Latest releases
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4,778 releases
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Sheerin welcomes that Safe Access Zones Act is now law
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin welcomes the Safe Access Zones Act becoming law, noting it will be enforceable from 7 May 2023. She says the measure will protect people using healthcare services from intimidation and will safeguard women and healthcare workers.
Health Issue: Safe Access Zones Act receiving Royal Assent and becoming law Original release: Sheerin welcomes that Safe Access Zones Act is now law (opens in a new tab)
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Apprenticeships key to narrowing the skills gap: Buckley
DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley marks National Apprenticeship Week, saying apprenticeships are key to narrowing the skills gap and growing the economy. He says the party is committed to more skills funding, more skills academies and expanded all-age apprenticeships.
Economy and employment Education Original release: Apprenticeships key to narrowing the skills gap: Buckley (opens in a new tab)
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The Secretary of State must progress organ donation legislation.
DUP MP Carla Lockhart urges the Secretary of State to push secondary legislation through the Commons so Daithi's Law, the organ donation measure passed by the Assembly a year ago, can take effect in Northern Ireland. She raised the request with NIO Minister of State Steve Baker.
Health Issue: Daithi's Law organ donation secondary legislation Westminster progress Original release: The Secretary of State must progress organ donation legislation. (opens in a new tab)
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“Education Cuts Endangering the Lives of Children” - Brolly
Aontú Deputy Leader and Bann DEA representative Gemma Brolly demands unity against education cuts, calling for an urgent meeting with the Secretary of State over reduced funding and the non-replacement of crossing patrol staff at St Columba's Primary School, Ballerin.
Education Infrastructure and transport Issue: Education Authority recruitment halt and crossing patrol cuts Original release: “Education Cuts Endangering the Lives of Children” - Brolly (opens in a new tab)
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Green Party Leader welcomes Royal Assent for Clare Bailey’s Buffer Zones Bill.
Green Party leader Councillor Mal O'Hara welcomes Royal Assent for the Buffer Zones Bill, which he says will be enforceable from 7 May 2023 and end intimidation of people accessing abortion services. He credits former MLA Clare Bailey and campaigners.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Safe Access Zones Act receiving Royal Assent and becoming law Original release: Green Party Leader welcomes Royal Assent for Clare Bailey’s Buffer Zones Bill. (opens in a new tab)
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Fare increases regrettable and a step backwards as consequence of underinvestment in public transport, says Muir
Alliance Infrastructure Spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA says planned Translink fare rises of around 7% from 6 March will deter public transport use and hit struggling households, calling for a more sustainable funding model for bus and rail.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Bus and train fare increase during cost-of-living crisis Original release: Fare increases regrettable and a step backwards as consequence of underinvestment in public transport, says Muir (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Translink fares increase will punish worst off
SDLP Infrastructure Spokesperson and Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says a 7% Translink fares increase, directed by Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris, will hit families struggling with the cost of living. He calls for sustainable transport to be made more accessible rather than costlier.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Translink 7% fares increase directed by Secretary of State Original release: Durkan: Translink fares increase will punish worst off (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw marks Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week and calls for restoration of the Executive so that vital action can be taken
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw backs this week's awareness campaign and says she has tabled an Assembly motion on infant mental health, urging support for the Mental Health Strategy and its infant-focused action. She blames the DUP's boycott for blocking action and calls for the…
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Ennis slams invasive use of counselling records in sexual assault trials
Sinn Féin MLA Sinead Ennis says the practice of introducing survivors’ counselling notes as evidence in sexual‑assault prosecutions is unacceptable, breaches privacy and could discourage victims from seeking help or reporting crimes.
Justice and policing Health Issue: Counselling records used in sexual assault trials Original release: Ennis slams invasive use of counselling records in sexual assault trials (opens in a new tab)
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A6 must be opened as quickly as possible – Archibald
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald says the Department of Infrastructure must ensure the A6 road and Dungiven Bypass are opened as quickly as possible, urging faster completion after a meeting that highlighted delays, lighting and signage timelines and community frustration.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: A6 Dungiven bypass opening date comments by Department for Infrastructure official Original release: A6 must be opened as quickly as possible – Archibald (opens in a new tab)
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‘No time to waste on forming Executive to deliver for people’ – Michelle O’Neill after Tánaiste meeting
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill, Leas-Uachtarán, urges the DUP to return to the Executive table and form an Executive quickly, after meeting Tánaiste Micheál Martin in Belfast. She says the DUP's block is hurting public services, energy costs and Dáithí's Law on organ donation.
