Latest releases
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3,926 releases
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Harkin: Back Dfi Roads Service Workers Strikers
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin backs Department for Infrastructure Roads Service workers on strike again over pay, saying they have his full solidarity. He accuses DfI officials of citing Stormont's collapse to claim they lack the means to act, and calls for the draconian bonus system to…
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Issue: DfI Roads Service workers strike over pay July 2023 Original release: Harkin: Back Dfi Roads Service Workers Strikers (opens in a new tab)
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SWELL boost for Carlingford Lough water quality – Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard welcomes completion of the €35million cross-border SWELL scheme at Warrenpoint Wastewater Treatment Plant, calling it the perfect platform to restore Carlingford Lough's ecosystem. He says a new Omeath treatment plant will soon end untreated wastewater discharge.
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: SWELL cross-border water quality scheme completion at Carlingford Lough Original release: SWELL boost for Carlingford Lough water quality – Hazzard (opens in a new tab)
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Infrastructure budget paints grim picture, says Muir
Alliance MLA Andrew Muir says the finalised Department for Infrastructure budget paints a grim picture, citing cuts to road safety, cycling proficiency, Translink and NI Water, and calls on the Secretary of State to act to restore Stormont with a financial package.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Department for Infrastructure finalised budget allocation 2023 Original release: Infrastructure budget paints grim picture, says Muir (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: DfI failure to resolve pay dispute impacting road safety
SDLP Fairer Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan expresses solidarity with striking road service workers at the Department for Infrastructure and says the department's budget cuts and pay dispute are compromising road safety. He calls for the pay dispute to be resolved as a matter of urgency.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: DfI Roads Service workers strike over pay July 2023 Original release: Durkan: DfI failure to resolve pay dispute impacting road safety (opens in a new tab)
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A5 upgrade must proceed to prevent further lives from being lost – Pearse Doherty TD
Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty TD calls on the government to honour its pledge to fund half the A5 road upgrade, ahead of a Dáil motion, citing more than 50 deaths on the route since 2006.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Dáil motion on funding the A5 road upgrade Original release: A5 upgrade must proceed to prevent further lives from being lost – Pearse Doherty TD (opens in a new tab)
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Brett welcomes funding extension for ‘dial-a-lift’ service
DUP Infrastructure Spokesman Phillip Brett welcomes confirmation that community transport 'dial-a-lift' providers will receive a core funding extension for the full current financial year. He says the service provides around 200,000 journeys annually for rural and isolated communities.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Dial-a-lift community transport funding extension confirmed for current financial year Original release: Brett welcomes funding extension for ‘dial-a-lift’ service (opens in a new tab)
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Finn urges progress on conversion therapy ban
SDLP councillor Doire Finn urges progress on banning conversion therapy in Northern Ireland, proposing a Newry, Mourne and Down council motion reaffirming opposition and asking Stormont departments to outline preparations for a ban once the Executive returns.
Disability and equality Local government Original release: Finn urges progress on conversion therapy ban (opens in a new tab)
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Patients on lists for life-saving cancer treatment cannot wait – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says cancer patients on waiting lists cannot wait, responding to Department of Health figures on cancer treatment waiting times. She calls for urgent action and the restoration of the Executive, and criticises the delay in the cancer strategy.
Health Issue: Department of Health cancer treatment waiting times figures June 2023 Original release: Patients on lists for life-saving cancer treatment cannot wait – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Backwards move to bring abortion into classrooms – Lockhart
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says the Westminster vote on NIO proposals to bring abortion-promoting relationships and sex education into schools is a backward step for Northern Ireland. She argues the region's abortion laws should not be taught to children and calls for more life-affirming laws.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Westminster vote on NIO proposals for RSE in schools Original release: Backwards move to bring abortion into classrooms – Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Murray disappointed and frustrated by risk posed to potential cycling infrastructure
Alliance Balmoral Councillor Micky Murray says he is disappointed and frustrated that planned Belfast cycling infrastructure, including Lisburn Road and Malone Road routes, may be displaced by the Department for Infrastructure's new Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan. He questions the…
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Belfast Cycle Network Plan displacement by Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan Original release: Murray disappointed and frustrated by risk posed to potential cycling infrastructure (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds meets EA about annual SEN chaos
DUP Education spokesperson Diane Dodds, Upper Bann MLA, says a meeting with the Education Authority exposed the yearly chaos in Special Educational Needs placements, blaming education cuts and under‑funding and urging Treasury funding, transformational reform and immediate placement of vulnerable p‑
Education Disability and equality Issue: Annual chaos in Special Educational Needs allocations Original release: Dodds meets EA about annual SEN chaos (opens in a new tab)
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Latest climate change report demonstrates disgraceful lack of meaningful action, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says a latest Climate Change Committee report shows the UK has lost climate leadership and Northern Ireland is behind on climate targets, calling for a Green New Deal and blaming the absence of an Executive for stalled action.
