Latest releases
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1,874 releases
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Mathison expresses disappointment to PAC appeal on Tullynagardy Wood Development
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison says he is disappointed that the developer of five proposed houses in Tullynagardy Wood, Newtownards, has appealed to the Planning Appeals Commission after the council's committee unanimously moved to reject the plan. He calls on the council to defend its position firmly…
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Tullynagardy Wood five-house development appeal to PAC Original release: Mathison expresses disappointment to PAC appeal on Tullynagardy Wood Development (opens in a new tab)
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Homelessness deaths devastating – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew says the 58 homeless deaths reported by NISRA are devastating and urges priority action on homelessness, calling for more homes, better funded prevention services and legislation to extend Housing Executive support to at least 60 days.
Housing Issue: NISRA report of 58 homeless deaths Original release: Homelessness deaths devastating – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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The Irish language is thriving right across society – Reilly
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly says the 227% rise in Irish language enrolments at Queen’s University Belfast shows the language is thriving across society and pledges Sinn Féin will keep supporting its promotion and preservation.
Disability and equality Education Issue: Queen’s University Belfast Irish language enrolment surge Original release: The Irish language is thriving right across society – Reilly (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister cut to social housing funding cruel and inhumane, says Armstrong
Alliance's Kellie Armstrong MLA calls the Communities Minister's cut to social housing grant reckless and inhumane amid a supply crisis, citing Simon Community homelessness figures and an NI Audit Office finding, and urges him to reconsider priorities.
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Communities Minister's social housing funding changes and housing associations review Original release: Communities Minister cut to social housing funding cruel and inhumane, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Lyons launches consultation on ten-year Executive Disability Strategy
DUP's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons launches a public consultation on the draft ten-year Executive Disability Strategy for 2025 to 2035, with commitments including a Regional Disability Forum, a review of disability legislation and an annual Disability Data compendium. The consultation runs…
Disability and equality Issue: Executive Disability Strategy 2025-2035 public consultation launch Original release: Lyons launches consultation on ten-year Executive Disability Strategy (opens in a new tab)
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New strategy must mark step toward delivering real equality for those with disabilities – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew welcomes the Department for Communities' draft Disability Strategy, published as it goes out for public consultation, calling it a step toward real equality for disabled people. He urges the Communities Minister to bring forward legislative change and encourages people…
Disability and equality Issue: Executive Disability Strategy 2025-2035 public consultation launch Original release: New strategy must mark step toward delivering real equality for those with disabilities – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Ní Chuilín expresses alarm at projected reduction in social homes
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín says an independent review of changes to social housing grant levels projects Belfast social home completions falling from 1,026 to 337. She calls on the Communities Minister to urgently re-engage with housing associations and protect building in areas of greatest…
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Communities Minister's social housing funding changes and housing associations review Original release: Ní Chuilín expresses alarm at projected reduction in social homes (opens in a new tab)
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Changes to social housing funding must not impact building of homes – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew warns that changes to social housing funding could cut the number of social homes built, citing an independent review commissioned by the Federation of Housing Associations. He calls on the Communities Minister to urgently re-engage with housing associations and…
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Communities Minister's social housing funding changes and housing associations review Original release: Changes to social housing funding must not impact building of homes – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Environment Agency delays holding mid Ulster back – Mallaghan
Sinn Féin MP Cathal Mallaghan says delays by the Environment Agency in responding to planning consultations are holding back economic development in mid Ulster. He says the Agriculture and Environment Minister declined his request for an urgent meeting, and calls for updates and transparency for…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Environment Agency planning consultation backlog in mid Ulster Original release: Environment Agency delays holding mid Ulster back – Mallaghan (opens in a new tab)
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Wilson welcomes news that Marine Court Hotel will no longer accommodate asylum seekers
TUV North Down chairman Peter Wilson welcomes confirmation that asylum seekers will stop being accommodated at the Marine Court Hotel in Bangor in February 2026, arguing no formal change of use was approved. He calls for a firmer immigration system returning arrivals to the first safe country, and…
