Statements similar to “Aiken: Food checks deal welcome, but Irish Sea border is far from gone”
From every party, ranked by similarity of meaning. Only other parties · Back to the release
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Whitehall asleep as EU parcel tax and AI rules hit Northern Ireland
The party welcomes a proposed UK-EU SPS agreement but criticises EU customs rules and AI Act application in Northern Ireland.
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 Ireland
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Unionist Leaders and Inter-Trade UK Business Association urge the Secretary of State to stop EU Regulation 2026/2108 deepening the Irish Sea customs border
UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA, TUV leader Jim Allister KC MP and ITUKBA chair Peter Summerton call on the Secretary of State to apply the Stormont Brake and halt EU Regulation 2026/2108, saying it deepens the Irish Sea customs border and harms GB‑NI trade.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Stormont brake request on EU goods regulations Original release: Unionist Leaders and Inter-Trade UK Business Association urge the Secretary of State to stop EU Regulation 2026/2108 deepening the Irish Sea customs borderArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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Draft agreement between EU and British government ‘further evidence of failed Brexit project’ – Ferguson
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson welcomes a draft EU‑UK agreement on food and plant products, saying it demonstrates the failed Brexit project and its economic, social and political harm to Ireland, and calls for continued protection of rights and reduced trade barriers for businesses.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU-UK food and plant products agreement Original release: Draft agreement between EU and British government ‘further evidence of failed Brexit project’ – Ferguson
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Swann welcomes Joint UK-EU Agreement on parcel fees ahead of Parliamentary Partnership Assembly
South Antrim MP Robin Swann welcomes the UK‑EU agreement that will keep “not at risk” parcels entering Northern Ireland free of EU handling fees, but says uncertainty remains over how the EU AI Act will apply to NI businesses under the Windsor Framework.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU handling fees on Northern Ireland parcels Original release: Swann welcomes Joint UK-EU Agreement on parcel fees ahead of Parliamentary Partnership Assembly
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Joint statement by leaders of the UUP and TUV and the Chair of the Inter-Trade UK Business Association on Stormont Brake
UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA, TUV leader Jim Allister MP and Inter‑Trade UK Business Association chair Peter Summerton call on the Secretary of State to apply the Stormont Brake and stop EU Regulation 2026/2108, saying it deepens the customs divide and harms NI trade.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Stormont brake request on EU goods regulations Original release: Joint statement by leaders of the UUP and TUV and the Chair of the Inter-Trade UK Business Association on Stormont BrakeArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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Equal citizenship is non-negotiable – Allister
Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister says a centre‑right government is essential because Labour’s “Reset” would effectively reverse Brexit and bind the UK to EU rules. He calls for tearing up the Windsor Framework and restoring equal citizenship across the United Kingdom.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Labour Party Brexit reversal plan announcement Original release: Equal citizenship is non-negotiable – AllisterArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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Northern Ireland left behind as plug-in solar launches in Britain
The party criticises the lack of plug-in solar in Northern Ireland. Councillor Anthony Flynn raised the issue with Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald.
