Latest releases
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2,508 releases
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Backwards move to bring abortion into classrooms – Lockhart
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says the Westminster vote on NIO proposals to bring abortion-promoting relationships and sex education into schools is a backward step for Northern Ireland. She argues the region's abortion laws should not be taught to children and calls for more life-affirming laws.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Westminster vote on NIO proposals for RSE in schools Original release: Backwards move to bring abortion into classrooms – Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Murray disappointed and frustrated by risk posed to potential cycling infrastructure
Alliance Balmoral Councillor Micky Murray says he is disappointed and frustrated that planned Belfast cycling infrastructure, including Lisburn Road and Malone Road routes, may be displaced by the Department for Infrastructure's new Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan. He questions the…
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Belfast Cycle Network Plan displacement by Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan Original release: Murray disappointed and frustrated by risk posed to potential cycling infrastructure (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds meets EA about annual SEN chaos
DUP Education spokesperson Diane Dodds, Upper Bann MLA, says a meeting with the Education Authority exposed the yearly chaos in Special Educational Needs placements, blaming education cuts and under‑funding and urging Treasury funding, transformational reform and immediate placement of vulnerable p‑
Education Disability and equality Issue: Annual chaos in Special Educational Needs allocations Original release: Dodds meets EA about annual SEN chaos (opens in a new tab)
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SF’s foreign donations must be scrutinised
DUP East Belfast MLA and US engagement spokesman David Brooks says questions must be asked about Sinn Fein’s finances, urging serious scrutiny of foreign donations – including over $50,000 from the US Friends of Sinn Fein – and calls for transparency on both sides of the border.
Other Issue: US donations to Sinn Fein before 2022 Assembly election Original release: SF’s foreign donations must be scrutinised (opens in a new tab)
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Robbie Butler Urges Secretary of State to Act Now to Address Underinvestment in Special Education Needs
UUP education spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA urges the Secretary of State to act now on underinvestment in Special Educational Needs provision, saying shortfalls in SEN places in special and mainstream schools are failing children and families, with no Executive or Assembly in place.
Education Disability and equality Original release: Robbie Butler Urges Secretary of State to Act Now to Address Underinvestment in Special Education Needs (opens in a new tab)
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The Alliance Party and transgenderism
TUV's North Down branch president Patrick J. Roche accuses the Alliance Party of full commitment to transgenderism, citing Naomi Long's handling of a 'what is a woman?' question and a drag story reading, and MLA Connie Eagan's planned bill on relationship and sex education. He also attacks deputy…
Disability and equality Education Issue: Alliance Party stance on transgender issues and Gender Recognition Reform Bill Original release: The Alliance Party and transgenderism (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Education Authority must find places for SEN children
SDLP Education Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan calls on the Education Authority to find school places for over 800 children with special educational needs still awaiting confirmation of a place for next year. He says families need immediate clarity and urges investment in resourcing schools and…
Education Disability and equality Original release: McCrossan: Education Authority must find places for SEN children (opens in a new tab)
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Confirmation Arvalee Special School will continue to have full-time ‘relief for parents and children’ – Brogan
Sinn Féin MLA Nicola Brogan welcomes confirmation that Arvalee Special School in Omagh will keep full-time hours for nursery pupils after an Education Authority cut to two and a half hours was reversed. She says discussions between the EA and the school must continue and blames Tory cuts and the…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Authority cuts nursery hours at Arvalee Special School Original release: Confirmation Arvalee Special School will continue to have full-time ‘relief for parents and children’ – Brogan (opens in a new tab)
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Tragic death in Bushmills
TUV MLA Jim Allister expresses sadness at the death of Robert Anderson in a road crash in Bushmills, offering condolences to his parents and family and saying he is praying for them.
Other Original release: Tragic death in Bushmills (opens in a new tab)
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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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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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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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O’Neill welcomes €56m Irish government investment in Magee and Shared Island projects
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill, First Minister Designate, welcomes Irish government funding of €45m for a new Magee campus building in Derry, part of €56m from the Shared Island fund for all-island projects, and calls for the Executive to be restored.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Irish government €56m Shared Island funding for Magee and all-island projects Original release: O’Neill welcomes €56m Irish government investment in Magee and Shared Island projects (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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Kearney calls on DfI to properly maintain rural road junction sight lines
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney has asked the Department for Infrastructure to review grass verge and hedgerow maintenance at road junctions and roundabouts in Randalstown and Antrim. He says overgrown verges are blocking sight lines and creating safety risks for drivers, and that DfI officials have…
Infrastructure and transport Original release: Kearney calls on DfI to properly maintain rural road junction sight lines (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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O’Neill extends sympathies on death of former Sinn Féin representative Claire McGill
Sinn Féin leader Michelle O'Neill offers sympathy and solidarity to the family and friends of former MLA Claire McGill, who died, recalling her years as West Tyrone MLA and Strabane councillor.
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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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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)