Latest releases
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78 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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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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Irish Citizenship is something to be valued, rules must reflect that – Matt Carthy TD
Sinn Féin spokesperson Matt Carthy TD calls for Irish citizenship rules to reflect its significance, proposing a structured pathway with civic integration, language requirements, a citizenship test and statutory good-character guidelines. He also seeks a pathway for those living in the North.
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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 Issue: 2026 Belfast Fleadh legacy proposals 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 Issue: Construction Employers Federation 'Delivery, not Delay' manifesto launch 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 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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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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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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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)
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All-Ireland Presidential Voting Bill passes 2nd stage
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín says his Voting Rights in Presidential Elections Bill, which passed second stage, would let Irish citizens across the island vote in presidential elections, enfranchising around one million people, with the change taking effect at the next election.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Peadar Tóibín presidential franchise bill Dáil debate Original release: All-Ireland Presidential Voting Bill passes 2nd stage (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP: Single Irish state can unlock our economic potential
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says a single Irish state offers the strongest chance to unlock a New Ireland’s economic potential, unveiling the ‘Success by Design’ paper with proposals for an all‑island infrastructure fund, stronger rail links, skills alignment and a Ministry for a New Ireland.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Launch of SDLP Success by Design policy paper Original release: SDLP: Single Irish state can unlock our economic potential (opens in a new tab)
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Only through building a new Ireland will we realise our full potential – Kearney
Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney says only a new united Ireland can undo the damage of Brexit, ahead of an Assembly motion calling for closer alignment with EU trade rules and a joint customs union. He calls for a date to be set for a unity referendum.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Assembly motion on closer alignment with EU trade rules Original release: Only through building a new Ireland will we realise our full potential – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Establishing European Union office in Belfast as resource for businesses ‘logical step’ – Kearney
SDLP... no. Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney calls for an EU office in Belfast to act as a resource for businesses, citing Brexit-related trading difficulties and a recent Murphy review recommendation for a single administrative access point.
Economy and employment International affairs Issue: Murphy review recommendation on EU office for Belfast businesses Original release: Establishing European Union office in Belfast as resource for businesses ‘logical step’ – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Stormont must beef up ministerial accountability following Givan scandal
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says Stormont must toughen sanctions on Ministers who breach the Ministerial Code, ahead of a DUP-blocked no-confidence motion against Education Minister Paul Givan. The SDLP will also table a motion seeking institutional reform.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Vote of no confidence in Minister Givan Original release: O’Toole: Stormont must beef up ministerial accountability following Givan scandal (opens in a new tab)
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Time for a Citizens' Assembly on reform of NI Institutions, says Guy
Alliance MLA Michelle Guy says reform of the Assembly and Executive is overdue and calls for a Citizens' Assembly to be explored, after the Assembly Executive Review Committee backed her proposal to examine how one could be set up. She argues no single party can deliver reform and that the public…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Assembly Executive Review Committee backing for a Citizens' Assembly proposal Original release: Time for a Citizens' Assembly on reform of NI Institutions, says Guy (opens in a new tab)