls the DUP's latest stunt petulant and says health, schools and other public services are suffering while the parties remain without a budget deal at Stormont.
Constitutional affairs Original release: O’Toole: People Deserve a Future Beyond Political PetulanceArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
-
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 commitmentsArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
-
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 leaves customs and tariffs in Northern Ireland. He criticises Whitehall for ignoring the Union Customs Code parcel handling fee and calls for the Stormont Brake to be applied, and says applying parts of…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment 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
-
TransformED is taking education system in the wrong direction – Sheehan
Sinn Féin education spokesperson Pat Sheehan MLA says Education Minister Paul Givan's TransformED reform plans would add exam pressure, cut coursework and narrow the curriculum, and calls on him to rethink them and stop avoiding academic selection.
Education Issue: TransformED education reforms announcement Original release: TransformED is taking education system in the wrong direction – Sheehan
-
Minister putting unsustainable additional workload on teachers, says Mathison, ahead of TransformED motion
Alliance Education spokesperson Nick Mathison says the Education Minister's TransformED reforms are placing an unsustainable additional workload on teachers, and is bringing a motion to the Assembly on 2 November raising concerns from teachers, principals and parents.
Education Issue: TransformED education reforms announcement Original release: Minister putting unsustainable additional workload on teachers, says Mathison, ahead of TransformED motion
-
Sinn Féin will oppose any attempt to place British state forces beyond reach of accountability – Finucane
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane calls on the British government to drop proposals giving the British Attorney General decisive authority over conflict-related prosecutions, after former DPP Barra McGrory warned of a two-tier justice system. Finucane also urges the Irish government to oppose the plans.
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: British government proposals to give Attorney General final say on conflict-related prosecutions Original release: Sinn Féin will oppose any attempt to place British state forces beyond reach of accountability – Finucane
-
Unionist Unity and ‘O’Neill Must Stay’ don’t go together
TUV leader Jim Allister says talk of unionist unity is hollow without substance, arguing the DUP has not shifted its platform on the Protocol and questioning what unity would be for. He also says the DUP rejected his unity platform at the last Westminster election and accuses it of using unity as…
Constitutional affairs Issue: DUP's unionist unity message with Sinn Fein Original release: Unionist Unity and ‘O’Neill Must Stay’ don’t go together
-
Carroll: DUP Will Pocket the Wage and Wreck the Work
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll responds to a DUP statement on its continued Executive engagement, saying the party will keep ministerial pay while using Petition of Concern to obstruct Assembly business. He cites the age of criminal responsibility, the Good Jobs Bill and the conversion…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: DUP Stormont brake request on MLA wages and ministerial cars Original release: Carroll: DUP Will Pocket the Wage and Wreck the Work
-
DUP’s sham response beyond pathetic
TUV leader Jim Allister says the DUP's response today was pathetic and a sham, arguing that refusing joint appearances with O'Neill while keeping him in office is pointless. He contrasts this with Carla Lockhart MP's principled stance and accuses the DUP of clinging to office.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Stormont brake request on EU goods regulations Original release: DUP’s sham response beyond pathetic
-
Statement from the Democratic Unionist Party
The DUP accuses Sinn Féin and deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill of undermining the institutions after the Garvaghy Road blockade in Portadown, and calls for the Chief Constable to be transparent about threats, a fresh security assessment of dissidents and the Provisional IRA, and new…
Justice and policing Constitutional affairs Original release: Statement from the Democratic Unionist Party
-
Drumcree proving to be a pyrrhic victory for republicans – Empey
Ulster Unionist Peer Lord Empey says the Drumcree standoff has backfired on republicans, criticising Gerry Adams’s intervention and Sinn Féin’s involvement, and argues the dispute exposes threats to the Orange tradition and highlights demographic changes in a united Ireland.
Community relations and legacy Immigration Issue: Garvaghy Road residents' protest against Orange Order march Original release: Drumcree proving to be a pyrrhic victory for republicans – Empey
-
McDaid slams ‘wear more clothes’ advice in schools
SDLP councillor Catherine McDaid criticises Education Authority guidance telling pupils to dress warmer in schools amid high energy costs, linking it to cuts and crumbling school buildings. She raised the issue at a Derry City and Strabane council committee.
Education Public finance and taxation Original release: McDaid slams ‘wear more clothes’ advice in schools
-
Buckley warns of further trade barriers
DUP Upper Bann MLA Jonathan Buckley says sweeping EU reforms risk adding customs paperwork, tariffs and bureaucracy that could further separate trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, harming firms and supply chains, and calls for thorough scrutiny and a Unionist response.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: UK-EU trade agreement renegotiation Original release: Buckley warns of further trade barriers
-
The Department for the Economy has failed Ulster University’s staff
Green Party NI Leader Mal O’Hara says the Department for the Economy has let down Ulster University staff as up to 450 jobs are at risk, and calls for an urgent higher‑education funding settlement, a clear plan from Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald and a transparent consultation with unions to避免 (
Education Economy and employment Issue: Ulster University job cuts announcement Original release: The Department for the Economy has failed Ulster University’s staff
-
People Before Profit Slam Proposed Fees Increase At University
People Before Profit Councillor Shaun Harkin criticises Ulster University Vice Chancellor Paul Bartholomew's suggestion that fees rise above £9,000 to fund Magee expansion, calling for fees to be reduced and eventually abolished.
Education Original release: People Before Profit Slam Proposed Fees Increase At University
-
Harkin: Starmer Backsliding On Two-Child Policy Disproportionately Impacts Derry
PBP Cllr Shaun Harkin criticises Keir Starmer for refusing to commit to scrapping the two-child policy on benefits, arguing the policy disproportionately affects Derry and the North due to larger households with children.
Social security and welfare Economy and employment Issue: Starmer refusal to commit to scrapping the two-child benefit policy Original release: Harkin: Starmer Backsliding On Two-Child Policy Disproportionately Impacts Derry
-
Support Grant Cuts Will Punish The Poor – Gerry Carroll MLA
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll says proposed cuts to discretionary financial support grants will hit the poorest, as the Department for Communities warns of a £111.2 million funding gap after the recent budget.
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: Department for Communities £111.2 million funding gap and discretionary support grant cuts Original release: Support Grant Cuts Will Punish The Poor – Gerry Carroll MLA
-
Strike Back Against Education Cuts
People Before Profit says the Education Authority has no authority to implement the proposed £200 million education cuts and urges any incoming Executive to refuse the Tory austerity plan, warning it will punish vulnerable children.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Proposed £200m education cuts Original release: Strike Back Against Education Cuts
-
O’neill: People Before Profit Won’t Be Silent In Face Of Drastic Tory Cuts
Derry councillor Maeve O'Neill says planned UK Government budget cuts will hit residents across The Moor hard, accusing Sinn Féin, the SDLP and Alliance of voting with the DUP on Council rates, services and charges.
Public finance and taxation Local government Original release: O’neill: People Before Profit Won’t Be Silent In Face Of Drastic Tory Cuts
-
Doherty: Tories Exploiting Dup Obstruction To Impose Economic Punishment
People Before Profit Ballyarnett candidate Damien Doherty accuses the Tory Secretary of State of exploiting the Assembly impasse to impose cuts to children's services, health, pay and vulnerable groups, and urges strikes and community action against the budget.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Stormont budget cuts outlined by the Secretary of State Original release: Doherty: Tories Exploiting Dup Obstruction To Impose Economic Punishment