Latest releases
Searching a long passage? Find similar statements.
- Environment and climate: remove filter
- Disability and equality: remove filter
- Infrastructure and transport: remove filter
2,477 releases
-
Transformation of Special Education services essential
DUP Education Spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA welcomes the Ipsos review of Special Educational Needs, citing SEN spending of around £500m a year and calls for transformational change, a sustainable funding model and a more skilled classroom assistant workforce.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Ipsos review of Special Educational Needs services in Northern Ireland Original release: Transformation of Special Education services essential (opens in a new tab)
-
We need clarity on the implementation of the ammonia strategy, says Blair, following news of investigation into DAERA
Alliance MLA John Blair welcomes the Office for Environmental Protection's investigation into DAERA's handling of environmental law around ammonia guidance, and says he will write to the department seeking a timeline for its draft ammonia strategy.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: OEP investigation into DAERA's application of environmental law on ammonia Original release: We need clarity on the implementation of the ammonia strategy, says Blair, following news of investigation into DAERA (opens in a new tab)
-
Achieving decarbonisation of homes possible but only with cross-Departmental commitment, says Armstrong
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong says decarbonising homes is possible but needs a concerted cross-Departmental commitment, after hosting the launch of the Forum for a Better Housing Market's New Foundations report on low carbon homes. She backs its suggestions on retrofitting social housing, grants…
Environment and climate Housing Issue: New Foundations: The Route to Low Carbon Homes report launch Original release: Achieving decarbonisation of homes possible but only with cross-Departmental commitment, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
-
Cuts to Women’s Aid would be catastrophic, says Egan
Alliance's Connie Egan says cutting Department of Health funding for the Women's Aid Federation, due to end in September 2023, would be catastrophic. She calls for the decision to be reversed, arguing it conflicts with proposed Executive strategies on violence against women and girls.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Department of Health ending Women's Aid Federation funding from September 2023 Original release: Cuts to Women’s Aid would be catastrophic, says Egan (opens in a new tab)
-
Dunne saddened at death of motorcyclist in Donaghadee
The DUP's Dunne expresses sadness and condolences over the death of a motorcyclist in Donaghadee, saying road dangers are a reminder to all. He pledges to work with police and the infrastructure department to improve road safety.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Donaghadee motorcyclist death Original release: Dunne saddened at death of motorcyclist in Donaghadee (opens in a new tab)
-
No place for racism or racist displays – Archibald
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald condemns racism and racist displays after a Sunday protest in Portrush that included National Front flags. She says those involved do not represent the people of Portrush or the north coast, and calls for a safe, inclusive society for all, including asylum seekers.
Disability and equality Issue: Portrush National Front anti-asylum protest and counter-demonstration, May 2023 Original release: No place for racism or racist displays – Archibald (opens in a new tab)
-
Security alert causing disruption – Donnelly
Sinn Féin councillor Padráig Donnelly says a security alert has disrupted residents near two sites in the area, closing a primary school and a road junction, and urges people to avoid the area and follow police advice.
Justice and policing Infrastructure and transport Issue: Security alert and school closure near Church Road, Newtownabbey Original release: Security alert causing disruption – Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
-
Those carrying out protests against asylum seekers represent nobody, Alliance Councillors say
Alliance Councillors Richard Stewart and Peter McCully condemn a protest against asylum seekers at the Portrush war memorial, saying those involved represent only an extremely small minority. They call on all political representatives to unite in calling for an end to such protests.
