Latest releases
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83 releases
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Call-in reveals serious concerns around transparency and fairness in council funding, says Murray
Alliance councillor Murray says a call-in found serious concerns over transparency and fairness in Belfast City Council's £339,242 discretionary funding redirection, which DUP and Sinn Féin backed with UUP and SDLP support. He claims legal opinion validated Alliance's concerns about procedures and…
Local government Public finance and taxation Issue: Belfast City Council discretionary funding allocation call-in Original release: Call-in reveals serious concerns around transparency and fairness in council funding, says Murray
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TransformED is taking education system in the wrong direction – Sheehan
Sinn Féin education spokesperson Pat Sheehan MLA says Paul Givan’s TransformED is steering education the wrong way, warning it would increase high‑stakes exams, cut coursework, narrow the curriculum and add pressure on teachers while ignoring academic selection, and urges the Minister to listen to ‑
Education Issue: TransformED education reforms announcement Original release: TransformED is taking education system in the wrong direction – Sheehan
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Butler Announces £1.95m Investment in Endometriosis Services
UUP statement reports Health Minister Robbie Butler announcing £1.95 million for endometriosis services, including £700,000 for the Belfast and Western Trusts' Regional Endometriosis Centres and £1.25 million across the five Trusts for a new regional pathway.
Health Public finance and taxation Original release: Butler Announces £1.95m Investment in Endometriosis Services
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Minister putting unsustainable additional workload on teachers, says Mathison, ahead of TransformED motion
Alliance Education spokesperson Nick Mathison says the Education Minister is placing an unsustainable additional workload on teachers through the TransformED reforms, ahead of an Assembly motion on the day raising concerns from teachers, principals and parents.
Education Issue: TransformED education reforms announcement Original release: Minister putting unsustainable additional workload on teachers, says Mathison, ahead of TransformED motion
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Sinn Féin will oppose any attempt to place British state forces beyond reach of accountability – Finucane
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane says the British government must drop proposals to give the British Attorney General final authority over conflict‑related prosecutions, arguing it would undermine the independent prosecution service established after the Good Friday Agreement and place state forces beyond
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: British government proposals to give Attorney General final say on conflict-related prosecutions Original release: Sinn Féin will oppose any attempt to place British state forces beyond reach of accountability – Finucane
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DUP putting cynical party politics ahead of people’s livelihoods, says Tennyson
Alliance leader Naomi Long's party colleague Tennyson accuses the DUP of blocking Executive participation in a UK-wide Economic Forum, saying it puts party interest ahead of the public and risks livelihoods while there is no agreed budget.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Original release: DUP putting cynical party politics ahead of people’s livelihoods, says Tennyson
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Wilson responds to Budget
The party's finance spokesperson, Wilson, comments on the Budget. Wilson responds to the Budget.
Public finance and taxation Issue: Budget announcement Original release: Wilson responds to Budget
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Armstrong: Labour’s red hand strikes farmers again
Ulster Unionist Deputy Leader Diana Armstrong criticises Labour's Family Farm Tax and red diesel changes. She says these policies are causing stress and financial difficulties for farmers.
Agriculture and rural affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Labour's Family Farm Tax implementation and red diesel duty changes Original release: Armstrong: Labour’s red hand strikes farmers again
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Swann responds to Budget
UUP MP Robin Swann welcomes £7.5 million for cyber and AI research in Belfast and £1 million for a Northern Ireland Investment Summit, but says the Budget's £270 million Barnett consequentials are spread over four years and fall short. He calls for clarity on allocation this financial year and…
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Budget announcement Original release: Swann responds to Budget
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Common sense prevails as Queen’s lifts Remembrance collarette ban
Young Unionist chairman Jay Basra welcomes Queen's University Belfast's decision to lift the ban on Orange collarettes at its Remembrance Sunday service on 8 November, saying it respects participants' identity and urging the university to consult students before future changes.
