Latest releases
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11,735 releases
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Parties who let Lough Neagh die are now selling off our land for dirty profit
Green Party leader Mal O'Hara accuses the parties behind Lough Neagh's decline of selling off public land for profit, citing seven new mineral licences granted in the West under a 1969 law despite over 2,000 objections. He also criticises Alliance and Environment Minister Andrew Muir for failing…
Environment and climate Issue: Seven new mineral licences granted in the West Original release: Parties who let Lough Neagh die are now selling off our land for dirty profit (opens in a new tab)
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Rejection of balanced amendment undermines opportunity to protect rights – Beattie MC MLA
UUP MLA Doug Beattie criticises Alliance, Sinn Féin and the SDLP for voting down his party's amendment to an Assembly motion on discrimination against the LGBTQI+ community, which also sought to protect women's rights. He calls the rejection disappointing and says the amendment struck a fair…
Disability and equality Issue: Assembly motion amendment on LGBTQI+ discrimination and women's rights rejected Original release: Rejection of balanced amendment undermines opportunity to protect rights – Beattie MC MLA (opens in a new tab)
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Unique Chance to Make Northern Ireland Work – Ulster Unionist Leader, Mike Nesbitt MLA
UUP leader Mike Nesbitt MLA says every major party now wants to make Northern Ireland work, citing a speech at St Mary's University College on a "Prosperity Agenda" and arguing that power-sharing is the only way forward.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Unique Chance to Make Northern Ireland Work – Ulster Unionist Leader, Mike Nesbitt MLA (opens in a new tab)
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Butler Warns of Strain on Farmers Amid NAP Consultation
UUP agriculture spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA warns that proposed 2026–2029 Nutrients Action Programme changes must not strain farmers' livelihoods, calls for scrutiny of the consultation, and urges stakeholders to respond before the deadline.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: DAERA consultation on Nutrients Action Programme review and 2026-2029 programme Original release: Butler Warns of Strain on Farmers Amid NAP Consultation (opens in a new tab)
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Every young person deserves same opportunity to thrive, says Donnelly, welcoming passing of Caleb's Causing motion
Alliance Larne Lough Councillor Maeve Donnelly welcomes the council's passing of her motion backing Caleb's Cause and Alma White, which calls for better post-19 SEN provision. It urges the Economy, Health and Education Ministers to consider legislation for post-19 Education Health and Care plans.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Larne Borough Council motion on post-19 SEN provision and Caleb's Cause Original release: Every young person deserves same opportunity to thrive, says Donnelly, welcoming passing of Caleb's Causing motion (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin: Childcare survey underlines need to support parents
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin says a new NI Childcare Survey, showing 48% of households find childcare unaffordable and 69% have reduced working hours, underlines the strain on families. She urges the Education Minister to engage with the SDLP's Childcare Guarantee proposals.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Publication of Northern Ireland Childcare Survey 2024 Official Statistics Original release: McLaughlin: Childcare survey underlines need to support parents (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin challenges Sinn Féin refusal to rule out increasing university tuition fees
SDLP Economy Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin MLA challenges Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald to rule out raising university tuition fees, saying Sinn Féin has repeatedly committed not to increase them. She says the Minister refused to do so in the Assembly after universities called for higher fees.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Northern Ireland universities joint call for tuition fee increase Original release: McLaughlin challenges Sinn Féin refusal to rule out increasing university tuition fees (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone welcomes Education Minister meeting with Gael Linn
SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone welcomes a meeting between Education Minister Paul Givan and Gael Linn on funding for the Scoil Spreagtha Irish-language scheme, which is set to end in June 2025. He says no firm commitments were given, but the Minister will look again at funding options.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Scoil Spreagtha funding meeting between Education Minister and Gael Linn Original release: McGlone welcomes Education Minister meeting with Gael Linn (opens in a new tab)
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Total Executive photography bill comes to £81,895.25 in one year – with 1/4 spent by Executive Office alone
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says the Executive Office spent £21,219.85 on photographers between February 2024 and February 2025, a quarter of the £81,895.25 total, and calls the spending shameful and a waste of public money.
Public finance and taxation Issue: Executive Office spending on photographers in first twelve months Original release: Total Executive photography bill comes to £81,895.25 in one year – with 1/4 spent by Executive Office alone (opens in a new tab)
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We must redouble our efforts to stamp out homophobia, biphobia and transphobia – Sheerin
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin marks International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, urging political representatives to redouble efforts against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia and warning against toxic discourse becoming mainstream.