Immigration Housing Issue: Marine Court Hotel asylum accommodation closure in February 2026 Original release: Wilson welcomes news that Marine Court Hotel will no longer accommodate asylum seekers (opens in a new tab)
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Butler Challenges DAERA Minister To Break Planning Deadlock Harming NI’s Agri-Food Sector
UUP deputy leader Robbie Butler MLA calls on the DAERA Minister to break a planning deadlock stalling farm improvements, urging adoption of a mitigation-and-betterment model like Natural England's. He also criticises the Department's reliance on the Office for Environmental Protection and a…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Original release: Butler Challenges DAERA Minister To Break Planning Deadlock Harming NI’s Agri-Food Sector (opens in a new tab)
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Dillon welcomes progress on Legislation protecting right to breastfeed in public
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon welcomes the response to her consultation on a Bill that would give legal protection to breastfeeding in public and require businesses and service providers to make premises breastfeeding-friendly. She urges councils, businesses and public facilities to display…
Disability and equality Issue: Linda Dillon breastfeeding in public Bill consultation closure Original release: Dillon welcomes progress on Legislation protecting right to breastfeed in public (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister announces £150,000 seasonal funding for homeless…
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announces a £150,000 goodwill grant, distributed via Homeless Connect, to fund festive meals, social events and presents for those supported by homelessness services over Christmas.
Housing Social security and welfare Issue: £150,000 Christmas goodwill grant for homelessness services Original release: Communities Minister announces £150,000 seasonal funding for homeless… (opens in a new tab)
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McGuigan marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities, calling for better public services, expanded supports, a narrower employment gap and accessible transport and public spaces.
Disability and equality Original release: McGuigan marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance proposal to explore nature-friendly burials passes in Belfast City Council
Alliance says a motion it brought forward, proposing that Belfast City Council explore nature-friendly burials, has passed the People and Communities committee. Cllr Hedley Abernethy says the motion would consider the feasibility of natural burials as an alternative to traditional burial and…
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Belfast City Council People and Communities committee passes nature-friendly burials motion Original release: Alliance proposal to explore nature-friendly burials passes in Belfast City Council (opens in a new tab)
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We must do all we can to protect and grow our ‘world-class’ agri-food industry – McAleer
Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer urges continued support for Northern Ireland's agri-food sector, opposing cattle culls and warning that cutting local production could raise emissions through imports, ahead of an Assembly food security debate.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: Assembly motion on food security Original release: We must do all we can to protect and grow our ‘world-class’ agri-food industry – McAleer (opens in a new tab)
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We must work to ensure everyone in NI has a safe and suitable home, says Armstrong, on Homelessness Awareness Week
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA says homelessness is too often reduced to statistics, labels or stereotypes, and calls for work to ensure everyone in Northern Ireland has a safe and suitable home, marking Homelessness Awareness Week.
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Green Party Cllr Kendall Again Condemns Executive Over Continued Delay of Safe Leave
Green Party Councillor Lauren Kendall accuses the Economy Minister and the Executive of stalling Safe Leave, which would give paid leave to domestic abuse victims, and says the delay is letting victims down. She links the criticism to new Women's Aid figures on refuge use and referrals in 2024/25.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Safe Leave legislation delay and inaction Original release: Green Party Cllr Kendall Again Condemns Executive Over Continued Delay of Safe Leave (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 29 November 2025 (opens in a new tab)
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Mason welcomes support to allow girls the right to wear trousers in school
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason welcomes cross-party support on the Education Committee for a proposal giving girls a clear right to wear trousers in school. She says the DUP Education Minister missed a chance to modernise school uniform policy and pledges to work with others to deliver it.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Committee proposal on girls' right to wear trousers in school Original release: Mason welcomes support to allow girls the right to wear trousers in school (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin representatives welcome Health Minister to Dungannon respite facility
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew and Councillor Nuala McLernon welcome the Health Minister's visit to Woodlawn House in Dungannon, which provides adult respite for people with learning disabilities, and call for urgent action on repeated last-minute respite cancellations.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Health Minister visit to Woodlawn House Dungannon respite facility Original release: Sinn Féin representatives welcome Health Minister to Dungannon respite facility (opens in a new tab)