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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TUV Welcomes The Triggering of the Stormont Brake After a Month of Drawing Attention to Dangerous New EU Regulation
Traditional Unionist Voice welcomes the Stormont Brake being triggered on EU Regulation 2026/2108, saying the legislation threatens Northern Ireland’s community life and deepens the UK‑EU divide, after a month of submissions and an article by leader Jim Allister.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Stormont brake request on EU goods regulations Original release: TUV Welcomes The Triggering of the Stormont Brake After a Month of Drawing Attention to Dangerous New EU Regulation
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Swann responds to Budget
UUP MP Robin Swann welcomes £7.5 m for cyber/AI research and £1 m for an investment summit in the new UK Budget, but says the overall settlement – £270 m via the Barnett formula and the rise in Air Passenger Duty – falls far short of stabilising public services, supporting local industry and giving
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Budget announcement Original release: Swann responds to Budget
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Kearney calls for urgent action to remove barriers facing cross-border workers
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney calls for urgent action to remove administrative and legal obstacles facing more than 18,000 cross‑border workers, urging the British Prime Minister and Taoiseach to act on their earlier commitment and stressing that deeper all‑island economic integration is essential to
Economy and employment Constitutional affairs Issue: British Prime Minister and Taoiseach commitment on cross-border employment issues Original release: Kearney calls for urgent action to remove barriers facing cross-border workersArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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Hanna: Budget must deliver support now and invest in Northern Ireland's future
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP calls on the Chancellor to use the 2026 Budget to fund extra Home Heating Oil Support, an Essentials Guarantee for Universal Credit and extend Rural Fuel Duty Relief, while urging a ten‑year partnership to invest in infrastructure, housing, transport, energy and skills in
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Stormont budget request for household support and infrastructure investment Original release: Hanna: Budget must deliver support now and invest in Northern Ireland's futureArchived 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 Chancellor support for households facing rising energy costs, but says Northern Ireland will stay in a crisis cycle unless the Executive agrees a budget and governs effectively, calling for certainty and strategic investment.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Budget announcement Original release: Hanna: UK Budget Underlines Failure of Executive to Do Its Job
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Fine Gael proposals on Irish unity a welcome step forward – Mary Lou McDonald
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald welcomes Fine Gael’s Ard Fheis proposals on Irish reunification, commends Tánaiste Simon Harris, says Sinn Féin will study the detail and seeks early engagement to shape an all‑Ireland conversation and a Green Paper on reunification.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Fine Gael Irish reunification proposals announcement at Ard Fheis Original release: Fine Gael proposals on Irish unity a welcome step forward – Mary Lou McDonaldArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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Pulling Stormont Brake is another DUP stunt, says Tennyson
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland says the DUP's move to pull the Stormont brake is a cynical stunt that threatens progress on a UK‑EU sanitary and phytosanitary agreement, risking higher checks in the Irish Sea and undermining 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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McGlone: BBC Cuts Demand Scrutiny
BBC Northern Ireland job losses and restructuring plans concern MLA Patsy McGlone.
Disability and equality Economy and employment Issue: BBC Northern Ireland job losses and restructuring plans Original release: McGlone: BBC Cuts Demand Scrutiny
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Eastwood urges UK Government to intervene over BBC NI Irish-language cuts
Colum Eastwood urges UK Government to intervene over BBC NI Irish-language cuts, citing growth in demand for Irish-medium services.
Disability and equality Issue: BBC NI Irish-language services proposed cuts announcement Original release: Eastwood urges UK Government to intervene over BBC NI Irish-language cuts
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The RCN Strike
People Before Profit says the RCN strike at Ulster Hospital underscores persistent pay‑parity and staffing crises, blaming the absence of a functioning Stormont government for delayed pay awards and the resulting nurse recruitment and retention problems.
Health Economy and employment Original release: The RCN Strike
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Taoiseach recognition on unity a welcome shift that must be followed by concrete action – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney calls for the Irish government to take concrete action on planning for Irish unity after the Taoiseach's recognition of the need for a comprehensive programme of work.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Taoiseach recognition of constitutional change on Irish unity Original release: Taoiseach recognition on unity a welcome shift that must be followed by concrete action – Kearney
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Green councillor Anthony Flynn pledges clean water and better transport in North Down Assembly bid
The party announces Councillor Anthony Flynn as its North Down candidate, pledging to protect the environment and improve public services. Flynn will focus on clean water and better transport.
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Original release: Green councillor Anthony Flynn pledges clean water and better transport in North Down Assembly bid
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Pay Deal Does Not Add Up
People Before Profit says the ICTU‑negotiated public‑sector pay deal leaves workers out of pocket, calling for a rise of at least 9.4% in 2024, an escalator clause to protect against further inflation and no extra productivity without higher pay.
