Latest releases
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11,733 releases
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Lack of equality legislation for 20 years a shocking dereliction of duty, says Bradshaw
Alliance's Paula Bradshaw, Executive Office spokesperson, says the First and deputy First Minister's failure to bring forward equality legislation in 20 years is a dereliction of duty, citing an Assembly answer from the joint FMdFM office. She calls for institutional reform so that outdated…
Disability and equality Issue: Assembly answer on absence of equality legislation from Executive Office Original release: Lack of equality legislation for 20 years a shocking dereliction of duty, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Government recklessly rushing to pass International Protection Bill despite glaring gaps – Matt Carthy TD
Sinn Féin spokesperson Matt Carthy TD criticises the Government for guillotining the International Protection Bill in the Dáil next week, saying it denies TDs scrutiny of gaps in the legislation and opposition amendments, including a community impact assessment for IPAS centres and a cap on…
Immigration International affairs Issue: Guillotine of International Protection Bill in the Dáil Original release: Government recklessly rushing to pass International Protection Bill despite glaring gaps – Matt Carthy TD (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister should confirm children will not lose classroom assistants – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan calls on the Education Authority and the Education Minister to confirm that no child currently receiving a classroom assistant will lose that support under new EA proposals. He says the policy could reduce or remove one-to-one help for some children and that his party…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Authority classroom assistant support policy proposals Original release: Education Minister should confirm children will not lose classroom assistants – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Finucane welcomes Glider progress after speaking to Infrastructure Minister
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane welcomes progress on the North–South Glider extension after speaking to Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins, noting Full Business Case approval in December and groundworks expected this autumn. He says the Antrim Road route gives clarity to North Belfast residents and…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Belfast Rapid Transport 2 Glider extension progress update Original release: Finucane welcomes Glider progress after speaking to Infrastructure Minister (opens in a new tab)
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Step change in flooding interventions for Six Mile Water required – Kearney
SDLP... no. Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, calls for a strategic step change in flood interventions for homes near Antrim's Six Mile Water after Storm Chandra. He urges Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to speed up the Flood Risk Feasibility Study and to order a NI Water review of…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Storm Chandra flooding in Antrim Town Six Mile Water Original release: Step change in flooding interventions for Six Mile Water required – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Calls for 50:50 recruitment a lazy substitute for leadership - Clarke
DUP MLA Trevor Clarke, who leads for the party on the Policing Board, says calls to restore 50:50 recruitment to the PSNI are a weak alternative to leadership from the SDLP and Sinn Féin, arguing the approach discriminates and would undermine merit. He urges encouragement of applicants from…
Justice and policing Original release: Calls for 50:50 recruitment a lazy substitute for leadership - Clarke (opens in a new tab)
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TUV comment on £14k pay hike for MLAs
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says the Independent Remuneration Board's determination lifting MLA salaries by about 27%, a £14,000 rise, was the outcome MLAs intended. He argues Stormont's powers have shrunk and calls for public consultation on the pay decision.
Public finance and taxation Constitutional affairs Issue: Independent Remuneration Board MLA pay determination increase Original release: TUV comment on £14k pay hike for MLAs (opens in a new tab)
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Micheál Martin’s complacency on Irish Unity is a failure of leadership – Mary Lou McDonald
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald TD accuses Taoiseach Micheál Martin of complacency on Irish unity, claiming his remarks on a referendum before 2030 ignore public opinion and the government has failed to prepare for constitutional change.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Taoiseach Micheál Martin's comments on Irish unity referendum on 7 Lá Original release: Micheál Martin’s complacency on Irish Unity is a failure of leadership – Mary Lou McDonald (opens in a new tab)
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Deis ag Ard Fheis Chonradh na Gaeilge díriú ar Éire nua a thógáil – Kearney | Conradh na Gaeilge Ard Fheis an opportunity to focus on building a new Ireland – Kearney
Sinn Féin's National Chairperson Declan Kearney, speaking ahead of Conradh na Gaeilge's Ard Fheis, calls Belfast's selection as host city significant and says its theme on the Irish language in a united Ireland is timely. He adds that he will join a panel discussion at the event.
