Latest releases
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35 releases
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Pulling Stormont Brake is another DUP stunt, says Tennyson
Alliance leader Naomi Long's party colleague Tennyson, identified in the release as Alliance's representative, calls the DUP's push to pull the Stormont brake a cynical, self-defeating stunt ahead of a UK-EU summit. He says it undermines progress on an SPS agreement and business confidence.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Stormont brake request on EU goods regulations Original release: Pulling Stormont Brake is another DUP stunt, says TennysonArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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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 Areas of Natural Constraint Bill would shift farm payments from lowland producers to large landowners, as the Assembly Agriculture Committee moves to deliberation. She says no extra funding exists, so money would…
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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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 move away from short-term crisis management. She calls for recognition of home heating oil users and rural communities.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Budget announcement Original release: Hanna: UK Budget Underlines Failure of Executive to Do Its JobArchived 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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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 make the carbon footprinting project mandatory for the Farm Sustainability Payment, arguing it would cut payments for non-participating farms without funding in place.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Original release: DUP will oppose carbon audit penalties on farmers – McIlveenArchived 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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Carroll: DUP Will Pocket the Wage and Wreck the Work
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll responds to a DUP statement on its continued engagement in the Executive, saying the party will keep ministerial salaries while using the Petition of Concern to obstruct Assembly business. He cites the age of criminal responsibility, the Good Jobs Bill and…
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
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DUP putting cynical party politics ahead of people’s livelihoods, says Tennyson
Alliance MLA Naomi Long's colleague Tennyson accuses the DUP of blocking Executive participation in a UK-wide Economic Forum, calling the move self-serving and harmful to families, businesses and public sector workers facing pay disputes.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Original release: DUP putting cynical party politics ahead of people’s livelihoods, says Tennyson
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Job Fairs decision is discrimination driven by narrow political…
DUP Foyle MLA Julie Middleton condemns Derry City and Strabane District Council's decision to pull backing from job fairs that include the Armed Forces, calling it divisive and discriminatory towards those who serve.
Economy and employment Local government Original release: Job Fairs decision is discrimination driven by narrow political…
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Armstrong: Labour’s red hand strikes farmers again
UUP Deputy Leader and Agriculture Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA says the Budget leaves farm families unchanged, with no amendment to the Family Farm Tax and a red diesel duty cut that ends in July next year. She also criticises the halving of Business Asset Disposal Relief and the expansion of…
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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UK Budget taking place without NI Budget is a shameful indictment, says Eastwood
Alliance Party MLA Eastwood says the UK Budget taking place without a Northern Ireland Budget is a shameful indictment, warning public services are on the brink. He calls for a budget with practical measures to make life more affordable and tackle the cost of doing business.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: UK Budget without NI Budget Original release: UK Budget taking place without NI Budget is a shameful indictment, says Eastwood
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O'Toole: DUP/SF mudslinging distracting from Christmas pay scandal
SDLP Opposition Leader Matthew O'Toole MLA says a bitter DUP and Sinn Féin exchange at the Executive Office Committee distracted from civil service pay, after the Department of Finance confirmed no pay deal can reach Christmas wages without an Executive Budget.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: Stormont brake request on Budget agreement Original release: O'Toole: DUP/SF mudslinging distracting from Christmas pay scandal
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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
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McGrath: Our Doctors and Nurses Are Not Pawns in a Political Game
SDLP MLA Colin McGrath accuses the Executive of allowing health workers to be caught in a political standoff with Secretary of State Sir Chris Bryant over pay disputes, after the BMA confirmed further November strikes by doctors.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Stormont handling of health service pay disputes Original release: McGrath: Our Doctors and Nurses Are Not Pawns in a Political Game
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Buckley warns of further trade barriers
DUP Upper Bann MLA Jonathan Buckley raises concerns that sweeping EU reforms, including the proposed EU Customs Code, could add costs, delays and bureaucracy to trade across the UK, and says the DUP will work with unionists to press these concerns.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: UK-EU trade agreement renegotiation Original release: Buckley warns of further trade barriers
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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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Northern Ireland left behind as plug-in solar launches in Britain
Green Party Councillor Anthony Flynn criticises the lack of plug-in solar in Northern Ireland as Great Britain's rules allowing up to 800W systems take effect, and calls on Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald to explain the delay and set out a timetable.
Economy and employment Environment and climate Issue: plug-in solar launch in Great Britain Original release: Northern Ireland left behind as plug-in solar launches in Britain
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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
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North Down Councillors blast DUP and UUP over climate hypocracy
Green Party Northern Ireland condemns the DUP and UUP for backing the Ards & North Down Council Climate Action Plan while demanding a review of legally‑binding climate targets, calling the move a dangerous contradiction that delays science‑based action and harms communities.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Drumcree Parades Commission ruling Original release: North Down Councillors blast DUP and UUP over climate hypocracy
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Where Is Siptu?
People Before Profit says SIPTU, holding its conference in Galway, has become almost invisible and is not seen as actively standing up for workers' rights. It cites the conference's Palestine resolution, the absence of SIPTU at pro-Palestine marches, and a 3% public sector pay deal it calls a…
Economy and employment International affairs Original release: Where Is Siptu?