Latest releases
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4,778 releases
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Jon Burrows responds to behaviour Tsar announcement
UUP leader and education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA welcomes in principle the Department of Education's announcement of a behaviour tsar but says it must bring real change in schools. He calls for clear consequences for repeat disruptive pupils, support for principals, and for Belfast teaching…
Education Issue: Department of Education behaviour tsar announcement Original release: Jon Burrows responds to behaviour Tsar announcement (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison hits back at Minister’s statement on SEN Regulations
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison, chair of the Education Committee, rejects the Education Minister's criticism of the committee's handling of SEN regulations, saying the rules need proper examination and accusing the DUP of responsibility for the special educational needs system and placement shortages.
Education Disability and equality Issue: SEN Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 implementation delay to September 2027 Original release: Mathison hits back at Minister’s statement on SEN Regulations (opens in a new tab)
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Carroll: Civil Service Pride Withdrawal 'Regressive and Reckless'
People Before Profit's Gerry Carroll condemns the head of the Civil Service's decision to withdraw staff from the Pride march, calling it regressive and reckless. He accuses political figures of stoking transphobia for gain and urges civil servants who wish to march to do so.
Disability and equality Issue: Civil Service withdrawal from Pride march Original release: Carroll: Civil Service Pride Withdrawal 'Regressive and Reckless' (opens in a new tab)
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Mason welcomes €13.5 million investment to strengthen early years workforce
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason welcomes a €13.5 million Shared Island Fund investment to strengthen the early years workforce, upskill early educators and improve resources for children with additional needs. She calls on the Education Minister to deliver a childcare strategy covering quality…
Education Economy and employment Issue: Shared Island Fund €13.5 million early years workforce investment Original release: Mason welcomes €13.5 million investment to strengthen early years workforce (opens in a new tab)
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Mallaghan welcomes major investment to tackle Lough Neagh water quality
Sinn Féin MP Cathal Mallaghan welcomes €33 million of Shared Island funding for a water quality programme in the Lough Neagh catchment running to 2031. He says it must be matched by sustained delivery to safeguard the lough.
Environment and climate Public finance and taxation Issue: Shared Island funding for Lough Neagh water quality Original release: Mallaghan welcomes major investment to tackle Lough Neagh water quality (opens in a new tab)
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McGuigan welcomes launch of All-Island Public Health Knowledge Hub
Sinn Féin MLA and Health spokesperson Philip McGuigan welcomes the new All‑Island Public Health Knowledge Hub, praising the investment in cross‑border research and comparable health data to better tackle inequalities, mental health, chronic disease and demographic change across the island.
Health Issue: Launch of All-Island Public Health Knowledge Hub Original release: McGuigan welcomes launch of All-Island Public Health Knowledge Hub (opens in a new tab)
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Finucane welcomes continuation of Gaza Student Scheme
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane welcomes the announcement that the Gaza Student Scheme will continue for the 2026/27 academic year, offering students a route to continue their studies. He says his office will support students applying to the scheme.
Education International affairs Issue: Gaza Student Scheme continuation for 2026/27 academic year Original release: Finucane welcomes continuation of Gaza Student Scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Cullen calls on Minister and Department to urgently engage with hospital doctors
Sinn Féin's Pat Cullen calls on the Health Minister and Department to engage quickly with hospital doctors ahead of the first of two strike days this month, set for Thursday 25 June. She says doctors seek better pay and conditions to retain staff and recruit the next generation.
Health Economy and employment Issue: BMA hospital doctors strike action over 3.5% pay offer Original release: Cullen calls on Minister and Department to urgently engage with hospital doctors (opens in a new tab)
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Whyte: Irish Government funding for Sailortown Bridge project must be matched by DFI.
