Latest releases
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2,562 releases
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Durkan: Every effort must be made to protect community transport
SDLP Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA says community transport services, including dial-a-lift, are left in limbo over funding and calls on the Department for Infrastructure to give a clear update and carry out an equality impact assessment before deciding their future.
Infrastructure and transport Disability and equality Original release: Durkan: Every effort must be made to protect community transport (opens in a new tab)
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unionists told to “get out of the way”
DUP East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell accuses SDLP leader Colum Eastwood of insensitivity after Eastwood told unionists to "get out of the way" in the West Bank area of Derry. Campbell says Protestants were forced from their homes there fifty years ago and calls on the SDLP to recognise its…
Community relations and legacy Issue: Colum Eastwood "get out of the way" remarks on the West Bank Original release: unionists told to “get out of the way” (opens in a new tab)
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TUV Conference 2023 – TUV’s plan to shake up Belfast
TUV Titanic candidate Anne Smyth says Belfast City Council is discriminating in spending, citing £1.35 million for the Roddy McCorley Centre and £1.12 million for Belfast City Cemetery, and pledges to challenge Sinn Féin's influence on the council.
Local government Public finance and taxation Issue: Belfast City Council 7.99% rate increase and council spending priorities Original release: TUV Conference 2023 – TUV’s plan to shake up Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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TUV Conference 2023 – A young person’s perspective on standing for TUV
TUV Bannside council candidate Anna Henry says she is a 21‑year‑old from Cullybackey, recounts studying politics in a nationalist school, and declares she stands for the TUV because it upholds union, transparency, respect for veterans and a lone voice in Stormont.
Other Local government Original release: TUV Conference 2023 – A young person’s perspective on standing for TUV (opens in a new tab)
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TUV Conference 2023 – Why TUV?
TUV council candidate Stewart Ferris delivers a conference speech describing Sinn Féin as controlled by the Provisional IRA and criticising unsolved killings and the Protocol's farming rules. He contrasts TUV with the UUP and DUP and says the party will offer no false promises.
Constitutional affairs Justice and policing Original release: TUV Conference 2023 – Why TUV? (opens in a new tab)
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TUV conference 2023 – Recognising the contribution of sport to communities
Causeway council candidate Allister Kyle says sport unites communities and calls for equal public funding, urges an end to funding for bodies that name facilities after terrorists, and asks councillors to back the third tranche of Westminster levelling‑up sport funding.
Community relations and legacy Local government Original release: TUV conference 2023 – Recognising the contribution of sport to communities (opens in a new tab)
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Kelly pays tribute to the family of Liam Holden for campaign for truth and justice
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly commends the family of Liam Holden for their persistent pursuit of accountability after a High Court ruling found he was tortured into a false confession to a 1972 killing. Kelly says the verdict vindicates their campaign and calls for the legacy bill to be scrapped.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: High Court ruling on Liam Holden's torture and false confession Original release: Kelly pays tribute to the family of Liam Holden for campaign for truth and justice (opens in a new tab)
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Tory Legacy Bill should be scrapped – Finucane
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane calls for the British Government’s Legacy Bill to be scrapped without delay, saying a European lawyers’ report shows it is unworkable, lacks support from victims, the Irish Government and breaches the Good Friday Agreement.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: British Government Legacy Bill Original release: Tory Legacy Bill should be scrapped – Finucane (opens in a new tab)
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Shannon challenges insult to Royal Ulster Constabulary
Strangford MP Jim Shannon challenges a Daily Mirror editorial that described the Royal Ulster Constabulary as 'discredited', insisting the RUC was transformed rather than disbanded. He demands a retraction on the same page and an apology.
