Latest releases
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1,244 releases
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Durkan: Working Families Paying Price for Executive Failure on School Meals
SDLP Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA criticises a further rise in school meal costs, saying working families are bearing the impact of Executive dysfunction and the lack of a Budget. He questions the cost gap with England and calls for procurement transparency.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Education Authority school meal price increase to £3.40 Original release: Durkan: Working Families Paying Price for Executive Failure on School Meals (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin: Workers betrayed by Executive failure to deliver Good Jobs Bill
SDLP Economy Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin MLA says the collapse of the Good Jobs Bill betrays workers, blaming the DUP for obstruction and Sinn Féin for failing to deliver its flagship legislation. She calls for a regionally balanced economy with better pay, job security and workers' rights.
Economy and employment Issue: DUP blocking of Good Jobs Bill in Assembly Original release: McLaughlin: Workers betrayed by Executive failure to deliver Good Jobs Bill (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Harkin: Royal Mail Privatisation Underpins Derry Delivery Failings and Workforce Frustration
Cllr Shaun Harkin says privatisation of Royal Mail is behind delivery failings in Derry and workforce frustration, after a meeting with senior Royal Mail representatives. He calls for workers not to be scapegoated over dumped mail and urges public ownership of the company.
Economy and employment Issue: Royal Mail Derry dumped mail investigation and delivery failings Original release: Harkin: Royal Mail Privatisation Underpins Derry Delivery Failings and Workforce Frustration (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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O'Toole: First Minister's party cannot shirk blame for failing workers over pay
SDLP Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole says Executive parties cannot keep avoiding responsibility for failing to agree a Budget with the British Government, which he claims is blocking pay rises for nurses, teachers and other public sector workers before Christmas.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Executive failure to agree Budget with British Government delaying public sector pay Original release: O'Toole: First Minister's party cannot shirk blame for failing workers over pay (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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EU noose tightens further
TUV leader Jim Allister says the UK/EU Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee has extended EU law in Northern Ireland, notably the AI Act, which he claims will further divorce NI from the UK market. He also criticises stricter EU food border demands and calls for a UK government willing to confront…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: UK/EU Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee adds EU AI Act to Windsor Framework Original release: EU noose tightens further (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Carroll: DUP Veto on Irish-Medium Bill is Sectarian Attack on Children and Workers
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll condemns the DUP’s use of a Petition of Concern to stop the Irish‑medium Education Workforce Plan Bill, calling the veto a sectarian attack on children and workers and urging the petition be abolished.
Education Community relations and legacy Issue: DUP petition of concern against Irish-medium Education Workforce Plan Bill Original release: Carroll: DUP Veto on Irish-Medium Bill is Sectarian Attack on Children and Workers (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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DUP punishing children and schools through latest Petition of Concern, says Tennyson
Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson MLA says the DUP's Petition of Concern against an Assembly bill on Irish-medium education punishes children and schools. He calls for reform of Stormont so no single party can block progress.
Education Disability and equality Issue: DUP petition of concern against Irish-medium Education Workforce Plan Bill Original release: DUP punishing children and schools through latest Petition of Concern, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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SF Arrogance Killed Employment Rights Bill
DUP South Down MLA and Economy Committee Vice-Chair Diane Forsythe says Sinn Fein's refusal to split the Employment Rights Bill has killed it, claiming the Bill lacks business backing and would cost jobs. She says the DUP asked for the Bill to be divided so agreed provisions could advance.
Economy and employment Issue: Employment Rights Bill collapse after Sinn Fein refuses to split it Original release: SF Arrogance Killed Employment Rights Bill (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Wilson: Minister is out of touch with the realities facing family…
DUP Newry & Armagh MLA Gareth Wilson accuses Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir of being out of touch with farmers over mandatory carbon audits, which he says would cut farm payments by 10% from May 2029 and 15% the following year. He calls for the Minister to listen to farmers and says the DUP will…
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: Carbon Footprinting Project farm payment regulations before Agriculture Committee Original release: Wilson: Minister is out of touch with the realities facing family… (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Sheehan slams plans by DUP to veto Irish-medium Education Workforce Plan Bill
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan slams the DUP's plan to veto his Irish-medium Education Workforce Plan Bill via a petition of concern, saying it would harm children learning through Irish. He calls on the DUP to abandon the move and let the Assembly vote, describing the opposition as anti-Irish bigotry.