SDLP North Belfast councillor Carl Whyte welcomes €800,000 from the Shared Island Fund for the next design phase of the Sailortown–Odyssey pedestrian and cycle bridge in Belfast. He calls on the Department for Infrastructure to guarantee funding to completion, warning against repeating the…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Shared Island Fund €800,000 for Cork–Belfast Docklands Bridges project Original release: Whyte: Irish Government funding for Sailortown Bridge project must be matched by DFI. (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood welcomes funding for North West Cancer Centre
SDLP Foyle MP Colum Eastwood welcomes €3.5 million from the Shared Island Fund for a new cancer support facility at Altnagelvin Hospital, which he says builds on the North West Cancer Centre's cross-border model.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Shared Island Fund investment for Altnagelvin cancer support facility Original release: Eastwood welcomes funding for North West Cancer Centre (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin raises concerns over uncertainty surrounding Magee expansion target
SDLP Opposition Economy Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin MLA expresses concern that a senior Department for the Economy official suggested the 2032 target of 10,000 students at Magee is unlikely to be met. She calls on the Economy Minister to act urgently on higher education funding.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Magee University expansion 2032 target review Original release: McLaughlin raises concerns over uncertainty surrounding Magee expansion target (opens in a new tab)
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Blair welcomes huge investment in future of Lough Neagh
Alliance spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's announcement of £49 million through the Shared Island Initiative for a five-year Lough Neagh Catchment Programme to help farmers improve water quality. He calls on the Infrastructure Minister to bring forward a credible…
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Lough Neagh Catchment Programme £49 million Shared Island funding Original release: Blair welcomes huge investment in future of Lough Neagh (opens in a new tab)
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Still no justice for victims of sexual and physical threats at City of Armagh High School – sign the petition
TUV Cusher Councillor Keith Ratcliffe calls for decisive action to keep two girls threatened at City of Armagh High School away from the pupil who targeted them, after the Board of Governors ruled he would return in September. He urges people to sign a petition.
Justice and policing Education Issue: City of Armagh High School pupil return decision after threats against girls Original release: Still no justice for victims of sexual and physical threats at City of Armagh High School – sign the petition (opens in a new tab)
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Murphy welcomes funding for Ulster Canal
Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy welcomes a £26m Shared Island Fund allocation for restoring the Ulster Canal between Clones and Upper Lough Erne. She credits the Infrastructure Minister and her Southern counterpart and says she will keep pressing for timely delivery of the cross-border scheme.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Shared Island Fund £26m allocation for Ulster Canal restoration Original release: Murphy welcomes funding for Ulster Canal (opens in a new tab)
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£200m funding will improve rail network and support better services for passengers – Ennis
Sinn Féin MLA Sinéad Ennis welcomes almost £200 million from the Shared Island Fund for rail, including £100 million for track renewal and continuing the hourly Enterprise service to 2030. She links it to the approved Enterprise replacement fleet programme.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Shared Island Fund rail investment announcement £200 million Original release: £200m funding will improve rail network and support better services for passengers – Ennis (opens in a new tab)
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Ensuring greater access to IVF is about fairness and equality – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn welcomes an Assembly motion on IVF equality, calling for access to fertility treatment to be based on need rather than ability to pay and describing IVF as essential healthcare.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Assembly motion on IVF equality and access to fertility treatment Original release: Ensuring greater access to IVF is about fairness and equality – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Executive must live up to commitments on IVF treatment
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says the Executive must deliver its commitment to fund three cycles of IVF treatment, noting only two NHS rounds are currently available and the New Decade, New Approach pledge is still unenacted. He will urge the Executive to fully fund the expansion ahead of his…
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McGrath: Commitments on Muckamore must now become action
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's commitments after the Muckamore Abbey Inquiry report must now become action. He welcomes the pledge to act quickly on recommendations and calls for real accountability over the Belfast Trust's cultural and…
Health Issue: Publication of Muckamore Abbey Hospital Inquiry report Original release: McGrath: Commitments on Muckamore must now become action (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Opposition sets out impact of Executive Budget chaos
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the Executive’s inability to agree a Budget could slash almost £1bn from spending, risking thousands of nurse, teacher and police posts, delaying housing, school and university projects and threatening welfare payments, and urges action before 1
Public finance and taxation Education Issue: Executive failure to agree Budget Original release: SDLP Opposition sets out impact of Executive Budget chaos (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston Amendment Backed by Fresh Court Ruling on Prison Accommodation
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston welcomes a Scottish Court of Session judgment ruling that prison accommodation must be segregated by biological sex, and says it should prompt reflection in Northern Ireland. He points to Rule 90 of the 1995 Prison Rules and says his Amendment 97 to the Justice Bill will be…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Court of Session ruling on prison accommodation by biological sex Original release: Gaston Amendment Backed by Fresh Court Ruling on Prison Accommodation (opens in a new tab)