Latest releases
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874 releases
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Compulsory Carbon Audits unnecessary and disproportionate – McAleer
Sinn Féin Agriculture spokesperson and West Tyrone MLA Declan McAleer opposes Department proposals to make carbon audits compulsory for farmers, saying linking them to 10% to 15% cuts in Farm Sustainability Payments goes beyond the Climate Change Act and penalises smaller farmers.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Carbon Footprinting Project farm payment regulations before Agriculture Committee Original release: Compulsory Carbon Audits unnecessary and disproportionate – McAleer (opens in a new tab)
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Farmers face payment raid as Sinn Fein pushes ANC Bill through –…
DUP Agriculture spokesperson Michelle McIlveen MLA urges farmers outside disadvantaged areas to lobby their MLAs before Committee stage of the ANC Bill, claiming Sinn Fein's amendments delay but do not change plans to fund it by trimming Farm Sustainability Payments.
Agriculture and rural affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Sinn Fein ANC Bill proposal Original release: Farmers face payment raid as Sinn Fein pushes ANC Bill through –… (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Lucy's Law without the register is only half the job - McIlveen
DUP MLA Michelle McIlveen says a register of puppy and kitten sellers, dropped from Lucy's Law regulations before Stormont's Agriculture Committee, is a planning failure by the Department. She calls on the Minister for a firm timetable and resources for councils.
Agriculture and rural affairs Local government Issue: Lucy's Law regulations register of puppy and kitten sellers deferred Original release: Lucy's Law without the register is only half the job - McIlveen (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Minister must fully implement recommendations of Fivemiletown cattle cull review – McAleer
Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer calls on DAERA to deliver the ten recommendations of the independent external review of the Fivemiletown cattle cull in full, with independent oversight, and to rebuild trust with local residents and farmers.
Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Fivemiletown cattle cull independent review findings Original release: Minister must fully implement recommendations of Fivemiletown cattle cull review – McAleer (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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A shambles from start to finish and a damning indictment of DAERA
UUP Deputy Leader and Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Diana Armstrong says the Blake review of DAERA exposes contradictions and communication failures in the handling of the operation to cull cattle in the fields. She questions why animals were shot after a stop order, why Site 2 was not searched…
Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Fivemiletown cattle cull independent review findings Original release: A shambles from start to finish and a damning indictment of DAERA (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Fivemiletown review exposes serious failings at the heart of DAERA -…
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine says the independent review of the Fivemiletown cattle cull confirms DAERA got it badly wrong, citing missing written policy, unrecorded ear tags and cattle loose on a road. She calls on Minister Andrew Muir to address the Assembly, accept all findings and set a timetable…
Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Fivemiletown cattle cull independent review findings Original release: Fivemiletown review exposes serious failings at the heart of DAERA -… (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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We will not let drugs take hold of our rural communities
UUP Deputy Leader and Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Diana Armstrong is leading an Assembly adjournment debate on drugs and drug-related intimidation in rural communities. She calls on the Justice Minister to say what replaces the Executive drugs programme ending in March 2027.
Justice and policing Agriculture and rural affairs Original release: We will not let drugs take hold of our rural communities (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows invites unionists to join a revitalised UUP
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA makes a "big, broad offer" inviting unionists across Northern Ireland, including elected representatives from other unionist parties, to join the Ulster Unionist Party as it builds a new leadership team. He says unionism needs change and cites Health Minister Robbie…
Other Health Original release: Burrows invites unionists to join a revitalised UUP (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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Ferguson calls for action after supporters across the North blocked from FAI Cup final
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson congratulates Derry City on their FAI Cup victory but criticises RTÉ for again geo-blocking viewers in the North from watching the final. She calls on RTÉ to ensure northern supporters are not excluded from major sporting occasions.
Other Issue: Derry City FAI Cup final victory and RTÉ geo-blocking in the North Original release: Ferguson calls for action after supporters across the North blocked from FAI Cup final (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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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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Armstrong: Farm fire costs rose four times faster here than across the UK
Ulster Unionist MLA Diana Armstrong calls for investment in rural fire services after farm fire costs rose 73% in Northern Ireland.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: NFU Mutual's Farm Fires Report 2025 statistics release Original release: Armstrong: Farm fire costs rose four times faster here than across the UK (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin to target three Assembly seats in North Belfast
Sinn Féin announces its three candidates for the next Assembly election in North Belfast: Gerry Kelly MLA, Carál Ní Chuilín MLA and Councillor Maighréad Ní Chonghaile. Party leader Mary Lou McDonald says the party aims to win all three seats in May.
Other Issue: Sinn Féin North Belfast Assembly candidate selection Original release: Sinn Féin to target three Assembly seats in North Belfast (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Aiken: Food checks deal welcome, but Irish Sea border is far from gone
UUP MLA Dr Steve Aiken welcomes the draft UK‑EU sanitary and phytosanitary agreement on food checks, but warns that Northern Ireland will stay separated from the rest of the UK on many regulations and that the new EU customs code will increase trade disruption.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU-UK food and plant products agreement Original release: Aiken: Food checks deal welcome, but Irish Sea border is far from gone (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Michelle O’Neill pays tribute to Ciara Mageean
Sinn Féin Vice-President Michelle O'Neill pays tribute to athlete Ciara Mageean, who has died after a battle with cancer, extending condolences to her husband, parents and family and praising her sporting achievements and character.
Other Issue: Ciara Mageean passing after cancer Original release: Michelle O’Neill pays tribute to Ciara Mageean (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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Statement from Michelle O’Neill
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill, Deputy First Minister, calls DUP leader Gavin Robinson's comments arrogant and supremacist, says the DUP is in turmoil over internal leadership divisions, and states she will attend the Assembly on Monday with Sinn Féin Ministers.
Other Issue: DUP leader Gavin Robinson comments criticised by Michelle O'Neill Original release: Statement from Michelle O’Neill (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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Andrew Muir and Connie Egan selected as Alliance North Down Assembly candidates
Alliance MLAs Andrew Muir and Connie Egan say they have been re‑selected to contest North Down in the 6 May 2027 Assembly election, highlighting Muir’s record on water quality, climate action and farming, and Egan’s work on ending violence against women, integrated education and a reformed Stormont.
Other Environment and climate Issue: Alliance North Down Assembly candidates selected Original release: Andrew Muir and Connie Egan selected as Alliance North Down Assembly candidates (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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Armstrong: Labour’s red hand strikes farmers again
UUP Deputy Leader and Agriculture Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA says the Budget leaves the Family Farm Tax unchanged and sets a cliff edge on red diesel from July next year. She welcomes fertiliser and kerosene tariff suspensions but calls for index-linking of the agriculture budget.
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 (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)