Closest matches to “Language and Identity Bill another example of contempt for devolution…”
From other parties, ranked by how close their text is in meaning. Close in meaning is not the same as agreeing. Include DUP · Back to the release
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Hanna: UK Government must ensure no further blockage of language rights
SDLP South Belfast MP Claire Hanna urges the UK Government to guarantee no further obstruction of Irish language protections after an SDLP amendment on the Identity and Language Bill was defeated in the Commons. She says the bill passed its final reading.
Disability and equality Issue: Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Bill final Commons reading and defeated SDLP amendment Original release: Hanna: UK Government must ensure no further blockage of language rights (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna welcomes progress on Irish language legislation
SDLP South Belfast MP Claire Hanna welcomes progress on the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Bill ahead of its Westminster second reading, calling for the protections to be enacted promptly and criticising that the legislation is not being progressed locally at Stormont.
Disability and equality Issue: Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Bill second reading at Westminster Original release: Hanna welcomes progress on Irish language legislation (opens in a new tab)
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Doherty urges support for Irish language march
SDLP West Belfast representative Paul Doherty urges support for the Irish language march in Belfast on Saturday, organised by An Dream Dearg, which calls for Irish language legislation under New Decade, New Approach to be introduced without further delay. He says the DUP failed to honour the…
Disability and equality Issue: An Dream Dearg Irish language march Belfast Original release: Doherty urges support for Irish language march (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone: DUP motion on Irish Language signage "deeply cynical and divisive"
SDLP Irish Language Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA says the DUP’s motion to scrap Belfast City Council’s bilingual street‑sign policy is a deeply cynical, divisive attempt to use the Irish language as a political football and stir up community tensions.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Conradh na Gaeilge survey on Belfast bilingual street signage Original release: McGlone: DUP motion on Irish Language signage "deeply cynical and divisive" (opens in a new tab)
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O'Toole: Executive Budget shambles demeaning devolution
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the Executive's stalled multi-year Budget is demeaning devolution, citing doubts over whether a joint Finance Department-Treasury 'open book exercise' will be published and an invitation to the Secretary of State to attend an Executive meeting.
Public finance and taxation Constitutional affairs Issue: Executive multi-year Budget delay and open book exercise publication doubts Original release: O'Toole: Executive Budget shambles demeaning devolution (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: Prime Minister’s commitment to devolution will be put to the test
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna says the Prime Minister's devolution commitment will be tested by whether he acts on Stormont institutional reform, urging him to start that process now, ahead of a meeting with him, amid the unset Budget and collapse threats.
Constitutional affairs Public finance and taxation Original release: Hanna: Prime Minister’s commitment to devolution will be put to the test (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance calls on DUP and Sinn Féin to reflect on their approach to Irish language
Alliance MLA Nuala McAllister questions why the DUP brought a Belfast City Council Irish language signage motion to the Assembly, which Alliance opposed. She says Stormont should focus on health and education, and calls on the DUP and Sinn Féin to reflect on their approaches.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Conradh na Gaeilge survey on Belfast bilingual street signage Original release: Alliance calls on DUP and Sinn Féin to reflect on their approach to Irish language (opens in a new tab)
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All sides must unequivocally condemn threats to residents by those unlawfully erecting flags, says Bradshaw
Alliance South Belfast MLA Paula Bradshaw condemns threats made against residents of a street near the Ormeau Road who complained about unwanted flags, and says the incident shows the need for legislation. She says attaching flags to street furniture is unlawful and criticises elected…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Ormeau Road area flag threats against residents Original release: All sides must unequivocally condemn threats to residents by those unlawfully erecting flags, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 15 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Failure to reform Assembly and Executive risks future of devolution, says Long, as she writes to Governments
Alliance leader Naomi Long MLA warns that failing to reform the Assembly and Executive threatens devolution, and has written to the UK and Irish Governments proposing changes to nomination rules, weighted majority voting and petitions of concern.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Assembly and Executive reform proposals letter to UK and Irish Governments Original release: Failure to reform Assembly and Executive risks future of devolution, says Long, as she writes to Governments (opens in a new tab)
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Gordon Lyons and the DUP are opposed to equality, rights and respect – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason accuses Communities Minister Gordon Lyons of hostility to the Irish language after his Communities Committee appearance, citing the Líofa decision, opposition to Acht Gaeilge and a stalled language strategy.
