Latest releases
Searching a long passage? Find similar statements.
- Education: remove filter
- Justice and policing: remove filter
- Disability and equality: remove filter
- Criticism: remove filter
26 releases
-
Burrows challenges Chief Constable over Provisional IRA remarks
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA rejects Chief Constable Jon Boutcher’s reported claim that remaining Provisional IRA members are older people who pose no harm, calling the group’s continued existence anathema to democracy and urging a fresh security assessment and equal law enforcement.
Justice and policing Issue: Chief Constable's comments on Provisional IRA existence Original release: Burrows challenges Chief Constable over Provisional IRA remarksArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
-
SAS claims cannot override evidence or judicial findings – Finucane
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane challenges comments by former SAS commander George Simm on BBC Good Morning Ulster, saying his claims that the SAS arrested some suspects and so no shoot-to-kill policy existed are flawed. He says families seeking legal accountability are entitled to independent…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Former SAS commander's comments on SAS actions in Northern Ireland Original release: SAS claims cannot override evidence or judicial findings – FinucaneArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
-
Overwhelming opposition to Alliance Conversion Practices Bill -…
DUP MLA Pam Cameron says a Committee for Communities survey shows more than nine in ten of 1,379 respondents oppose the Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill, and calls on the Alliance-led proposal not to proceed, citing prosecutor concerns about harm thresholds and little evidence of…
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Alliance Conversion Practices Bill Original release: Overwhelming opposition to Alliance Conversion Practices Bill -…Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
-
Chief Constable’s clarification changes a word, not the substance: PIRA’s stance should not shape policing
TUV leader Jim Allister KC MP says the Chief Constable's clarification on the Provisional IRA's 'stance' does not change the substance, asking why its position was relevant to policing Drumcree and what weight it was given. He calls on the DUP to explain how it can sustain Sinn Fein in government.
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: Drumcree policing assessment controversy Original release: Chief Constable’s clarification changes a word, not the substance: PIRA’s stance should not shape policingArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
-
Burrows: ‘I’ll take no lectures from Sinn Féin on democracy, on equality or on the past’
UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA says he will not accept Sinn Féin’s accusations of supremacism, rejects their right to lecture on democracy, equality or the past, and criticises their government record after North Antrim MLA Philip McGuigan’s scripted attack in the Assembly.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Philip McGuigan's Assembly speech accusing Jon Burrows MLA of supremacist attitude Original release: Burrows: ‘I’ll take no lectures from Sinn Féin on democracy, on equality or on the past’Archived 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 Paul Givan’s TransformED is steering education the wrong way, warning it would increase high‑stakes exams, cut coursework, narrow the curriculum and add pressure on teachers while ignoring academic selection, and urges the Minister to listen to ‑
Education Issue: TransformED education reforms announcement Original release: TransformED is taking education system in the wrong direction – Sheehan
-
Bradshaw condemns DUP gaslighting over Flags Bill
Alliance MLA Paul Bradshaw accuses the DUP of using filibustering tactics to delay the Flags Bill, which he says is an attempt to block legislation on abusive flags. He says the Committee Stage should move faster and that he has drafted amendments and offered meetings with other parties.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: DUP attempt to filibuster Flags Bill in Assembly Committee Stage Original release: Bradshaw condemns DUP gaslighting over Flags Bill
-
Attacks on Rasharkin Orange Hall
TUV North Antrim MP Jim Allister welcomes Rasharkin Chosen Few's public account of repeated attacks on its Orange hall, including IRA graffiti, and calls on the PSNI to deliver results under its action plan and to act on claims that policing is influenced by PIRA feelings.
