Latest releases
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2,562 releases
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Executive needed to support vulnerable children and young people – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker says it is unacceptable that families of children with additional needs are anxiously waiting to learn whether they will secure a nursery place. He calls for an end to the DUP's boycott of the Executive so parties can work together to support vulnerable children and young…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Special educational needs nursery placement uncertainty and Executive impasse Original release: Executive needed to support vulnerable children and young people – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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Parades Commission bows to threat of Republican violence
TUV deputy leader Ron McDowell condemns the Parades Commission's ban on Orangemen parading from Ballysillan down the Crumlin Road, saying the Commission bowed to threats of violence. He also criticises the proposed Irish language signs in Belfast and calls for an end to double standards.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Parades Commission ruling on Ballysillan Orange Lodge Crumlin Road parade Original release: Parades Commission bows to threat of Republican violence (opens in a new tab)
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PM should halt legacy legislation
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP, with Deputy Leader Gavin Robinson MP, Lord Dodds and Emma Little-Pengelly MLA, urges the Prime Minister to halt the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill, arguing it grants an amnesty to terrorists and should be scrapped.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill return to Parliament Original release: PM should halt legacy legislation (opens in a new tab)
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Communities budget will reduce support for most vulnerable, says Armstrong
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong says the Department for Communities budget allocations will reduce support for vulnerable people, including the homeless, people with disabilities, addiction service users and domestic abuse victims. She cites cuts to new homes and rising homelessness spending, and…
Public finance and taxation Housing Issue: Department for Communities budget allocations for the forthcoming financial year Original release: Communities budget will reduce support for most vulnerable, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Skinner says it is unbelievable unionist Councillors vote to adjourn bonfire meeting until September
Alliance MEA Councillor Aaron Skinner says it is unbelievable unionist Councillors voted to adjourn a special meeting on adopting legal advice on bonfires on Council land until September. He calls for a strategy to deal with bonfires on Council land, citing public safety and legal risk.
Community relations and legacy Local government Issue: Mid and East Antrim Council adjournment of bonfire legal advice meeting Original release: Skinner says it is unbelievable unionist Councillors vote to adjourn bonfire meeting until September (opens in a new tab)
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Cuts to special education nursery places would disadvantage the most vulnerable, warns Egan, echoing calls for SEN reform
Alliance Education spokesperson Connie Egan MLA condemns reports that the Educational Authority is considering closing some special school nursery units to fund primary one places, calling it short-sighted and a failure of area planning. She urges the EA and Department of Education to commit to…
Education Disability and equality Issue: EA consideration of closing special school nursery units Original release: Cuts to special education nursery places would disadvantage the most vulnerable, warns Egan, echoing calls for SEN reform (opens in a new tab)
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Kelly welcomes decision by Parades Commission on contentious parade
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly welcomes a Parades Commission ruling that a proposed Orange Lodge parade on the Crumlin Road, applied for in the Ballysillan area, will not pass Ardoyne, Mountainview and the Dales. He says the parade breached a 2016 residents' agreement with Ligoniel lodges.
Community relations and legacy Issue: Parades Commission ruling on Ballysillan Orange Lodge Crumlin Road parade Original release: Kelly welcomes decision by Parades Commission on contentious parade (opens in a new tab)
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Essential people with learning disabilities are leaders of conversations around their lives, says Armstrong, marking Learning Disabilities Week
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA welcomes people with learning disabilities, families and support groups to Parliament Buildings to mark Learning Disability Week 2023. She says the event aims to challenge stigma and myths, and that people with learning disabilities should…
Disability and equality Original release: Essential people with learning disabilities are leaders of conversations around their lives, says Armstrong, marking Learning Disabilities Week (opens in a new tab)
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Homophobia never acceptable and needs to be challenged at every opportunity, says Tennyson, addressing tweets by DUP representative
Alliance MLA Eóin Tennyson calls on the DUP to address homophobic tweets directed at him from East Antrim MLA David Hilditch's account, noting they remain online. He urges party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to condemn them publicly and take disciplinary action.
