Closest matches to “Progress Made But Vigilance Still Needed”
From other parties, ranked by how close their text is in meaning. Close in meaning is not the same as agreeing. Include UUP · Back to the release
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Bluetongue a serious concern – McIlveen
DUP Deputy Leader and Agriculture Spokesperson Michelle McIlveen MLA says reported Bluetongue near Bangor is worrying for farmers and calls on the Department for clear, timely advice and fair compensation. She also urges the Minister to explore support for vaccination costs and warns of trade…
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: Bluetongue virus confirmed in Northern Ireland with 20km Control Zone Original release: Bluetongue a serious concern – McIlveen (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone: Bluetongue situation demands urgent response
SDLP Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone calls on the AERA Minister and his department to respond urgently after two confirmed cases of bluetongue in Co Down. He urges an all-island response, vaccine availability for farmers who want them, and action to check whether the disease has spread further.
Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Bluetongue confirmed cases in Co Down Original release: McGlone: Bluetongue situation demands urgent response (opens in a new tab)
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Vigilance needed to combat avian flu threat – Buchanan
Mid Ulster DUP MLA Keith Buchanan expresses deep concern at a further avian flu outbreak in a flock near Pomeroy, County Tyrone, and calls on DAERA to keep supporting the poultry industry. He urges farmers and bird keepers to strictly follow biosecurity measures.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: Avian flu outbreak in flock near Pomeroy, County Tyrone Original release: Vigilance needed to combat avian flu threat – Buchanan (opens in a new tab)
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Lockhart highlights the importance of poultry industry mid Avian…
DUP Agriculture spokeswoman Carla Lockhart MP backs poultry farmers affected by the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone introduced after avian flu was found in wild birds in Northern Ireland. She calls for practical assistance, clear communication and strict biosecurity from all bird keepers.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: Avian Influenza Prevention Zone introduced in Northern Ireland after wild bird detection Original release: Lockhart highlights the importance of poultry industry mid Avian… (opens in a new tab)
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Blair welcomes progress to help tackle Bovine TB
Alliance spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes progress on Bovine TB, including the Chief Veterinary Officer's review with nearly 40 proposals and a new bTB Partnership Steering Group due to publish a delivery plan by end March. He says Alliance's position favours better use of test, vaccinate and…
Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Chief Veterinary Officer's bovine TB review and new steering group Original release: Blair welcomes progress to help tackle Bovine TB (opens in a new tab)
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Blair supports launch of DAERA Animal Welfare Pathway
Alliance MLA John Blair welcomes the launch of DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's pathway setting out planned animal welfare reforms for the rest of the Assembly mandate. He highlights proposed dog breeding law review, cat microchipping, rescue organisation regulation and slaughterhouse CCTV.
Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: DAERA Animal Welfare Pathway launch Original release: Blair supports launch of DAERA Animal Welfare Pathway (opens in a new tab)
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Blair welcomes DAERA Minister’s commitment to key environmental decisions
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's commitment to a series of environmental strategies this Assembly mandate, citing a written answer. He calls for political will across the chamber and reform of the Executive approval process, which he says is…
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's environmental strategies commitment for remainder of mandate Original release: Blair welcomes DAERA Minister’s commitment to key environmental decisions (opens in a new tab)
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Executive required to progress plans to tackle Bovine TB- McAleer
Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer calls on the DUP to return to work so the Executive can approve the strategy for eradicating Bovine TB, arguing action is needed to protect family farms from the disease.
Agriculture and rural affairs Original release: Executive required to progress plans to tackle Bovine TB- McAleer (opens in a new tab)
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Not a lot of Christmas cheer for our farmers
TUV agricultural spokesman Councillor Allister Kyle says farmers face mounting anxiety over falling milk prices, beef price pressure from Republic plants, and the first confirmed Bluetongue case in Northern Ireland with its 20km Control Zone. He warns of possible losses on store lamb investments.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: Bluetongue virus confirmed in Northern Ireland with 20km Control Zone Original release: Not a lot of Christmas cheer for our farmers (opens in a new tab)
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Lockhart: Online safety measures a step forward, but more must be…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart welcomes new Government and Ofcom measures to protect children online, but says more action is needed. She calls for platforms to be held accountable, for meaningful penalties, and for internet curfews to be considered.
