Latest releases
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11,733 releases
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Minister announces plans to tackle welfare fraud and error
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announces a drive to tackle benefit fraud and error, citing recommendations from a specialist working group, including staff training and technology use. He warns some measures depend on funding bids and seeks Executive support for initial investment.
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: Communities Department benefit fraud and error working group recommendations Original release: Minister announces plans to tackle welfare fraud and error (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: 24/7 cross-border Thrombectomy Service would save lives
SDLP MLA Colin McGrath calls on the Health Minister to explore a co-funded 24/7 cross-border thrombectomy service in Belfast and set a realistic timeline, after a 2024 deadline was missed.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Assembly debate on 24/7 thrombectomy stroke service in the North Original release: McGrath: 24/7 cross-border Thrombectomy Service would save lives (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Communities Minister has his priorities all wrong
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA says the Communities Minister should address housing stress, poverty and support for vulnerable people rather than running a new welfare fraud advertising campaign and extra fraud measures. He argues most claimants are genuine and that…
Social security and welfare Issue: Communities Department benefit fraud and error working group recommendations Original release: Durkan: Communities Minister has his priorities all wrong (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood urges Foreign Secretary to Publish Mountbatten Windsor Files
SDLP MP Colum Eastwood urges Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to release government documents on Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s tenure as a UK Trade Envoy, saying the early disclosure is in the public interest after US filings on Jeffrey Epstein.
Justice and policing International affairs Issue: Andrew Mountbatten Windsor trade envoy files sealed until 2065 Original release: Eastwood urges Foreign Secretary to Publish Mountbatten Windsor Files (opens in a new tab)
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Whyte secures inclusion of GAA at Grove Playing Fields
SDLP North Belfast Councillor Carl Whyte says he secured a council motion requiring any future Grove Playing Fields development to include GAA facilities, alongside football and other sports, via a full masterplan. He says the proposal was approved at Monday's council meeting.
Local government Issue: Belfast City Council draft pitches strategy Grove Playing Fields Original release: Whyte secures inclusion of GAA at Grove Playing Fields (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: PSNI flags move must be backed up with action
SDLP Policing Board member Colin McGrath MLA says the PSNI’s new service instruction on illegal flags is welcome but must be backed by decisive action from the Department for Infrastructure, Housing Executive and other bodies to remove offensive paramilitary displays.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: PSNI new service instruction on illegal flags Original release: McGrath: PSNI flags move must be backed up with action (opens in a new tab)
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O'Toole: Long's nationalist jibe unworthy and unacceptable
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says Alliance leader Naomi Long's remark linking nationalist exclusion from the Justice Minister post to their engagement with unionists was unworthy and offensive. He calls for reform of the Justice ministry's allocation outside the d'Hondt process.
Justice and policing Constitutional affairs Issue: Naomi Long's comments on Justice Minister appointment and d'Hondt exclusion Original release: O'Toole: Long's nationalist jibe unworthy and unacceptable (opens in a new tab)
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The Window of Opportunity for Minimum Unit Pricing Legislation Is Closing
UUP health spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA says minimum unit pricing for alcohol is in jeopardy because DUP Executive ministers are blocking the proposal from reaching an Assembly debate. He cites the Health Minister's warning that he may have to explain to the Assembly why legislation before 6…
Health Issue: Health Minister Nesbitt's minimum unit pricing legislation Executive blockage Original release: The Window of Opportunity for Minimum Unit Pricing Legislation Is Closing (opens in a new tab)
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Murphy welcomes Minister’s commitment to Enniskillen bypass
Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy welcomes the Infrastructure Minister's firm commitment to progressing the Enniskillen Bypass, made in the Assembly this week. She says claims that misled the public were reckless and caused needless worry, and states the A4 southern bypass is an Executive project.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Infrastructure Minister's Assembly comments on Enniskillen Bypass commitment Original release: Murphy welcomes Minister’s commitment to Enniskillen bypass (opens in a new tab)
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Crushing Overheads Kill Another Ballymena Institution
TUV MP Jim Allister KC says the closure of McKillens, following Wyse Byse, is a retail blow for Ballymena's Church Street. He blames punitive business rates and high street decline, calls for action on crushing overheads facing traders, and pays tribute to the workforce.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: McKillens closure in Ballymena Church Street Original release: Crushing Overheads Kill Another Ballymena Institution (opens in a new tab)
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Conway-Walsh urges strong attendance at Frank Stagg 50th anniversary commemoration in Ballina
Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh urges attendance at a Ballina commemoration this Saturday marking 50 years since republican Frank Stagg died on hunger strike in Wakefield Prison. She says the event will honour his sacrifice and his family's endurance, and criticises the British and Irish…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Frank Stagg 50th anniversary commemoration in Ballina Original release: Conway-Walsh urges strong attendance at Frank Stagg 50th anniversary commemoration in Ballina (opens in a new tab)
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Only through building a new Ireland will we realise our full potential – Kearney
Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney says only a new united Ireland can undo the damage of Brexit, ahead of an Assembly motion calling for closer alignment with EU trade rules and a joint customs union. He calls for a date to be set for a unity referendum.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Assembly motion on closer alignment with EU trade rules Original release: Only through building a new Ireland will we realise our full potential – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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ADHD services must be improved – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn says ADHD services in the north are inadequate, with access depending on location, age and ability to pay privately. Ahead of a party motion, she calls on the Health Minister to work with trusts to set up a regional, uniform service.