Disability and equality Original release: We must redouble our efforts to stamp out homophobia, biphobia and transphobia – Sheerin (opens in a new tab)
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Drop the Puberty Blocker Ban
People Before Profit's Gerry Carroll criticises the Alliance Party's tabled Assembly motion for International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, and calls on the Executive to reverse its indefinite ban on puberty blockers for under-18s and publish the clinical evidence behind it.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Assembly motion on International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia Original release: Drop the Puberty Blocker Ban (opens in a new tab)
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Cancer Waiting Times in Northern Ireland ‘a Scandal’ – Dodds
DUP MLA Diane Dodds urges Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to act on cancer waiting times, citing only 37.9% of patients starting treatment within 62 days of GP referral against a 95% target. She also points to nearly 25,000 children awaiting a paediatrician and calls for accountability over the…
Health Issue: Northern Ireland cancer waiting times statistics and Assembly debate Original release: Cancer Waiting Times in Northern Ireland ‘a Scandal’ – Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Starmer’s Crackdown on Immigration Fuels the Far Right
People Before Profit says Keir Starmer's new immigration crackdown targets migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, arguing Labour is lurching right in response to Reform's local election gains and should instead make the case for migrant workers.
Immigration Original release: Starmer’s Crackdown on Immigration Fuels the Far Right (opens in a new tab)
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Green Deputy leader expresses disappointment in Executive Programme for Government
Green Party Deputy Leader expresses disappointment in the Executive's Programme for Government, according to the release. The release gives no further detail on the specific criticisms or commitments involved.
Other Issue: Executive Programme for Government publication Original release: Green Deputy leader expresses disappointment in Executive Programme for Government (opens in a new tab)
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No Pride in Betrayal
Green Party NI says the Stormont Executive parties have failed LGBTQ+ people, citing no promised strategy since 2007, no equality ministerial funding since 2005, and an unfinished 2020 hate crime review. It urges Pride not to give them an unearned pass.
Disability and equality Original release: No Pride in Betrayal (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole challenges DFM on ‘one long Old Firm game’ in place of Executive action
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA accuses deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly of overseeing Executive inaction and cultural rows that distract from public services, poverty and the environment. He says her department has made no substantive announcement in over two months…
Community relations and legacy Original release: O’Toole challenges DFM on ‘one long Old Firm game’ in place of Executive action (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister must bring forward LGBTQI+ Strategy, says Armstrong
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong calls on Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to deliver an LGBTQI+ strategy without delay, noting it was first promised over a decade ago. She also criticises the minister for not yet meeting LGBTQI+ sector representatives, ahead of a motion in the Assembly on Monday.
Disability and equality Issue: Communities Minister LGBTQI+ strategy delay and Assembly motion Original release: Communities Minister must bring forward LGBTQI+ Strategy, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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TUV slam Republican hate following VE Day event
TUV Mid Ulster Chairman Glenn Moore condemns the destruction of flags and bunting after a VE Day banner parade in Castledawson, calling it a disgraceful act of disrespect. He says unionists are treated as second-class citizens in Mid Ulster and contrasts this with the Mid Ulster Council Chairman's…
Community relations and legacy Issue: Castledawson VE Day banner parade flags and bunting destroyed Original release: TUV slam Republican hate following VE Day event (opens in a new tab)
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Renters continue to have their security eroded, says Armstrong
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA says private renters' security is being eroded by rent rises, no-fault evictions and short-term lets, and calls on the Communities Minister to act on Alliance's 'A New Deal for Renters' proposals following a Belfast anti-eviction rally.
Housing Issue: Belfast anti-eviction march announced for 10 May Original release: Renters continue to have their security eroded, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance Councillors call for independent investigation into expenditure on Gondola project
Alliance Newry, Mourne and Down Councillors Jill Truesdale and Tierna Howie call for a Northern Ireland Audit Office investigation into spending on the Gondola project in the Mournes, after the National Trust declined to consider a bid for Thomas's Quarry land.
Public finance and taxation Local government Issue: National Trust halts Newry, Mourne and Down Council Gondola talks over Thomas's Quarry Original release: Alliance Councillors call for independent investigation into expenditure on Gondola project (opens in a new tab)