Latest releases
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11,733 releases
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Local community is in shock at latest road fatality – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy says the Fermanagh community is shocked by a further road death in the county on Thursday, offers condolences to the family of Francis Lynch, and urges drivers to take extra care. She also thanks first responders at the scene.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Fermanagh road fatality on Thursday Original release: Local community is in shock at latest road fatality – Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Sheehan commends family of Patrick Rooney
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan praises the relatives of Patrick Rooney, a nine-year-old shot dead by police in the Divis flats in 1969, after an announced compensation payment and police apology. He says the RUC blocked a proper investigation and prosecutions.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Patrick Rooney compensation and police apology announcement Original release: Sheehan commends family of Patrick Rooney (opens in a new tab)
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2025 Report of the Commission on the Future of Ireland
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald welcomes the publication of the Commission on the Future of Ireland's annual report, saying the Irish unity conversation is growing and calling on the Irish and British governments to plan for constitutional change. The release lists 2025 events, including 23…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Sinn Féin Commission on the Future of Ireland 2025 annual report Original release: 2025 Report of the Commission on the Future of Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Dublin & Monaghan victims families deserve truth – Senator O’Reilly
Aontú Senator Sarah O'Reilly says the final Kenova report falls short of conclusively showing collusion between loyalist paramilitaries in the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings, which killed 34 people. She calls on the Irish Government to demand that all Kenova material be handed to Irish…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Publication of Operation Kenova Final Report and related reports Original release: Dublin & Monaghan victims families deserve truth – Senator O’Reilly (opens in a new tab)
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Gannon: New Western Trust chief must engage on SWAH
SDLP Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Group Leader Councillor Adam Gannon urges the incoming Western Trust chief executive, following Neil Guckian's retirement, to reset relations with local communities. He calls for visits, meetings with campaigners, and proper engagement with the Save Our…
Health Issue: Western Trust chief executive Neil Guckian retirement announcement Original release: Gannon: New Western Trust chief must engage on SWAH (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: High level of homeless deaths reflects Executive failure
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan says repeated Executive failures directly contribute to the high number of homeless deaths, reacting to new statistics recording 58 such deaths in 2024. He calls for sustained investment in prevention, housing, mental health and addiction…
Housing Health Issue: NISRA report of 58 homeless deaths Original release: Durkan: High level of homeless deaths reflects Executive failure (opens in a new tab)
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Victims Face Further Delays If Crown Court Services Halted by Criminal Bar Action
UUP Justice Spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA warns that a full withdrawal of Crown Court services by the Criminal Bar of Northern Ireland from 5th January 2026 would delay high-profile cases, including femicide and sexual offence trials. He calls on the Justice Minister to urgently set out her…
Justice and policing Issue: Criminal Bar extends industrial action to full Crown Court withdrawal Original release: Victims Face Further Delays If Crown Court Services Halted by Criminal Bar Action (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison expresses disappointment to PAC appeal on Tullynagardy Wood Development
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison says he is disappointed that the developer of five proposed houses in Tullynagardy Wood, Newtownards, has appealed to the Planning Appeals Commission after the council's committee unanimously moved to reject the plan. He calls on the council to defend its position firmly…
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Tullynagardy Wood five-house development appeal to PAC Original release: Mathison expresses disappointment to PAC appeal on Tullynagardy Wood Development (opens in a new tab)
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Homelessness deaths devastating – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew says the 58 homeless deaths reported by NISRA are devastating and urges priority action on homelessness, calling for more homes, better funded prevention services and legislation to extend Housing Executive support to at least 60 days.
Housing Issue: NISRA report of 58 homeless deaths Original release: Homelessness deaths devastating – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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The Irish language is thriving right across society – Reilly
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly says the 227% rise in Irish language enrolments at Queen’s University Belfast shows the language is thriving across society and pledges Sinn Féin will keep supporting its promotion and preservation.
Disability and equality Education Issue: Queen’s University Belfast Irish language enrolment surge Original release: The Irish language is thriving right across society – Reilly (opens in a new tab)
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Sheehan expresses serious concerns for prisoners on hunger strike
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan voices serious concern over eight pro-Palestinian prisoners in Britain on collective hunger strike over prolonged pre-trial detention, and urges the British Justice Secretary to act urgently on their humane treatment and rights.
