Latest releases
Searching a long passage? Find similar statements.
11,733 releases
-
Abuse of position for sexual purposes by police officers must never be tolerated – Kelly
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly calls for police abuse of trust to be firmly challenged and eliminated, citing a Police Ombudsman report finding predatory conduct accounts for 30% of its most serious cases. He says supervisors must spot warning signs and that he will raise the matter with the Chief…
Justice and policing Issue: Police Ombudsman report on sexual misconduct by PSNI officers Original release: Abuse of position for sexual purposes by police officers must never be tolerated – Kelly (opens in a new tab)
-
McGrath: PSNI officers abusing position for sexual purposes reinforces need for cultural change
SDLP MLA Colin McGrath, a Policing Board member, says the high number of officers abusing their position for sexual purposes shows a need for cultural change in the PSNI, following the Police Ombudsman's report on the issue. He calls for the Justice Minister to confirm when legislation for faster…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Police Ombudsman report on sexual misconduct by PSNI officers Original release: McGrath: PSNI officers abusing position for sexual purposes reinforces need for cultural change (opens in a new tab)
-
O’Toole: FM-DFM putting party politics ahead of Iran response
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the First and deputy First Minister have failed to provide a coherent devolved response to the US and Israeli attack on Iran, and calls on them to put the Executive's response ahead of party interests. He cites worries over family safety and…
International affairs Issue: US and Israeli attack on Iran and Executive response Original release: O’Toole: FM-DFM putting party politics ahead of Iran response (opens in a new tab)
-
McCrossan demands urgent action on dangerous A5 road conditions
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan calls on the Department for Infrastructure to act immediately on the deteriorating A5, citing large potholes, blocked gullies and standing water that he says have led to drivers losing control.
Infrastructure and transport Original release: McCrossan demands urgent action on dangerous A5 road conditions (opens in a new tab)
-
McNulty expresses disappointment at lack of timeline for school bus safety laws
SDLP Opposition Infrastructure Spokesperson Justin McNulty MLA says he is disappointed the Infrastructure Minister gave no clear timeline for school bus safety legislation. He calls for a law banning overtaking stationary school buses while children board or leave, citing further accidents since…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Infrastructure Minister's lack of timeline for school bus safety legislation Original release: McNulty expresses disappointment at lack of timeline for school bus safety laws (opens in a new tab)
-
Durkan welcomes removal of two-child limit
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA welcomes the removal of the two-child limit on Universal Credit, following the Assembly's Legislative Consent Motion on the Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill. He calls for clarity on transitional protections and a timely…
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: Assembly passes bill scrapping two-child benefit limit Original release: Durkan welcomes removal of two-child limit (opens in a new tab)
-
£390m Barnett boost welcome but waste and inefficiency must be tackled
UUP Finance spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA welcomes an extra £390m in Barnett consequentials from the Chancellor's Spring Estimates, but says inefficiency and failure to reform public spending undermine services. He cites the Fiscal Council's criticism and calls the Department for…
Public finance and taxation Infrastructure and transport Issue: Chancellor's Spring Estimates Barnett consequentials for Northern Ireland Original release: £390m Barnett boost welcome but waste and inefficiency must be tackled (opens in a new tab)
-
Mathison raises concerns on Education Minister’s plans for qualification reform
Alliance Party Education Spokesperson and Education Committee Chair Nick Mathison MLA raises concerns about the Education Minister's qualifications reforms, particularly the decision to remove AS Level qualifications, which he says goes against the wishes of teachers and young people.
Education Issue: Education Minister's AS-level and GCSE assessment reform statement Original release: Mathison raises concerns on Education Minister’s plans for qualification reform (opens in a new tab)
-
Focus should be on safety of citizens, not further escalation of ‘mindless’ war – Kearney
SF MLA Declan Kearney backs Michelle O'Neill's refusal to attend British government security briefings on the Middle East, calling it correct and rejecting any complicity in what he terms a 'mindless' war. He urges immediate de-escalation, an end to hostilities and diplomacy.
International affairs Issue: Britain's joining of US/Israel military action in the Middle East Original release: Focus should be on safety of citizens, not further escalation of ‘mindless’ war – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
-
‘Stark’ endometriosis waiting times highlight need for change – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn calls for a step change in endometriosis services in the north after new figures show average diagnosis waiting times of nearly 10 years. She urges the Health Minister to set up specialist endometriosis services and work with Dublin on an all-island approach.
