Latest releases
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2,957 releases
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McLaughlin urges Translink to introduce Derry train link for All-Ireland semi-final
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin says she has contacted Translink asking it to extend its special Belfast-to-Dublin train service for Saturday's All-Ireland semi-final so that it also runs from Derry. She argues a Derry service would make the match more accessible for local fans.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Translink Derry special train for All-Ireland semi-final departing from Belfast Original release: McLaughlin urges Translink to introduce Derry train link for All-Ireland semi-final (opens in a new tab)
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Translink “Special” Train An Insult To Derry
People Before Profit councillor Maeve O'Neill says Translink's "special" train for the Derry v Galway semi-final, which would run from Belfast rather than Derry, is a deliberate insult to Derry. She calls for the issue to be addressed immediately and for a Derry-Dublin rail service.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Translink Derry special train for All-Ireland semi-final departing from Belfast Original release: Translink “Special” Train An Insult To Derry (opens in a new tab)
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‘Time to make school uniforms affordable’ – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan calls for an Executive to be in place to roll out Sinn Féin’s plan to make school uniforms affordable, urging further action beyond the recent uniform grant to ease cost pressures on workers and families.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Recent uniform grant increase Original release: ‘Time to make school uniforms affordable’ – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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‘Clarity needed on future of Engage schools programme’ – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan urges the education minister to confirm the future of the Engage II schools programme, saying uncertainty is hindering schools' planning and leaving teachers unsure of jobs in September. He calls for funding to be identified from her own budget.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Engage II schools programme future funding uncertainty Original release: ‘Clarity needed on future of Engage schools programme’ – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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"Urgent Action for Children With Special Needs Awaiting Support or Assessment"
Aontú Education Spokesperson Gemma Brolly welcomes the Education Minister's Special Needs Provision announcement but urges similar urgent action for children awaiting support or assessment. She says the move only reaches pupils with statements, and calls for more staff to improve pupil-to-staff…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Minister's Special Needs Provision announcement for mainstream schools Original release: "Urgent Action for Children With Special Needs Awaiting Support or Assessment" (opens in a new tab)
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“Queen’s Jubilee School Books are a Waste of Money” - Gemma Brolly
Aontú's Gemma Brolly, MLA for East Derry, criticises the UK government's decision to send a free Queen's Jubilee commemorative book to every child in the North, claiming it wastes around £12 million that could fund health and education, and calls for an opt-in approach like Scotland and Wales.
Community relations and legacy Education Issue: UK government Queen's Jubilee book distribution to schools in Northern Ireland Original release: “Queen’s Jubilee School Books are a Waste of Money” - Gemma Brolly (opens in a new tab)
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"Overturning of Roe Vs Wade Only Beginning Of Human Rights Campaign"
Aontú representative for East Derry Gemma Brolly welcomes the overturning of Roe v Wade but says the wider campaign must continue, calling for better supports for pregnant women and rejecting claims that pro-life laws would block ectopic pregnancy surgery.
Disability and equality Issue: US Supreme Court overturns Roe v Wade Original release: "Overturning of Roe Vs Wade Only Beginning Of Human Rights Campaign" (opens in a new tab)
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Changes to marriage law reflect changing Northern Ireland, says Armstrong
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong welcomes Finance Minister Conor Murphy's announced plan to give non-religious marriages equal legal standing with faith marriages and raise the minimum marriage age to 18. She says a public consultation showed a clear majority in favour and urges permanent changes…
Disability and equality Issue: Finance Minister Conor Murphy announces marriage law reforms on non-religious marriage and minimum age Original release: Changes to marriage law reflect changing Northern Ireland, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Lisa McGee to become the first woman to receive the Freedom of the City
SDLP councillor Martin Reilly welcomes the unanimous council vote to nominate 'Derry Girls' creator Lisa McGee for the Freedom of the City of Derry, making her the first woman to receive the honour. He says a special meeting will now be arranged to confer it.