Justice and policing Issue: Government and Ofcom online child safety measures announcement Original release: Lockhart: Online safety measures a step forward, but more must be… (opens in a new tab)
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Pressure must be maintained to resolve issues on movement of plants:…
DUP MP Gregory Campbell urges sustained pressure on the Government to resolve remaining barriers on moving plants and plant products from GB to Northern Ireland. He says 12 plant types have been freed from prohibitions, with talks ongoing on 9 more, and calls for further progress.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Original release: Pressure must be maintained to resolve issues on movement of plants:… (opens in a new tab)
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Bus lane announcement better late than never: Erskine
DUP Infrastructure spokesperson Deborah Erskine welcomes the Infrastructure Minister's decision to let taxis use some Belfast city centre bus lanes, but asks why it came a week before Christmas. She says the interim measure could have been introduced earlier and calls for lessons to be learned…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Belfast city centre bus lanes opened to taxis Original release: Bus lane announcement better late than never: Erskine (opens in a new tab)
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Dunne Calls for Urgent Review of Grass Cutting Policy Amid Road…
North Down DUP MLA Stephen Dunne urges Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to reassess the department's roadside grass cutting approach, citing poor sight lines at junctions and on key routes after a wet, mild spell. He says the current twice-yearly cut is a safety concern and asks for more…
Infrastructure and transport Original release: Dunne Calls for Urgent Review of Grass Cutting Policy Amid Road… (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Barry McKee urges careful disposal of fishing equipment
Green Party Councillor Barry McKee urges anglers and the public to dispose of fishing lines and equipment properly, after helping free a young herring gull tangled in line at Millisle. He commends a council Parks worker for his efforts.
Environment and climate Local government Original release: Cllr Barry McKee urges careful disposal of fishing equipment (opens in a new tab)
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Murphy comments on Hunting with Dogs Bill
Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy says her party backs Alliance's Hunting with Dogs Bill moving to Committee Stage, supporting a limited prohibition on dog-based fox pursuit for recreation. She argues the bill's livestock and wildlife exemptions are not yet adequate and calls for trail and drag hunting to…
Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Alliance Hunting with Dogs Bill Committee Stage Original release: Murphy comments on Hunting with Dogs Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Patsy McGlone: Incentives and clarity for farmers needed amid nutrients action programme changes
SDLP Opposition AERA Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA calls on DAERA to match nutrients action programme regulation with increased financial support and a realistic lead-in time for farmers. He cites Irish Government low-emission slurry spreading and advisory supports as a model.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: DAERA consultation on Nutrients Action Programme review and 2026-2029 programme Original release: Patsy McGlone: Incentives and clarity for farmers needed amid nutrients action programme changes (opens in a new tab)
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Minister Muir launches public consultation on next phase of animal welfare reforms
Alliance DAERA Minister Andrew Muir announces a public consultation on the next stage of animal welfare reforms, inviting views on further steps such as Lucy’s Law and mandatory CCTV in abattoirs within the Animal Welfare Pathway.
Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Animal Welfare Pathway public consultation Original release: Minister Muir launches public consultation on next phase of animal welfare reforms (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Clarity needed on health service transformation
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath says the Health Minister's statement on a hospital reconfiguration framework is welcome but lacks detail on what health transformation will look like. He calls for concrete proposals and timescales to prevent transformation from drifting.
Health Issue: Draft Framework Hospitals reconfiguration document publication Original release: McGrath: Clarity needed on health service transformation (opens in a new tab)
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We must not lose momentum on childcare interventions, says Guy.
Alliance Education spokesperson Michelle Guy welcomes the Childcare Subsidy Scheme and calls for it to be extended to school-aged children. She also urges a step-change in how childcare workers are valued, and says she will seek clarity on pay, career progression and training.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme impact announcement Original release: We must not lose momentum on childcare interventions, says Guy. (opens in a new tab)
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McAleer welcomes lifting of poultry litter suspension following coordinated All-Island engagement
Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer welcomes confirmation from the Agriculture Minister that the suspension on approving new cross-border poultry litter applications from the North to the South has been lifted. He cites 29 licences issued in 2025 and nine approved in 2026, and urges continued North-South…
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: Poultry litter cross-border movement suspension lifted Original release: McAleer welcomes lifting of poultry litter suspension following coordinated All-Island engagement (opens in a new tab)
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‘Pragmatic and durable solution on Protocol must be priority’ – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says talks between the British Government and the EU should keep working toward a lasting, practical settlement on the Northern Ireland Protocol, after recent progress. He calls for good-faith engagement and argues the Protocol protects the all-island economy.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Recent progress on Northern Ireland Protocol talks between UK and EU Original release: ‘Pragmatic and durable solution on Protocol must be priority’ – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter welcomes stalking awareness campaign
SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter welcomes a new awareness campaign launched after stalking became a criminal offence in the North. She calls for Stalking Protection Orders to be introduced and for police, the Public Prosecution Service and the Department of Justice to work together.
