Latest releases
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1,496 releases
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Gildernew praises Economy Minister for stepping in to save translation organisation
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew, chair of the Communities Committee, welcomes Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald's intervention to keep the Place-Name Project running. He accuses Communities Minister Gordon Lyons of trying to eradicate the organisation and of hostility to the Irish language.
Disability and equality Issue: Economy Minister intervention to save the Place-Name Project Original release: Gildernew praises Economy Minister for stepping in to save translation organisation (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin Magherafelt office already delivering benefits for constituents – Mallaghan
Sinn Féin MP Cathal Mallaghan marks the first anniversary of the Magherafelt Constituency Office, saying it has secured over £1 million for Mid Ulster residents through casework and thanking constituency staff.
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Serious lessons must be learned from Katie Simpson death – Sheerin
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin says lessons must be learned after the independent review into the killing of Katie Simpson by Jonathan Creswell found serious justice system failings, including institutional misogyny within the PSNI and poor investigation standards. She calls on the PSNI to respond…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Katie Simpson Review findings Original release: Serious lessons must be learned from Katie Simpson death – Sheerin (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin will not accept DUP’s efforts to attack and undermine Irish identity – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew, chair of the Communities Committee, demands that Communities Minister Gordon Lyons appear before MLAs over his decision on funding for the Place-Name Project, which he calls a disgrace. He says Sinn Féin will work to ensure the project continues.
Disability and equality Issue: Place-Name Project funding decision by Communities Minister Original release: Sinn Féin will not accept DUP’s efforts to attack and undermine Irish identity – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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TUV raises concerns about imbalance in community background of PPS staff
TUV leader Jim Allister MP says he is dismayed by the low number of Protestant-background legal staff in the PPS, citing figures showing 46 Protestant and 105 Catholic legal staff, and criticises the Justice Minister for not pursuing the issue.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: PPS legal staff community background figures Original release: TUV raises concerns about imbalance in community background of PPS staff (opens in a new tab)
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There must be no more delays to delivering a mother and baby unit – McGuigan
SF MLA Philip McGuigan, chair of the Health Committee, welcomes progress on a perinatal mental health unit for mothers and babies in Belfast following a Health Minister Mike Nesbitt announcement. He says interim support has not been agreed and urges the minister to avoid further delays, secure…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Health Minister Nesbitt announcement on Belfast mother and baby unit Original release: There must be no more delays to delivering a mother and baby unit – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Sheerin welcomes Finance Minister’s commitment to Jade’s Law
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin welcomes Finance Minister John O'Dowd's announcement that he will introduce Jade's Law, which would automatically suspend parental responsibility for a parent convicted of killing the other parent. She also points to Sinn Féin TDs backing Valerie's Law in the south.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Finance Minister announces introduction of Jade's Law Original release: Sheerin welcomes Finance Minister’s commitment to Jade’s Law (opens in a new tab)
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Lyons heralds historic day for Deaf community
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons says the passage of Northern Ireland’s inaugural Sign Language Bill is a historic day for Deaf people, welcoming the new law that recognises British and Irish Sign Language and imposes duties on public bodies to improve accessibility.
Disability and equality Issue: Assembly passage of Sign Language Bill Original release: Lyons heralds historic day for Deaf community (opens in a new tab)
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Assembly passes ‘transformative’ Sign Language Bill – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew welcomes the Assembly’s passage of the Sign Language Bill, saying it gives legal recognition to Irish and British Sign Language and places a duty on bodies to provide accessible services for deaf and deaf‑blind people.
Disability and equality Issue: Assembly passage of Sign Language Bill Original release: Assembly passes ‘transformative’ Sign Language Bill – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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2026 Sinn Féin Ard Fheis motions demonstrate commitment to tackling gender violence in communities across Ireland – Máire Devine TD
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: 2026 Sinn Féin Ard Fheis motions demonstrate commitment to tackling gender violence in communities across Ireland – Máire Devine TD (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Historic day for the Deaf Community as Sign Language Bill passes
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA welcomes the passage of the Sign Language Bill, which provides free sign language classes for children and families and recognises British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language. He pays tribute to campaigners.