Education Disability and equality Issue: DUP petition of concern against Irish-medium Education Workforce Plan Bill Original release: Sheehan slams plans by DUP to veto Irish-medium Education Workforce Plan Bill (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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DUP has abandoned every working family in the north – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney accuses the DUP of blocking the Good Jobs Bill, saying it has ended any prospect of the legislation becoming law this Assembly mandate and denied MLAs a debate or vote on it. He says the DUP is anti-worker and anti-trade union.
Economy and employment Issue: DUP blocking of Good Jobs Bill in Assembly Original release: DUP has abandoned every working family in the north – Kearney (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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8 Years 9 Months wait for urgent dermatology appointment in Northern Trust
TUV MP Jim Allister says the Northern Trust has confirmed an 8 years 9 months wait to see a dermatologist for an urgent referral in a constituency case. He calls the situation a catastrophic failure, encloses redacted correspondence, and says he will press the Trust's chief executive on it next…
Health Issue: Northern Trust dermatology service wait times criticism Original release: 8 Years 9 Months wait for urgent dermatology appointment in Northern Trust (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Fein’s ANC Bill would rob lowland farmers to boost payments to…
DUP agriculture spokesperson Michelle McIlveen MLA warns that Sinn Féin's proposed ANC legislation would shift funding from lowland dairy, cereal and beef and sheep producers to large landowners in disadvantaged areas, and calls for Sinn Féin to identify extra money.
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… (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Overwhelming opposition to Alliance Conversion Practices Bill -…
DUP MLA Pam Cameron says a Committee for Communities survey shows 93.55% of 1,379 respondents opposed the Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill, and calls on the Alliance Party to heed the public and halt the Bill. She argues prosecutors flagged vague harm thresholds and reach into family…
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Alliance Conversion Practices Bill Original release: Overwhelming opposition to Alliance Conversion Practices Bill -… (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: UK Budget Underlines Failure of Executive to Do Its Job
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP welcomes any UK Budget support for Northern Ireland households facing rising energy and bill costs, but says the Executive must agree its own Budget and stop relying on short-term crisis fixes. She calls for a clear long-term plan for families and businesses.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: British government budget and Executive funding for Northern Ireland Original release: Hanna: UK Budget Underlines Failure of Executive to Do Its Job (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Belfast transport plan long on aspiration, short on delivery commitments
SDLP Opposition Leader Matthew O'Toole MLA says the Belfast section of the Eastern Transport Plan 2035 is long on aspiration and short on firm delivery commitments, questioning how the north-south Glider will be funded without an agreed budget. He also raises concerns about cuts to cycling…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Eastern Transport Plan 2035 Belfast portion publication Original release: O’Toole: Belfast transport plan long on aspiration, short on delivery commitments (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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DUP will oppose carbon audit penalties on farmers – McIlveen
DUP agriculture spokesperson Michelle McIlveen MLA says her party will oppose Minister Andrew Muir's plan to tie the Farm Sustainability Payment to registering for the carbon audit project. She says cuts of 10% then 15% are a penalty, the project is underfunded, and calls on the Minister to think…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Carbon Footprinting Project farm payment regulations before Agriculture Committee Original release: DUP will oppose carbon audit penalties on farmers – McIlveen (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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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 leaves customs and tariffs in Northern Ireland. He criticises Whitehall for ignoring the Union Customs Code parcel handling fee and calls for the Stormont Brake to be applied, and says applying parts of…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Proposed UK-EU SPS agreement and Union Customs Code parcel handling fee Original release: Whitehall asleep as EU parcel tax and AI rules hit Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Carroll: DUP Will Pocket the Wage and Wreck the Work
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll responds to a DUP statement on its continued Executive engagement, saying the party will keep ministerial pay while using Petition of Concern to obstruct Assembly business. He cites the age of criminal responsibility, the Good Jobs Bill and the conversion…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: DUP Stormont brake request on MLA wages and ministerial cars Original release: Carroll: DUP Will Pocket the Wage and Wreck the Work (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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DUP putting cynical party politics ahead of people’s livelihoods, says Tennyson
Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson MLA criticises the DUP's decision to withdraw from joint engagements with the First Minister, including a UK-wide Economic Forum chaired by the Prime Minister, arguing it harms people amid no agreed budget and public sector pay disputes.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: DUP's decision to exclude Northern Ireland from Economic Forum in Glasgow Original release: DUP putting cynical party politics ahead of people’s livelihoods, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)