Edwin Poots

Morning View

Editorial: Some Stormont ministers do not comprehend collective responsibility

Stormont's economy minister Caoimhe Archibald.

Assembly Speaker tells Sinn Fein minister to offer ‘facts not opinions’

A soldier is welcomed home from the war. Image: Visit Ards and North Down

VE Day: What's happening to mark 80th anniversary and where

Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald has opposed a 'half a million euro' housing tsar in the Republic - but backed a £1m climate tsar commissioner in Northern Ireland, as MLAs plan to outsource responsibility for scrutinising the ambitious climate targets they set themselves. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

DUP accuse Sinn Fein of hypocrisy over NI climate tsar

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly says that while she had a legal duty to bring regulations to the Assembly on creating a climate change commissioner - public funds could be better spent. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

MLAs engaged in ‘virtue signalling frenzy’ over climate tsar - Little Pengelly

Businesses on Belfast's Sandy Row have been suffering since the nearby Boyne Bridge was closed off. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye

Grand Central's £145k for Irish signs should go to Sandy Row traders, says Cllr

Screengrab of Sinn Fein MLA Danny Baker appeared to be the subject of a pointed comment by Stormont Speaker Edwin Poots around dress code during questions for the Executive Office at the Northern Ireland Assembly on Monday

Sinn Fein MLA subject of pointed dress code comment in Assembly

Speaker Edwin Poots during proceedings of the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont on February 3, 2024

Speaker cautions Stormont ministers to show ‘courtesy and respect’ to Assembly

The DUP has failed in a bid to overturn a law change that gave Stormont officials the powers to implement EU animal tracing rules in Northern Ireland.

DUP defeated in bid to annul EU-based law change on livestock tracing rules

Opposition leader Matthew O’Toole.

O'Toole accuses Stormont ministers of 'avoiding scrutiny'

A computer-generated image of the new children's hospital, supplied by contractor the Graham-BAM Healthcare Partnership

'Welcome news about new hospital - but it comes late and well over-budget'

Speaker Edwin Poots.

Speaker warns ministers Assembly 'isn't Castlereagh holding centre'

Stormont's speaker after Caral Ni Chuilin has faced complaints about shutting down TUV comments on Sinn Fein.

Stormont’s Speakers should allow more debate, not constrain it further

Stormont's Speaker Edwin Poots has backed the authority of principal deputy speaker Carál Ní Chuilín after a decision by her was questioned by the TUV's Timothy Gaston last week.

Speaker Poots backs deputy Ní Chuilín's authority after TUV challenge

The Speaker Edwin Poots reminded MLAs to stick to the topic of debates

‘Out of order’ to accuse Stormont Speaker and colleagues of playing politics

Stormont's principal deputy speaker, Sinn Fein's Caral Ní Chuilín.

Ní Chuilín shuts down comments on SF scandal during 'accountability' debate
Speaker Edwin Poots is to review an incident in the assembly where his Sinn Fein deputy reprimanded a TUV MLA for raising issues about how the Stormont institutions handled issues surrounding her party’s former press officer Michael McMonagle.
David Thompson

A flashback to the early Seventies when the majority of clerics wore both the dog collar and robes. My late dad is second from right.

Dr John Coulter: Bring back the dog collar and robes for all clergy?

Speaker Edwin Poots.

Speaker Edwin Poots warns Stormont politicians about turning up late

Screen grab from the NI Assembly of Stormont Speaker Edwin Poots issuing a reminder on protocol for MLAs in the Northern Ireland Assembly chamber

MLAs issued with reminder to 'dress smartly' in Stormont's chamber

General view of the Boyne Bridge in Belfast, January 15: photo by Press Eye

'Inept' Translink has overseen an 'utter mess' on the Boyne Bridge: MLA

Durham Street, which includes the bridge, has been closed since October to facilitate the demolition. Picture: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press

Boyne Bridge 'madness continues' after revelations on DfI traffic method

The Boyne Bridge, near Sandy Row, is being dismantled as part of the redevelopment of the streets around Belfast's new Grand Central Station. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press

Bridge gridlock: No answers on using old predictions instead of real world

The Boyne Bridge near Sandy Row, is being dismantled as part of the redevelopment of the streets around the new Grand Central Station. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press

Just look out a window: MLA's challenge after Boyne Bridge objections dropped

Perhaps the most depressing contribution to the debate was Emma Little-Pengelly MLA’s insistence that the DUP had been misrepresented on its deal. The Stormont vote was an opportunity for unionists to spell out the damage from the Windsor Framework. She used it as an exercise in self-validation for the DUP. Image from from niassembly.tv December 10

Owen Polley: Framework vote exposes failures of unionism and worst of Stormont

Speaker Edwin Poots.