Health Disability and equality Issue: New figures on endometriosis diagnosis waiting times Original release: ‘Stark’ endometriosis waiting times highlight need for change – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
-
TUV slams “rank hypocrisy” at AFBI; calls for Minister’s resignation
TUV Agriculture spokesperson Cllr Allister Kyle says the Agriculture Minister's position is untenable after footage and reports from AFBI Hillsborough, and calls for the Minister to resign over alleged animal cruelty, environmental failures and a data breach.
Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: AFBI Hillsborough animal cruelty, environmental failures and data breach scandal Original release: TUV slams “rank hypocrisy” at AFBI; calls for Minister’s resignation (opens in a new tab)
-
Minister announces Core Grant funding for 2026/27
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt announces that over 70 community and voluntary groups are expected to receive Core Grant funding in 2026/27, totalling £1.8m, up from 26 last year after the scheme was restructured. Subject to checks, feedback will be offered to unsuccessful applicants.
Public finance and taxation Issue: Core Grant funding awards for community and voluntary sector 2026/27 Original release: Minister announces Core Grant funding for 2026/27 (opens in a new tab)
-
Middle East tensions drive sharp rise in home heating oil costs
UUP economy spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA warns that Middle East instability is driving a sharp jump in home heating oil costs for Northern Ireland households. She says her party has written to the regulator seeking an investigation into possible profiteering by suppliers.
Economy and employment International affairs Issue: Middle East tensions driving home heating oil price rises Original release: Middle East tensions drive sharp rise in home heating oil costs (opens in a new tab)
-
Minister’s delay to A1 scheme puts road users at continued risk, says Tennyson
Alliance MLA Eóin Tennyson criticises the Infrastructure Minister's decision to push back Phase 2 of the A1 road safety scheme by 12 months, citing a legal appeal linked to the A5, and urges the Minister to proceed without further delay.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Infrastructure Minister's 12-month delay to A1 Phase 2 safety scheme Original release: Minister’s delay to A1 scheme puts road users at continued risk, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
-
Brooks expresses concern at lack of transparency and consideration around plans for Botanic Gardens
Alliance councillor Tara Brooks voices concern that Belfast City Council's plan to move a community garden and an EU-funded UPSURGE environmental project from Botanic Gardens for a sports pitch lacks transparency. She says her proposal to pause the decision for more information was ignored and…
Local government Environment and climate Issue: Botanic Gardens community garden relocation for new sports pitch Original release: Brooks expresses concern at lack of transparency and consideration around plans for Botanic Gardens (opens in a new tab)
-
Denman Rooke Announces Anti-War Demo Monday 6pm in Galway
People Before Profit's Denman Rooke and Kiran Emrich announce a Monday 2 March anti-war demonstration at 6pm in Eyre Square, Galway, calling for an end to the US and Israeli bombing of Iran and for Irish and British governments to stop being complicit. The demo coincides with protests in Dublin…
International affairs Issue: US and Israeli bombing of Iran anti-war demonstrations Original release: Denman Rooke Announces Anti-War Demo Monday 6pm in Galway (opens in a new tab)
-
McAleer welcomes UFU support to reinstate ANC payment
Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer welcomes Ulster Farmers' Union backing for reinstating Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) payments, following a meeting on his private members' bill. He says ANC farmers are vital to the red meat sector and rural communities and that output from these areas has declined…
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: Private members' bill on reinstating ANC payments Original release: McAleer welcomes UFU support to reinstate ANC payment (opens in a new tab)
-
Forsythe tables amendment to allow suspension of public appointment…
DUP MLA Diane Forsythe has tabled a change to the Administrative and Financial Provisions Bill that would permit the suspension of any holder of a public appointment, such as the Police Ombudsman, while they are under investigation, and she urges parties to back the measure.
Justice and policing Issue: Amendment to suspend public appointees under investigation Original release: Forsythe tables amendment to allow suspension of public appointment… (opens in a new tab)
-
Eastwood: Surveillance of journalists unacceptable
SDLP MP Colum Eastwood says illegal monitoring of reporters by police and intelligence agencies is wholly unacceptable and must face thorough public scrutiny, urging a public inquiry as RTÉ Northern Editor Vincent Kearney brings MI5, the Met Police and PSNI before the Investigatory Powers Tribunal.
Justice and policing Issue: Vincent Kearney brings MI5, Met Police and PSNI to tribunal Original release: Eastwood: Surveillance of journalists unacceptable (opens in a new tab)
-
McCrossan: Minister must address soaring temporary accommodation spend
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan, who chairs the Public Accounts Committee, calls on Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to urgently address spending on temporary accommodation after a PAC report found £40m was spent in 2024/25.
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Public Accounts Committee report on homelessness Original release: McCrossan: Minister must address soaring temporary accommodation spend (opens in a new tab)