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Original release: Deis ag Ard Fheis Chonradh na Gaeilge díriú ar Éire nua a thógáil – Kearney | Conradh na Gaeilge Ard Fheis an opportunity to focus on building a new Ireland – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP proposes amendment to establish independent EPA
SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole says the party has tabled an amendment to an omnibus bill to create an independent environmental protection agency, citing Lough Neagh pollution and DUP blocking at Executive level. The amendment seeks an Assembly debate and vote, with the Speaker deciding whether it…
Environment and climate Issue: SDLP amendment seeking independent environmental protection agency Original release: SDLP proposes amendment to establish independent EPA (opens in a new tab)
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New framework welcome but statutory duty of candour needed to ensure openness and transparency, says McAllister
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA welcomes the new Being Open Framework for Health and Social Care, due to start on 1 April, but says only a statutory duty of candour will guarantee the openness and transparency the service needs.
Health Issue: Being Open Framework for Health and Social Care publication Original release: New framework welcome but statutory duty of candour needed to ensure openness and transparency, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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Stop the 27% MLA Pay Rise
The Green Party calls on the Independent Remuneration Board to pause a proposed 27% MLA pay rise until public sector workers get a fair settlement, and urges supporters to sign a petition to be presented to the Assembly Commission before consultation closes on 5 March.
Economy and employment Issue: Independent Remuneration Board MLA pay determination increase Original release: Stop the 27% MLA Pay Rise (opens in a new tab)
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Molann Reilly iarratais ar an Sparánacht Líofa | Reilly encourages applications for Líofa Bursary
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly encourages eligible people to apply now for the Líofa Gaeltacht Bursary Scheme, which supports students and adult learners whose families or themselves receive benefits to attend Irish-language courses.
Education Issue: Líofa Gaeltacht Bursary Scheme applications open Original release: Molann Reilly iarratais ar an Sparánacht Líofa | Reilly encourages applications for Líofa Bursary (opens in a new tab)
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Martin: Planning Enforcement Integrity Cannot Be Optional
DUP MLA Peter Martin says serious questions remain about the unauthorised billboard erected near the Egyptian Arch in Newry, urging the Minister to reveal who is responsible, ensure equal enforcement of planning rules and address public‑safety risks.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Egyptian Arch Newry billboard Sinn Féin FOI disclosure Original release: Martin: Planning Enforcement Integrity Cannot Be Optional (opens in a new tab)
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Brett - Committee sessions were painful with lack of information
DUP North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett, who chairs the Committee, says a two-hour evidence session with Department for the Economy witnesses was painful and unsatisfactory because officials could not give meaningful detailed answers. He calls on the Minister and Permanent Secretary to take note.
Economy and employment Issue: Department for the Economy Assembly Committee evidence session Original release: Brett - Committee sessions were painful with lack of information (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister should shelve ‘harmful’ reform agenda and restore confidence of school leaders – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says the crisis facing school leaders is the Education Minister's making after the NAHT entered a trade dispute. He calls on the minister to shelve his reform agenda and work directly with principals on workload concerns.
Education Issue: NAHT trade dispute over school leaders' workload Original release: Education Minister should shelve ‘harmful’ reform agenda and restore confidence of school leaders – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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New waterfront plans will help to continue with the positive transformation of Derry – Ferguson
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson says proposed waterfront plans for Derry will be a game-changer and urges the public to comment on the £45 million Derry City Central Riverfront project, which would add cycle and walking routes and community spaces along The Quay.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Derry City Central Riverfront £45 million waterfront consultation Original release: New waterfront plans will help to continue with the positive transformation of Derry – Ferguson (opens in a new tab)
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McNulty: Sadness following death of bus driver
SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty expresses deep sadness at the death of a bus driver in a crash that was carrying St Paul's High School pupils from Bessbrook. He says the children escaped with minor injuries and calls for them to receive support.
Other Issue: Bessbrook St Paul's High School bus crash driver death Original release: McNulty: Sadness following death of bus driver (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Decline in Catholic PSNI applications should signal alarm bells
SDLP Policing Board member Colin McGrath MLA says the 27% Catholic share of latest PSNI applicants, the lowest since 2013, should alarm people, warning that projected figures point to 23% in ten years. He links the decline to dissident threats, legacy case handling and recent errors including a…
Justice and policing Issue: PSNI recruitment drive lowest Catholic applicant share since 2013 Original release: McGrath: Decline in Catholic PSNI applications should signal alarm bells (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison expresses solidarity with school leaders following dispute with department
Alliance Education spokesperson Nick Mathison, who also chairs Stormont's Education Committee, expresses solidarity with school leaders after the NAHT declared an official dispute with the Department over unresolved workload pressures. He urges the Education Minister to meet head teachers and find…
Education Issue: NAHT trade dispute over school leaders' workload Original release: Mathison expresses solidarity with school leaders following dispute with department (opens in a new tab)