Environment and climate Issue: UK Climate Change Committee progress report on net zero emissions Original release: Latest climate change report demonstrates disgraceful lack of meaningful action, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Skills system needs to urgently align with the scale of climate challenge, says Eastwood
Alliance MLA Sorcha Eastwood calls for the UK Government to publish an evidence-based net zero skills action plan, following a Climate Change Committee progress report that she says shows no progress in the past year.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: UK Climate Change Committee progress report on net zero emissions Original release: Skills system needs to urgently align with the scale of climate challenge, says Eastwood (opens in a new tab)
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Robbie Butler Urges Secretary of State to Act Now to Address Underinvestment in Special Education Needs
UUP education spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA urges the Secretary of State to act now on underinvestment in Special Educational Needs provision, saying shortfalls in SEN places in special and mainstream schools are failing children and families, with no Executive or Assembly in place.
Education Disability and equality Original release: Robbie Butler Urges Secretary of State to Act Now to Address Underinvestment in Special Education Needs (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong encourages homeowners and private landlords to prepare to move to net zero
Alliance's Kellie Armstrong MLA urges homeowners and private landlords to play their part in reaching net zero by 2050, citing the Future Homes in Northern Ireland report from Electrical Safety First on electrical safety risks in older housing stock.
Environment and climate Housing Issue: Future Homes in Northern Ireland report launch by Electrical Safety First Original release: Armstrong encourages homeowners and private landlords to prepare to move to net zero (opens in a new tab)
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The Alliance Party and transgenderism
TUV's North Down branch president Patrick J. Roche accuses the Alliance Party of full commitment to transgenderism, citing Naomi Long's handling of a 'what is a woman?' question and a drag story reading, and MLA Connie Eagan's planned bill on relationship and sex education. He also attacks deputy…
Disability and equality Education Issue: Alliance Party stance on transgender issues and Gender Recognition Reform Bill Original release: The Alliance Party and transgenderism (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Rachel Woods slams changes to Affordable Warmth Scheme
Green Party NI councillor Rachel Woods, for Holywood and Clandeboye, criticises the decision to cut the Affordable Warmth Scheme without replacements and the removal of councils' eligibility assessment role from September. She calls for a fuel poverty strategy and tighter building regulations.
Housing Local government Issue: Affordable Warmth Scheme changes and removal of council eligibility role Original release: Cllr Rachel Woods slams changes to Affordable Warmth Scheme (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Education Authority must find places for SEN children
SDLP Education Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan calls on the Education Authority to find school places for over 800 children with special educational needs still awaiting confirmation of a place for next year. He says families need immediate clarity and urges investment in resourcing schools and…
Education Disability and equality Original release: McCrossan: Education Authority must find places for SEN children (opens in a new tab)
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Fundamental review of children’s services ‘long overdue’ – Kimmins
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins calls for a fundamental review of children's services, citing an independent review finding over 4,000 children waiting for assessments and support from social care, and pointing to rising demand, staffing pressures and budget strain.
Health Issue: Independent review finding over 4,000 children waiting for social care assessments Original release: Fundamental review of children’s services ‘long overdue’ – Kimmins (opens in a new tab)
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Confirmation Arvalee Special School will continue to have full-time ‘relief for parents and children’ – Brogan
Sinn Féin MLA Nicola Brogan welcomes confirmation that Arvalee Special School in Omagh will keep full-time hours for nursery pupils after an Education Authority cut to two and a half hours was reversed. She says discussions between the EA and the school must continue and blames Tory cuts and the…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Authority cuts nursery hours at Arvalee Special School Original release: Confirmation Arvalee Special School will continue to have full-time ‘relief for parents and children’ – Brogan (opens in a new tab)