Latest releases
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5,212 releases
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Armstrong: Drug gangs are targeting rural Northern Ireland and the response has stalled
UUP Deputy Leader and Agriculture Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA, marking Rural Crime Week, warns that organised drug gangs are targeting rural Northern Ireland and calls for action on a Public Health Agency report on drug-related intimidation published eleven months ago. She asks the Justice…
Justice and policing Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Public Health Agency report on drug related intimidation in rural areas Original release: Armstrong: Drug gangs are targeting rural Northern Ireland and the response has stalled (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows pays tribute to courage and service of Northern Ireland's emergency services
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA pays tribute to emergency responders, citing their bravery through the Troubles and the pandemic. He calls for the RUC George Cross to be defended against attempts to rewrite history, and says PSNI officers need backing after the Chief Constable's warning about assaults.
Justice and policing Original release: Burrows pays tribute to courage and service of Northern Ireland's emergency services (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 17 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Yet another Creswell victim let down by incompetence in investigation, says McAllister
Alliance North Belfast MLA Nuala McAllister welcomes a Police Ombudsman report finding the PSNI failed a 2016 complainant over an indecent exposure allegation against Jonathan Creswell. She calls for full transparency, an explanation of why misconduct recommendations are not being followed, and a…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Police Ombudsman findings on PSNI handling of 2016 Creswell complaint Original release: Yet another Creswell victim let down by incompetence in investigation, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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GAA lack of commitment to equality to blame for McAleese departure – Joanna Byrne TD
Sinn Féin spokesperson Joanna Byrne TD blames the GAA for Dr Mary McAleese's resignation as chair of the Integration Committee, claiming the association has backed away from a workable deadline and from equality. She calls for the GAA to appear before the committee and urges it to restore the…
Disability and equality Issue: Mary McAleese resignation as Integration Committee chair Original release: GAA lack of commitment to equality to blame for McAleese departure – Joanna Byrne TD (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong: Rural isolation must never mean suffering in silence
UUP Agriculture and Rural Affairs Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA, during Rural Crime Week, highlights barriers facing rural domestic abuse victims, including distance from refuges and farm ownership issues, and asks the Justice Minister to check whether rural victims get equal refuge and…
Justice and policing Agriculture and rural affairs Original release: Armstrong: Rural isolation must never mean suffering in silence (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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O'Toole: DUP cannot use politics of the past to distract from Executive failure
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the DUP is using renewed Drumcree controversy to divert attention from the Executive's failure to pass a Budget, as public services face uncertainty. He calls on the DUP and Executive ministers to agree a Budget and address health, waiting…
Public finance and taxation Community relations and legacy Issue: Drumcree parading dispute and Executive Budget impasse Original release: O'Toole: DUP cannot use politics of the past to distract from Executive failure (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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£16m investment set to strengthen NIFRS emergency response across Northern Ireland
Health Minister Robbie Butler welcomes a fleet upgrade worth over £16m for NIFRS, with 47 new specialist vehicles going to stations across the region and three Command Support Units due next year.
Justice and policing Issue: NIFRS £16m fleet upgrade and new appliances investment Original release: £16m investment set to strengthen NIFRS emergency response across Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Stewart: It's not the flag on the lamppost, it's whether the lamppost works
UUP Infrastructure Spokesperson John Stewart MLA says the party will vote against the Display of Flags and Emblems Bill at Second Stage, arguing it forces the Department for Infrastructure to judge cultural symbols instead of fixing roads, street lighting and drainage.
Community relations and legacy Infrastructure and transport Issue: Display of Flags and Emblems Bill Second Stage Original release: Stewart: It's not the flag on the lamppost, it's whether the lamppost works (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 20 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Security alert in Carrive road has caused concern for local residents – Finnegan
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan condemns a security alert in the Carrive Road area of Silverbridge overnight, saying it caused serious disruption and concern for residents. She says Sinn Féin has contacted police and is asking anyone with information to come forward.
Justice and policing Issue: Carrive Road security alert in Silverbridge overnight Original release: Security alert in Carrive road has caused concern for local residents – Finnegan (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong: Rural crime rising here while it falls everywhere else
UUP Deputy Leader and Agriculture Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA warns that rural crime in Northern Ireland rose 24% to an estimated £2.2 million last year as UK-wide costs fell, and urges farmers to report every incident. She calls for more rural policing resources and cross-border cooperation…
Justice and policing Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Rural Crime Week NI 2026 and rise in rural crime costs Original release: Armstrong: Rural crime rising here while it falls everywhere else (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Does Minister’s review meet his Leader’s promises?
