Latest releases
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14 releases
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Sinn Fein’s ANC Bill would rob lowland farmers to boost payments to…
The DUP says Sinn Féin's Agricultural Natural Constraints (ANC) Bill would take money from lowland farmers to boost payments to hill farmers, though the release text provided is only a truncated headline.
Agriculture and rural affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Sinn Fein ANC Bill proposal Original release: Sinn Fein’s ANC Bill would rob lowland farmers to boost payments to…Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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O’Toole: Belfast transport plan long on aspiration, short on delivery commitments
SDLP Opposition Leader Matthew O’Toole MLA calls for firm delivery commitments after the Belfast section of the Eastern Transport Plan 2035 was published, saying the proposals are aspirational but lack budget and clear timelines, and urging the Minister to ensure pedestrianisation, safeguard the‑dis
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
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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 does not cover customs or tariffs. He criticises Whitehall's handling of the Union Customs Code parcel handling fee and EU AI Act provisions in Northern Ireland, and calls for the Stormont Brake to be used.
Constitutional affairs International affairs 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
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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
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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
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Armstrong: Labour’s red hand strikes farmers again
Ulster Unionist Deputy Leader Diana Armstrong criticises Labour's Family Farm Tax and red diesel changes. She says these policies are causing stress and financial difficulties for farmers.
Agriculture and rural affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Labour's Family Farm Tax implementation and red diesel duty changes Original release: Armstrong: Labour’s red hand strikes farmers again
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McDaid slams ‘wear more clothes’ advice in schools
SDLP Councillor Catherine McDaid criticised the Education Authority's advice that pupils should “ wear more clothes” in D Derry schools, arguing it reflects cut budgets and inadequate heating rather than protecting children and staff, and she urged action on heating and repairs.
Education Local government Original release: McDaid slams ‘wear more clothes’ advice in schools
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Planning system continues to hold back economic growth, says McReynolds
Alliance MLA McReynolds says the planning system is holding back economic growth, citing June 2026 figures showing over 30% of live applications were over a year old and only three councils met statutory timeframes. She calls for a comprehensive reform programme with mandatory timeframes and…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Planning system statistics and business concerns Original release: Planning system continues to hold back economic growth, says McReynolds
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Cllr Flynn slams agriculture minister over cattle cull
Green Party Cllr Anthony Flynn criticises agriculture minister Muir over DAERA's decision to destroy 51 cattle in Fivemiletown, calling for an independent review to examine alternatives and for the operational plan and welfare risk assessment to be published now.
Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Cattle cull in Fivemiletown by DAERA Original release: Cllr Flynn slams agriculture minister over cattle cull
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The Department for the Economy has failed Ulster University’s staff
The party criticises the Department for the Economy's handling of Ulster University's funding, putting 450 jobs at risk. The party Leader, Mal O'Hara, calls for Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald to explain her plan for higher education in Northern Ireland.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Ulster University job cuts announcement Original release: The Department for the Economy has failed Ulster University’s staff
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Sinn Féin must come clean on fox hunting - Cllr Flynn
Green Party Cllr Flynn accuses Sinn Féin of defending fox hunting after its Dáil vote on 17 December, and calls on the party to state its position openly and back a ban on hunting with dogs.
Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Parades Commission ruling Original release: Sinn Féin must come clean on fox hunting - Cllr Flynn
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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
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DUP And UU Think 6000 Students At Magee Is Good Enough For Derry
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin says the DUP and Ulster University are accepting 6,000 students at Magee as enough, and calls for an urgent plan to reach a 10,000-student minimum within five years. He also calls for investment across Derry and the North West, citing Derry City Deal funding…
Education Economy and employment Issue: Ulster University Magee campus student number target 6,000 Original release: DUP And UU Think 6000 Students At Magee Is Good Enough For Derry
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Translink “Special” Train An Insult To Derry
People Before Profit councillor Maeve O'Neill says Translink's decision to run a special train for the Derry v Galway All-Ireland semi-final from Belfast rather than Derry is a deliberate insult to the city. She calls for the issue to be addressed immediately and urges a proper Derry-Dublin rail…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Translink Derry special train for All-Ireland semi-final departing from Belfast Original release: Translink “Special” Train An Insult To Derry