Latest releases
Searching a long passage? Find similar statements.
2,017 releases
-
Lyons heralds historic day for Deaf community
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons says the passage of Northern Ireland’s inaugural Sign Language Bill is a historic day for Deaf people, welcoming the new law that recognises British and Irish Sign Language and imposes duties on public bodies to improve accessibility.
Disability and equality Issue: Assembly passage of Sign Language Bill Original release: Lyons heralds historic day for Deaf community (opens in a new tab)
-
Assembly passes ‘transformative’ Sign Language Bill – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew welcomes the Assembly’s passage of the Sign Language Bill, saying it gives legal recognition to Irish and British Sign Language and places a duty on bodies to provide accessible services for deaf and deaf‑blind people.
Disability and equality Issue: Assembly passage of Sign Language Bill Original release: Assembly passes ‘transformative’ Sign Language Bill – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
-
Strategy without action is failing the Mournes – Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard calls for political will to protect the Mournes from deliberate landscape fires, saying a new wildfire framework from the Environment Minister is welcome but must be matched by timely action. He urges tighter enforcement, including licensing and penalties, and more…
Environment and climate Issue: Environment Minister's wildfire strategy framework Original release: Strategy without action is failing the Mournes – Hazzard (opens in a new tab)
-
SF soundbites won’t deliver A5 - Erskine
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine challenges Sinn Féin to back repeated A5 promises with action, blaming net zero climate targets for blocking projects and citing £150 million spent with no tarmac laid and £6.6 million returned for the A4 Enniskillen Bypass.
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Original release: SF soundbites won’t deliver A5 - Erskine (opens in a new tab)
-
2026 Sinn Féin Ard Fheis motions demonstrate commitment to tackling gender violence in communities across Ireland – Máire Devine TD
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: 2026 Sinn Féin Ard Fheis motions demonstrate commitment to tackling gender violence in communities across Ireland – Máire Devine TD (opens in a new tab)
-
Durkan: Historic day for the Deaf Community as Sign Language Bill passes
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA welcomes the passage of the Sign Language Bill, which provides free sign language classes for children and families and recognises British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language. He pays tribute to campaigners.
Disability and equality Education Issue: Assembly passage of Sign Language Bill Original release: Durkan: Historic day for the Deaf Community as Sign Language Bill passes (opens in a new tab)
-
Butler says better upland farming key to preventing Mourne wildfires
UUP MLA Robbie Butler, Agriculture Spokesperson and AERA Committee Chairman, reacts to Mourne Mountains wildfires with around 95 firefighters deployed, calling for better upland farming and gorse management to reduce fire risk and support grazing.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Mournes wildfires at Slievenaman Road and Bloody Bridge Original release: Butler says better upland farming key to preventing Mourne wildfires (opens in a new tab)
-
Allen welcomes Final Stage passage of Sign Language Bill
Ulster Unionist Communities Spokesperson Andy Allen MBE MLA welcomes the bill’s passage through the Assembly’s final stage, noting it will now proceed to Royal Assent and urging that its duties on British and Irish Sign Language be fully resourced and implemented.