DUP MLA Diane Dodds says a Health Minister's review of an earlier review fails to meet UUP leader Jon Burrows' promises on change and transparency. She questions the document's authorship and asks how far Department of Health officials shaped it.
Health Issue: Health Minister's review of a previous review Original release: Does Minister’s review meet his Leader’s promises? (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Say No to Abortion Illuminations on Belfast City Hall!
Aontú opposes Belfast City Council's decision to light up Belfast City Hall for International Safe Abortion Day, calling it shocking use of the building. It says Sinn Féin and the SDLP councillors who backed the lighting have abandoned pro-life principles and calls for support for mothers instead.
Health Local government Issue: Belfast City Hall lighting for International Safe Abortion Day Original release: Say No to Abortion Illuminations on Belfast City Hall! (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 17 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Harkin: Strike Action Can Put it Up to Stormont Political Establishment
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin backs trade union strike action as a way to press the Stormont establishment for higher pay, public service funding and cost of living support. He accuses MLAs of backing a 27% pay rise for themselves and calls for all-out action demanding a change of…
Economy and employment Education Original release: Harkin: Strike Action Can Put it Up to Stormont Political Establishment (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Officers must not feel they have to be assaulted before defending themselves, says Burrows
UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA calls for fundamental reform of the Police Ombudsman and the PSNI Professional Standards Department after the Chief Constable said officers may wait to be assaulted before acting. He also backs a new offence for knowingly making false complaints against officers and…
Justice and policing Issue: Chief Constable comments on officers waiting to be assaulted before acting Original release: Officers must not feel they have to be assaulted before defending themselves, says Burrows (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 19 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong: Minister refusing to face reality on climate targets
UUP Deputy Leader and Agriculture Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA responds to DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's Croke Park climate speech, calling for Northern Ireland's climate targets to be reviewed and revised, citing Climate Change Committee advice on an 82% reduction and Scotland's move to…
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: DAERA Minister Andrew Muir Environment Ireland Conference climate action speech Original release: Armstrong: Minister refusing to face reality on climate targets (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Hospital reform must deliver better outcomes for patients – McGuigan
Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Philip McGuigan MLA urges the Health Minister to ensure openness and public involvement in hospital service decisions, backing a proposed Independent Reconfiguration Committee if it is truly independent and hears clinicians, patients and communities. He says he will…
Health Issue: Proposed Independent Reconfiguration Committee for hospital reform Original release: Hospital reform must deliver better outcomes for patients – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 5 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Geo-blocking of Katie Taylor fight by RTÉ unacceptable – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy says it is unacceptable that RTÉ is geo-blocking Katie Taylor's fight, locking out viewers in the North. She calls on RTÉ to immediately reverse the decision.
Disability and equality Issue: RTÉ geo-blocking of Katie Taylor fight in Northern Ireland Original release: Geo-blocking of Katie Taylor fight by RTÉ unacceptable – Murphy (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 5 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Attack on Sean Graham memorial callous – Hargey
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey condemns an overnight attack on the Sean Graham bookmakers memorial on the Ormeau Road, saying it has caused distress to families and calling it a hate crime. She says the attack was reported to the PSNI and urges anyone with information to come forward.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Attack on Sean Graham bookmakers memorial on Ormeau Road Original release: Attack on Sean Graham memorial callous – Hargey (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Health Minister must deliver on new approach to hospital reform
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA urges Health Minister Robbie Butler to act on his pledges for rural services and avoid centralisation in hospital reform, citing Daisy Hill, Downe, SWAH and Causeway as cases where communities must be protected first.
Health Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Proposed Independent Reconfiguration Committee for hospital reform Original release: McGrath: Health Minister must deliver on new approach to hospital reform (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister highlights gynaecology care closer to home
Health Minister Robbie Butler highlights primary care gynaecology services, including HRT, heavy menstrual bleeding, LARC and pessary replacement, that avoid hospital referral, after visiting Lisnaskea Primary Care Centre. He says the model is reform in practice and cites around 650 patients…
Health Original release: Health Minister highlights gynaecology care closer to home (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)