Latest releases
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113 releases
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Children must come first when the worst has happened - Middleton
DUP Foyle MLA Julie Middleton welcomes a consultation on family law reform that would automatically restrict parental responsibility for a parent convicted of killing the other parent. She urges Northern Ireland to keep pace with England, Wales and the Republic, and says delay in a Bill leaves…
Justice and policing Issue: Family law reform consultation on parental responsibility after serious crimes Original release: Children must come first when the worst has happened - Middleton (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP launches three-stage reform plan to end Stormont paralysis
The SDLP has published a three-stage reform report, Politics for the Common Good, proposing immediate Stormont changes such as stopping one party collapsing the Executive, Joint First Ministers and relocating the Assembly to central Belfast. It urges the UK and Irish governments to help push…
Constitutional affairs Issue: SDLP launches Stormont reform plan Original release: SDLP launches three-stage reform plan to end Stormont paralysis (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Beyond constant crisis
SDLP calls for a continuing, staged programme of democratic reform, starting with immediate legislative changes, then a structured review of further reforms in the next mandate and a longer-term debate on power-sharing, citing the Budget impasse and falling trust.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Beyond constant crisis (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows calls for end to private fireworks sales
UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA calls for sweeping changes to Northern Ireland's fireworks rules, proposing a ban on private sales except in rare cases, limiting displays to organised events, moving to quieter fireworks and harsher penalties for illegal use, citing harm to pets and wildlife.
Justice and policing Issue: Fireworks law reform call by party leader Jon Burrows MLA Original release: Burrows calls for end to private fireworks sales (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, 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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Budget must put workers and families first – Mary Lou McDonald TD
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald TD says Budget 2027 must put workers and families first, setting out proposals to abolish USC on the first €40,000 and provide a €400 energy credit. She also calls on the Irish government to prepare for Irish unity and to put the Triple Lock dismantling plan to a…
Public finance and taxation Constitutional affairs Original release: Budget must put workers and families first – Mary Lou McDonald TD (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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Reunification: A New Deal for The People of Ireland – Mary Lou McDonald
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, in a Dáil speech on the Planning for Constitutional Change Bill 2026, says the Bill would be the first legislation directing government to plan for a United Ireland, requiring the Taoiseach to publish a Green Paper and establish an All-Ireland Citizens' Assembly.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Planning for Constitutional Change Bill 2026 Dáil debate Original release: Reunification: A New Deal for The People of Ireland – Mary Lou McDonald (opens in a new tab)
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Ireland’s Presidency of the EU comes at defining time for Europe and for Ireland – Mary Lou McDonald TD
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald TD sets out three priorities for Ireland's EU Council Presidency: preparing for Irish unity, standing up for workers and farmers, and defending military neutrality and peace. She urges the Government to open talks with European partners on constitutional change.
International affairs Constitutional affairs Issue: Ireland's EU Council Presidency commencement ceremony in Dublin Castle Original release: Ireland’s Presidency of the EU comes at defining time for Europe and for Ireland – Mary Lou McDonald TD (opens in a new tab)
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Bill a step forward in improving experience of victims and witnesses in criminal justice system, says Long
Alliance Justice Minister Naomi Long pays tribute to victims and witnesses of crime after the Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill reached its second stage in the Assembly. She says the Bill's provisions are informed by their lived experiences and represent a step forward.