Community relations and legacy Education Original release: Common sense prevails as Queen’s lifts Remembrance collarette ban
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UK Budget taking place without NI Budget is a shameful indictment, says Eastwood
Alliance Party MLA Eastwood says the UK Budget taking place without a Northern Ireland Budget is a shameful indictment, warning public services are on the brink. He calls for a budget with practical measures to make life more affordable and tackle the cost of doing business.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: UK Budget without NI Budget Original release: UK Budget taking place without NI Budget is a shameful indictment, says Eastwood
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Queen’s urged to explain Remembrance collarette ban
Ulster Unionist Party's Jay Basra calls on Queen's University Belfast to explain its ban on Orange collarettes at Remembrance Sunday services.
Community relations and legacy Education Issue: Queen's University Belfast Remembrance Sunday service collarette ban Original release: Queen’s urged to explain Remembrance collarette ban
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McGrath: Patients Are Waiting While Executive Fails to Deliver Budget
SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath says patients are paying the price as Executive failure to agree a Budget delays action on emergency department waiting times, citing September Department of Health figures and Ulster Hospital data.
Health Public finance and taxation Original release: McGrath: Patients Are Waiting While Executive Fails to Deliver Budget
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O'Toole: DUP/SF mudslinging distracting from Christmas pay scandal
SDLP Opposition Leader Matthew O'Toole MLA says a bitter DUP and Sinn Féin exchange at the Executive Office Committee distracted from civil service pay, after the Department of Finance confirmed no pay deal can reach Christmas wages without an Executive Budget.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: Stormont brake request on Budget agreement Original release: O'Toole: DUP/SF mudslinging distracting from Christmas pay scandal
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Hanna Challenges PM on Palestine Action Proscription
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP challenges the Prime Minister at Prime Minister's Questions to review the proscription of Palestine Action, citing its effect on freedom of expression and the case of publisher Faber stopping distribution of Sally Rooney's works in the UK.
International affairs Issue: UK Government Palestine Action proscription decision Original release: Hanna Challenges PM on Palestine Action Proscription
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Durkan Urges Cross-Border Action to Advance A2 Buncrana Road Project
SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan urges the Taoiseach, the Minister for Transport and the Minister for Infrastructure to consider Shared Island Funding to move forward the long‑delayed A2 Buncrana Road widening scheme, calling the cross‑border route vital for regional connectivity and safety.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: A2 Buncrana Road Widening Scheme delay Original release: Durkan Urges Cross-Border Action to Advance A2 Buncrana Road Project
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McDaid slams ‘wear more clothes’ advice in schools
SDLP Councillor Catherine McDaid criticised the Education Authority's advice that pupils should “ wear more clothes” in D Derry schools, arguing it reflects cut budgets and inadequate heating rather than protecting children and staff, and she urged action on heating and repairs.
Education Local government Original release: McDaid slams ‘wear more clothes’ advice in schools
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Buckley warns of further trade barriers
The party's trade spokesperson, Buckley, warns of further trade barriers.
Economy and employment International affairs Issue: UK-EU trade agreement renegotiation Original release: Buckley warns of further trade barriers
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Planning system continues to hold back economic growth, says McReynolds
Alliance MLA McReynolds says the planning system is holding back economic growth, citing June 2026 figures showing over 30% of live applications were over a year old and only three councils met statutory timeframes. She calls for a comprehensive reform programme with mandatory timeframes and…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Planning system statistics and business concerns Original release: Planning system continues to hold back economic growth, says McReynolds
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Green councillor Anthony Flynn pledges clean water and better transport in North Down Assembly bid
Green Party NI councillor Anthony Flynn announces his candidacy for North Down in the 2027 Assembly election, pledging to protect the coastline and water quality, improve public transport and town‑centre businesses, secure affordable homes, cut health‑care waiting lists, strengthen animal‑welfare en
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Original release: Green councillor Anthony Flynn pledges clean water and better transport in North Down Assembly bid