Latest releases
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52 releases
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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)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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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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SDLP launches plan for food system transformation
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP launches a policy paper, Seeds of Success, proposing a legal entitlement to food, ring-fenced soft drinks levy revenue, local sourcing targets for public procurement and a healthy food subsidy pilot. It frames food insecurity as a public health and economic issue.
Agriculture and rural affairs Social security and welfare Issue: SDLP Seeds of Success food systems policy paper launch Original release: SDLP launches plan for food system transformation (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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Gerry Carroll’s People's Housing Bill: the Tenant Protections Stormont Refuses to Deliver
People Before Profit's Gerry Carroll says Belfast rents have jumped over 50% in five years, leaving tenants vulnerable to evictions and disrepair. He announces a private members People’s Housing Bill to cut rents and ban no‑fault evictions, calling for urgent action on the housing crisis.
Housing Issue: Belfast rents rise faster than any other UK city Original release: Gerry Carroll’s People's Housing Bill: the Tenant Protections Stormont Refuses to Deliver (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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Baker moves bill to tackle holiday hunger
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker has introduced his Bill to the Assembly to make payments to parents of around 90,000 children receiving free school meals during school holidays. He says the Bill passed its first stage and calls for cross-party work to progress it.
Social security and welfare Issue: Danny Baker bill on holiday payments for free school meal children Original release: Baker moves bill to tackle holiday hunger (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin bill removes barriers to accessing social housing – Eoin Ó Broin TD
Sinn Féin TD Eoin Ó Broin, with Louise O'Reilly and Mark Ward, has introduced the Social Housing Passport Bill 2026 in the Dáil. It would let people move between local authority housing lists and keep their years on the list in cases such as domestic violence, employment or medical needs, and…
Housing Local government Issue: Social Housing Passport Bill 2026 introduced in the Dáil Original release: Sinn Féin bill removes barriers to accessing social housing – Eoin Ó Broin TD (opens in a new tab)
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Costs faced by families in schools must be reduced – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker calls on the Education Minister to move towards free school meals for all children, ahead of an Assembly debate on school meals. He also says he is bringing forward legislation to support families during school holidays.
Education Social security and welfare Issue: Assembly debate on school meals Original release: Costs faced by families in schools must be reduced – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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Ending the rip-off and supporting workers and families must be top priority in this budget – Mary Lou McDonald TD
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Original release: Ending the rip-off and supporting workers and families must be top priority in this budget – Mary Lou McDonald TD (opens in a new tab)
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Ferguson committed to banning unfair letting fees
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson welcomes progress on her bill to ban unfair letting fees, following the close of her consultation, and says most respondents backed a ban on charges such as application, administration, credit check and inspection fees. The bill would also require Department for…
Housing Economy and employment Issue: Ferguson letting fees ban bill consultation closure Original release: Ferguson committed to banning unfair letting fees (opens in a new tab)
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Knockmore Line can unlock opportunities for South Antrim – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says reinstating the Knockmore Line to Belfast International Airport could transform the regional economy and ease transport pressures, and welcomes its inclusion in the All-Island Strategic Rail review.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Knockmore Line inclusion in All-Island Strategic Rail review Original release: Knockmore Line can unlock opportunities for South Antrim – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Opposition announces plan to mark Executive card on delivery
SDLP Opposition announces amendments to the Fiscal Council Bill giving the independent Fiscal Council a legal duty to assess annually the Executive's delivery against specific Programme for Government targets. Leader Matthew O'Toole says the social housing target looks all but certain to be missed.
Public finance and taxation Housing Issue: Fiscal Council Bill amendments on Programme for Government delivery assessment Original release: SDLP Opposition announces plan to mark Executive card on delivery (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew launches consultation on homelessness prevention legislation
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew invites public views on his proposed bill to extend Housing Executive support for people at risk of homelessness from 28 days to at least 60 days. He says the consultation will help ensure the legislation meets people's needs.
Housing Social security and welfare Issue: Gildernew homelessness prevention bill public consultation Original release: Gildernew launches consultation on homelessness prevention legislation (opens in a new tab)
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Feehan urges council to realise potential of Newry Canal
SDLP Newry councillor Killian Feehan is bringing a motion to council calling for the regeneration of Newry Canal, proposing letters to councils with waterways experience, Waterways Ireland and funding bodies, and opposing any bridge across the canal.
Local government Infrastructure and transport Original release: Feehan urges council to realise potential of Newry Canal (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP launches plan to fix housing emergency
SDLP launches its policy paper 'Building Firm Foundations', setting out how the Executive could deliver 100,000 new homes by 2039, including 2,600 social homes a year and a Public Land Agency.
Housing Issue: SDLP 'Building Firm Foundations' housing policy paper launch Original release: SDLP launches plan to fix housing emergency (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP calls for new school bus road safety laws
SDLP councillor Malachy Quinn has put forward a Mid Ulster Council motion seeking school bus safety laws, including a ban on overtaking stopped buses like those in the US, after the death of 11-year-old Caitlin-Rose McMullan in Castledawson.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Caitlin-Rose McMullan death in Castledawson school bus safety motion Original release: SDLP calls for new school bus road safety laws (opens in a new tab)
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Ferguson launches consultation on banning unfair letting fees
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson urges the public to respond to a consultation on her Private Members' Bill to ban unfair letting fees charged by landlords or letting agents, which also would require the Department for Communities to issue guidance on prohibited payments. The consultation is open…
Housing Issue: Ferguson letting fees Private Members' Bill consultation launch Original release: Ferguson launches consultation on banning unfair letting fees (opens in a new tab)