Disability and equality Issue: Homophobic tweets from DUP MLA David Hilditch's account Original release: Homophobia never acceptable and needs to be challenged at every opportunity, says Tennyson, addressing tweets by DUP representative (opens in a new tab)
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Education Authority has duty to ensure every child has suitable school placement – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker says he has written to the Education Authority asking for urgent school placements for children with special educational needs still waiting for an offer ahead of September entry to nursery or P1. He calls the situation outrageous, pointing to the statutory duty to place…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Education Authority has duty to ensure every child has suitable school placement – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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When will truth be told about human rights abuses of those on ‘active…
DUP legacy spokesperson Emma Little-Pengelly says Joe Clarke was given a full IRA funeral and asks when the truth will be told about human rights abuses committed during his active service. She argues legacy inquiries cannot assess IRA victims because the IRA keeps no records accessible to the…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Joe Clarke funeral with IRA honours Original release: When will truth be told about human rights abuses of those on ‘active… (opens in a new tab)
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Cuts to nursery hours for children with Special Needs ‘heartless’ – Brogan
Sinn Féin MLA Nicola Brogan says the Education Authority’s decision to halve nursery provision for children with special educational needs at Arvalee Special School in Omagh is heartless, and she has written to demand an urgent meeting to have the cuts reversed.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Authority cuts nursery hours at Arvalee Special School Original release: Cuts to nursery hours for children with Special Needs ‘heartless’ – Brogan (opens in a new tab)
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Egan expresses condolences to the family and loved ones of Chloe Mitchell following Ballymena vigil
Alliance spokesperson Connie Egan MLA expresses condolences to the family of Chloe Mitchell after attending a vigil in Ballymena, saying gender-based violence must be tackled and eliminated across society.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Murder of Chloe Mitchell in Ballymena Original release: Egan expresses condolences to the family and loved ones of Chloe Mitchell following Ballymena vigil (opens in a new tab)
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Omagh Pride a crucial platform for LGBTQ people in rural communities west of the Bann, says Donnelly, ahead of event
Alliance Omagh Councillor Stephen Donnelly praises the organisers of Omagh Pride and says the event matters for LGBTQ+ people in rural areas west of the Bann, ahead of Saturday's event. He argues more progress is needed across Northern Ireland and says isolation is felt in West Tyrone.
Disability and equality Issue: Omagh Pride event 2023 Original release: Omagh Pride a crucial platform for LGBTQ people in rural communities west of the Bann, says Donnelly, ahead of event (opens in a new tab)
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McAllister says halving of community fund will seriously impact community relations
Alliance MLA Nuala McAllister says a planned 50 per cent cut to the Executive Office's Central Good Relations Fund will seriously harm community relations. She has contacted the department's top official asking for priorities to be reconsidered before any final decision.
Community relations and legacy Public finance and taxation Issue: Central Good Relations Fund 50 per cent funding cut Original release: McAllister says halving of community fund will seriously impact community relations (opens in a new tab)
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NI carers are being left behind, says Alliance representatives, as Carer’s Leave Act sets out extra support for GB
Alliance's Stewart Dickson MLA and Kellie Armstrong MLA say working carers in Northern Ireland risk missing out on extra leave under the Carer's Leave Act 2023 because it applies only to Great Britain for now. Dickson says the Department for the Economy will not implement it until an Executive is…
Economy and employment Disability and equality Issue: Carer's Leave Act 2023 extension to Northern Ireland Original release: NI carers are being left behind, says Alliance representatives, as Carer’s Leave Act sets out extra support for GB (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna urges PM to introduce Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy
SDLP South Belfast MP Claire Hanna urges Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to fund and implement a Northern Ireland Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, citing the murder of Chloe Mitchell in Ballymena and the lack of an Executive to deliver it.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Murder of Chloe Mitchell in Ballymena Original release: Hanna urges PM to introduce Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to prioritise Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy – Archibald
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald welcomes a cross-party briefing on the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy and hopes it goes out to public consultation soon. She calls for a functioning Executive with Ministers and a budget to drive the strategy forward.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Cross-party briefing on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy Original release: Executive needed to prioritise Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy – Archibald (opens in a new tab)
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Kelly pays tribute to Hooded Men for ‘determined campaign’ for truth and justice
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly pays tribute to the Hooded Men for their long campaign for truth and justice, welcoming the PSNI's public apology to them. He says the British government's legacy bill must not bury the demand, and calls for the 2014 Stormont House mechanisms to be put in place in line…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: PSNI public apology to the Hooded Men Original release: Kelly pays tribute to Hooded Men for ‘determined campaign’ for truth and justice (opens in a new tab)
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British government should listen to victims and survivors and scrap cruel legacy bill – Finucane
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane calls for the British government to scrap its Legacy Bill after meeting Steve Baker with party colleagues, arguing its proposed May 2024 deadline for concluding inquests would make it harder for families to get investigations. He also urges the Irish government to oppose…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: British government Legacy Bill and inquest deadline Original release: British government should listen to victims and survivors and scrap cruel legacy bill – Finucane (opens in a new tab)