Justice and policing Issue: Stalking made a criminal offence in Northern Ireland awareness campaign Original release: Hunter welcomes stalking awareness campaign (opens in a new tab)
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Clarity needed for A5 landowners - Erskine
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine says landowners along the proposed A5 need clarity on vesting orders after mixed messages, and calls on the SDLP to retract a statement made by its West Tyrone MLA. She also calls for the Infrastructure Department to set out its position and for a meeting with the…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: A5 vesting orders court judgement and Department appeal Original release: Clarity needed for A5 landowners - Erskine (opens in a new tab)
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McAleer calls for constructive talks between the EU and British government to protect animal health, farming and veterinary sectors
Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer calls for clear guidance and direct communication with vets, plus urgent planning, after a committee briefing warned of gaps in veterinary medicine stock in Northern Ireland. He urges constructive EU and UK talks on a long-term fix.
Agriculture and rural affairs International affairs Issue: Veterinary medicines supply concerns after AERA Committee briefing on Brexit rules Original release: McAleer calls for constructive talks between the EU and British government to protect animal health, farming and veterinary sectors (opens in a new tab)
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More conversation around homelessness sorely needed, says Armstrong, in recognition of Homelessness Awareness Week
Alliance's Kellie Armstrong MLA, speaking during Homelessness Awareness Week, calls for more public conversation on homelessness, especially familial homelessness, citing 4,820 families presenting to the Housing Executive as homeless between October 2021 and September 2022. She urges continued…
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Campbell – “this is a time for careful language”
DUP MP Gregory Campbell condemns all violence and says there is no place for violence or its threat in a democracy. He calls for careful language and de-escalation, and says Palestinian flags and a 'Don't wound a snake – kill it' banner at recent protests are divisive and unhelpful.
Community relations and legacy Issue: Recent violence and disorder following protests across Northern Ireland Original release: Campbell – “this is a time for careful language” (opens in a new tab)
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Answers needed on oil price rise
TUV Councillor Keith Ratcliffe says home heating oil prices have risen sharply since US and Israeli air strikes on Iran, and calls for transparency and accountability in supplier pricing to rule out profiteering. He also urges the public not to panic buy.
Economy and employment International affairs Issue: Home heating oil price rise after US and Israeli strikes on Iran Original release: Answers needed on oil price rise (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter urges Department to deliver swift resolution to Kilrea bridge closure
SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter welcomes the Department for Infrastructure taking steps on structural work for the River Bann bridge in Kilrea, closed since September, but calls for dates and deadlines and warns against further delays to reopening.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Kilrea River Bann bridge closure Original release: Hunter urges Department to deliver swift resolution to Kilrea bridge closure (opens in a new tab)
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Bower welcomes motion passing on environmentally conscious public acts of remembrance
Alliance Belfast Councillor Christine Bower welcomes council's passing of her motion urging support for public remembrance acts that are safe and environmentally mindful, including designated memorial spaces in parks and greener events. Officers will research feasibility.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Belfast City Council motion on environmentally mindful public remembrance acts Original release: Bower welcomes motion passing on environmentally conscious public acts of remembrance (opens in a new tab)
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Thousands of defective cars still on UK roads - Campbell
DUP MP Gregory Campbell expresses serious concern after a Department for Transport answer confirmed over 10,000 UK vehicles with potentially defective airbags may still be in use, estimating several hundred are in Northern Ireland. He calls on Stellantis and the DVSA to increase outreach to…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Department for Transport confirmation of defective airbag vehicles still on UK roads Original release: Thousands of defective cars still on UK roads - Campbell (opens in a new tab)