Latest releases
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2,748 releases
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Backwards move to bring abortion into classrooms – Lockhart
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says the Westminster vote on NIO proposals to bring abortion-promoting relationships and sex education into schools is a backward step for Northern Ireland. She argues the region's abortion laws should not be taught to children and calls for more life-affirming laws.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Westminster vote on NIO proposals for RSE in schools Original release: Backwards move to bring abortion into classrooms – Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Murray disappointed and frustrated by risk posed to potential cycling infrastructure
Alliance Balmoral Councillor Micky Murray says he is disappointed and frustrated that planned Belfast cycling infrastructure, including Lisburn Road and Malone Road routes, may be displaced by the Department for Infrastructure's new Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan. He questions the…
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Belfast Cycle Network Plan displacement by Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan Original release: Murray disappointed and frustrated by risk posed to potential cycling infrastructure (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds meets EA about annual SEN chaos
DUP Education spokesperson Diane Dodds, Upper Bann MLA, says a meeting with the Education Authority exposed the yearly chaos in Special Educational Needs placements, blaming education cuts and under‑funding and urging Treasury funding, transformational reform and immediate placement of vulnerable p‑
Education Disability and equality Issue: Annual chaos in Special Educational Needs allocations Original release: Dodds meets EA about annual SEN chaos (opens in a new tab)
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Latest climate change report demonstrates disgraceful lack of meaningful action, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says a latest Climate Change Committee report shows the UK has lost climate leadership and Northern Ireland is behind on climate targets, calling for a Green New Deal and blaming the absence of an Executive for stalled action.
Environment and climate Issue: UK Climate Change Committee progress report on net zero emissions Original release: Latest climate change report demonstrates disgraceful lack of meaningful action, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Skills system needs to urgently align with the scale of climate challenge, says Eastwood
Alliance MLA Sorcha Eastwood calls for the UK Government to publish an evidence-based net zero skills action plan, following a Climate Change Committee progress report that she says shows no progress in the past year.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: UK Climate Change Committee progress report on net zero emissions Original release: Skills system needs to urgently align with the scale of climate challenge, says Eastwood (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson welcomes Prince William’s ambition to tackle homelessness in…
DUP MP Gavin Robinson welcomes the Prince of Wales to East Belfast to launch Homewards, a five-year project to end homelessness, with Hosford House in Belfast selected as one of six UK locations.
Housing Issue: Homewards homelessness project launch in East Belfast Original release: Robinson welcomes Prince William’s ambition to tackle homelessness in… (opens in a new tab)
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Robbie Butler Urges Secretary of State to Act Now to Address Underinvestment in Special Education Needs
UUP education spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA urges the Secretary of State to act now on underinvestment in Special Educational Needs provision, saying shortfalls in SEN places in special and mainstream schools are failing children and families, with no Executive or Assembly in place.
Education Disability and equality Original release: Robbie Butler Urges Secretary of State to Act Now to Address Underinvestment in Special Education Needs (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong encourages homeowners and private landlords to prepare to move to net zero
Alliance's Kellie Armstrong MLA urges homeowners and private landlords to play their part in reaching net zero by 2050, citing the Future Homes in Northern Ireland report from Electrical Safety First on electrical safety risks in older housing stock.
Environment and climate Housing Issue: Future Homes in Northern Ireland report launch by Electrical Safety First Original release: Armstrong encourages homeowners and private landlords to prepare to move to net zero (opens in a new tab)
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Work to build homes must not be jeopardised by Tory cuts – Ní Chuilín
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín says work to build homes in high-need areas such as Derry, West Belfast and North Belfast should not be hit by Tory cuts. After meeting the Department for Communities, the party also raised waiting lists, homelessness, cuts to community services, disability benefit…
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The Alliance Party and transgenderism
TUV's North Down branch president Patrick J. Roche accuses the Alliance Party of full commitment to transgenderism, citing Naomi Long's handling of a 'what is a woman?' question and a drag story reading, and MLA Connie Eagan's planned bill on relationship and sex education. He also attacks deputy…
Disability and equality Education Issue: Alliance Party stance on transgender issues and Gender Recognition Reform Bill Original release: The Alliance Party and transgenderism (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Rachel Woods slams changes to Affordable Warmth Scheme
Green Party NI councillor Rachel Woods, for Holywood and Clandeboye, criticises the decision to cut the Affordable Warmth Scheme without replacements and the removal of councils' eligibility assessment role from September. She calls for a fuel poverty strategy and tighter building regulations.
