Latest releases
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11,735 releases
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McCrossan: Executive failing to deal with housing crisis
SDLP Communities spokesperson Daniel McCrossan MLA says the Executive is failing on housing after Communities Minister Gordon Lyons confirmed 2025 house-building targets will be missed. He calls for a clear plan from the Minister to meet the 100,000-home target, citing nearly 50,000 people on…
Housing Issue: Communities Minister confirms 2025 house-building targets will be missed Original release: McCrossan: Executive failing to deal with housing crisis (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin: Political failure denying mothers and babies care they need
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin calls for urgent funding to create Northern Ireland’s first specialist Mother and Baby Unit, saying the continued reliance on general psychiatric wards separates mothers from infants and reflects a broader failure to prioritise women’s health.
Health Disability and equality Original release: McLaughlin: Political failure denying mothers and babies care they need (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood seeks clarity on BBC geoblocking
SDLP MP Colum Eastwood has written to BBC Northern Ireland's director asking for confirmation that the broadcaster will not add geoblocking to its news content, after weekend reports it was considering such a move. He argues restricting cross-border news access would harm audiences and the public…
Constitutional affairs Issue: BBC considering geoblocking of news content for Republic of Ireland audiences Original release: Eastwood seeks clarity on BBC geoblocking (opens in a new tab)
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Whyte calls for clarity on future of Belfast Zoo
SDLP North Belfast councillor Carl Whyte calls for an urgent meeting of the Belfast Zoo Steering Group to establish the zoo's current financial position after Sinn Féin raised cost concerns. He says staff deserve certainty and that a sustainable funding model is needed.
Local government Economy and employment Issue: Belfast Zoo financial position and future funding concerns Original release: Whyte calls for clarity on future of Belfast Zoo (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole slams Finance Minister’s complacency on housing failure
SDLP Leader of Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA accuses Finance Minister John O'Dowd of complacency over a social housing budget shortfall that could leave fewer than 1,000 social homes started this year. He says the minister shamelessly asked the public to be grateful despite missing the Programme…
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Social housing budget shortfall and fewer than 1,000 starts this year Original release: O’Toole slams Finance Minister’s complacency on housing failure (opens in a new tab)
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A new constitutional future in the EU ‘best for island’ – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says the best future for the island is repairing Brexit's damage through deeper EU ties and Irish unity via a referendum. He welcomes EU and UK engagement on a new relationship but wants details on the north. He calls for observer status for northern MEPs and an EU…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Assembly motion on a European future for the north Original release: A new constitutional future in the EU ‘best for island’ – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Finance Minister needs to step up and support local business
South Down DUP MLA Diane Forsythe calls on Finance Minister John O'Dowd to act on the cost of doing business, saying his planned London meeting with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury overlooks local businesses and that rates reform recommendations from the High Street Taskforce should be pursued.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: Assembly debate on the cost of doing business Original release: Finance Minister needs to step up and support local business (opens in a new tab)
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DUP launches petition urging Muir to scrap damaging NAP proposals
DUP Deputy Leader and Agriculture Spokesperson Michelle McIlveen MLA launches a petition urging DAERA Minister Andrew Muir to withdraw the Nutrients Action Programme consultation, which she says threatens farm jobs and food production. A Stormont debate on a DUP motion is set for 10 June.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: DAERA consultation on Nutrients Action Programme review and 2026-2029 programme Original release: DUP launches petition urging Muir to scrap damaging NAP proposals (opens in a new tab)
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Erskine welcomes action to make school transport safer
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine, Chair of the Assembly Infrastructure Committee, welcomes the DFI Minister's plan to legislate to ban overtaking school buses while children board or leave at bus stops. She urges swift progress through the Committee.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: DFI legislation to prohibit overtaking school buses at bus stops Original release: Erskine welcomes action to make school transport safer (opens in a new tab)
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Lavish Trips and Long-Haul Junkets: Stormont spends over £470,000 on travel outside the British Isles since the return of devolution
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says Stormont departments spent around £470,000 on overseas travel in just over a year, with over £52,000 of that by Ministers, and calls the spending appalling and extravagant. He singles out the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Finance and…
Public finance and taxation Education Issue: Stormont departments' overseas travel spending figures Original release: Lavish Trips and Long-Haul Junkets: Stormont spends over £470,000 on travel outside the British Isles since the return of devolution (opens in a new tab)