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Lisa McGee Freedom of the City of Derry council vote Original release: Lisa McGee to become the first woman to receive the Freedom of the City (opens in a new tab)
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Unacceptable we don't have facilities to perform full emission tests for vehicles, says Muir
Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA says it is unacceptable that Northern Ireland still lacks facilities for full emissions tests on cars and light goods vehicles, citing public health and environmental impacts. He notes a new Hydebank test centre due early next year, but says 15…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Lack of full emissions testing for cars and light goods vehicles Original release: Unacceptable we don't have facilities to perform full emission tests for vehicles, says Muir (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Fiona Ferguson Organises Belfast Rally In Solidarity With The Rollback Of Roe V Wade In America
People Before Profit councillor Fiona Ferguson, who organised a Belfast rally at City Hall tonight, says it shows solidarity with the US rollback of Roe v Wade and demands local abortion services. She accuses Health Minister Robin Swann of an abject failure over women still travelling to England.
Disability and equality International affairs Issue: US Supreme Court overturns Roe v Wade Original release: Cllr Fiona Ferguson Organises Belfast Rally In Solidarity With The Rollback Of Roe V Wade In America (opens in a new tab)
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Sheerin call on Health Minister to act on waiting lists at Gender Identity Clinic - Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin calls on the Department of Health to speed up care for trans people at the Brackenburn Clinic, citing 566 people waiting after a minister's update on the list. She says some are self-medicating from the internet.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Brackenburn Clinic gender identity waiting list figures Original release: Sheerin call on Health Minister to act on waiting lists at Gender Identity Clinic - Sinn Féin (opens in a new tab)
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Cost of living support must be given to carers, says Armstrong
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong says carers are being left out of the UK government's £650 cost of living payments, because carers' allowance is not a qualifying benefit. She calls on the Communities Minister to find ways to support carers facing the ongoing financial crisis.
Social security and welfare Economy and employment Issue: UK government £650 cost of living payments for benefit recipients Original release: Cost of living support must be given to carers, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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MOT waiting situation a complete shambles, says Muir
Alliance infrastructure spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA says people face waits of up to five months for an MOT appointment and calls on the Infrastructure Minister to extend the reminder letter notification period and resource test centres.
Infrastructure and transport Original release: MOT waiting situation a complete shambles, says Muir (opens in a new tab)
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Roe V Wade Decision Is A Wake Up Call To Repeal Movement In Ireland
People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith urges the Taoiseach in the Dáil to complete the ongoing review of the Termination of Pregnancy Act, citing the US Roe v Wade ruling as a warning against complacency on abortion rights.
Disability and equality Health Issue: US Supreme Court overturns Roe v Wade Original release: Roe V Wade Decision Is A Wake Up Call To Repeal Movement In Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison pledges work on school uniform legislation
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison says any incoming Executive must prioritise the cost of living crisis, and plans to introduce a members' bill to set fairness rules for school uniform pricing. He urges the Education Department to legislate for a cap on uniform costs and criticises the DUP for not…
Education Economy and employment Original release: Mathison pledges work on school uniform legislation (opens in a new tab)
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Brett – “ineffective planning system stunting economic growth”
North Belfast DUP MLA Phillip Brett says Infrastructure Minister figures show regionally significant planning applications averaged 172.5 weeks to process between April 2016 and December 2021, against a 30-week target. He calls on the minister to act to restore confidence in the planning system.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Regionally significant planning application processing times figures released Original release: Brett – “ineffective planning system stunting economic growth” (opens in a new tab)
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‘Damaging transfer tests should be scrapped’ – Sheehan - Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says new Ulster University research showing academic selection is traumatic for children strengthens the case for scrapping transfer tests. He calls on school Boards of Governors to back an inclusive, non-selective education system.
Education Issue: Ulster University research on academic selection and children's wellbeing Original release: ‘Damaging transfer tests should be scrapped’ – Sheehan - Sinn Féin (opens in a new tab)
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‘Children with no school places need certainty from education minister’ – Sheehan - Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan urges the Education Minister and Education Authority to give pupils with special educational needs and their families clarity on school placements for September, after reports that 300 such children lack a place. He also blames the DUP's boycott for stalling an Executive.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Over 300 SEN pupils without school places for September Original release: ‘Children with no school places need certainty from education minister’ – Sheehan - Sinn Féin (opens in a new tab)
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Cost of Fuel could leave some motability car users housebound - Doyle
Aontú Cllr Emmet Doyle says rising fuel and maintenance costs are pushing some disabled Motability car users in Derry to consider handing back their vehicles, and calls on Motability to extend its fuel-price payment to existing customers with long-term agreements.
Economy and employment Disability and equality Original release: Cost of Fuel could leave some motability car users housebound - Doyle (opens in a new tab)