Closest matches to “Varadkar comments underscore need to restore the Union”
From other parties, ranked by how close their text is in meaning. Close in meaning is not the same as agreeing. Include TUV · Back to the release
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Time for DUP to accept Brexit reality and work together to maximise economic opportunities – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney calls on the DUP to accept the Windsor Framework and work with other Assembly parties to maximise economic opportunities, after a DUP motion calling for its dismantling. He claims the motion reflects DUP electoral pressure from the TUV.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: DUP Assembly motion calling for dismantling of Windsor Framework Original release: Time for DUP to accept Brexit reality and work together to maximise economic opportunities – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Varadkar should dial down the rhetoric: Robinson
DUP Deputy Leader Gavin Robinson MP urges Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to tone down his talk of a border poll and instead use his influence in Brussels to secure arrangements that both unionists and nationalists can accept.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Varadkar should dial down the rhetoric: Robinson (opens in a new tab)
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Lord Empey Addresses North Down Ulster Unionists
UUP peer Lord Reg Empey says the DUP's return to Stormont has not achieved its stated aims on the Irish Sea border, the European Court of Justice role or EU legislation, and calls the deal's basis false. He also claims Boris Johnson first proposed an Irish Sea border in 2019 and that the DUP…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: DUP return to Stormont and Windsor Framework deal in the Lords Original release: Lord Empey Addresses North Down Ulster Unionists (opens in a new tab)
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We must fully restore Northern Ireland’s place within the United…
DUP peer Lord Dodds urges the Labour Government to recognise that the democratic deficit caused by the Protocol is unsustainable, after Lords questions on the Safeguarding the Union command paper. He argues EU law across hundreds of areas leaves Northern Ireland voters without a say and vows to…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Lords questions on Safeguarding the Union command paper Original release: We must fully restore Northern Ireland’s place within the United… (opens in a new tab)
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Boosting our East-West linkages
The DUP welcomes the inaugural UK East-West Council meeting in London, saying it will strengthen internal UK trade, transport links and school exchanges, and calls for it to become a forum for future cooperation across the UK.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Establishment of the new East/West Council Original release: Boosting our East-West linkages (opens in a new tab)
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Wilson slams TUV’s absurd & self-destructive plan
DUP MP Sammy Wilson accuses the TUV and Reform UK of a plan to split unionist votes at the next Westminster election, claiming it would hand seats to the Alliance Party and benefit Sinn Fein, and rejects their claim that the DUP is not real unionist.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Wilson slams TUV’s absurd & self-destructive plan (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson tells Belfast Twelfth "When unionism is split, unionism…
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP tells the Belfast Twelfth field that unionism must unite and says a split vote cost Lagan Valley, calling for talks on strategy and electoral understanding ahead of the Assembly and Council elections. He also criticises the Windsor Framework.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Robinson tells Belfast Twelfth "When unionism is split, unionism… (opens in a new tab)
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Sir Jeffrey – Unionists want a fair deal
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and Deputy Leader Gavin Robinson urge the Northern Ireland Secretary to accept that a restored Assembly and Executive cannot rest on shaky ground until NI's place in the UK internal market is legally protected. Sir Jeffrey says the Government has made promises but…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary on restoring devolved government Original release: Sir Jeffrey – Unionists want a fair deal (opens in a new tab)
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Mutual enforcement worthy of serious consideration: Donaldson
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, speaking at the Centre for Brexit Policy as it launched a report, says mutual enforcement deserves serious, sustained consideration as a longer-term solution. He argues a court ruling curtailing part of the Act of Union raises questions about unionists'…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Jeffrey Donaldson remarks at Centre for Brexit Policy on Windsor Framework Original release: Mutual enforcement worthy of serious consideration: Donaldson (opens in a new tab)
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Maximising pro-Union representation good for Northern Ireland:…
DUP leader Gavin Robinson says it is in Northern Ireland's interests to return the strongest team of pro-Union MPs to Westminster, warning that votes leading to more absentee MPs will not strengthen the Union. He points to the DUP's unilateral action in North Down and Fermanagh & South Tyrone and…
Constitutional affairs Original release: Maximising pro-Union representation good for Northern Ireland:… (opens in a new tab)
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Taoiseach needs to spend additional Shared Island NDP funding on planning for constitutional change – Senator Conor Murphy
Sinn Féin Seanad leader Conor Murphy calls on the Taoiseach to commit the additional €0.99 billion NDP allocation to the Shared Island Initiative to establishing a Citizens' Assembly on Irish unity and planning for constitutional change.