Constitutional affairs Health Issue: Michelle O'Neill and Tánaiste Micheál Martin Belfast meeting on Executive formation Original release: ‘No time to waste on forming Executive to deliver for people’ – Michelle O’Neill after Tánaiste meeting (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw marks World Cancer Day and calls for consistent five-year cancer strategies for NI
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw calls for consistent five-year cancer strategies in Northern Ireland, pointing to Denmark and England as comparators and saying NI has lagged on survival rates since 1995 ahead of World Cancer Day.
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Urgent action vital to conserve and restore wetlands, says Blair
Alliance environment spokesperson John Blair MLA, marking World Wetlands Day, says action is needed now to protect and rebuild NI's wetland ecosystems. He welcomes progress on peatland restoration but says the region trails other jurisdictions and is badly underfunded.
Environment and climate Original release: Urgent action vital to conserve and restore wetlands, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Young people deserve evidence based and inclusive Relationship and Sexuality Education says Egan
Alliance Education Spokesperson Connie Egan MLA says a meeting with Northern Ireland Office officials on Relationship and Sexuality Education was positive and urges the Secretary of State to implement CEDAW-based RSE as a priority. She cites a Belfast Youth Forum study finding 73% of young people…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Northern Ireland Office meeting on Relationship and Sexuality Education Original release: Young people deserve evidence based and inclusive Relationship and Sexuality Education says Egan (opens in a new tab)
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O’Neill welcomes recommitment from Irish government to deliver A5
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill, First Minister-Designate, welcomes a renewed commitment from the Irish Government to deliver the A5 road after raising concerns about its high casualty rate. She calls for legal challenges and the public inquiry to be concluded quickly so construction can begin…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Irish Government recommitment to A5 road delivery Original release: O’Neill welcomes recommitment from Irish government to deliver A5 (opens in a new tab)
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Lord Dodds issues warning over medicines supply to Northern Ireland
The DUP's Lord Dodds warns the Government to act on medicine supply to Northern Ireland, citing a year-end cliff edge that could see vital medicines withdrawn. He calls for medicines to be removed from the Protocol, arguing that EU rules and checks cause the problem.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Lords sub-committee evidence on Protocol impact on medicine supply Original release: Lord Dodds issues warning over medicines supply to Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Wilson – “motorists need a break not a tax hike”
DUP East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson warns that Treasury indications of a fuel duty rise would hit Northern Ireland motorists, especially rural families who rely on cars. He says the party will press the Chancellor to rule out any increase and give motorists a break.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Treasury indications of a fuel duty increase Original release: Wilson – “motorists need a break not a tax hike” (opens in a new tab)
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‘We will not give up on implementation of life-saving Dáithí’s Law’ – Reilly
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly calls for Dáithí's Law to be implemented quickly, saying it will save lives, and criticises the British Secretary of State for not committing to legislate to make it fully operational.
Health Issue: Dáithí's Law implementation delay and Secretary of State legislation Original release: ‘We will not give up on implementation of life-saving Dáithí’s Law’ – Reilly (opens in a new tab)
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Archibald to seek clarity on A6 opening date
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald says she will seek clarity from the Department for Infrastructure on the expected opening of the A6 upgrade and Dungiven bypass, after an official suggested an end-of-April date. She also calls for better communication with the local community and road users.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: A6 Dungiven bypass opening date comments by Department for Infrastructure official Original release: Archibald to seek clarity on A6 opening date (opens in a new tab)
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Time for Government to implement Union Connectivity Review- Brett
DUP infrastructure spokesman and North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett calls on the UK Government to implement the Union Connectivity Review's recommendations, including cutting domestic aviation tax and revising aviation subsidy rules, following the collapse of Flybe.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Flybe administration and Belfast job losses Original release: Time for Government to implement Union Connectivity Review- Brett (opens in a new tab)