Immigration Disability and equality Issue: Portrush National Front anti-asylum protest and counter-demonstration, May 2023 Original release: Those carrying out protests against asylum seekers represent nobody, Alliance Councillors say (opens in a new tab)
-
"North South Interconnector Must be Undergrounded"
Aontú Councillor for Mid-Ulster Cllr Denise Mullen calls for the North South Interconnector to be placed underground, not overground, citing 409 pylons, property prices and tourism, agriculture and health concerns. The party says the Irish government should drop the project after the Minister for…
Infrastructure and transport International affairs Issue: North South Interconnector Projects of Common Interest list consideration Original release: "North South Interconnector Must be Undergrounded" (opens in a new tab)
-
A5 Public Inquiry important opportunity for communities to voice their support for critical road project – Pearse Doherty TD
Sinn Féin finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD says the A5 public inquiry opening in Omagh is an opportunity for communities to back the A5 upgrade. He urges businesses and residents to attend and calls for the Irish Government to recommit to funding it on a 50:50 basis.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: A5 public inquiry opening in Omagh Original release: A5 Public Inquiry important opportunity for communities to voice their support for critical road project – Pearse Doherty TD (opens in a new tab)
-
A5 inquiry important opportunity to voice support for vital road project – Begley
Sinn Féin MP Órfhlaith Begley urges local businesses and residents to attend the A5 public inquiry opening in Omagh and voice support for the road project. She says the new road would reduce deaths, cut journey times, create jobs and boost links to the rest of the island, and calls for work to…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: A5 public inquiry opening in Omagh Original release: A5 inquiry important opportunity to voice support for vital road project – Begley (opens in a new tab)
-
Manifesto for greener, cleaner, fairer communities launched
The Green Party NI launches its local government manifesto, setting out commitments on community green energy, street cleanliness and waste infrastructure, and a living wage for council employees and contractors. Leader Cllr Mal O'Hara urges voters to back the party on 18 May.
Local government Environment and climate Issue: Green Party NI local government manifesto launch Original release: Manifesto for greener, cleaner, fairer communities launched (opens in a new tab)
-
Blair says Alliance Councillors will continue to be environmental champions
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says Alliance candidates have endorsed the RSPB Local Government manifesto covering planning, biodiversity and climate, and will pursue its aims if elected as Councillors. He calls for a restored Assembly and Executive immediately.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Alliance endorsement of RSPB Local Government manifesto Original release: Blair says Alliance Councillors will continue to be environmental champions (opens in a new tab)
-
Shortfall in special school numbers consequence of immoral Tory cuts – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says a predicted shortfall in special school places for children with special educational needs in September is deeply concerning, blaming Tory budget cuts and calling for the Executive to be restored.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Predicted shortfall in special school places for September 2023 Original release: Shortfall in special school numbers consequence of immoral Tory cuts – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
-
Stop the Newry Civic Centre
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland objects to the planning application for a Newry Civic and Regional Hub, saying it lacks ratepayer support, would raise taxes, harms the local economy, breaches planning policies and should be decided by the Department of Infrastructure rather than the council.
Local government Infrastructure and transport Issue: Newry Civic and Regional Hub planning application Original release: Stop the Newry Civic Centre (opens in a new tab)
-
Catney: Period products must be available to all
SDLP Lisburn North candidate Pat Catney says free sanitary provisions should reach everyone who needs them, after the Department of Education cut school funding for such products by over 40%. He urges the bill he introduced to be brought into force.
Disability and equality Education Issue: Department of Education cuts school period product funding by over 40% Original release: Catney: Period products must be available to all (opens in a new tab)
-
McCrossan: Pathway Fund must be protected from cuts
SDLP Education Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan calls for the Pathway Fund to be protected from cuts, warning that interim funding for early years providers ends in June and that over 10,000 children could lose support.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Proposed removal of the Pathway Fund Original release: McCrossan: Pathway Fund must be protected from cuts (opens in a new tab)
-
An evidence-based RSE curriculum is what is best for our children and young people, says Egan
Alliance education spokesperson and North Down MLA Connie Egan calls for a standardised, inclusive, evidence-based RSE curriculum in schools, following an ETI report finding almost half of Northern Ireland schools teach little or nothing on consent, LGBTQ+ issues and related topics. She says she…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education and Training Inspectorate report on relationship and sexuality education Original release: An evidence-based RSE curriculum is what is best for our children and young people, says Egan (opens in a new tab)
-
Muir says key infrastructure will be left to crumble due to Budget cuts
Alliance infrastructure spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA says key infrastructure will be left to decay after a 14 per cent cut to the Department for Infrastructure's day-to-day spending, warning of threats to street lighting, water and public transport, and calls for the Executive to be restored.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Department for Infrastructure 14 per cent day-to-day budget cut Original release: Muir says key infrastructure will be left to crumble due to Budget cuts (opens in a new tab)
-
McCrossan: Without A5 progress, more lives will be lost
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan warns that further deaths will follow on the A5 unless the upgrade proceeds, after three local people died in a crash last week. He urges objectors to the A5 Western Transport Corridor to drop their opposition immediately.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Three deaths in A5 crash prompt calls to progress A5 Western Transport Corridor Original release: McCrossan: Without A5 progress, more lives will be lost (opens in a new tab)