Constitutional affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Additional €0.99 billion NDP allocation to Shared Island Initiative Original release: Taoiseach needs to spend additional Shared Island NDP funding on planning for constitutional change – Senator Conor Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Angry voices with no ‘Plan B’ need to accept they are at the end of the road.
UUP leader Doug Beattie criticises senior Westminster-based DUP figures over their response to the Windsor Framework, saying their rhetoric ignores the cost-of-living pressures facing people. He says a possible deal is being undermined as unworkable and defeatist, and asks what the DUP's 'Plan B'…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: DUP response to possible Windsor Framework deal and Stormont return Original release: Angry voices with no ‘Plan B’ need to accept they are at the end of the road. (opens in a new tab)
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“Any old deal” will NOT do – Sir Jeffrey
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP says any negotiated outcome on the Northern Ireland Protocol will be a missed opportunity unless it commands unionist support and restores Northern Ireland's economic and constitutional place in the UK. He says the party will judge any published outcomes against…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Northern Ireland Protocol negotiations and Keir Starmer's Queen's University speech Original release: “Any old deal” will NOT do – Sir Jeffrey (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP responds to EU/UK deal
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP urges political leaders to approach the European Commission and British Government deal in good faith and restore the Assembly and Executive. He says the SDLP will study the legal text in detail, and warns against attempts to wreck the deal.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU-UK Windsor Framework deal on the Northern Ireland Protocol Original release: SDLP responds to EU/UK deal (opens in a new tab)
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Worsening outcomes for people in the north highlights the need for Irish unity – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says an ESRI report commissioned by the Shared Island Unit, showing higher southern wages, growth and living standards, illustrates the need for Irish unity. He calls for a unity referendum, a Citizens' Assembly on Irish unity and a Minister for Reunification.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: ESRI Shared Island report on north-south economic and living standards comparison Original release: Worsening outcomes for people in the north highlights the need for Irish unity – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Pulling Stormont Brake is another DUP stunt, says Tennyson
Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson MLA calls the unionist request to trigger the Stormont Brake a cynical, self-defeating stunt that would undermine progress on an SPS agreement ahead of a UK-EU summit. He urges a full reset of the EU relationship instead.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Stormont brake request on EU goods regulations Original release: Pulling Stormont Brake is another DUP stunt, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Varadkar has a lot of work to do in rebuilding relations with Unionists – Beattie
UUP leader Doug Beattie says Leo Varadkar's return as Taoiseach comes at a sensitive point in EU-UK talks and Anglo-Irish relations. He wishes Micheál Martin well, but says Varadkar must repair ties with unionists and hopes he has matured on Brexit and the Protocol.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Change of Taoiseach in the Republic of Ireland December 2022 Original release: Varadkar has a lot of work to do in rebuilding relations with Unionists – Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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“Varadkar comments highlight the need for a citizens assembly on Unity” – MacManus
Sinn Féin MEP for Midlands North-West Matt MacManus says remarks by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on a United Ireland, made on RTÉ Prime Time, show a citizens assembly on Irish unity is needed so people across the island can take part in the debate.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Varadkar RTÉ Prime Time comments on a United Ireland Original release: “Varadkar comments highlight the need for a citizens assembly on Unity” – MacManus (opens in a new tab)
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Former Taoiseach’s intervention in unity debate evidences growing momentum – Kearney
Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney welcomes former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's Sunday Times article urging preparation for Irish unity. He calls on the Irish government to set aside part of its surplus for a sovereign wealth fund for a new united Ireland and to prioritise reunification.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Leo Varadkar Sunday Times article on preparing for Irish unity Original release: Former Taoiseach’s intervention in unity debate evidences growing momentum – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Progress requires a return to consensus politics: Robinson
DUP MP Gavin Robinson says progress in Northern Ireland requires unionists and nationalists moving forward together, responding to Taoiseach Micheal Martin's comments on the EU and UK. He calls for leadership to replace what he describes as a failed EU position on the Protocol and for a return to…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Progress requires a return to consensus politics: Robinson (opens in a new tab)
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Our focus is on making Northern Ireland work - Robinson
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP says the party will focus on making Northern Ireland work within the UK, responding to a Dublin City and Ulster University report estimating the costs of a united Ireland. He questions its assumptions on pensions and UK debt and argues most people want to remain in the…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Dublin City and Ulster University report on costs of a united Ireland Original release: Our focus is on making Northern Ireland work - Robinson (opens in a new tab)
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Ulster Unionist Party responds to Alliance Leaders' comments on Border Poll conditions
UUP deputy leader Robbie Butler MLA says Alliance's call for the Secretary of State to set out border poll conditions reveals a shifting constitutional position. He argues the Belfast Agreement already sets the framework, that defining electoral thresholds would entrench constitutional division…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Alliance call for Secretary of State to set border poll conditions Original release: Ulster Unionist Party responds to Alliance Leaders' comments on Border Poll conditions (opens in a new tab)
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TUV focus on undermining unionist negotiating team rather than…
DUP Deputy Leader Gavin Robinson MP accuses the TUV of undermining the unionist negotiating team with anonymous posters attacking the DUP over an unreached agreement. He asks Jim Allister whether the posters were party-directed and says ongoing talks with the UK Government continue.
Constitutional affairs Issue: TUV posters attacking DUP over Stormont negotiations Original release: TUV focus on undermining unionist negotiating team rather than… (opens in a new tab)
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DUP Leader addresses National Press Club
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP, speaking at the National Press Club in Washington DC, says the Windsor Framework does not resolve core problems with the NI Protocol and calls for further clarification and legal text. He also criticises a Sinn Féin newspaper advert in US papers calling for a…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Sinn Féin US newspaper advert calling for a border poll Original release: DUP Leader addresses National Press Club (opens in a new tab)
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Zero FDI Investment in Northern Ireland as a result of Dual Market…
DUP Economy Spokesperson Phillip Brett, who chairs the Economy Committee, says Invest NI could give no example of foreign direct investment resulting from the Windsor Framework and calls the claimed benefits a myth. He urges the UK Government and Assembly supporters of the Framework to act on its…
Economy and employment Constitutional affairs Issue: Invest NI evidence to Economy Committee on Windsor Framework FDI Original release: Zero FDI Investment in Northern Ireland as a result of Dual Market… (opens in a new tab)
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Varadkar’s hard border comments challenged
DUP MP Gregory Campbell challenges Tánaiste Leo Varadkar over his claim there is no hard border, saying he should apologise for past suggestions of soldiers at border checkpoints. Campbell cites differences in tax rates, education, currency and health funding between the Republic and Northern…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Varadkar comments on no hard border between north and south Original release: Varadkar’s hard border comments challenged (opens in a new tab)
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Step Forward to Shape Northern Ireland’s Future – Robinson
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP urges young unionists to shape Northern Ireland's future within the UK, dismisses border poll talk as a distraction, and accuses Alliance of divisive positions on Irish language signage, Palestine flags and climate policy.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Original release: Step Forward to Shape Northern Ireland’s Future – Robinson (opens in a new tab)