Speaker Poots lays down the law at Stormont as MLAs forced to apologise

Economy Minister Conor Murphy has announced executive support for plans to ban fossil fuels. Photo: David Young/PA Wire

Murphy proposes ban on fossil fuel production - citing 2050 net zero target

Businesses on Belfast's Sandy Row have been suffering since the nearby Boyne Bridge was closed off. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye

MLA: Struggling Sandy Row traders could get Stormont help
Struggling businesses on Sandy Row and Donegall Road could get help from as Stormont department, MLA Edwin Poots has claimed.
Iain Gray

DUP MLA Gordon Lyons has apologised to Alliance Party MLA Kate Nicholl following a debate in the NI Assembly on Monday

Gordon Lyons in apology to Alliance Party MLA Kate Nicholl after debate

DUP MLA Deborah Erskine has said that the Justice Minister Naomi Long (pictured) has “addressed meetings by video message in recent days”. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Long holiday? Alliance and department silent on Justice Minister's whereabouts

DUP MLA Deborah Erskine has said that the Justice Minister Naomi Long (pictured) has “addressed meetings by video message in recent days”. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Long holiday? Alliance and department silent on Justice Minister's whereabouts

Rosemary Street First Presbyterian Church objected to the application for a nearby amusement arcade and adult gaming centre

New gambling house approved despite objections from Belfast’s oldest church

Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson leaving Newry Magistrates' Court, after a preliminary enquiry in July, where he is charged with several historical sexual offences. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Jeffrey Donaldson is due back in Newry Crown Court today

The current row within the UUP is complex, with Doug Beattie claiming “irreconcilable differences” between him and some party officers, a claim which has since been strongly denied

Alf McCreary: The UUP appears to have an electoral death wish

Morning View

Editorial: Plan to build student block near Sandy Row flags up housing issues

Abjan Acharya had his business targeted in a racially motivated attack earlier this week. Photo: BBC Northern Ireland / BBC News NI

Poots questions loyalists involved in race attacks

The Upper Bann MLA was the latest in a long line of politicians who tried to reverse the fortunes of the once pre-eminent party in Northern Ireland.

Doug Beattie – a leader who felt he was not being allowed to lead

Edwin Poots has previously said that 'project fear' is not the way for his party to win back votes.

Poots: Unionists need to reach out to migrant communities

A sign reads 'Love thy neighbour' during a counter-protest in Belfast city centre

Anti-immigration demonstration in Belfast ends peacefully after counter-protest

TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says immigration has been a contributory factor in creating difficulty in accessing housing, healthcare and schools in north Antrim.

TUV: ‘Immigration adds to difficulties accessing services’

A small police presence in attendance outside a city centre hotel where a protest had been planned for Monday evening, just two days after violent scenes followed an anti-immigration demonstration

A quarter of Belfast district's residents born outside the UK and Ireland

Edwin Poots says that 'project fear' is not the way to win back votes.

Unionists winning back Lagan Valley won't be easy - Poots

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn and Fleur Anderson, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State are pictured in Irvinestown, County Fermanagh where they met with local Orangemen and watched the annual Twelfth July parade.

Twelfth sparks calls for unionist co-operation - as Hilary Benn attends parade

First Presbyterian Church in Belfast. Photo by Pacemaker

Presbyterian church objects to plans for gambling arcade

Campaigners and local residents outside the High Court in Belfast at an earlier hearing

Gas storage plan approval without reference to Stormont executive 'irrational'

Stormont’s Agriculture minister Andrew Muir said he was also going to review the sentencing framework in relation to fines and penalties for breaches of wider environmental legislation

Farmers facing 'disproportionate' pollution fines - MLA

D-Day landings veteran George Horner with a beacon lit to symbolise the 'passing of the torch’ to a new generation. Photo: Michael Cooper

D-Day veteran passes commemorative torch to pupils to mark 80th anniversary

Sinn Fein's Caoimhe Archibald has rejected climate change funding bids from Stormont departments. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

SF blocks climate change funding

'How can they organise Irish unity? They can't organise a p**s-up in a brewery'

Former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Sir Brandon Lewis, arriving at the Clayton Hotel in Belfast to give evidence to the UK Covid-19 inquiry hearing.

Direct rule ‘only option to intervene if NI ministers failed to agree on Covid’

DUP MLA Edwin Poots (right) and solicitor John McBurney, leaving the Clayton Hotel in Belfast after giving evidence at the UK Covid-19 inquiry hearing

Health department was ‘greatest superspreader’ of Covid, Poots tells inquiry

Northern Ireland Minister of Health Robin Swann

Swann urged end to ‘nonsense’ of ministers attacking Covid lockdown decisions

Professor Ian Young, the chief scientific advisor for Northern Ireland's Department of Health, leaves the Clayton Hotel in Belfast after giving evidence at the UK Covid-19 inquiry hearing on Tuesday. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Stormont cross-community vote on Covid-19 lockdown 'not helpful'

Taoiseach Simon Harris with First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly

Simon Harris hails impact of Stormont return on first official visit to NI

The flags of the UK and EU

EU pet food rules: DUP does not respond to claim of a split in the party

Former Stormont Assembly speaker Lord William Hay and Lady Hay stand beside a portrait of himself, painted by Stephen Johnston, as it is unveiled at Parliament Buildings in Belfast

Portrait of former speaker William Hay unveiled at Stormont

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