Latest releases
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3,343 releases
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Tackling ammonia levels requires more than just addressing planning application backlog, says Blair
Alliance spokesperson John Blair MLA says a DUP motion on on-farm investment does not address ammonia emissions, arguing that clearing the backlog of planning applications with insufficient mitigations will not reduce levels enough.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: DUP motion on on-farm investment and ammonia emissions Original release: Tackling ammonia levels requires more than just addressing planning application backlog, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Greens join calls for a Wealth Tax in the UK
Green Party NI leader Mal O'Hara calls for a UK wealth tax, aligned with Scottish, English and Welsh Greens, targeting household wealth above £3.4 million and saying it would raise at least £75 billion a year alongside a windfall tax on energy companies.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Original release: Greens join calls for a Wealth Tax in the UK (opens in a new tab)
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Green Deputy Leader welcomes court ruling on no gas caverns campaign
Green Party Deputy Leader Lesley Veronica welcomes the Court of Appeal ruling that DAERA's decision to allow gas storage caverns under Larne Lough was irrational, crediting the No Gas Caverns campaign and Friends of the Earth.
Environment and climate Issue: Court of Appeal ruling on Larne Lough gas storage caverns Original release: Green Deputy Leader welcomes court ruling on no gas caverns campaign (opens in a new tab)
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McMurray raises questions about weed killer usage on South Down verges
Alliance MLA Andrew McMurray says he is questioning the Department for Infrastructure over widespread weedkiller spraying on South Down roadside verges, which constituents report has left them scorched and wildflower areas damaged. He wants to establish which chemicals were used and how…
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: South Down roadside verge weedkiller spraying by Department for Infrastructure Original release: McMurray raises questions about weed killer usage on South Down verges (opens in a new tab)
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Executive Office must move much faster on race relations, says Bradshaw, marking Refugee Week.
Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw, chair of the Stormont Executive Office Committee, calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to show greater urgency in developing and implementing a new Race Relations Strategy that includes refugee integration, marking Refugee Week.
Immigration International affairs Original release: Executive Office must move much faster on race relations, says Bradshaw, marking Refugee Week. (opens in a new tab)
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Court ruling testament to hard work of campaigners, says Donnelly
Alliance candidate Danny Donnelly welcomes a Court of Appeal ruling that a licence for gas caverns off East Antrim should have gone to the full Executive, crediting campaigners on Islandmagee. He calls for an end to this and other fossil fuel projects across Northern Ireland.
Environment and climate Issue: Court of Appeal ruling on East Antrim gas caverns licence Original release: Court ruling testament to hard work of campaigners, says Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Opposition Day focuses on North-South progress and dual market access
SDLP MLA Matthew O’Toole calls on the Economy Minister to produce a dual‑market access strategy and set up a joint Invest NI‑IDA working group, and urges motions for cross‑border healthcare cooperation, extension of all‑island tourism brands and opposition to the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation
Economy and employment Health Issue: SDLP Opposition Day on dual market access and cross‑border tourism Original release: SDLP Opposition Day focuses on North-South progress and dual market access (opens in a new tab)
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Health minister must bring forward a plan to stabilise NHS dentistry – Kimmins
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins urges the health minister to produce an immediate plan to shore up NHS dental care, warning that practices going private are leaving lower-income patients struggling to get treatment. She calls for a meeting with the British Dental Association.
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Too much at stake to not have green new deal, says Farry
Alliance candidate Stephen Farry, standing in North Down, says the UK Government cannot afford to lack a green new deal as climate impacts intensify. He points to Alliance's 2021 Green New Deal and accuses the Conservatives of U-turning on climate pledges and approving fossil fuel expansion.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Original release: Too much at stake to not have green new deal, says Farry (opens in a new tab)
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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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McCrossan: Public must be protected from defective building materials
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan MLA says the public must be shielded from defective building materials and tables an amendment to the Defective Premises Bill to boost compensation for victims of mica and pyrite scandals, urging all parties to support it.
Housing Issue: Defective Premises Bill amendment on defective building materials Original release: McCrossan: Public must be protected from defective building materials (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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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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‘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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Minister to launch budget consultation
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons launches a consultation on his initial decisions for the Department for Communities 2024-25 budget, running from 11 June to 3 September 2024, citing a £115.8m resource and £167.3m capital shortfall. Decisions include a £1.45m increase for the voluntary and…
Public finance and taxation Housing Issue: Department for Communities 2024-25 budget consultation Original release: Minister to launch budget consultation (opens in a new tab)
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New requirements for smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms in…
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announces new regulations setting minimum standards for alarms in private rental homes, including smoke alarms in main living rooms and circulation areas, heat alarms in kitchens and carbon monoxide alarms near fixed appliances. Compliance deadlines for existing…
Housing Issue: Section 8 regulations on alarms in private rental properties Original release: New requirements for smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms in… (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)