Latest releases
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3,488 releases
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Dunne presses for clarity on concessionary fares scheme
DUP MLA Stephen Dunne presses the Infrastructure Minister for clarity on the future of the Concessionary Fares Scheme, noting no decision has followed the consultation that closed in August 2023. He welcomes the Minister's stated intention to keep the scheme in its current form and calls for…
Infrastructure and transport Disability and equality Issue: Concessionary Fares Scheme consultation outcome and future of fare concessions Original release: Dunne presses for clarity on concessionary fares scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister decision more ideological than practical
Green Party councillor Anthony Flynn criticises the Communities Minister's decision to end remote council meetings from 6 March, calling it short-sighted and ideological. He says remote attendance improves accessibility for councillors with caring or health needs and urges the minister to extend…
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Communities Minister ending remote council meetings from 6 March Original release: Communities Minister decision more ideological than practical (opens in a new tab)
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Beattie welcomes NI inclusion in ground-breaking smoking and vaping legislation
UUP leader Doug Beattie MC MLA welcomes Health Minister Robin Swann's confirmation that Northern Ireland will be covered by Westminster's Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which would ban tobacco sales to anyone born from 2009 onward. He encourages MLAs to back the measure when it reaches the Assembly.
Health Issue: Health Minister confirms Northern Ireland inclusion in Tobacco and Vapes Bill Original release: Beattie welcomes NI inclusion in ground-breaking smoking and vaping legislation (opens in a new tab)
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Tribute to the late George Shiels MBE
Ulster Unionist group leader on Mid Ulster Council Councillor Trevor Wilson shares condolences on the death of former Councillor George Shiels MBE, recalling his work securing local grants and supporting people in his community.
Other Local government Original release: Tribute to the late George Shiels MBE (opens in a new tab)
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Minister Lyons hosts visit of UK Sports Minister
DUP Minister Gordon Lyons says he hosted UK Sports Minister Stuart Andrew for talks on football development across Northern Ireland, visiting Rathmore School, Cliftonville FC and Glentoran FC. He says the demand for change is clear at every level of the game.
Other Issue: UK Sports Minister visit to Northern Ireland football clubs and grassroots programme Original release: Minister Lyons hosts visit of UK Sports Minister (opens in a new tab)
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Dillon welcomes extension of Nexus contract
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon welcomes Department of Health confirmation that Nexus NI's counselling contract for victims of sexual abuse and violence will run for another year. She says she will keep working with the health minister and Nexus on a long-term plan for these services.
Health Justice and policing Issue: Department of Health extension of Nexus NI counselling contract Original release: Dillon welcomes extension of Nexus contract (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter welcomes decision to extend Nexus counselling contract
SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter welcomes the Health Minister's decision to extend the Nexus counselling contract for sexual abuse victims by a year after the department ended it without a replacement. She calls for a long-term approach ensuring free counselling access.
Health Issue: Department of Health extension of Nexus NI counselling contract Original release: Hunter welcomes decision to extend Nexus counselling contract (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Sinn Féin, DUP and TUV team up to block Assembly reform
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says Sinn Féin, the DUP and TUV have blocked Assembly reform to end the petition of concern, criticising the First Minister for opposing it and for not responding to a debate.
Constitutional affairs Health Issue: Assembly reform motion to end petition of concern blocked Original release: O’Toole: Sinn Féin, DUP and TUV team up to block Assembly reform (opens in a new tab)
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Grief must not become taboo as we mark our collective loss on Day of Reflection, says Bradshaw
Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA says the Day of Reflection on Sunday should honour pandemic dead while focusing on better support for bereaved people still struggling. She urges practical help and memorials for those still grieving.
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Deeply concerning Department of Health has ended Nexus NI contract – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says it is alarming that the Department of Health has ended Nexus NI's specialist counselling contract for victims of sexual abuse and violence. She calls on the Health Minister to review the decision, arguing GP referrals are not an adequate substitute.