Economy and employment Original release: Pay Deal Does Not Add Up
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SDLP Party Leader: Irish unity needs unified approach
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP welcomes the Irish Government’s move to set up a body examining constitutional futures and Fine Gael’s upcoming unity blueprint, and writes to Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris urging an inclusive, New‑Ireland‑Forum‑style process of political and civic ‑
Constitutional affairs Issue: Irish Government parties' unity plans Original release: SDLP Party Leader: Irish unity needs unified approach
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2023: Socialism Is The Answer To A World In Crisis
People Before Profit says the 2022 cost‑of‑living crisis, climate inaction, attacks on reproductive and trans rights and the war in Ukraine show capitalism has failed, and calls for a socialist, left‑wing Irish government to end poverty, improve housing and health services.
Economy and employment International affairs Original release: 2023: Socialism Is The Answer To A World In Crisis
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Hanna welcomes Taoiseach’s New Ireland Commitment
Claire Hanna welcomes Taoiseach's New Ireland commitment, calls for cross-community plan.
Constitutional affairs Issue: British Prime Minister and Taoiseach commitment on cross-border employment issues Original release: Hanna welcomes Taoiseach’s New Ireland CommitmentArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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Sinn Féin must come clean on fox hunting - Cllr Flynn
The party criticises Sinn Féin's voting record on fox hunting, calling for honesty on the issue.
Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Parades Commission ruling Original release: Sinn Féin must come clean on fox hunting - Cllr Flynn
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Unionist Unity and ‘O’Neill Must Stay’ don’t go together
TUV leader Jim Allister says the slogan ‘O’Neill Must Stay’ cannot be cloaked in unionist unity, criticising the DUP’s alignment with Carla Lockhart on Drumcree and warning that unity should not support Sinn Fein or the Protocol. He calls for genuine unity that advances unionist principles.
Constitutional affairs Issue: DUP's unionist unity message with Sinn Fein Original release: Unionist Unity and ‘O’Neill Must Stay’ don’t go together
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Burrows challenges Chief Constable over Provisional IRA remarks
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA rejects Chief Constable Jon Boutcher’s reported claim that remaining Provisional IRA members are older people who pose no harm, calling the group’s continued existence anathema to democracy and urging a fresh security assessment and equal law enforcement.
Justice and policing Issue: Chief Constable's comments on Provisional IRA existence Original release: Burrows challenges Chief Constable over Provisional IRA remarksArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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British And Irish Government’s Must Stop Scaremongering And End Hostile Environment Toward Refugees & Asylum-Seekers
People Before Profit condemns recent British and Irish government rhetoric on refugees, calling on both governments to stop scaremongering, reject the safe‑country legislation that would send asylum seekers to Britain and Rwanda, and urges resistance to any deportations.
Immigration International affairs Original release: British And Irish Government’s Must Stop Scaremongering And End Hostile Environment Toward Refugees & Asylum-Seekers
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You cannot champion the Union by leaving Northern Ireland's chair empty
The party Leader Jon Burrows criticises DUP's decision to exclude Northern Ireland from an economic forum, saying it punishes Northern Ireland and undermines the Union. He suggests Health Minister Robbie Butler should attend instead.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: DUP's decision to exclude Northern Ireland from Economic Forum in Glasgow Original release: You cannot champion the Union by leaving Northern Ireland's chair empty
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Durkan Urges Cross-Border Action to Advance A2 Buncrana Road Project
The party MLA Mark H Durkan urges cross-border action to progress the A2 Buncrana Road Widening Scheme, which he says has been delayed for decades.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: A2 Buncrana Road Widening Scheme delay Original release: Durkan Urges Cross-Border Action to Advance A2 Buncrana Road Project
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The UCU Strikes
People Before Profit interviewed UCU Rep Aisling O’Beirn, who said the Ulster University strike is driven by staff casualisation, soaring workloads, burnout and a 35% cut to future pension benefits, arguing that poor working conditions harm students’ learning.
Education Economy and employment Original release: The UCU Strikes