Latest releases
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5,209 releases
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Fare increase will hit struggling workers and families – Boylan
Newry and Armagh MLA Cathal Boylan, Sinn Féin's infrastructure spokesperson, criticises the rise in bus and train fares during the cost-of-living crisis, saying it will hit hard-pressed households and contrasts with the earlier fare freeze under John O'Dowd.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Bus and train fare increase during cost-of-living crisis Original release: Fare increase will hit struggling workers and families – Boylan (opens in a new tab)
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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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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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British government needs to fully replace lost EU funds – Archibald
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald calls on the British government to fully replace lost EU funds, warning community groups face job losses and cuts to services for vulnerable people amid delays to the Shared Prosperity Fund.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Community groups warn of job losses over lost EU funding Original release: British government needs to fully replace lost EU funds – Archibald (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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Nesbitt calls for Stormont departments to renew their match funding for employability schemes
UUP Economy spokesperson Mike Nesbitt MLA backs calls for Stormont departments to immediately renew match funding for employability schemes previously linked to the European Social Fund. He says departments have ignored requests, including one for a senior Civil Service meeting, and warns…
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Original release: Nesbitt calls for Stormont departments to renew their match funding for employability schemes (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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Energy companies must be charged more over their extortionate profits – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy calls for a higher windfall tax on energy giants including BP, whose profits he says doubled to £23 billion in the last year, and urges the British government to tax these firms more and invest in public services.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: BP profits doubling to £23 billion windfall tax call Original release: Energy companies must be charged more over their extortionate profits – Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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DUP Group propose alterative rate in Mid Ulster District Council
DUP group leader Cllr Paul McLean says the party proposed a lower alternative district rate rise of 4.9% for Mid Ulster Council, protecting front-line services. He claims the Sinn Féin and SDLP proposal of a 7.3% rise would close rural recycling centres, introduce Cookstown parking charges and…
Local government Public finance and taxation Issue: Mid Ulster District Council rates meeting and alternative rate proposals Original release: DUP Group propose alterative rate in Mid Ulster District Council (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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It’s time to take notice of the unsustainable way NI is financed
DUP MP Gavin Robinson warns that public service spending for Northern Ireland will fall by about £2,000 per household in real terms over three years, calling for debate on how Northern Ireland is financed. He cites the PSNI shortfall, the Barnett formula and the Fiscal Council.
Public finance and taxation Justice and policing Issue: Northern Ireland public spending cuts and PSNI funding shortfall Original release: It’s time to take notice of the unsustainable way NI is financed (opens in a new tab)
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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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British government needs to fulfil its commitment to replace lost EU funding in full – Archibald
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald calls on the British government to fully replace lost EU funding, warning that delays to the Shared Prosperity Fund leave ESF-backed local projects facing closure by March. She urges local departments to extend existing funding pro-rata for a year and asks for an…
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Delays to Shared Prosperity Fund leaving ESF-funded projects at risk Original release: British government needs to fulfil its commitment to replace lost EU funding in full – Archibald (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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Irish translation service costing over £100,000 while Assembly doesn’t sit
TUV leader Jim Allister says the Irish-English interpretation service introduced after a June 2021 Assembly vote has cost the public purse £117,075.41, including agency staff costs, while the Assembly is not sitting. He calls the spending scandalous.
Public finance and taxation Constitutional affairs Issue: Irish/English interpretation service cost figures from Assembly Commission Original release: Irish translation service costing over £100,000 while Assembly doesn’t sit (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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British government needs to support homeowners struggling with rising mortgage repayments – Archibald
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald calls on the British government to provide targeted support for homeowners whose mortgage interest rates have risen, after the Bank of England's latest rate increase. She also urges financial institutions to be flexible with borrowers and says she has written to the…
Economy and employment Housing Issue: Bank of England interest rate rise and mortgage repayment support Original release: British government needs to support homeowners struggling with rising mortgage repayments – Archibald (opens in a new tab)