Justice and policing International affairs Issue: Eight pro-Palestinian prisoners' collective hunger strike in Britain Original release: Sheehan expresses serious concerns for prisoners on hunger strike (opens in a new tab)
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O'Toole: Long letting down PSNI staff with unprofessional mixed messaging
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says Justice Minister Naomi Long acted unprofessionally by raising hopes of PSNI officers and staff over compensation for the recent data breach, after she later corrected her claim of £119m in secured funding. He calls on her to apologise.
Justice and policing Issue: Police data breach compensation funding confusion and Justice Minister's correction Original release: O'Toole: Long letting down PSNI staff with unprofessional mixed messaging (opens in a new tab)
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Beattie Slams Justice Minister Over Mishandling of Police Data Breach Compensation
UUP Justice Spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA accuses the Justice Minister of muddling compensation for police officers and staff over the recent data breach, after she allegedly misstated facts and delayed correcting them. He says she withheld a timely statement and that her response lacked an…
Justice and policing Issue: Police data breach compensation funding confusion and Justice Minister's correction Original release: Beattie Slams Justice Minister Over Mishandling of Police Data Breach Compensation (opens in a new tab)
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The EU Grinch brings unpleasant gifts for the New Year
UUP Windsor Framework spokesperson Steve Aiken warns that tightening EU rules and ending grace periods from 1 January 2026 will bring new customs checks, bureaucracy and Irish Sea Border controls, and accuses DAERA, the Government and the Executive of failing to publish a full list of changes.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Windsor Framework Committee review of incoming EU regulations Original release: The EU Grinch brings unpleasant gifts for the New Year (opens in a new tab)
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We must seek to tackle division in NI education system, says Mathison, calling for creation of single managing authority for schools
Alliance Education spokesperson Nick Mathison MLA calls on the Education Minister to prioritise a single managing authority for all schools over a separate new authority for controlled schools. He says the minister's proposals, submitted to the consultation, depart from the Independent Review of…
Education Issue: Department of Education consultation on controlled schools managing authority Original release: We must seek to tackle division in NI education system, says Mathison, calling for creation of single managing authority for schools (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister must urgently address decline in patient care and take effective action to transform health service, says Donnelly
Danny Donnelly MLA, Alliance health spokesperson and Health Committee deputy chair, says patient safety is at risk and urges the Health Minister to act urgently after TERN data showed Northern Ireland has the UK’s highest level of corridor care, calling for swift transformation proposals.
Health Issue: TERN data reveals highest corridor care in NI Original release: Health Minister must urgently address decline in patient care and take effective action to transform health service, says Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison calls for urgent clarity on EA Home to School Transport provision
Alliance education spokesperson and Education Committee chair Nick Mathison MLA urges the Education Minister to give schools and parents swift certainty on EA home-to-school transport and to protect pupils. He questions the EA's request that taxi drivers cut rates by 10% and asks for the evidence…
Education Infrastructure and transport Issue: EA request for taxi drivers to cut rates by 10% Original release: Mathison calls for urgent clarity on EA Home to School Transport provision (opens in a new tab)
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Minister Nesbitt’s attendance at GFA Committee constructive and useful – Dáire Hughes MP
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes describes Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's appearance at the Oireachtas committee on the Good Friday Agreement as constructive, welcoming his backing for all-island health collaboration and a forthcoming joint health strategy between north and south.
Health Issue: Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's appearance at GFA Committee on healthcare Original release: Minister Nesbitt’s attendance at GFA Committee constructive and useful – Dáire Hughes MP (opens in a new tab)
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Strength, not weakness remains TUV’s watchword
TUV leader Jim Allister tells the Central Council in Antrim that 2025 confirmed TUV as central to unionism, criticises the DUP's return to government with Sinn Fein over the Protocol, and says the party is starting preparations for the 2027 elections.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Strength, not weakness remains TUV’s watchword (opens in a new tab)
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Sheerin welcomes Independent Reporting Commission report
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin welcomes the eighth Independent Reporting Commission report on progress towards ending paramilitary activity. She calls for sustained investment in the criminal justice system and continued focus on paramilitarism after the Executive's programme ends in March 2027.
Justice and policing Issue: Independent Reporting Commission report on paramilitarism and anti-immigration unrest Original release: Sheerin welcomes Independent Reporting Commission report (opens in a new tab)