Latest releases
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3,441 releases
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McGlone: Failure to agree Lough Neagh report is another broken promise by Executive
SDLP Opposition AERA Spokesperson Patsy McGlone says the Executive’s failure to agree the AERA Minister’s Lough Neagh report and its 30‑plus recommendations is another broken promise, condemning the lake to further decline, and pledges the SDLP will work constructively but hold parties to account.
Environment and climate Issue: Executive fails to agree Lough Neagh report recommendations Original release: McGlone: Failure to agree Lough Neagh report is another broken promise by Executive (opens in a new tab)
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Greener energy and cheaper energy go hand in hand, says Eastwood
Alliance Economy spokesperson Sorcha Eastwood MLA says the shift to renewable energy is essential for tackling rising living costs and meeting net zero targets, ahead of Alliance's Assembly motion on energy costs. The motion calls on the Assembly to recognise how energy costs worsen the…
Economy and employment Environment and climate Issue: Alliance Assembly motion on energy costs and renewable transition Original release: Greener energy and cheaper energy go hand in hand, says Eastwood (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw calls for public's views on gaps in equality legislation
Alliance Executive Office Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA calls for public views via a survey for an Assembly Executive Office Committee inquiry comparing Northern Ireland's equality law with neighbouring jurisdictions, citing gaps after Brexit.
Disability and equality Issue: Assembly Executive Office Committee equality legislation inquiry survey Original release: Bradshaw calls for public's views on gaps in equality legislation (opens in a new tab)
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Interim change to eligibility criteria for free school meals and…
The DUP's Education Minister Paul Givan announces an interim rise in the net earnings threshold for Universal Credit applicants to free school meals and uniform grants, from £14,000 to £15,000, for the 2024/25 academic year.
Education Social security and welfare Issue: Interim rise in free school meals and uniform grants earnings threshold Original release: Interim change to eligibility criteria for free school meals and… (opens in a new tab)
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Green pressure forces Muir to move on pollution fines
Green Party Cllr Brian Smyth welcomes DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's change of policy to restore heavier financial penalties for persistent agricultural pollution, calling it a first step. He says the Executive's Going for Growth Strategy and the Lough Neagh pollution reflect wider failings by the…
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: DAERA Minister Muir water quality enforcement measures at Agriculture Committee Original release: Green pressure forces Muir to move on pollution fines (opens in a new tab)
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Education and enforcement key to turning the tide on water quality, says Blair
Alliance MLA John Blair welcomes further actions announced by DAERA Minister Andrew Muir to tackle poor water quality, including reversing a cap on cross-compliance penalties and a review of fines. He urges the Executive to agree the Lough Neagh Report and Action Plan quickly.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: DAERA Minister Muir water quality enforcement measures at Agriculture Committee Original release: Education and enforcement key to turning the tide on water quality, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Kurtis Dickson installed as new Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council
Alliance Downshire East Councillor Kurtis Dickson was sworn in as Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, becoming the council’s youngest and first openly LGBTQIA+ mayor. He says he will boost youth involvement, promote mental‑well‑being and champion environmental issues.
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Kurtis Dickson installed as Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh Original release: Kurtis Dickson installed as new Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council (opens in a new tab)
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‘It’s time to end holiday hunger’ – Baker bringing forward legislation to tackle holiday hunger
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker has submitted Assembly legislation to tackle holiday hunger, proposing a statutory requirement for the Education Department and Education Authority to pay parents in lieu of free school meals during school holidays. He says earlier payments were cut under Conservative…
Social security and welfare Education Original release: ‘It’s time to end holiday hunger’ – Baker bringing forward legislation to tackle holiday hunger (opens in a new tab)
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‘Work to resettle patients from Muckamore must continue at pace’ – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon urges the Health Minister to keep resettling patients from Muckamore Abbey Hospital at speed and to set a firm closure date, after he signalled a short delay to the original June deadline. She also asks him to keep the Assembly updated on progress.
Health Issue: Muckamore Abbey Hospital closure date extension Original release: ‘Work to resettle patients from Muckamore must continue at pace’ – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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DUP will continue to prioritise working families: Robinson
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson says the party will keep prioritising working families and childcare costs in the next Parliament, calling for the next UK Government to raise Tax-Free Childcare above 20%. The statement follows the announcement of a £25million early learning and childcare package by the…
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Original release: DUP will continue to prioritise working families: Robinson (opens in a new tab)
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Lee-Surginor becomes Deputy Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, and first civic dignitary from a Chinese ethnic background
Alliance Councillor David Lee-Surginor says he is honoured to be installed as Deputy Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, and pledges to prioritise tourism, support flood-affected businesses and voluntary groups facing funding cuts, and promote equality.
