Latest releases
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11,733 releases
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Minister must stop cherry-picking on school management reform, says Mathison, calling for creation of single managing authority for schools
Alliance Education spokesperson and Education Committee Chair Nick Mathison MLA says the Education Minister must stop cherry-picking from the Independent Review of Education on school management reform. He calls for a single managing authority for all schools, arguing the minister's proposals add…
Education Issue: Education Minister's statement on school management reform proposals Original release: Minister must stop cherry-picking on school management reform, says Mathison, calling for creation of single managing authority for schools (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw expresses ongoing concern at inaction by First and deputy First Ministers on key aspects of Covid-19 Inquiry
Alliance Executive Office Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA says she remains concerned at the lack of visible action by the First and deputy First Minister on the Covid-19 Inquiry, including reforming institutions to respond better to future emergencies.
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Blair horrified by attack on family cat by hunt dogs
Alliance MLA John Blair says he is horrified by a video showing a family cat attacked by hunting dogs and urges the Assembly to quickly pass legislation prohibiting the use of dogs to hunt wild mammals in Northern Ireland.
Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Video of family cat attacked by hunting dogs Original release: Blair horrified by attack on family cat by hunt dogs (opens in a new tab)
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Breast cancer waiting times a scandal - Dodds
DUP health spokesperson Diane Dodds says new Department of Health figures, showing only 3.5% of urgently referred women with suspected breast cancer seen within the 14-day target, reveal a failing system. She calls on the Health Minister to set out a plan to expand diagnostic capacity and cut…
Health Issue: Department of Health breast cancer urgent referral waiting time figures Original release: Breast cancer waiting times a scandal - Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Practical and pragmatic solutions required to manage post Brexit frictions – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney calls the proposed EU customs fee on small parcels an unfair extra burden on customers already facing the cost of living crisis. He urges practical, pragmatic engagement from all stakeholders and Assembly parties to remove the duty and manage Brexit-related trade…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: DUP motion on EU fees for small parcels Original release: Practical and pragmatic solutions required to manage post Brexit frictions – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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MEP Funchion welcomes positive signal from EU Commissioner on future of PEACE Plus
Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion welcomes a reply from EU Commissioner Raffaele Fitto on PEACE Plus after the Commission's proposal removed a specific allowance from the central EU budget. She warns post-2028 funding would rely on Irish and British contributions and says she will table an amendment…
Community relations and legacy International affairs Issue: EU Commissioner Fitto reply on PEACE Plus post-2028 funding Original release: MEP Funchion welcomes positive signal from EU Commissioner on future of PEACE Plus (opens in a new tab)
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Mooney condemns masked gunmen in Derry
SDLP Waterside Councillor Sean Mooney condemns a shooting in Derry's Currynerin area on Sunday night, calling the incident intolerable and urging anyone with information to contact police so those responsible can be held to account.
Justice and policing Issue: Masked gunmen incident in Derry Original release: Mooney condemns masked gunmen in Derry (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan calls for statue of John Dunlap in Strabane to honour legacy
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan calls on the Communities Minister and Derry City and Strabane District Council to jointly erect a permanent public statue of Strabane-born printer John Dunlap, ideally near Gray's Printing Office in the town centre.