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Green Party NI Slams Delay on Safe Leave for Domestic Abuse Victims
Green Party Councillor for Holywood & Clandeboye Lauren Kendall says the delay in bringing in Safe Leave for domestic abuse victims is unacceptable, noting regulations may not be in place until late 2026. She calls on the Economy Minister to act urgently on the Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Act.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) regulations delay until late 2026 Original release: Green Party NI Slams Delay on Safe Leave for Domestic Abuse Victims (opens in a new tab)
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Ulster Unionist Councillor, Leah Kirkpatrick, becomes first-ever female Antrim and Newtownabbey Mayor
The Ulster Unionist Party announces that councillor Leah Kirkpatrick will become Antrim and Newtownabbey's first woman mayor, succeeding a run of ten men since the 2015 super council was formed. Alderman Mark Cosgrove and South Antrim MLA Steve Aiken praise her record on accessibility and…
Local government Disability and equality Original release: Ulster Unionist Councillor, Leah Kirkpatrick, becomes first-ever female Antrim and Newtownabbey Mayor (opens in a new tab)
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Gillian McCollum and Vicky Moore selected as Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down
Alliance Councillors Gillian McCollum and Vicky Moore say they have been appointed Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down for 2025/26, pledging to promote belonging, support families with learning disabilities, tackle the mental‑health crisis, end violence against women and girls, fightpover
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Appointment of Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down Original release: Gillian McCollum and Vicky Moore selected as Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down (opens in a new tab)
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Julie Gilmour selected as Deputy Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council
Alliance Three Mile Water Councillor Julie Gilmour says she has been selected as Deputy Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, to be installed at the council's AGM this evening. She pledges to champion young people's rights and representation.
Local government Original release: Julie Gilmour selected as Deputy Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council (opens in a new tab)
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Blair welcomes publication of Lucy’s Law consultation
Alliance animal welfare spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's launch of a public consultation on proposals to introduce a version of Lucy’s Law in Northern Ireland, which would ban third‑party sales of puppies and kittens and introduce registration requirements.
Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Lucy’s Law consultation launch Original release: Blair welcomes publication of Lucy’s Law consultation (opens in a new tab)
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Richard Stewart announced as Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
Alliance Causeway Councillor Richard Stewart says he will become Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, making him the first openly gay person to take that role in the Council's history. He says he hopes the appointment signals that everyone has a place in public life.
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Richard Stewart appointed Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Original release: Richard Stewart announced as Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council (opens in a new tab)
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Jessica Johnston officially installed as Deputy Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council
Alliance councillor Jessica Johnston has been installed as Deputy Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, the first Alliance representative to hold the role. She says she will promote youth political engagement, sport and exercise, and the Macmillan Move More Programme for…
Local government Health Original release: Jessica Johnston officially installed as Deputy Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council (opens in a new tab)
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UK-EU Reset Deal Is a Sell-Out
TUV North Down chairman Peter Wilson calls the UK-EU Reset Deal a betrayal of the Union, arguing that the Irish Sea border persists through new Larne port border posts and EU customs and SPS rules. He accuses the DUP of repackaging surrender as success.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: UK-EU Reset Deal announcement Original release: UK-EU Reset Deal Is a Sell-Out (opens in a new tab)
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Long pays tribute to Sir Kenneth Bloomfield following his passing
Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA pays tribute to Sir Kenneth Bloomfield, the late former senior civil servant, recalling his public service, his time as Victims' Commissioner, and his family's experience during the Troubles, and offers sympathy to his family.
Other Community relations and legacy Issue: Death of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield Original release: Long pays tribute to Sir Kenneth Bloomfield following his passing (opens in a new tab)
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Good Friday Agreement Committee must build on progress from last term – Hughes
Sinn Féin MP for Newry and Armagh Dáire Hughes says the Oireachtas Good Friday Agreement Committee must build on its last-term work on legacy, all-island healthcare and constitutional change. He calls for proactive engagement with northern voices, including unionist and British identity voices.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Joint Oireachtas Good Friday Agreement Committee first meeting of new term Original release: Good Friday Agreement Committee must build on progress from last term – Hughes (opens in a new tab)