Health Disability and equality Original release: ADHD services must be improved – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter: Social media restrictions must be considered to keep children safe online
SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter says all options, including age-based social media limits, should be weighed to protect children online. Ahead of Tuesday's Opposition Day motion, she calls for proportionate under-16 restrictions alongside regulation, youth engagement and parental support.
Justice and policing Issue: SDLP Opposition Day motion on under-16 social media restrictions Original release: Hunter: Social media restrictions must be considered to keep children safe online (opens in a new tab)
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UK-EU customs union would cut bureaucracy and boost growth, says Tennyson
Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson MLA calls for the UK Government to begin negotiations on a UK-EU customs union, arguing it would cut red tape, boost growth and ease the cost of living, ahead of a related Assembly motion.
Economy and employment International affairs Issue: Assembly motion on UK-EU customs union negotiations Original release: UK-EU customs union would cut bureaucracy and boost growth, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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Welcome to Derry Catherine! Gregory Campbell is a Political Dinosaur.
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin condemns DUP MP Gregory Campbell's remarks at the Guildhall in Derry, calling them arrogant and sectarian, and welcomes Catherine Connolly to the city.
Community relations and legacy International affairs Issue: Gregory Campbell's remarks to Catherine Connolly at Derry Guildhall Original release: Welcome to Derry Catherine! Gregory Campbell is a Political Dinosaur. (opens in a new tab)
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Boylan welcomes funding to help fix our roads
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan welcomes a nearly £8 million package announced by Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to repair roads, saying it follows £30 million for maintenance announced before Christmas. He says the funding is a swift response to recent road deterioration.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Infrastructure Minister Kimmins nearly £8 million roads repair funding package Original release: Boylan welcomes funding to help fix our roads (opens in a new tab)
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Dolan welcomes funding announcement of almost £55 million
Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan welcomes almost £55 million in funding allocations for road and transport, public sector pay, disability home adaptations and education. She says the Finance Minister is working with the Executive and calls for a multi-year budget to allow departments to plan more…
Public finance and taxation Infrastructure and transport Issue: Finance Minister's £55 million funding allocations announcement February 2026 Original release: Dolan welcomes funding announcement of almost £55 million (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Fein holding back investment in the west of Northern Ireland:…
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine says the Department for Infrastructure handing back £6.6million for the Enniskillen Southern Bypass reflects unrealistic climate targets backed by some Assembly parties. She claims the project now has no timetable and that delay will raise costs, and asks how this fits…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Enniskillen Southern Bypass £6.6million funding handback Original release: Sinn Fein holding back investment in the west of Northern Ireland:… (opens in a new tab)
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Lyons launches Warm Healthy Homes Strategy for Northern Ireland
DUP's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons launches the Warm Healthy Homes Strategy 2026-2036 to tackle fuel poverty, saying it has Executive backing and will be paired with a £150million Warm Healthy Homes Fund next year.
Social security and welfare Housing Issue: Warm Healthy Homes Strategy 2026-2036 launch Original release: Lyons launches Warm Healthy Homes Strategy for Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)