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3,558 releases
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Response to Kellie Armstrong
TUV leader Jim Allister says burning effigies of living persons is wrong and offensive and should play no part in cultural celebrations. He rejects Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong's suggestion that he linked to the Glenfield bonfire, accusing her of political point scoring.
Community relations and legacy Issue: Effigies of political leaders burned on loyalist bonfires Original release: Response to Kellie Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone welcomes progress of Irish language legislation
SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone welcomes the passage of Irish language legislation through the House of Lords at Westminster, which also includes Ulster Scots protections. He calls for the Bill to pass the Commons without delay and says Irish language rights should have been introduced in the North rather…
Disability and equality Issue: Irish language legislation passing through the House of Lords Original release: McGlone welcomes progress of Irish language legislation (opens in a new tab)
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Donaldson - celebrate our culture - don't denigrate others'
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson commends Loyal Orders and cultural groups for Twelfth celebrations, saying record-breaking events were held, and condemns burning of posters and flags, sectarian displays and hate crimes, including decorations destroyed in County Tyrone. He criticises Sinn Fein for…
Community relations and legacy Issue: Twelfth celebrations 2022 and hate crimes against Loyal Orders Original release: Donaldson - celebrate our culture - don't denigrate others' (opens in a new tab)
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Regulation and political leadership needed to stamp out hate crimes at bonfires – Kelly
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly condemns the burning of effigies of party leaders and other political figures on loyalist bonfires as a hate crime. He calls on unionist leaders to speak out, says the PSNI is gathering evidence, and urges safeguarding regulations for bonfires.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Effigies of political leaders burned on loyalist bonfires Original release: Regulation and political leadership needed to stamp out hate crimes at bonfires – Kelly (opens in a new tab)
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“There must be urgent action to reduce the backlog for MOT tests” – Cllr. Emmet Doyle
Aontú Cllr for Ballyarnett Emmet Doyle calls for urgent action to reduce the MOT test backlog, saying motorists are being fined £80 for untaxed vehicles while unable to book tests or renew tax. He urges increased capacity at all MOT centres ahead of rising demand.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: MOT test backlog and fines for untaxed vehicles Original release: “There must be urgent action to reduce the backlog for MOT tests” – Cllr. Emmet Doyle (opens in a new tab)
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Offensive erection of flags in Antrim Town must stop – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney expresses frustration after flags linked to the UDA, a paratroop regiment and unionist flute bands were left at Antrim Town's chapel corner near St Comgall's, calling the refusal to remove the flute band flags unacceptable and urging an end to such intimidation.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Flags erected near St Comgall's Chapel in Antrim Town Original release: Offensive erection of flags in Antrim Town must stop – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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We are building a society not of Orange and Green but a rainbow of colours – O’Neill
Sinn Féin First Minister Designate Michelle O'Neill says she is working towards a society of many colours and multiculturalism, speaking at the Eid al-Adha Festival in West Belfast. She pledges that Muslim residents will feel welcome, safe and respected, and condemns attacks on the Belfast Muslim…
Community relations and legacy Original release: We are building a society not of Orange and Green but a rainbow of colours – O’Neill (opens in a new tab)
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‘Springhill families entitled to truth and justice’ – Finucane
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane expresses support for the Springhill families before the 50th anniversary of the killings, saying they deserve truth and justice. He condemns the UK government's proposed amnesty for soldiers and calls for the 2014 Stormont House mechanisms to be implemented in full.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Springhill Massacre 50th anniversary and proposed UK legacy amnesty Original release: ‘Springhill families entitled to truth and justice’ – Finucane (opens in a new tab)
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Celebrations should not be destroyed by attempts to provoke trouble:…
DUP Policing Board member Joanne Bunting urges people marking the 11th and 12th July not to respond to provocation after a firebomb was hurled at the Adam Street bonfire in North Belfast. She calls the attack a deliberate attempt to stir tensions and says the celebrations should not be spoiled by…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Adam Street bonfire attack in North Belfast ahead of July Original release: Celebrations should not be destroyed by attempts to provoke trouble:… (opens in a new tab)
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Is Infrastructure Minister acting on party colleagues demands to…
DUP MLA Keith Buchanan presses Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd to revisit ways of cutting the MOT test backlog and asks whether he has acted on Sinn Féin calls over tax penalties for motorists unable to get a test.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: MOT test backlog and DVLA tax penalties Original release: Is Infrastructure Minister acting on party colleagues demands to… (opens in a new tab)
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“There is a Crisis in Education with Learning Supports. Our Children Deserve Better” - Brolly
Aontú Education Spokesperson and East Derry representative Gemma Brolly calls for permanent learning support in schools, citing long assessment waits, reduced educational psychology time and rising numbers of pupils recorded with special educational needs.
Education Disability and equality Original release: “There is a Crisis in Education with Learning Supports. Our Children Deserve Better” - Brolly (opens in a new tab)
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Delargy welcomes special transport services for Derry GAA fans
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy welcomes Translink's confirmation of a special train service from Derry for supporters heading to the All-Ireland senior football semi-final at Croke Park, including a return connection on Saturday night.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Translink special rail services for Derry supporters to Croke Park Original release: Delargy welcomes special transport services for Derry GAA fans (opens in a new tab)
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"Pupils are being denied their basic human right to access the education they deserve."- Brolly
Aontú Education Spokesperson and East Derry representative Gemma Brolly calls for permanent learning support in schools, citing rising numbers of pupils recorded with special educational needs and reduced educational psychology time.
Education Disability and equality Original release: "Pupils are being denied their basic human right to access the education they deserve."- Brolly (opens in a new tab)
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Murphy welcomes funding for Ulster Canal
Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy welcomes the Irish government's further €40m commitment to the Ulster Canal project, saying it will reopen the waterway between Clones and Upper Lough Erne, connect border communities, and boost tourism.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Irish government €40m funding commitment for Ulster Canal Original release: Murphy welcomes funding for Ulster Canal (opens in a new tab)
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Archibald – Welcomes engineering bursary for women and girls
Education Disability and equality Original release: Archibald – Welcomes engineering bursary for women and girls (opens in a new tab)
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EU Commissioner comments reiterate need to scrap flawed legacy bill – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says comments by Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner Dunja Mijatović on the British government's legacy bill show the distress it causes victims and families. She calls for the bill to be scrapped and for the 2014 Stormont House Agreement to be implemented instead.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: British government legacy bill progressing through Westminster Original release: EU Commissioner comments reiterate need to scrap flawed legacy bill – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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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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British government demonstrating ‘no regard’ for victims with legacy bill – Kelly
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly says the British government shows disregard for victims and families by rushing its Legacy Bill through Westminster despite opposition from victims, parties and the Human Rights Commission. He urges the government to drop it and implement the 2014 Stormont House Agreement…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: British government legacy bill progressing through Westminster Original release: British government demonstrating ‘no regard’ for victims with legacy bill – Kelly (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)