Latest releases
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3,057 releases
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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)
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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)
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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)
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O’Toole: First Minister reform promises must be more than cynical rhetoric
SDLP Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole says Sinn Féin's recent remarks on Stormont reform must be backed by substance after Michelle O'Neill gave no detail on her party's position in Assembly questions. He calls for concrete proposals that parties can progress.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Michelle O'Neill Assembly questions on Stormont reform position Original release: O’Toole: First Minister reform promises must be more than cynical rhetoric (opens in a new tab)
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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)
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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)
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Mary Lou McDonald Ard Fheis address
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, in her Ard Fheis address, calls for an emergency budget with a substantial fuel excise cut, €400 electricity credits, a €500 disability payment and a permanent USC cut. She accuses Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael of failing working families and says the British…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Original release: Mary Lou McDonald Ard Fheis address (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin will ensure Ireland’s future is built – Finucane
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane says Irish unity will unlock the island’s social, economic and political potential and condemns recent British government decisions as damaging to northern communities. He pledges Sinn Féin will build a new, united Ireland centred on workers and families.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Sinn Féin will ensure Ireland’s future is built – Finucane (opens in a new tab)
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‘British government is destroying public services in the north’ – Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard urges the British government to provide adequate funding for the Northern Ireland Executive, saying its current policies are damaging public services and urging a unity referendum if proper investment is not secured.
Public finance and taxation Constitutional affairs Issue: British government's funding cuts to Northern Ireland services Original release: ‘British government is destroying public services in the north’ – Hazzard (opens in a new tab)
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TUV lays out election challenges in Newtownards meeting
TUV leader Jim Allister, speaking at a Newtownards public meeting alongside Strangford candidate Jonathan Jackson, says unionist voters must choose at the next Assembly election between DUP/UUP ministers implementing the Protocol and TUV refusing an Executive while it exists.
Constitutional affairs Original release: TUV lays out election challenges in Newtownards meeting (opens in a new tab)
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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)
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Students and young people must be at the heart of shaping a new Ireland – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney welcomes a Queen's University Belfast discussion on 'Students in a New Ireland', chaired by Ógra Shinn Féin representative Annie Nic Mhánais, and urges students to continue such conversations at universities and colleges across the island.
Constitutional affairs Education Original release: Students and young people must be at the heart of shaping a new Ireland – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Allister welcomes MoD investment in NI & blasts Sinn Fein
TUV leader Jim Allister MP welcomes around £50 million of MoD defence contract investment in Northern Ireland, saying it should be backed for jobs and stability, while accusing Sinn Fein's Economy Minister and deputy First Minister of boycotting the related event.
Economy and employment Constitutional affairs Issue: Northern Ireland Defence Growth Deal launch confirmed in Commons Original release: Allister welcomes MoD investment in NI & blasts Sinn Fein (opens in a new tab)
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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)
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Hunter: Minister must halt SEN reform
SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA calls on the Education Minister to halt proposed special educational needs (SEN) reforms, citing an open letter from 14 organisations including teaching unions and warnings from the Children's Law Centre. She says the Minister has ignored…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Children's Law Centre opposition to SEN reform proposals Original release: Hunter: Minister must halt SEN reform (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows presses case for Northern Ireland at Westminster
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA says his Westminster visit was to make the case for Northern Ireland, urging a VAT reduction for hospitality and tourism, restoration of the Irish Sea border settlement, fairness for veterans and former RUC officers, and answers on the former Police Ombudsman's security‑v
Constitutional affairs Justice and policing Issue: UUP Westminster visit urging VAT cut for hospitality Original release: Burrows presses case for Northern Ireland at Westminster (opens in a new tab)
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Irish Government intervention required to protect and develop island wide economy – Senator Conor Murphy
Sinn Féin Senator Conor Murphy urges the Irish Government to take the lead with the British Government on cross-border business problems raised by border county Chambers of Commerce, including pensions, insurance, transport and wastewater infrastructure.
Economy and employment Constitutional affairs Issue: Good Friday Agreement Committee hearing from border county Chambers of Commerce Original release: Irish Government intervention required to protect and develop island wide economy – Senator Conor Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Efforts to stymie growth of the Irish language will fail – McLaughlin
Sinn Féin councillor Ronan McLaughlin welcomes the court’s favourable decision on Belfast City Council’s call‑in case concerning its Irish language policy, saying efforts to block the language’s growth will fail and urging Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to advance an Irish Language Strategy while
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Court ruling on Belfast City Council Irish language policy Original release: Efforts to stymie growth of the Irish language will fail – McLaughlin (opens in a new tab)
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Our failure to tackle fuel costs highlights a democratic deficit” – Aontú deputy leader Gemma Brolly says supports “do not go far enough” as most “will get no help.”
Aontú deputy leader Gemma Brolly criticises the fuel crisis support package as not going far enough, saying most people will get no help, and calls on Stormont to address its shortcomings and for fuel duty to be devolved.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: Executive £36.4million home heating oil support package Original release: Our failure to tackle fuel costs highlights a democratic deficit” – Aontú deputy leader Gemma Brolly says supports “do not go far enough” as most “will get no help.” (opens in a new tab)
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Léiríonn Gildernew imní faoi thodhchaí mhaoiniú Thionscadal Logainmneacha
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew, Chair of the Communities Committee, calls on the Department for Communities to keep funding the Place-Name Project after a ministerial answer showed translation service funding runs only until Summer 2026.
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Place-Name Project translation service funding ending Summer 2026 Original release: Léiríonn Gildernew imní faoi thodhchaí mhaoiniú Thionscadal Logainmneacha (opens in a new tab)