Latest releases
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2,518 releases
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Gerry Kelly expresses condolences to the family of Bobby Lavery
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly offers sympathy after the death of former North Belfast councillor Bobby Lavery, who died in the US, and pays tribute to his decades of republican activism in the New Lodge and on Belfast City Council.
Other Justice and policing Original release: Gerry Kelly expresses condolences to the family of Bobby Lavery (opens in a new tab)
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O’Neill expresses deepest sympathies to families of those killed in Tyrone road collision
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill, First Minister Designate and Mid Ulster MLA, offers sympathy to families of three adults who died in a Co. Tyrone road crash, and wishes recovery for the other casualties.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Co. Tyrone road traffic collision December 2022 Original release: O’Neill expresses deepest sympathies to families of those killed in Tyrone road collision (opens in a new tab)
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TUV warns against extension of “Gender Recognition” legislation to Northern Ireland
TUV spokesperson Lorna Smyth criticises Alliance MP Stephen Farry for welcoming Scotland's Gender Recognition Reform Bill and wanting it extended to Northern Ireland. She claims the bill risks women's safe spaces, allows sex offenders to apply for recognition, and should be repealed.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Scotland Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill passed Original release: TUV warns against extension of “Gender Recognition” legislation to Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Ofcom report demonstrates benefits of DUP broadband investment
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine says the Ofcom Connected Nations 2022 report shows the benefits of DUP-secured broadband investment, citing full fibre availability of 85% in Northern Ireland against 41% in England and 71% in Fermanagh and Omagh.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Ofcom Connected Nations 2022 report on broadband availability Original release: Ofcom report demonstrates benefits of DUP broadband investment (opens in a new tab)
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‘Don’t suffer in silence this Christmas’ McKernan message to those suffering domestic abuse
SDLP Representative for Cusher Emmajayne McKernan urges people experiencing domestic abuse to seek support over the festive period, after a meeting with Women's Aid. She directs people to Armagh Down Women's Aid for confidential help.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: ‘Don’t suffer in silence this Christmas’ McKernan message to those suffering domestic abuse (opens in a new tab)
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Planned cuts to youth services greatly concerning, says Alliance representatives, particularly for LGBTQIA+ young people
Alliance representatives express concern at planned Education Authority cuts to youth services, which could close LGBTQ youth groups. Connie Egan MLA says she has written to the EA seeking Section 75 protections in funding applications, while Andrew Muir MLA calls for the decision to be reversed.
Disability and equality Education Issue: Education Authority cuts to youth services and LGBTQ youth groups Original release: Planned cuts to youth services greatly concerning, says Alliance representatives, particularly for LGBTQIA+ young people (opens in a new tab)
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Solutions needed to maintain Heathrow connectivity – Lockhart
DUP MP Carla Lockhart has written to Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris urging urgent action on the Aer Lingus Belfast City to Heathrow route, which faces disruption from EU carrier rules after March 2023. She calls for a derogation or faster UK registration and certification for the…
Infrastructure and transport International affairs Issue: Aer Lingus Belfast City to Heathrow route withdrawal Original release: Solutions needed to maintain Heathrow connectivity – Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Time to update the NI Act to remove designations in the assembly, says Armstrong, following NIHRC Annual Statement
Alliance Communities Spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA calls for the NI Act to be updated to remove designation in the Assembly, following the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission's Annual Statement. She advocates a weighted majority system to replace the current designation system.
Constitutional affairs Disability and equality Issue: NIHRC Annual Statement 2022 on equality law and Assembly designation Original release: Time to update the NI Act to remove designations in the assembly, says Armstrong, following NIHRC Annual Statement (opens in a new tab)
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Ní Chuilín writes to Speaker over ‘unacceptable comments’
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín says UUP leader Doug Beattie’s remarks about women on the Assembly floor were totally unacceptable and fell below expected standards, and she has written to the Speaker urging the incident be formally acknowledged.