Housing Local government Issue: Affordable Warmth Scheme changes and removal of council eligibility role Original release: Cllr Rachel Woods slams changes to Affordable Warmth Scheme (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Education Authority must find places for SEN children
SDLP Education Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan calls on the Education Authority to find school places for over 800 children with special educational needs still awaiting confirmation of a place for next year. He says families need immediate clarity and urges investment in resourcing schools and…
Education Disability and equality Original release: McCrossan: Education Authority must find places for SEN children (opens in a new tab)
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Confirmation Arvalee Special School will continue to have full-time ‘relief for parents and children’ – Brogan
Sinn Féin MLA Nicola Brogan welcomes confirmation that Arvalee Special School in Omagh will keep full-time hours for nursery pupils after an Education Authority cut to two and a half hours was reversed. She says discussions between the EA and the school must continue and blames Tory cuts and the…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Authority cuts nursery hours at Arvalee Special School Original release: Confirmation Arvalee Special School will continue to have full-time ‘relief for parents and children’ – Brogan (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to support vulnerable children and young people – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker says it is unacceptable that families of children with additional needs are anxiously waiting to learn whether they will secure a nursery place. He calls for an end to the DUP's boycott of the Executive so parties can work together to support vulnerable children and young…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Special educational needs nursery placement uncertainty and Executive impasse Original release: Executive needed to support vulnerable children and young people – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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Communities budget will reduce support for most vulnerable, says Armstrong
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong says the Department for Communities budget allocations will reduce support for vulnerable people, including the homeless, people with disabilities, addiction service users and domestic abuse victims. She cites cuts to new homes and rising homelessness spending, and…
Public finance and taxation Housing Issue: Department for Communities budget allocations for the forthcoming financial year Original release: Communities budget will reduce support for most vulnerable, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Cuts to special education nursery places would disadvantage the most vulnerable, warns Egan, echoing calls for SEN reform
Alliance Education spokesperson Connie Egan MLA condemns reports that the Educational Authority is considering closing some special school nursery units to fund primary one places, calling it short-sighted and a failure of area planning. She urges the EA and Department of Education to commit to…
Education Disability and equality Issue: EA consideration of closing special school nursery units Original release: Cuts to special education nursery places would disadvantage the most vulnerable, warns Egan, echoing calls for SEN reform (opens in a new tab)
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Lough Neagh ecosystem facing significant new challenges – Kearney
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, raises concern about new ecological challenges in Lough Neagh after blue-green algae was confirmed in the Toome Canal and spread to fishing waters. He says he and Cllr Henry Cushinan will seek a meeting with DAERA.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Blue-green algae confirmed in Toome Canal and Lough Neagh Original release: Lough Neagh ecosystem facing significant new challenges – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Maskey welcomes multi-million pound investment in West Belfast
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey says the multi‑million pound investment in West Belfast demonstrates confidence in local talent, delivering 169 new positions at the former Caterpillar site and offering apprenticeships, training and re‑skilling as part of a greener packaging venture.
Economy and employment Environment and climate Issue: Biopax investment creates jobs at former Caterpillar site Original release: Maskey welcomes multi-million pound investment in West Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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British government must support homeowners struggling with rising mortgage payments – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy calls on the British government to provide targeted support to homeowners whose mortgage rates have risen, as the Bank of England is expected to raise interest rates again. He also urges lenders to be flexible with borrowers facing higher repayments.
Economy and employment Housing Issue: Bank of England interest rate rise and mortgage repayment increases Original release: British government must support homeowners struggling with rising mortgage payments – Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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O’Neill welcomes €56m Irish government investment in Magee and Shared Island projects
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill, First Minister Designate, welcomes Irish government funding of €45m for a new Magee campus building in Derry, part of €56m from the Shared Island fund for all-island projects, and calls for the Executive to be restored.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Irish government €56m Shared Island funding for Magee and all-island projects Original release: O’Neill welcomes €56m Irish government investment in Magee and Shared Island projects (opens in a new tab)