Justice and policing Issue: Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill second stage vote Original release: Bill a step forward in improving experience of victims and witnesses in criminal justice system, says Long (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance introduces essential legislation to end cruel so-called conversion practices
Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson MLA introduces the Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill to the Assembly, seeking to ban conversion therapy and coercive conversion behaviour in Northern Ireland with penalties of fines or up to two years in custody.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill introduced to Assembly Original release: Alliance introduces essential legislation to end cruel so-called conversion practices (opens in a new tab)
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Ten Years On, Brexit Remains Undelivered in Northern Ireland
TUV spokesman Dr Dan Boucher marks ten years since the 2016 EU referendum, arguing Brexit remains undelivered in Northern Ireland and that the UK must leave the EU as a whole. He backs the European Union Withdrawal Alternative Arrangements Bill over the government's proposed European Partnership…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Ten Years On, Brexit Remains Undelivered in Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Time to reset relationships after lost decade of Brexit, says Tennyson
Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson MLA says the UK should reset its EU relations, marking ten years since the referendum, and calls for re-entry to the Single Market and Customs Union. He claims Brexit costs £90 billion a year and urges eventual rejoining.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Time to reset relationships after lost decade of Brexit, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston Amendment Backed by Fresh Court Ruling on Prison Accommodation
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston welcomes a Scottish Court of Session judgment ruling that prison accommodation must be segregated by biological sex, and says it should prompt reflection in Northern Ireland. He points to Rule 90 of the 1995 Prison Rules and says his Amendment 97 to the Justice Bill will be…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Court of Session ruling on prison accommodation by biological sex Original release: Gaston Amendment Backed by Fresh Court Ruling on Prison Accommodation (opens in a new tab)
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Mary Lou McDonald launches Bill to legislate for planning on Irish unity
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD says she has introduced a Dáil Bill requiring the Taoiseach to begin planning for constitutional change and Irish unity, including a government Green Paper and a Citizens' Assembly.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Sinn Féin Dáil Bill on planning for Irish unity introduced Original release: Mary Lou McDonald launches Bill to legislate for planning on Irish unity (opens in a new tab)
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The DUP’s Proposed Hard Border between North and South is Impossible – Tóibín
Aontú Leader and Meath West TD says the DUP’s proposed hard border between the north and south is impossible to police, would damage the all‑Ireland economy and risk a return to Troubles‑era controls, and calls on the Irish government to open talks with the UK, pledging to raise the issue at the BI‑
Constitutional affairs Immigration Issue: DUP proposed hard border between North and South Original release: The DUP’s Proposed Hard Border between North and South is Impossible – Tóibín (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: MLAs cannot miss chance to tackle scramblers and e-scooters
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says MLAs must vote for an amendment to the Justice Bill that would let police seize scramblers and e‑scooters causing alarm, distress or annoyance without a warning, urging cross‑party support to curb dangerous anti‑social use.
Justice and policing Issue: SDLP amendment to Justice Bill on seizing scramblers and e-scooters Original release: Durkan: MLAs cannot miss chance to tackle scramblers and e-scooters (opens in a new tab)
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Frew Tables Amendment to Strengthen Police Powers Against Dangerous…
DUP North Antrim MLA and Assembly Justice Committee Chair Paul Frew tables a Justice Bill amendment to let police seize illegally used e‑scooters and scramblers without first issuing a warning, aiming to curb reckless use on roads and footpaths.
Justice and policing Issue: Justice Bill amendment to remove warning before e‑scooter seizure Original release: Frew Tables Amendment to Strengthen Police Powers Against Dangerous… (opens in a new tab)
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Frew hosts NIACRO Delegation to discuss 'Friday release' amendment
DUP MLA Paul Frew, Justice Committee Chairperson, says he hosted NIACRO and other stakeholders at Stormont to discuss his amendment to the Justice Bill, which would stop prisoner releases on Fridays or before public holidays so support can be arranged.
Justice and policing Issue: Paul Frew amendment to Justice Bill on Friday prisoner release Original release: Frew hosts NIACRO Delegation to discuss 'Friday release' amendment (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP brings forward amendment to give police greater powers to seize scramblers and e-scooters
SDLP Opposition Justice Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA says the party is bringing forward an amendment to the Justice Bill so police can seize scramblers and e-scooters being used dangerously or anti-socially without first issuing a warning. He urges MLAs to back the proposal.
Justice and policing Issue: SDLP amendment to Justice Bill on seizing scramblers and e-scooters Original release: SDLP brings forward amendment to give police greater powers to seize scramblers and e-scooters (opens in a new tab)
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Democracy should not be up for grabs, says Long, as Alliance publish reform proposals
Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA says democracy must not be for sale and unveils the Democratic Renewal paper proposing to stop any party collapsing Stormont, ensure equal voting weight, curb executive deadlock, boost minister accountability and increase transparency of political funding.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Alliance Party Assembly and Executive reform proposals Original release: Democracy should not be up for grabs, says Long, as Alliance publish reform proposals (opens in a new tab)