Latest releases
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2,968 releases
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Farmers were right on NAP, the hard work of delivery now falls to Muir
UUP agriculture spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA cautiously welcomes the revised Nutrients Action Programme published for consultation, but says delivery now rests with Minister Muir. He calls for the economic impact assessment to be published in full and says Northern Ireland Water, wastewater and…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Revised Nutrients Action Programme published for consultation Original release: Farmers were right on NAP, the hard work of delivery now falls to Muir (opens in a new tab)
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Transparency needed from DUP on further Donaldson allegations, says Long, calling for fully independent investigation
Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA calls for a fully independent, external review into what DUP leadership knew about alleged victims of Jeffrey Donaldson, after BBC Spotlight revelations, and urges Edwin Poots to give a full account of his knowledge.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: BBC Spotlight programme on Jeffrey Donaldson allegations Original release: Transparency needed from DUP on further Donaldson allegations, says Long, calling for fully independent investigation (opens in a new tab)
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Building the A5 ‘an absolute priority’ for Sinn Féin – Begley
Sinn Féin MP Órfhlaith Begley, speaking from the Court of Appeal, says building the A5 remains a key priority and that delay is costing lives. She points to Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins pursuing an appeal against the most recent High Court ruling, supported by Tyrone GAA's campaign.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: A5 road appeal against the latest High Court ruling Original release: Building the A5 ‘an absolute priority’ for Sinn Féin – Begley (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston Slams Growing Gender Identity Service as Officials Confirm Funding Will Increase
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston criticises the funding for the lifespan gender identity service after Department of Health officials told the health committee the initial £806,000 is recurrent and will increase. He expresses concern for vulnerable young people and calls the spending astonishing given…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Department of Health lifespan gender identity service funding briefing to health committee Original release: Gaston Slams Growing Gender Identity Service as Officials Confirm Funding Will Increase (opens in a new tab)
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Givan voices disappointment over delay to SEN Regulations
The DUP's Education Minister Paul Givan expresses serious concern that the Special Educational Needs Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 have been delayed from September 2026 to September 2027 after extended Education Committee scrutiny. He says the delay postpones reduced assessment timescales…
Education Disability and equality Issue: SEN Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 implementation delay to September 2027 Original release: Givan voices disappointment over delay to SEN Regulations (opens in a new tab)
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Jon Burrows responds to behaviour Tsar announcement
UUP leader and education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA welcomes in principle the Department of Education's announcement of a behaviour tsar but says it must bring real change in schools. He calls for clear consequences for repeat disruptive pupils, support for principals, and for Belfast teaching…
Education Issue: Department of Education behaviour tsar announcement Original release: Jon Burrows responds to behaviour Tsar announcement (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison hits back at Minister’s statement on SEN Regulations
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison, chair of the Education Committee, rejects the Education Minister's criticism of the committee's handling of SEN regulations, saying the rules need proper examination and accusing the DUP of responsibility for the special educational needs system and placement shortages.
Education Disability and equality Issue: SEN Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 implementation delay to September 2027 Original release: Mathison hits back at Minister’s statement on SEN Regulations (opens in a new tab)
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Carroll: Civil Service Pride Withdrawal 'Regressive and Reckless'
People Before Profit's Gerry Carroll condemns the head of the Civil Service's decision to withdraw staff from the Pride march, calling it regressive and reckless. He accuses political figures of stoking transphobia for gain and urges civil servants who wish to march to do so.
Disability and equality Issue: Civil Service withdrawal from Pride march Original release: Carroll: Civil Service Pride Withdrawal 'Regressive and Reckless' (opens in a new tab)
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Mason welcomes €13.5 million investment to strengthen early years workforce
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason welcomes a €13.5 million Shared Island Fund investment to strengthen the early years workforce, upskill early educators and improve resources for children with additional needs. She calls on the Education Minister to deliver a childcare strategy covering quality…
Education Economy and employment Issue: Shared Island Fund €13.5 million early years workforce investment Original release: Mason welcomes €13.5 million investment to strengthen early years workforce (opens in a new tab)
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Finucane welcomes continuation of Gaza Student Scheme
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane welcomes the announcement that the Gaza Student Scheme will continue for the 2026/27 academic year, offering students a route to continue their studies. He says his office will support students applying to the scheme.
