Latest releases
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1,908 releases
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Paid domestic abuse safe leave will help support workers – Sheerin
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin welcomes the Economy Minister's plan to bring in 10 days of paid leave for domestic abuse victims from April 2027, available from day one of employment and without needing to give a reason. She says it will help workers stay safe without losing their jobs.
Economy and employment Justice and policing Original release: Paid domestic abuse safe leave will help support workers – Sheerin (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Harkin: DUP Incitement of Sectarian Tensions Must be Challenged
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin says sectarian attacks on young people in Belfast must be condemned, and accuses the DUP of inflaming sectarian and racist tensions to deflect from its political crisis, linking this to Stormont cuts and housing failures.
Community relations and legacy Economy and employment Original release: Harkin: DUP Incitement of Sectarian Tensions Must be Challenged (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong: Biomethane consultation must deliver what the Assembly already voted for
UUP Deputy Leader and Agriculture Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA welcomes the Biomethane Strategy consultation, six months after an Assembly motion she says called for one, and sets out three tests the strategy must meet. These include a stable, inflation-proofed support mechanism, planning and…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Original release: Armstrong: Biomethane consultation must deliver what the Assembly already voted for (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew calls for urgent action to tackle child poverty
Sinn Féin's Colm Gildernew MLA urges the Communities Minister to act quickly on an anti-poverty plan after a Joseph Rowntree Foundation report found almost one in five children in the North living in poverty. He says the minister's draft strategy lacked sector confidence and dedicated funding, and…
Social security and welfare Original release: Gildernew calls for urgent action to tackle child poverty (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Allen calls for longer term action on cost of living pressures ahead of UK Budget
UUP MLA Andy Allen calls for further targeted cost of living support from the UK Budget, and for longer-term measures on energy efficiency and fuel poverty, after a Northern Ireland Assembly motion on the cost of living.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Original release: Allen calls for longer term action on cost of living pressures ahead of UK Budget (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 22 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Sian Mulholland selected as Alliance North Antrim Assembly candidate
Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland has been chosen to contest the North Antrim seat at the 6 May 2027 Assembly election, saying she will prioritise fighting poverty, easing the cost of living, improving women’s health services, securing affordable homes and reducing energy bills.
Economy and employment Health Original release: Sian Mulholland selected as Alliance North Antrim Assembly candidate (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 16 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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“Justice Has Been Done” Won’t Wash, Says Carroll After Donaldson Sentence
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll says the DUP's claim that 'justice has been done' after Jeffrey Donaldson's sentence is unconvincing, arguing the survivors won justice themselves and that a DUP-commissioned review cannot be trusted. He calls for proper funding of Women's Aid and rape crisis…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: “Justice Has Been Done” Won’t Wash, Says Carroll After Donaldson Sentence (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 16 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong marks International Day of Rural Women with call for action on women in farming
UUP Deputy Leader Diana Armstrong MLA asks DAERA what progress it has made since the Breaking the Grass Ceiling report on women in agriculture, four years on. She calls for recognition of women's farm work, support for women without legal stake in family farms, and rural service provision.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Original release: Armstrong marks International Day of Rural Women with call for action on women in farming (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 15 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP challenges Executive over broken pledge on racial equality legislation
SDLP Opposition challenges the Executive over delayed racial equality legislation after record race hate incidents and crimes in 2025/26, and calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to explain the delay. Its Black History Month Opposition Day motion also recognised black communities.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Original release: SDLP challenges Executive over broken pledge on racial equality legislation (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Carroll: Reject Givan’s Delay Tactics. Make Sure No Child Goes Hungry
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll says he will vote against the Education Minister's amendments to the Holiday Meal Payments Bill at Further Consideration Stage and back the Education Committee's amendments, so payments are never below a school dinner's cost.