Disability and equality Issue: Doug Beattie comments on women in Assembly Original release: Ní Chuilín writes to Speaker over ‘unacceptable comments’ (opens in a new tab)
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“Abortion Censorship Zones Echo the Ban in Civil Rights Marches in the North” – Denise Mullen
Aontú Cllr Denise Mullen criticises the UK Supreme Court's decision to uphold the Abortion Censorship Bill, arguing it restricts pro-life campaigners and cites 6,412 public submissions, mostly opposed. She calls on Stormont to reverse the bill and fund support for women with unplanned pregnancies.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Supreme Court ruling on Safe Access Zones legislation Original release: “Abortion Censorship Zones Echo the Ban in Civil Rights Marches in the North” – Denise Mullen (opens in a new tab)
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Clare Bailey has welcomed today’s ruling from the Supreme Court
Green Party MLA Clare Bailey welcomes the Supreme Court ruling that the Northern Ireland Assembly had legal competence to pass the Safe Access Zones Bill, which will now proceed to Royal Assent. She pays tribute to campaigners and says the ruling paves the way for similar legislation elsewhere.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Supreme Court ruling on Safe Access Zones legislation Original release: Clare Bailey has welcomed today’s ruling from the Supreme Court (opens in a new tab)
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Supreme Court ruling shows benefit of functioning Stormont, says Bradshaw
Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw welcomes a UK Supreme Court ruling that allows the Safe Access Zones Bill to become law in Northern Ireland, upholding the ban on protests outside abortion service facilities, and cites it as evidence of a functioning Stormont.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Supreme Court ruling on Safe Access Zones legislation Original release: Supreme Court ruling shows benefit of functioning Stormont, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Women have waited too long for modern and compassionate health services – Ní Chuilín
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín calls on the Department of Health to start commissioning abortion services for women in the north now, after the British Secretary of State instructed it to do so. She says women have waited long enough and have had to travel to England, often alone.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Secretary of State instruction to Department of Health on abortion services commissioning Original release: Women have waited too long for modern and compassionate health services – Ní Chuilín (opens in a new tab)
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Further confirmation of ringfenced funding for reproductive health services a welcome step, say Bradshaw and Egan
Alliance MLAs Paula Bradshaw and Connie Egan welcome the Secretary of State's ringfenced funding and formal instruction to the Department of Health to commission reproductive health services, calling it a further step, while urging swift full provision locally.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Secretary of State instruction to Department of Health on abortion services commissioning Original release: Further confirmation of ringfenced funding for reproductive health services a welcome step, say Bradshaw and Egan (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance North Down representatives welcome conferment of city status on Bangor
Alliance North Down representatives welcome the formal granting of city status to Bangor at today's ceremony, with Stephen Farry MP saying it honours the town's heritage and potential and Connie Egan MLA calling it well-deserved recognition. Andrew Muir MLA hopes for investment in the city centre.
Other Issue: Bangor city status conferment ceremony Original release: Alliance North Down representatives welcome conferment of city status on Bangor (opens in a new tab)
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The UCU Strikes
People Before Profit interviews Aisling O'Beirn, a UCU representative at Ulster University, on the picket line over the strike. She describes casualised contracts, rising workloads, staff shortages and cuts to pension benefits as the central issues.
Education Economy and employment Issue: UCU strike at Ulster University Original release: The UCU Strikes (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin urges progress on tackling sexual offences
SDLP Justice Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin says new PPS figures on sexual offences, showing prosecution rates rose from 23.6% to 31.6% in 2021/22, show the need for a violence against women and girls plan from a reformed Executive.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: PPS annual report on sexual offence prosecutions 2021/22 Original release: McLaughlin urges progress on tackling sexual offences (opens in a new tab)
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Muir seeks action on MOT chaos
Alliance Infrastructure Spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA says he has contacted the Permanent Secretary at the Department for Infrastructure over MOT booking backlogs, which leave drivers unable to renew certificates or road tax and facing fines. He calls for swift improvement and firm measures from…
Infrastructure and transport Original release: Muir seeks action on MOT chaos (opens in a new tab)
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Dickson calls for a review of support mechanisms for staff experiencing domestic abuse
Alliance Economy Spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA calls on employers to review their policies and procedures so staff experiencing domestic abuse get the right support, citing the 16 days of activism campaign. He urges employers to consider paid leave for appointments, workplace security and…
Justice and policing Economy and employment Original release: Dickson calls for a review of support mechanisms for staff experiencing domestic abuse (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood opposes cuts to BBC Radio Foyle at PMQs
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP says Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has committed to raising proposed BBC Radio Foyle cuts with BBC leadership, after Eastwood raised the Breakfast Show and news staff reductions at PMQs. He argues the cuts breach the BBC charter.
Other Economy and employment Issue: BBC Radio Foyle shutdown plans Original release: Eastwood opposes cuts to BBC Radio Foyle at PMQs (opens in a new tab)