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5,414 releases
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O’Toole: Executive Glider decision an insult to people in Belfast
SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole says the Executive has failed Belfast after Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins dropped plans to extend the Glider to Carryduff and Glengormley and now expects the main scheme not to finish until 2030 at the earliest. He calls the decision shameful and accuses Sinn Féin…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Belfast Rapid Transport extension excludes Glengormley Original release: O’Toole: Executive Glider decision an insult to people in Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone backs striking Irish language groups
SDLP Irish Language Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA offers his party's support to Irish language and Gaeltacht groups taking half-day strike action over cuts to Foras na Gaeilge. He urges the Irish Government and Executive to fund the body with a long-term plan and welcomes UK plans to repeal the…
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Irish language organisations strike over Foras na Gaeilge funding cuts Original release: McGlone backs striking Irish language groups (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: Time has passed for engagement with paramilitaries
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says the time for government engagement with paramilitaries has passed, responding to Hilary Benn's confirmation of planned engagement with groups to encourage disbandment. She calls for delegitimising the groups, investing in policing and neighbourhood policing, and…
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: UK and Irish governments engagement with paramilitary groups on disbandment Original release: Hanna: Time has passed for engagement with paramilitaries (opens in a new tab)
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Seasann Sinn Féin le hearnáil na Gaeilge sa stailc i gcionne ciorruithe – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD & Conor McGuinness TD
Sinn Féin TDs Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Irish language and Gaeltacht spokesperson, and Conor McGuinness, junior spokesperson for Tuaithe, Pobail agus Gaeltacht, back the Irish-language sector strike against planned Foras na Gaeilge cuts. Ó Snodaigh urges Minister Dara Calleary to fund affected…
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Irish language organisations strike over Foras na Gaeilge funding cuts Original release: Seasann Sinn Féin le hearnáil na Gaeilge sa stailc i gcionne ciorruithe – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD & Conor McGuinness TD (opens in a new tab)
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We must work together to improve dental services in Fermanagh and South Tyrone – Dolan
Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan calls for urgent action on the shortage of NHS dentists in Fermanagh, urging parties and ministers to work together. She says low NHS fee uplifts are driving dentists away and asks the Health Minister to explore reinstating financial support schemes.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Assembly debate on dental services in Fermanagh and South Tyrone Original release: We must work together to improve dental services in Fermanagh and South Tyrone – Dolan (opens in a new tab)
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IRC report represents another step into the moral bankruptcy
TUV leader Jim Allister says the latest Independent Reporting Commission report omits the IRA's Army Council and retained weapons, and calls its recommended deproscription process for groups such as the IRA, UVF and UDA an offensive insult to victims. He also criticises a proposed Independent…
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: Independent Reporting Commission report on paramilitarism and deproscription proposals Original release: IRC report represents another step into the moral bankruptcy (opens in a new tab)
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Ofcom’s New Social Media Guidance - Toothless and Ineffective
DUP Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart says Ofcom's new guidance on online misogyny and deepfake abuse lacks enforcement, calling it symbolic and relying on voluntary compliance. She calls for legally binding obligations and financial penalties for social media platforms.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Ofcom online misogyny and deepfake abuse guidance Original release: Ofcom’s New Social Media Guidance - Toothless and Ineffective (opens in a new tab)
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Lifting ban on Irish in our courts wrong on three fronts
TUV leader Jim Allister MP says repealing the ban on Irish in Northern Ireland's courts is regressive on equality, justice and finances. He claims it would make the legal profession less welcoming to Unionists, weaken juries' understanding of defendants, and add translation costs and delays.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: British government repeal of ban on Irish in courts Original release: Lifting ban on Irish in our courts wrong on three fronts (opens in a new tab)
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Infrastructure Minister doesn’t know where new Glider route will…
DUP MLA Phillip Brett raises concern that the Infrastructure Minister's announcement excludes Glengormley from the Belfast Rapid Transport extension, and calls for urgent clarity on the new North Belfast Glider route's termination point, which the Minister could not specify in the Assembly…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Belfast Rapid Transport extension excludes Glengormley Original release: Infrastructure Minister doesn’t know where new Glider route will… (opens in a new tab)
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‘Hugely significant’ as British government to scrap ban on Irish in courts – Reilly
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly welcomes reports that the British government will repeal its ban on Irish being used in courts, a provision from the 2022 Irish language act that has not yet taken effect. She describes the move as a major step for Irish speakers in the north.