Disability and equality Issue: Assembly passage of Sign Language Bill Original release: Allen welcomes Final Stage passage of Sign Language Bill (opens in a new tab)
-
Banning petroleum exploration and licensing ‘important step forward in protecting both people and the planet’ – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy welcomes the Petroleum Exploration and Licensing Bill in the Assembly, saying it bans petroleum exploration and licensing and credits Fermanagh and Leitrim communities who campaigned against fracking. She argues new fossil fuel exploration would be reckless amid climate…
Environment and climate Issue: Petroleum Exploration and Licensing Bill Assembly debate Original release: Banning petroleum exploration and licensing ‘important step forward in protecting both people and the planet’ – Murphy (opens in a new tab)
-
Proposed body to help tackle climate change ‘crucial’ – Finnegan
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan backs the proposed Just Transition Commission, put forward by the Environment Minister, saying it would help make climate change actions fair and measured while remaining effective. She says it would give agriculture, energy and infrastructure representation as the…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Proposed Just Transition Commission from the Environment Minister Original release: Proposed body to help tackle climate change ‘crucial’ – Finnegan (opens in a new tab)
-
Independent Autism Reviewer report will play key role in informing policy to improve the lives of those with Autism – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan says the Independent Autism Reviewer's initial findings will help shape policy to improve services for autistic people, and says the report exposes a gap between policy and reality. He calls for the Assembly and Health Committee to keep scrutinising delivery and press…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Independent Autism Reviewer first report launch Original release: Independent Autism Reviewer report will play key role in informing policy to improve the lives of those with Autism – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
-
Caithfear comhionannas don Ghaeilge a chur i bhfeidhm; níor chóir bac a chur leis – Gildernew
Sinn Féin Communities Committee chair Colm Gildernew urges the DUP Communities Minister to back Irish language promotion rather than obstruct it, after a High Court judge dismissed a legal bid against Belfast City Council's Irish language policy. He says the council can now proceed and calls for…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: High Court dismissal of challenge to Belfast City Council Irish language policy Original release: Caithfear comhionannas don Ghaeilge a chur i bhfeidhm; níor chóir bac a chur leis – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
-
McGrath: Autism report exposes failure to turn promises into reality
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the Independent Autism Reviewer's report shows autism services in Northern Ireland are failing in practice despite years of commitments. He calls on the Health Minister to take ownership and drive cross-government coordination, clear…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Independent Autism Reviewer first report launch Original release: McGrath: Autism report exposes failure to turn promises into reality (opens in a new tab)
-
SEN school staff workloads are unmanageable and unsustainable, says Mathison, ahead of Assembly motion
Alliance Education spokesperson Nick Mathison MLA says SENCO workload pressures are unfair and unsustainable, and calls on the Education Minister for urgent interventions, properly resourced EA Local Impact Teams and a thorough review of the role ahead of an Assembly motion.
Education Disability and equality Issue: SENCO workload pressures ahead of Assembly motion on special educational needs Original release: SEN school staff workloads are unmanageable and unsustainable, says Mathison, ahead of Assembly motion (opens in a new tab)
-
Autism Reviewer’s report must be catalyst for real change, says Donnelly
Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly welcomes the first Annual Report of the Independent Autism Reviewer, Ema Cubitt, saying it must set a benchmark for services. He cites a finding that 90% of respondents felt unheard when seeking help and calls for findings to drive real improvements.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Independent Autism Reviewer first report launch Original release: Autism Reviewer’s report must be catalyst for real change, says Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
-
Hazzard praises fire crews tackling Mournes fires and urges public caution
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard thanks emergency services tackling two wildfires overnight in the Mournes at Slievenaman Road and Bloody Bridge, and urges the public to stay away from affected areas and heed the yellow wildfire warning.
Environment and climate Issue: Mournes wildfires at Slievenaman Road and Bloody Bridge Original release: Hazzard praises fire crews tackling Mournes fires and urges public caution (opens in a new tab)
-
Legal and Financial Issues Highlight Level of Executive Dysfunction says Brolly
Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly says Executive dysfunction is evident after only 4% of £230 million allocated for key services was spent, and raises concerns that Education Department and Education Authority reform proposals are not fully legally compliant.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Only 4% of £230 million allocated for key services spent Original release: Legal and Financial Issues Highlight Level of Executive Dysfunction says Brolly (opens in a new tab)
-
Armstrong announces intention to not seek re-election
Alliance Strangford MLA Kellie Armstrong announces she will not seek re-election at the 2027 Assembly poll, having served 11 years for the constituency, and says she will continue as an MLA until the Assembly dissolves.
Other Original release: Armstrong announces intention to not seek re-election (opens in a new tab)
-
Lough Neagh fishermen must not become economic casualties of ongoing crisis – Kearney
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, says Lough Neagh fishermen must not become casualties of the ecological crisis after meeting DAERA Minister Andrew Muir ahead of the eel season. He calls for a comprehensive strategy to support fishermen and secure commercial fishing's future on the…
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: Lough Neagh eel fishing season 2026 uncertainty and DAERA engagement Original release: Lough Neagh fishermen must not become economic casualties of ongoing crisis – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
-
Paul Givan must heed ‘significant intervention’ from education bodies over flawed SEN reforms – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan welcomes the Children's Law Centre and other bodies' opposition to Education Minister Paul Givan's special educational needs reforms, and calls on him to pause the process and engage with them, unions and frontline staff on a rights-based plan.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Children's Law Centre opposition to SEN reform proposals Original release: Paul Givan must heed ‘significant intervention’ from education bodies over flawed SEN reforms – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)