Social security and welfare Education Original release: Carroll: Reject Givan’s Delay Tactics. Make Sure No Child Goes Hungry (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 12 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Boylan calls for EU ETS agreement with British government to prioritise clarity for the north of Ireland
Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan welcomes a preliminary EU-UK deal linking their two Emissions Trading Systems and calls for the final text to prioritise clarity for the north, address overlap and provide guidance for Irish business.
Environment and climate International affairs Original release: Boylan calls for EU ETS agreement with British government to prioritise clarity for the north of Ireland (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Minister threatens every farmer’s herd over a problem he says is 7%
UUP Deputy Leader and Agriculture Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA challenges the Agriculture Minister over Belfast Telegraph remarks that about 7% of farmers produce around 70% of phosphorus, and his warning about herd size. She calls for support for the 90% of farmers doing the right thing and…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Original release: Minister threatens every farmer’s herd over a problem he says is 7% (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 14 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Newcastle's Bendy Tree Makes History with UK First
SDLP MLA Colin McGrath welcomes Newcastle's Bendy Tree being named UK Tree of the Year 2026 by the Woodland Trust, the first Northern Ireland tree to take the award. He has written to Newry, Mourne and Down Council asking for a permanent commemorative plaque beside it.
Environment and climate Original release: McGrath: Newcastle's Bendy Tree Makes History with UK First (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Middleton marks October 7 anniversary
DUP MLA Julie Middleton marks the third anniversary of October 7, remembering victims and hostages and condemning antisemitism in Northern Ireland. She cites the exclusion of Israeli athletes from a Londonderry triathlon as a shameful moment and says antisemitism must be named and confronted every…
Disability and equality International affairs Original release: Middleton marks October 7 anniversary (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 7 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Bower welcomes passing of motion to make public spaces safer for those with severe allergies
Alliance Belfast Councillor Christine Bower welcomes the council's passing of her motion seeking to improve safety and accessibility in public places for people with severe allergies.
Disability and equality Local government Original release: Bower welcomes passing of motion to make public spaces safer for those with severe allergies (opens in a new tab)
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If John O’Dowd can condemn abuse, why can’t the First Minister? –…
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine challenges First Minister Michelle O'Neill to condemn abuse and threats against Carla Lockhart MP and Diane Dodds MLA, contrasting her refusal with John O'Dowd's condemnation and urging her to tell those responsible to stop.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: If John O’Dowd can condemn abuse, why can’t the First Minister? –… (opens in a new tab)
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McDaid: Abuse of women in public life must stop
SDLP Ballyarnett Councillor Catherine McDaid says personal abuse aimed at female public representatives, both online and in person, has to end. She says challenging misogyny must apply even to politicians whose views one opposes, and that such abuse deters people from entering public life.
Disability and equality Original release: McDaid: Abuse of women in public life must stop (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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O'Neill's silence on abuse of DUP women is breathtaking - McIlveen
DUP Deputy Leader Michelle McIlveen MLA accuses First Minister Michelle O'Neill of double standards for refusing to condemn intimidation and misogynistic abuse aimed at party colleagues Lockhart and Dodds during an Assembly sitting on the Garvaghy Road.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: O'Neill's silence on abuse of DUP women is breathtaking - McIlveen (opens in a new tab)
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Free School Meals Is Common-Sense That Stormont Refuses to Implement Cllr Shaun Harkin
PBP Cllr Shaun Harkin pledges support for UNISON's campaign for universal free school meals, urging Stormont to implement the policy and arguing that child poverty in Derry shows the need for it.
Social security and welfare Education Original release: Free School Meals Is Common-Sense That Stormont Refuses to Implement Cllr Shaun Harkin (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows asks Director of Public Prosecutions to refer unduly lenient rape sentences to Court of Appeal
UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA urges the Director of Public Prosecutions, Stephen Herron, to refer two rape sentences to the Court of Appeal as unduly lenient, arguing a three-year custodial term is inadequate. He also asks whether deportation notices have been issued against both men.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: Burrows asks Director of Public Prosecutions to refer unduly lenient rape sentences to Court of Appeal (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 3 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)