Disability and equality Education Issue: Assembly passage of Sign Language Bill Original release: Durkan: Historic day for the Deaf Community as Sign Language Bill passes (opens in a new tab)
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Allen welcomes Final Stage passage of Sign Language Bill
Ulster Unionist Communities Spokesperson Andy Allen MBE MLA welcomes the bill’s passage through the Assembly’s final stage, noting it will now proceed to Royal Assent and urging that its duties on British and Irish Sign Language be fully resourced and implemented.
Disability and equality Issue: Assembly passage of Sign Language Bill Original release: Allen welcomes Final Stage passage of Sign Language Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Independent Autism Reviewer report will play key role in informing policy to improve the lives of those with Autism – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan says the Independent Autism Reviewer's initial findings will help shape policy to improve services for autistic people, and says the report exposes a gap between policy and reality. He calls for the Assembly and Health Committee to keep scrutinising delivery and press…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Independent Autism Reviewer first report launch Original release: Independent Autism Reviewer report will play key role in informing policy to improve the lives of those with Autism – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Caithfear comhionannas don Ghaeilge a chur i bhfeidhm; níor chóir bac a chur leis – Gildernew
Sinn Féin Communities Committee chair Colm Gildernew urges the DUP Communities Minister to back Irish language promotion rather than obstruct it, after a High Court judge dismissed a legal bid against Belfast City Council's Irish language policy. He says the council can now proceed and calls for…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: High Court dismissal of challenge to Belfast City Council Irish language policy Original release: Caithfear comhionannas don Ghaeilge a chur i bhfeidhm; níor chóir bac a chur leis – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Autism report exposes failure to turn promises into reality
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the Independent Autism Reviewer's report shows autism services in Northern Ireland are failing in practice despite years of commitments. He calls on the Health Minister to take ownership and drive cross-government coordination, clear…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Independent Autism Reviewer first report launch Original release: McGrath: Autism report exposes failure to turn promises into reality (opens in a new tab)
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SEN school staff workloads are unmanageable and unsustainable, says Mathison, ahead of Assembly motion
Alliance Education spokesperson Nick Mathison MLA says SENCO workload pressures are unfair and unsustainable, and calls on the Education Minister for urgent interventions, properly resourced EA Local Impact Teams and a thorough review of the role ahead of an Assembly motion.
Education Disability and equality Issue: SENCO workload pressures ahead of Assembly motion on special educational needs Original release: SEN school staff workloads are unmanageable and unsustainable, says Mathison, ahead of Assembly motion (opens in a new tab)
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Autism Reviewer’s report must be catalyst for real change, says Donnelly
Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly welcomes the first Annual Report of the Independent Autism Reviewer, Ema Cubitt, saying it must set a benchmark for services. He cites a finding that 90% of respondents felt unheard when seeking help and calls for findings to drive real improvements.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Independent Autism Reviewer first report launch Original release: Autism Reviewer’s report must be catalyst for real change, says Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
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Legal and Financial Issues Highlight Level of Executive Dysfunction says Brolly
Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly says Executive dysfunction is evident after only 4% of £230 million allocated for key services was spent, and raises concerns that Education Department and Education Authority reform proposals are not fully legally compliant.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Only 4% of £230 million allocated for key services spent Original release: Legal and Financial Issues Highlight Level of Executive Dysfunction says Brolly (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong announces intention to not seek re-election
Alliance Strangford MLA Kellie Armstrong announces she will not seek re-election at the 2027 Assembly poll, having served 11 years for the constituency, and says she will continue as an MLA until the Assembly dissolves.
Other Original release: Armstrong announces intention to not seek re-election (opens in a new tab)
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Paul Givan must heed ‘significant intervention’ from education bodies over flawed SEN reforms – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan welcomes the Children's Law Centre and other bodies' opposition to Education Minister Paul Givan's special educational needs reforms, and calls on him to pause the process and engage with them, unions and frontline staff on a rights-based plan.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Children's Law Centre opposition to SEN reform proposals Original release: Paul Givan must heed ‘significant intervention’ from education bodies over flawed SEN reforms – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)