Other Local government Original release: McCrossan calls for statue of John Dunlap in Strabane to honour legacy (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Cancer waiting times show Executive has lost focus
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says published cancer waiting time figures show the Executive is failing to prioritise cancer care. He points to only 30% of urgent GP referrals treated within 62 days, a fall on the previous quarter, and calls on the Executive to take…
Health Issue: Department of Health cancer waiting times statistics publication January 2026 Original release: McGrath: Cancer waiting times show Executive has lost focus (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Rising rent arrears underline strain on social housing system
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA says new Department for Communities figures showing 26,844 Housing Executive tenancies in rent arrears by end September 2025 underline strain on social housing. He calls for providers to be properly supported and social housing adequately…
Housing Issue: Department for Communities rent arrears figures September 2025 Original release: Durkan: Rising rent arrears underline strain on social housing system (opens in a new tab)
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Aiken Slams Windsor Framework Over Toy Safety Accountability
UUP's Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA says a Democratic Scrutiny Committee session found no body willing to take responsibility for policing the new EU toy safety rules under the Windsor Framework. He says OPSS declined to attend and the Department for the Economy said it lacked resources and passed the…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Democratic Scrutiny Committee session on EU toy safety responsibility Original release: Aiken Slams Windsor Framework Over Toy Safety Accountability (opens in a new tab)
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Leadership Transition Update
Ulster Unionist Party confirms that Jon Burrows MLA has met the nomination threshold and will stand as a candidate for party leader, after nominations closed following Mike Nesbitt MLA's announced resignation. The Party Management Board will set next steps ahead of an Extraordinary General Meeting –
Other Issue: Mike Nesbitt's decision to step down as UUP leader Original release: Leadership Transition Update (opens in a new tab)
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Staff and patients paying price for another year of late and ineffectual winter planning, says Donnelly
Alliance Health spokesperson and registered nurse Danny Donnelly MLA says the Winter Preparedness Plan should have prioritised patient flow, citing RCN testimony on corridor care. He calls the plan late and rushed and urges investment in social care to free hospital beds, ahead of an Assembly…
Health Issue: RCN testimony on corridor care and Winter Preparedness Plan Original release: Staff and patients paying price for another year of late and ineffectual winter planning, says Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
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Breast cancer screening referral wait times unacceptable, says McAllister
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA says waits for urgent breast cancer screening referrals are too long after new Department of Health figures showed only 3.5% of 6,194 urgent referrals were seen within 14 days. She calls on the Health Minister and Trusts to ensure the move to a…
Health Issue: Department of Health breast cancer urgent referral waiting time figures Original release: Breast cancer screening referral wait times unacceptable, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin MPs attend Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh court case in London
Sinn Féin MPs John Finucane and Paul Maskey criticise the British government's decision to appeal and return Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh to court, saying the case is an attempt to silence an artist over his political voice.
Justice and policing International affairs Issue: Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh court appearance in London after government appeal Original release: Sinn Féin MPs attend Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh court case in London (opens in a new tab)
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Launch of ‘Public Media Ireland’ report demonstrates unique opportunity to deliver all island public service broadcasting – Senator Conor Murphy
Sinn Féin Seanad leader Conor Murphy welcomes the 'Public Media Ireland' report from Ulster University and Dublin City University, saying it points to a new all-island public broadcaster in a united Ireland rather than retaining the BBC or extending RTÉ north.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Public Media Ireland report on all-island public service broadcasting Original release: Launch of ‘Public Media Ireland’ report demonstrates unique opportunity to deliver all island public service broadcasting – Senator Conor Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin committed to unlocking full economic potential of the North West – Delargy
Foyle MLA Pádraig Delargy says a 22 per cent rise in Magee campus enrolments shows Sinn Féin's commitment to the North West's economy, citing growth to 6,500 students since 2024. He welcomes Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald's pledge to keep prioritising Magee and set up a working group on…
Education Economy and employment Issue: Magee Taskforce One Year Progress Report publication Original release: Sinn Féin committed to unlocking full economic potential of the North West – Delargy (opens in a new tab)
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TUV welcomes u-turn on digital ID
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston welcomes the UK Prime Minister's climbdown on making digital ID compulsory, calling it an admission the policy was a headline-grabber on immigration. He cites a Westminster petition with 2,984,192 signatures and 4,891 from North Antrim, and urges immediate deportation for…
Immigration Issue: Government climbdown on compulsory digital ID plan Original release: TUV welcomes u-turn on digital ID (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna welcomes Chief Constable’s call to review legacy charges and clarify Donaldson murder
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP welcomes the PSNI Chief Constable's remarks at a Northern Ireland Affairs Committee session backing an independent review of PPS legacy case handling. She says the Donaldson murder investigation needs full PSNI compliance and clarity on its Troubles-related status.
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: Chief Constable's call to review legacy charges and Donaldson murder Original release: Hanna welcomes Chief Constable’s call to review legacy charges and clarify Donaldson murder (opens in a new tab)
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McNulty condemns Newry petrol bomb attack
SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty condemns an incident in Clonmore, Newry, in which a man was hospitalised and a family dog killed. He says people upstairs had to escape to safety and a neighbouring property was damaged, and he urges anyone with information to contact police.
Justice and policing Issue: Newry petrol bomb attack Original release: McNulty condemns Newry petrol bomb attack (opens in a new tab)