Latest releases
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103 releases
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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)
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O’Toole: Opportunity to build on legacy of Fleadh can’t be squandered
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA urges the First Minister and deputy First Minister to act on proposals for Belfast after the 2026 Fleadh, including a car-free city centre, licensing reform, better transport, good relations funding and an annual music festival.
Infrastructure and transport Original release: O’Toole: Opportunity to build on legacy of Fleadh can’t be squandered (opens in a new tab)
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Construction sector can be a strategic partner for creating jobs and tackling regional imbalance – Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard says planning reform and multi-year capital funding are needed for the construction sector to create jobs and tackle regional imbalance. Speaking at the Construction Employers Federation conference, he calls for an independent Infrastructure Commission and a long-term…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Original release: Construction sector can be a strategic partner for creating jobs and tackling regional imbalance – Hazzard (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 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 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 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 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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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 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 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 Original release: The DUP’s Proposed Hard Border between North and South is Impossible – Tóibín (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone raises need for tougher hate crime legislation
SDLP MLA Matthew McGlone raises the need for tougher hate crime legislation, but the release gives no further detail on the specific measures, incident or figures involved.
Justice and policing Original release: McGlone raises need for tougher hate crime legislation (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 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 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
The SDLP has tabled an amendment that would widen police authority to impound off-road bikes and electric scooters, the party says.
Justice and policing 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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O'Toole: New Ireland the only guaranteed way back into EU for NI
SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole says a New Ireland is the only guaranteed route for Northern Ireland to return to the EU, arguing it is the sole assured path back into the bloc.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: O'Toole: New Ireland the only guaranteed way back into EU for NI (opens in a new tab)