Education International affairs Issue: Gaza Student Scheme continuation for 2026/27 academic year Original release: Finucane welcomes continuation of Gaza Student Scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Whyte: Irish Government funding for Sailortown Bridge project must be matched by DFI.
SDLP North Belfast councillor Carl Whyte welcomes €800,000 from the Shared Island Fund for the next design phase of the Sailortown–Odyssey pedestrian and cycle bridge in Belfast. He calls on the Department for Infrastructure to guarantee funding to completion, warning against repeating the…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Shared Island Fund €800,000 for Cork–Belfast Docklands Bridges project Original release: Whyte: Irish Government funding for Sailortown Bridge project must be matched by DFI. (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin raises concerns over uncertainty surrounding Magee expansion target
SDLP Opposition Economy Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin MLA expresses concern that a senior Department for the Economy official suggested the 2032 target of 10,000 students at Magee is unlikely to be met. She calls on the Economy Minister to act urgently on higher education funding.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Magee University expansion 2032 target review Original release: McLaughlin raises concerns over uncertainty surrounding Magee expansion target (opens in a new tab)
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Still no justice for victims of sexual and physical threats at City of Armagh High School – sign the petition
TUV Cusher Councillor Keith Ratcliffe calls for decisive action to keep two girls threatened at City of Armagh High School away from the pupil who targeted them, after the Board of Governors ruled he would return in September. He urges people to sign a petition.
Justice and policing Education Issue: City of Armagh High School pupil return decision after threats against girls Original release: Still no justice for victims of sexual and physical threats at City of Armagh High School – sign the petition (opens in a new tab)
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Murphy welcomes funding for Ulster Canal
Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy welcomes a £26m Shared Island Fund allocation for restoring the Ulster Canal between Clones and Upper Lough Erne. She credits the Infrastructure Minister and her Southern counterpart and says she will keep pressing for timely delivery of the cross-border scheme.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Shared Island Fund £26m allocation for Ulster Canal restoration Original release: Murphy welcomes funding for Ulster Canal (opens in a new tab)
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£200m funding will improve rail network and support better services for passengers – Ennis
Sinn Féin MLA Sinéad Ennis welcomes almost £200 million from the Shared Island Fund for rail, including £100 million for track renewal and continuing the hourly Enterprise service to 2030. She links it to the approved Enterprise replacement fleet programme.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Shared Island Fund rail investment announcement £200 million Original release: £200m funding will improve rail network and support better services for passengers – Ennis (opens in a new tab)
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Ensuring greater access to IVF is about fairness and equality – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn welcomes an Assembly motion on IVF equality, calling for access to fertility treatment to be based on need rather than ability to pay and describing IVF as essential healthcare.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Assembly motion on IVF equality and access to fertility treatment Original release: Ensuring greater access to IVF is about fairness and equality – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Opposition sets out impact of Executive Budget chaos
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the Executive’s inability to agree a Budget could slash almost £1bn from spending, risking thousands of nurse, teacher and police posts, delaying housing, school and university projects and threatening welfare payments, and urges action before 1
Public finance and taxation Education Issue: Executive failure to agree Budget Original release: SDLP Opposition sets out impact of Executive Budget chaos (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston Amendment Backed by Fresh Court Ruling on Prison Accommodation
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston welcomes a Scottish Court of Session judgment ruling that prison accommodation must be segregated by biological sex, and says it should prompt reflection in Northern Ireland. He points to Rule 90 of the 1995 Prison Rules and says his Amendment 97 to the Justice Bill will be…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Court of Session ruling on prison accommodation by biological sex Original release: Gaston Amendment Backed by Fresh Court Ruling on Prison Accommodation (opens in a new tab)
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Muckamore inquiry details serious failings in health and social care system – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan says the Muckamore Abbey Hospital Inquiry report must be a turning point, calling for its recommendations to be implemented in full and for failings in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and the Department of Health to be acknowledged and addressed.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Publication of Muckamore Abbey Hospital Inquiry report Original release: Muckamore inquiry details serious failings in health and social care system – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter: Executive must address crumbling school buildings
SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA calls on the Executive to set out how it will tackle the school maintenance backlog, estimated above £600 million, after the Education Authority warned some schools could close over repair failures.
Education Issue: Education Authority warning on school closures and £600m maintenance backlog Original release: Hunter: Executive must address crumbling school buildings (opens in a new tab)