Local government Disability and equality Issue: David Lee-Surginor installed as Deputy Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down Council Original release: Lee-Surginor becomes Deputy Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, and first civic dignitary from a Chinese ethnic background (opens in a new tab)
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Major breaches of environmental law "obscene and deeply disturbing" - Cllr Smyth
Green Party Councillor for Lisnasharragh Brian Smyth says it is obscene that Moy Park has breached environmental laws in Northern Ireland more than 500 times without prosecution, following a BBC investigation. He blames the Going for Growth strategy and a broken planning system, and calls on the…
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: BBC investigation into Moy Park environmental law breaches Original release: Major breaches of environmental law "obscene and deeply disturbing" - Cllr Smyth (opens in a new tab)
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TUV calls for clarity from local parties following belated Tory announcement on legal definition of sex
TUV Lagan Valley candidate Lorna Smyth calls on local parties to set out their own position on a legal definition of sex, after the Conservatives announced a clarification in law. She says the Tories have been in power for over a decade and questions whether they are serious about it.
Disability and equality Issue: Conservative announcement on legal definition of sex Original release: TUV calls for clarity from local parties following belated Tory announcement on legal definition of sex (opens in a new tab)
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Micky Murray officially installed as Belfast Lord Mayor
Alliance Balmoral Councillor Micky Murray says he has been installed as Lord Mayor of Belfast, the eighth Alliance councillor to hold the office, and thanks outgoing Lord Mayor Ryan for his term. He pledges to connect with homelessness workers, community groups, sports clubs and artists.
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Micky Murray installed as Lord Mayor of Belfast Original release: Micky Murray officially installed as Belfast Lord Mayor (opens in a new tab)
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Erskine – Questions for Pat Cullen & RCN
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine says Pat Cullen of the Royal College of Nursing must answer questions over his past remarks on Northern Ireland leaving the UK, a recent RCN video featuring a candidate, and the 1989 Royal Victoria Hospital attack targeting Nigel and Diane Dodds.
Health Constitutional affairs Issue: Royal College of Nursing general election video featuring Pat Cullen Original release: Erskine – Questions for Pat Cullen & RCN (opens in a new tab)
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Nursing Chief Pat Cullen seeking nomination to stand for Sinn Féin in Fermanagh South Tyrone
Sinn Féin says former Royal College of Nursing chief executive Pat Cullen will seek nomination as its candidate in the Fermanagh and South Tyrone Westminster election, with a selection convention held this week. Cullen calls for better funding for public services and rejection of Tory cuts to…
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Molloy condemns disgraceful racist vandalism in Cookstown
Sinn Féin MP Francie Molloy condemns racist vandalism in Cookstown over the weekend, including swastika displays and derogatory graffiti, saying such behaviour has no place in the community and hoping those responsible are found.
Community relations and legacy Disability and equality Issue: Cookstown racist vandalism including swastikas and graffiti Original release: Molloy condemns disgraceful racist vandalism in Cookstown (opens in a new tab)
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Ulster Unionist Party will always put health first - Beattie
UUP Leader Doug Beattie MC MLA says his party is voting against the budget to stand up for health services, will not voluntarily leave the Executive, and calls on other parties to honour their commitments to health. He says the health challenges ahead will take decades to address.
Health Issue: Northern Ireland Budget vote and opposition to it Original release: Ulster Unionist Party will always put health first - Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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Waiting times for children’s mental health services illustrates a further crisis in children’s health, says McAllister
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA says rising CAMHS waiting times, with 52% of children waiting over nine weeks for assessment, show a further crisis in children's health. She calls for early intervention, restoration of the axed Healthy Happy Minds pilot and clarity on Mental…
Health Issue: Latest quarterly CAMHS waiting time statistics for Northern Ireland Original release: Waiting times for children’s mental health services illustrates a further crisis in children’s health, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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Election gives voters the opportunity to vote for real climate action with the Greens
Green Party NI leader Mal O'Hara welcomes the Prime Minister's call for a General Election on 4 July 2024, saying Greens will offer a green economy programme on bills, jobs and apprenticeships. He says voters will choose between real climate action and what he calls climate dodging by the…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: UK general election announcement May 2024 Original release: Election gives voters the opportunity to vote for real climate action with the Greens (opens in a new tab)