Disability and equality Issue: Gordon Lyons Communities Committee appearance on Irish language policy Original release: Gordon Lyons and the DUP are opposed to equality, rights and respect – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Yet another blow to Daisy Hill
TUV councillor Harold McKee expresses deep concern about reports that several medical staff have left Daisy Hill Hospital, saying the Department and Trust have long neglected its services. Cusher candidate Keith Ratcliffe blames Stormont for failing to resource the NHS and dismisses the idea that…
Health Issue: Daisy Hill Hospital medical staff departures Original release: Yet another blow to Daisy Hill (opens in a new tab)
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Secretary of State’s abortion announcement trashes devolution
TUV East Antrim spokesperson Norman Boyd says the Secretary of State's abortion announcement shows devolution is a sham, arguing Westminster is willing to act on abortion but reluctant to act on Protocol concerns. He questions whether London expects Unionists to return to devolution regardless of…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Secretary of State plans to accelerate abortion services commissioning Original release: Secretary of State’s abortion announcement trashes devolution (opens in a new tab)
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Irish Language Commission links language to IRA campaign – he should go
TUV leader Jim Allister says Irish Language Commissioner Pol Deeds's claim that opposition to Irish is a blow for unification echoes a 1982 IRA-era remark and calls for his removal, urging Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly to act.
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Issue: Irish Language Commissioner Pol Deeds comments on opposition to Irish Original release: Irish Language Commission links language to IRA campaign – he should go (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone welcomes overdue progress on Irish Language Commissioner
SDLP Irish Language Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA welcomes the start of recruitment for language commissioners but says the move is long overdue. He questions the timing of the announcement and says he has asked the First and deputy First Ministers for a timescale and budget.
Disability and equality Issue: Recruitment launch for language commissioners announced March 2025 Original release: McGlone welcomes overdue progress on Irish Language Commissioner (opens in a new tab)
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Nationalist and Republican Alliance Must Be Confronted at Every Turn After City Hall Vote
TUV leader Jim Allister condemns Belfast City Council's vote to impose Irish citywide, accusing Alliance of siding with Sinn Féin and of backing Gerry Kelly's amendment removing 'innocent' from a victims motion. He calls for unionists to unite against the Irish Language Commissioner appointment.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Belfast City Council unified Irish language policy approval Original release: Nationalist and Republican Alliance Must Be Confronted at Every Turn After City Hall Vote (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: Executive can’t escape failure to reform public services
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says the Executive cannot escape its failure to reform public services, citing health and education, and says the Executive made political choices with its record funding package rather than using the UK Government as cover. She urges Executive parties to address the…
Public finance and taxation Issue: Secretary of State Hilary Benn Belfast speech on public service reform Original release: Hanna: Executive can’t escape failure to reform public services (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Irish signage row distraction from real issues
SDLP Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA says the controversy surrounding Irish‑language signs at Grand Central Station distracts from the Executive’s failure to deliver public services, urges the signs be installed promptly and condemns identity‑politics‑driven obstruction.
Disability and equality Infrastructure and transport Issue: Irish language signage at Grand Central Station announcement Original release: Durkan: Irish signage row distraction from real issues (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP statement on Secretary of State meeting
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna says her delegation told the Secretary of State the Executive and UK Government must show leadership, support migrant communities and put plans in place to prevent a repeat of recent disorder. She also urges rejection of DUP attempts to link a north Belfast incident to the…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Belfast disorder after Monday knife attack Original release: SDLP statement on Secretary of State meeting (opens in a new tab)
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£330,000 budget to pander to 10 English-speaking MLAs who might occasionally wish to speak in Irish
TUV leader Jim Allister criticises a £330,000 translation and interpretation service for Irish use in the Assembly, noting only 10 MLAs want to use it, and warns of further costs from Irish language legislation and an Irish Language Commissioner.