Disability and equality Issue: British government repeal of ban on Irish in courts Original release: ‘Hugely significant’ as British government to scrap ban on Irish in courts – Reilly (opens in a new tab)
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Irish language organisations deserve fair funding – Delargy
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy backs Irish language groups ahead of a Wednesday walkout protesting cuts to their funding, urging a fair, long-term resolution to Foras na Gaeilge funding disputes.
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Irish language organisations strike over Foras na Gaeilge funding cuts Original release: Irish language organisations deserve fair funding – Delargy (opens in a new tab)
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‘Positive first step’ as Minister announces way forward on north-south Glider – Finucane
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane welcomes £48 million to advance the north-south Belfast Glider, with bus lanes and a north Belfast park and ride, and says it is a positive first step toward full delivery.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Belfast north-south Glider route £48m funding announcement Original release: ‘Positive first step’ as Minister announces way forward on north-south Glider – Finucane (opens in a new tab)
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DUP Peers welcome Gambling Levy
DUP peer Lord Browne says the draft gambling levy regulations are too low to meaningfully address gambling harm, citing 2.5% of adults affected and costs possibly near £5 billion, and urges the Minister to raise rates, including to at least 5% for the most harmful remote licences.
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Draft gambling harm levy regulations for Great Britain Original release: DUP Peers welcome Gambling Levy (opens in a new tab)
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New Infrastructure Minister has fallen at the first hurdle - Green Party
Green Party leader Mal O'Hara says Sinn Féin lacks ambition on public transport and criticises the Infrastructure Minister's reason for not extending the Glider to Glengormley, citing congestion. Cllr Aine Groogan calls the decision short-sighted and says there is no plan to extend the Glider to…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Infrastructure Minister decision not to extend Glider service Original release: New Infrastructure Minister has fallen at the first hurdle - Green Party (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood says UK Government should tell all paramilitary groups to disband immediately, not appoint a go between
Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood urges London to tell paramilitary organisations to stand down now rather than appoint an intermediary to encourage disbandment, after the UK and Irish governments agreed to appoint an independent expert on engaging such groups. She argues that talks would lend them…
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: UK-Irish government agreement on appointing an independent expert to engage paramilitaries Original release: Eastwood says UK Government should tell all paramilitary groups to disband immediately, not appoint a go between (opens in a new tab)
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Long overdue North/South Glider announcement disappointing, says McReynolds.
Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Peter McReynolds MLA says the Infrastructure Minister's confirmed extension of the Glider to North and South Belfast disappoints, as key northern and southern areas are left off the planned route. He raises concern over a funding shortfall of over £100m and…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Belfast Rapid Transport extension excludes Glengormley Original release: Long overdue North/South Glider announcement disappointing, says McReynolds. (opens in a new tab)
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Repeal of ban on languages other than English in courts needs follow-up action from First and deputy First Minister, says Bradshaw
Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Paula Bradshaw welcomes the Secretary of State’s decision to start the fourth section of the Identity and Language (NI) Act 2022, which clarifies the repeal of the ban on non‑English languages in courts, and urges the First and deputy First Minister to promptly
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Commencement of Section 4 of the Identity and Language Act Original release: Repeal of ban on languages other than English in courts needs follow-up action from First and deputy First Minister, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Brett sets record straight on terrorist Brendan McFarlane
DUP North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett criticises Sinn Féin's tributes to Brendan 'Bik' McFarlane after his death, saying the victims of the Bayardo Bar attack in 1975 must not be forgotten and that no apology was offered.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Death of Brendan 'Bik' McFarlane and Sinn Féin tributes Original release: Brett sets record straight on terrorist Brendan McFarlane (opens in a new tab)
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Ron McDowell on the SDLP opening a veritable Pandoras box for Republican funding
TUV deputy leader Ron McDowell accuses the SDLP of selective criticism after it asked the Arts Council to recover funding from three unionist bands that paraded on the Shankill. He says the SDLP ignored Arts Council funding for a republican-linked flute band and calls for all terror-related public…
Community relations and legacy Public finance and taxation Issue: SDLP request for Arts Council funding return from unionist bands Original release: Ron McDowell on the SDLP opening a veritable Pandoras box for Republican funding (opens in a new tab)
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Mallaghan welcomes GAA President’s continued support for Sean Brown family
Sinn Féin MP Cathal Mallaghan welcomes GAA President Jarlath Burns's continued support for the family of Sean Brown in their campaign for truth and justice. He calls on the British government to end its blocking of inquests and public inquiries into the 1997 murder.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Original release: Mallaghan welcomes GAA President’s continued support for Sean Brown family (opens in a new tab)