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: Rasharkin attacks Original release: Attacks on Rasharkin Orange Hall
-
Minister putting unsustainable additional workload on teachers, says Mathison, ahead of TransformED motion
Alliance Education spokesperson Nick Mathison says the Education Minister is placing an unsustainable additional workload on teachers through the TransformED reforms, ahead of an Assembly motion on the day 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 says the British government must drop proposals to give the British Attorney General final authority over conflict‑related prosecutions, arguing it would undermine the independent prosecution service established after the Good Friday Agreement and place state forces beyond
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
-
Alliance need to stop making excuses for law-breakers
DUP Justice Spokesperson Paul Frew MLA accuses the Alliance Party of excusing Sinn Fein representatives under police investigation for taking part in an illegal protest, and says Alliance has refused to scrutinise Sinn Fein, including over a Police and Community Safety Partnership chair.
Justice and policing Original release: Alliance need to stop making excuses for law-breakers
-
Statement from the Democratic Unionist Party
The DUP accuses Sinn Féin and First Minister Michelle O'Neill of undermining the rule of law over the Garvaghy Road blockade in Portadown, and calls for transparent policing, a fresh UK security assessment and new sanctions against parties.
Justice and policing Constitutional affairs Original release: Statement from the Democratic Unionist Party
-
Drumcree proving to be a pyrrhic victory for republicans – Empey
UUP peer Lord Empey says the recent Drumcree stand‑off has back‑fired on republicans, accusing Gerry Adams of strategic interference and Michelle O’Neill of unlawful action, and warns that sectarian attacks and rising immigration undermine a united Ireland vision.
Community relations and legacy Constitutional affairs 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 Ballyarnett Councillor Catherine McDaid criticises Education Authority guidance telling pupils to dress warmer amid energy cost pressures, saying school budgets are overstretched and schools are being left cold heading into winter.
Education Local government Original release: McDaid slams ‘wear more clothes’ advice in schools
-
Surprise, surprise PIRA not a benign spectator
TUV leader Jim Allister says a High Court hearing shows the PSNI holds undisclosed intelligence about the PIRA that is not benign, and calls for political consequences for Sinn Féin. He also accuses the DUP of remaining in lockstep with Sinn Féin by keeping the First Minister in office.
Justice and policing Issue: PSNI's undisclosed intelligence on PIRA's malevolent involvement Original release: Surprise, surprise PIRA not a benign spectator
-
The Department for the Economy has failed Ulster University’s staff
Green Party NI leader Mal O'Hara says the Economy Department has let down Ulster University staff after plans put up to 450 jobs at risk when no promised funding settlement arrived. He calls on Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald to address the Assembly with a plan for higher education, and urges…
Education Economy and employment Issue: Ulster University job cuts announcement Original release: The Department for the Economy has failed Ulster University’s staff
-
Green Party Cllr Kendall Again Condemns Executive Over Continued Delay of Safe Leave
Green Party Councillor Lauren Kendall says the Executive and Economy Minister are failing to implement Safe Leave, paid leave for domestic abuse victims, and calls for it to be delivered now. She links this to the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy and Women's Aid NI 2024/25 figures.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Safe Leave legislation delay and inaction Original release: Green Party Cllr Kendall Again Condemns Executive Over Continued Delay of Safe Leave
-
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 the link cynical and urging fees be cut with the aim of abolition.
Education Original release: People Before Profit Slam Proposed Fees Increase At University
-
The Dup Should Offer Leadership Not Victim Blaming
People Before Profit Councillor Shaun Harkin calls on DUP Infrastructure Minister Gordon Lyons to withdraw his remarks that protesters' concerns were legitimate, accusing him of victim blaming after anti-immigration violence in Belfast.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Original release: The Dup Should Offer Leadership Not Victim Blaming
-
Who Is Posie Parker And Why We Protest
People Before Profit says Posie Parker (Kellie-Jay Keen) is using a campaign against trans people to try to reverse the Gender Recognition Act, and cites her associations with far-right figures as reasons for protesting her Irish appearances.
Disability and equality Issue: Posie Parker Belfast rally protest Original release: Who Is Posie Parker And Why We Protest