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Assembly Irish language translation and interpretation service costs Original release: £330,000 budget to pander to 10 English-speaking MLAs who might occasionally wish to speak in Irish (opens in a new tab)
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Whether at Westminster or Stormont roll over Unionism cannot wash its hands of Irish language legislation
TUV South Antrim representative Mel Lucas says the DUP agreed the substance of Irish language legislation introduced at Westminster, claiming it conceded the measure to restore Stormont and was passed there to avoid Assembly debate. He warns it will disadvantage non-Irish speakers in public sector…
Disability and equality Economy and employment Issue: British government confirmation of Irish Language Act legislation tabling Original release: Whether at Westminster or Stormont roll over Unionism cannot wash its hands of Irish language legislation (opens in a new tab)
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Ratepayers Ignored as Belfast City Council Pours Millions into Identity Politics
TUV deputy leader and Belfast councillor Ron McDowell criticises Belfast City Council for allocating a £2.9 million underspend to an Irish Language Strategy, newcomer families, cleaning equipment and biodiversity measures. He calls the spending irresponsible and says it favours identity politics…
Public finance and taxation Local government Issue: Belfast City Council allocation of £2.9 million underspend Original release: Ratepayers Ignored as Belfast City Council Pours Millions into Identity Politics (opens in a new tab)
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Language Commissioners must build trust not division - Butler
UUP Deputy Leader Robbie Butler MLA says the newly appointed Language Commissioners and the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression director must prove they serve the public and build trust. He criticises the Sinn Féin and DUP talks process as sidelining others, and urges value for money and…
Disability and equality Issue: Office of Identity and Cultural Expression appointments announced Original release: Language Commissioners must build trust not division - Butler (opens in a new tab)
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Self-determination and unity referenda are in the national interest – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says the next phase of the peace process requires tackling sectarianism, repurposing institutions and preparing for Irish unity, urging a Citizens Assembly on reunification and calling self‑determination and unity referenda in the national interest, as outlined in the ‘A
Constitutional affairs Community relations and legacy Issue: Publication of ‘A New Ireland for All’ policy Original release: Self-determination and unity referenda are in the national interest – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Failure to appoint Commissioners reinforces need for action on endless TEO delay, says Bradshaw
Alliance spokesperson Paula Bradshaw voices frustration that the First and deputy First Ministers have still not appointed Language and Identity Commissioners as legislation requires. She says this shows the need to remove cross-community veto powers and cut unnecessary delay at the Executive…
Constitutional affairs Original release: Failure to appoint Commissioners reinforces need for action on endless TEO delay, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Representative police service not about ‘woke quotas’
SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan says a representative police service is not about 'woke quotas', responding to DUP Leader Gavin Robinson's email to members. He says the PSNI falls far short of reflecting the community and calls for more recruitment from nationalist backgrounds, women and minority groups…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: DUP Leader Gavin Robinson comments on woke diversity quotas Original release: Durkan: Representative police service not about ‘woke quotas’ (opens in a new tab)
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Recent anniversary puts need for reform back on the table, says Long
Alliance leader Naomi Long MLA calls for reform of the Assembly and Executive, including letting the next largest party nominate a First and deputy First Minister if one party declines, replacing parallel consent with weighted majority voting, and restricting petitions of concern.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Recent anniversary puts need for reform back on the table, says Long (opens in a new tab)
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If Secretary of State doesn’t understand the “fuss” about Irish signs he should speak to the people of Sandy Row
TUV deputy leader Councillor Ron McDowell says Secretary of State Hilary Benn is wrong to dismiss the row over Irish signage at Grand Central and should visit Sandy Row to hear residents. He urges unionist MLAs to back TUV's Timothy Gaston's petition to halt the signage.
Community relations and legacy Infrastructure and transport Issue: Irish language signage at Grand Central Station announcement Original release: If Secretary of State doesn’t understand the “fuss” about Irish signs he should speak to the people of Sandy Row (opens in a new tab)
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Irish remains preserve of one community
TUV leader Jim Allister challenges DUP MLA Paul Givan's claim that Irish belongs to everyone, arguing the Irish language is not supported by facts such as its absence from controlled school curricula. He says Irish language legislation aims to promote Gaelicisation as part of a nationalist…
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Issue: Paul Givan's comments that Irish belongs to all of us Original release: Irish remains preserve of one community (opens in a new tab)
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Unionist Protections Are Non-Negotiable Amid Reform Debate
UUP MLA John Stewart warns against diluting the Belfast Agreement's cross-community protections, arguing that an SDLP motion on reforming the institutions, including removing ministers, sets a dangerous precedent and that reform must not proceed without unionist input.
Constitutional affairs Issue: SDLP motion on reform of Stormont cross-community consent for removing ministers Original release: Unionist Protections Are Non-Negotiable Amid Reform Debate (opens in a new tab)
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Excuse for removing tri-lingual letterheads ‘bogus’ – McHugh
Sinn Féin MLA Maolíosa McHugh calls the Communities Minister's reason for dropping tri-lingual letterheads 'bogus', saying a written answer showed no savings could be quantified. He accuses the minister of failing to publish an Irish Language Strategy.
Disability and equality Issue: Removal of tri-lingual letterheads from Department for Communities Original release: Excuse for removing tri-lingual letterheads ‘bogus’ – McHugh (opens in a new tab)