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: Daily Mirror editorial describing the Royal Ulster Constabulary as discredited Original release: Shannon challenges insult to Royal Ulster Constabulary (opens in a new tab)
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Irish language signage not wanted
TUV council candidate Glenn Moore says new Irish language signs in Mill Park, Tobermore, are unwanted and will harm community relations. He accuses Mid Ulster Council of provoking unionists and wasting ratepayers' money.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Irish language signage erected at Mill Park, Tobermore Original release: Irish language signage not wanted (opens in a new tab)
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Sadness & anger as another woman loses her life: Rachel Woods
Green Party NI Cllr Rachel Woods expresses sadness at the murder of Alesia Nazarova, noting she is thought to be the 17th woman killed in Northern Ireland since 2020. She calls for a Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, blaming the DUP's Assembly boycott for delay.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Murder of Alesia Nazarova in Northern Ireland Original release: Sadness & anger as another woman loses her life: Rachel Woods (opens in a new tab)
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TUV challenges ‘cross-community’ credibility of St. Patrick’s Parade in Armagh City
TUV's Newry and Armagh spokesperson Keith Ratcliffe challenges the cross-community credentials of Armagh City's St Patrick's Day parade, citing the absence of Unionist bands and the Union Flag, and objects to three Republican flute bands taking part. He says ABC Council's public funding raises…
Community relations and legacy Local government Issue: Armagh City St Patrick's Parade cross-community status and council funding Original release: TUV challenges ‘cross-community’ credibility of St. Patrick’s Parade in Armagh City (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong calls on Prime Minister and Taoiseach to create an emergency fund to save 1700 jobs in the Community Sector
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong, Chair of the All Party Group on Learning Disability, calls on the UK and Irish governments to fund a £40million rescue package to replace expiring European Social Fund money. She says it would keep 1700 community sector jobs and support 17000 people with disabilities…
Disability and equality Economy and employment Issue: End of European Social Fund money affecting community sector jobs Original release: Armstrong calls on Prime Minister and Taoiseach to create an emergency fund to save 1700 jobs in the Community Sector (opens in a new tab)
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Unrepentant Blair should apologise for OTR letter hurt
DUP MP Carla Lockhart challenges former Prime Minister Tony Blair to apologise over the 'on the run' letters issued to IRA members, arguing they breached his fairness pledge and hurt victims of terrorism. She says Blair showed no remorse during his Northern Ireland Affairs Committee evidence.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Tony Blair evidence to Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on OTR letters Original release: Unrepentant Blair should apologise for OTR letter hurt (opens in a new tab)
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Let’s make St Patrick’s Day 2023 memorable, says Nicholl
Alliance South Belfast MLA Kate Nicholl urges people to mark the holiday in a considerate way that respects neighbours and avoids unnecessary disruption, while celebrating Irish heritage, music and culture peacefully.
Community relations and legacy Original release: Let’s make St Patrick’s Day 2023 memorable, says Nicholl (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: New research confirms academic selection not delivering for all young people
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan says new Stranmillis College research shows academic selection is not working for young people, arguing that scrapping the transfer test alone would not fix problems and calling for a wider cultural change and investment in education reform.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Stranmillis College research on transfer test cancellation and grammar school intake Original release: McCrossan: New research confirms academic selection not delivering for all young people (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds stresses need for proper Education funding
DUP Education spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA says the Independent Review of Education panel was told Education budgets are underfunded, citing real-terms cuts of around £150 million and calling for Education to be treated as 'mission critical'. She also highlights rising Special Educational Needs…
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Independent Review of Education panel meeting on school funding Original release: Dodds stresses need for proper Education funding (opens in a new tab)
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Butler warns cuts to key transport service will disproportionately impact people with disabilities
UUP MLA Robbie Butler warns that budget uncertainty at Stormont risks ending the Department for Infrastructure's Disability Action Transport Scheme and Shopmobility, which have no funding guarantee beyond next month. He blames the lack of an Executive and multi-year budgets.
Infrastructure and transport Disability and equality Issue: Department for Infrastructure disability transport schemes funding at risk Original release: Butler warns cuts to key transport service will disproportionately impact people with disabilities (opens in a new tab)
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Extension of Veterans Mobility Fund welcome - Allen
East Belfast UUP MLA Andy Allen MBE welcomes the Government's decision to extend the Veterans Mobility Fund, crediting Veterans Affairs Minister Johnny Mercer MP after repeated representations. He also welcomes a £20 million Veterans Capital Housing Fund and says he has sought a meeting on support…
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: Veterans Mobility Fund extension announcement Original release: Extension of Veterans Mobility Fund welcome - Allen (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Launch of crucial Autism Strategy in jeopardy
SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan says vital autism legislation and the Autism Strategy may be delayed without an agreed budget, citing Health Permanent Secretary Peter May's warning about financial uncertainty and the unfilled Independent Autism Reviewer post. He calls for the strategy to proceed without…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Health Permanent Secretary warning on Autism Strategy delivery without budget Original release: Durkan: Launch of crucial Autism Strategy in jeopardy (opens in a new tab)