Health Justice and policing Issue: Department of Health ends Nexus NI specialist counselling contract Original release: Deeply concerning Department of Health has ended Nexus NI contract – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister meets with other UK Sports Ministers at the…
The DUP's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons says he met Sports Ministers from the other home nations in Glasgow to set out shared sporting priorities, and he wants wider participation in sport for women, girls and disabled people. He also looks forward to talks on grassroots funding with UK Sports…
Other Issue: Inter-Ministerial Group on Sport meeting in Glasgow Original release: Communities Minister meets with other UK Sports Ministers at the… (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister hears concerns of voluntary and community sector…
DUP's Gordon Lyons, Minister for Communities, says he heard from voluntary and community groups at a NICVA-hosted meeting about funding uncertainty, rising demand and increased costs, and pledges continued engagement with the sector.
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McAllister calls for urgent review of decision to stop providing specialist counselling for sexual abuse victims
Alliance MLA Nuala McAllister calls for an urgent review of the Department of Health's decision to end Nexus NI's specialist counselling contract for sexual abuse victims, after the group confirmed no other provider had been contracted. She has asked the Health Minister to update MLAs.
Health Issue: Department of Health ends Nexus NI specialist counselling contract Original release: McAllister calls for urgent review of decision to stop providing specialist counselling for sexual abuse victims (opens in a new tab)
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Rivers Trust report on state of NI waters disappointing but not surprising, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says newly published Rivers Trust data showing no Northern Ireland river stretches at good overall status is disappointing but not surprising. He links the decline to agricultural run-off, sewage, invasive species and underinvestment, and calls for…
Environment and climate Issue: Rivers Trust State of Our Rivers 2024 report on Northern Ireland waters Original release: Rivers Trust report on state of NI waters disappointing but not surprising, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Life should be valued: Lockhart
DUP MP Carla Lockhart, Chair of the All Party Pro-Life Group, says society should focus on protecting life and improving palliative care rather than advancing assisted dying, following a Health and Social Care Committee report.
Health Issue: Health and Social Care Committee report on assisted dying Original release: Life should be valued: Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Transformation of Special Educational Needs essential – Givan
The DUP's Education Minister Paul Givan reaffirms his commitment to transform the Special Educational Needs system in Northern Ireland, following a visit to Fleming Fulton School. He says children with SEN do not always achieve the same outcomes as peers and will press Executive colleagues for…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Transformation of Special Educational Needs essential – Givan (opens in a new tab)
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Children and young people across the island deserve better access to mental services – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn calls for better children's mental health access across the island, citing a Dáil bill by Mark Ward TD on youth mental health services in the south. She urges north-south ministerial cooperation and calls on the Health Minister to bring forward a plan to increase…
Health Issue: Mark Ward TD youth mental health legislation in the Dáil Original release: Children and young people across the island deserve better access to mental services – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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More help needed to support carers – Dillon
SF MLA Linda Dillon says more help is needed for carers, especially women forced to cut hours or leave jobs, reacting to a Carers NI and Women's Regional Consortium report. She calls for investment in social care, stronger workers' rights and better childcare, and welcomes the Economy Minister's…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Carers NI and Women's Regional Consortium report on female carers Original release: More help needed to support carers – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Stewart expresses concerns on the impact of projected sea level rises on rail infrastructure
UUP infrastructure spokesperson John Stewart MLA expresses concern over a Translink-commissioned report on projected sea level rise threatening rail locations, saying 7 are at high risk by 2040. He calls for urgent consultation with the Department for Infrastructure on moving and re-routing the…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Translink report on sea level rise impacts to rail infrastructure Original release: Stewart expresses concerns on the impact of projected sea level rises on rail infrastructure (opens in a new tab)
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Career or Care report lays bare the failure to support our unpaid carers, says Eastwood
Alliance's Sorcha Eastwood MLA says carers need far more support, citing a Carers NI and Women's Regional Consortium report finding nearly 60% of unpaid carers are women. She backs its recommendations, including paid carer's leave, and says she has asked the Economy Minister to include it in a…
Economy and employment Disability and equality Issue: Carers NI and Women's Regional Consortium report on female carers Original release: Career or Care report lays bare the failure to support our unpaid carers, says Eastwood (opens in a new tab)