Latest releases
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11,735 releases
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Defence Committee Armed Forces Covenant report affirms what we already know – Beattie
UUP MLA Doug Beattie says the Commons Defence Committee's report on the Armed Forces Covenant confirms delivery is inconsistent across regions. He blames the lack of a Northern Ireland strategy, citing the Veterans Support Office not being retained, and calls on the UK Government to intervene.
Other Issue: Defence Committee fourth report on the Armed Forces Covenant Original release: Defence Committee Armed Forces Covenant report affirms what we already know – Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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Butler attends Ulster Farmers Union Farm Family Day at Stormont and pledges ongoing support for generations of farmers
UUP MLA Robbie Butler, Chair of the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee, says he attended the UFU Family Farm Day at Stormont and calls for support for young farmers through training and early education. He urges the message of backing to be conveyed to Westminster over the family…
Agriculture and rural affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Ulster Farmers' Union Family Farm Day at Stormont Original release: Butler attends Ulster Farmers Union Farm Family Day at Stormont and pledges ongoing support for generations of farmers (opens in a new tab)
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You don’t sell out children’s safety for anything, least of all Trump, says Eastwood
Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood condemns Keir Starmer's comments that online safety rules are under review in US trade talks, claiming children's protections are being traded away and calling on the Government to act.
Justice and policing International affairs Issue: Starmer comments on Online Safety Act review in US trade negotiations Original release: You don’t sell out children’s safety for anything, least of all Trump, says Eastwood (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath welcomes move to reinstate cross-border healthcare scheme
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA welcomes Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's commitment to reinstate the cross-border healthcare scheme closed in 2022. He calls for any new scheme to remove upfront payment and for a fund giving access based on need, not ability to pay.
Health Issue: Health Minister commits to reinstating Cross-Border Healthcare Directive Original release: McGrath welcomes move to reinstate cross-border healthcare scheme (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin welcomes approval of Climate Commissioner for Northern Ireland
SDLP Economy Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin MLA welcomes the Assembly's approval of draft regulations establishing a Northern Ireland Climate Commissioner. She says the independent office is long overdue and calls for faster, joined-up action on climate change and net zero.
Environment and climate Issue: Assembly vote to create a Climate Commissioner role Original release: McLaughlin welcomes approval of Climate Commissioner for Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Black Mountain fire threatens wildlife and natural habitat – Reilly
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly expresses shock at a fire burning on Black Mountain in west Belfast, warning it threatens wildlife and natural habitat. She urges the public to give fire crews room and calls for anyone with information on a deliberate start to come forward.
Environment and climate Issue: Black Mountain fire in west Belfast Original release: Black Mountain fire threatens wildlife and natural habitat – Reilly (opens in a new tab)
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EU should support the transition to Irish unity – Kearney
Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney MLA, speaking at a party event in the European Parliament, urges EU institutions to get directly involved in managing the transition to Irish unity and says Europe can support a peaceful, democratic route to it. He also calls on the Irish government to…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Sinn Féin Commission on the Future of Ireland event in European Parliament Original release: EU should support the transition to Irish unity – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Flynn welcomes intention to reinstate Cross-Border Healthcare Directive
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn welcomes the Health Minister's pledge to bring back the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive urgently, and says a forthcoming options paper will go to the Health Committee. She argues the scheme previously helped patients on long waiting lists access knee and hip…
Health Issue: Health Minister commits to reinstating Cross-Border Healthcare Directive Original release: Flynn welcomes intention to reinstate Cross-Border Healthcare Directive (opens in a new tab)
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Senator Conor Murphy raises Sean Brown case in meeting with Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner in Strasbourg
Sinn Féin Senator Conor Murphy says he raised the murder of GAA official Sean Brown with the Council of Europe's Human Rights Commissioner, Michael O'Flaherty, in Strasbourg. He calls on the British Government to establish an independent public inquiry without further delay, following a Court of…
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: Sean Brown murder hearing in Belfast Original release: Senator Conor Murphy raises Sean Brown case in meeting with Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner in Strasbourg (opens in a new tab)
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Implementation plan and comprehensive strategy now needed for heart health and cardiac services – David Cullinane TD
Sinn Féin health spokesperson David Cullinane TD welcomes the new review of adult specialist cardiac services and says the next step must be an implementation plan plus a full heart‑health strategy covering prevention, community, hospital care and rehabilitation. He urges the HSE to resource 24/7 em
Health Issue: Publication of adult specialist cardiac services review Original release: Implementation plan and comprehensive strategy now needed for heart health and cardiac services – David Cullinane TD (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin to host Palestine solidarity event in Belfast this week
Sinn Féin National Chairperson and South Antrim MLA Declan Kearney encourages attendance at a Palestine solidarity rally in St. Mary's College, Belfast, on Wednesday at 7pm, featuring Palestinian Ambassador Husam Zomlot. He calls for an immediate, permanent and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza and…
International affairs Issue: Palestine solidarity rally with Ambassador Husam Zomlot in Belfast Original release: Sinn Féin to host Palestine solidarity event in Belfast this week (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent need to address PSNI fleet concerns - Clarke
DUP Policing Board lead Trevor Clarke responds to a Northern Ireland Audit Office report on PSNI fleet management, warning of ageing vehicles, rising repair bills and slow vehicle commissioning. He calls for a review of ramming incidents against officers and urges the Chief Constable to work with…
Justice and policing Issue: NIAO report on PSNI fleet management Original release: Urgent need to address PSNI fleet concerns - Clarke (opens in a new tab)
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Dolan welcomes passing of Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill Second Stage
Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan welcomes the Assembly's passing of the Second Stage of the Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill, which will now move to Committee Stage. She backs making pandemic-era electronic registration permanent and creating a Baby Loss Certificate Scheme.
Health Issue: Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill Second Stage passed Original release: Dolan welcomes passing of Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill Second Stage (opens in a new tab)
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Stormont spending £1,000 a week on photographers
TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston says government departments have spent £60,675.40 on photographers since the Executive was restored, following further Assembly questions. He criticises the First and deputy First Minister's Executive Office for failing to respond within the required time, and…
Public finance and taxation Issue: Stormont departmental spending on photographers since Executive restoration Original release: Stormont spending £1,000 a week on photographers (opens in a new tab)
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Greens welcome vote to create Climate Commissioner role
Green Party NI Leader Mal O'Hara welcomes the Assembly's vote to establish a Climate Commissioner, which he says would scrutinise the Executive's environmental record, and criticises the five Executive parties' approach to Lough Neagh and environmental protection.
Environment and climate Issue: Assembly vote to create a Climate Commissioner role Original release: Greens welcome vote to create Climate Commissioner role (opens in a new tab)
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Children's literature scheme will be a valuable resource for many children, says Bower
Alliance Councillor Christine Bower welcomes council funding approval for a scheme she proposed providing free reading materials and literacy tools in native languages to refugee children in Belfast. She says it will also offer reading support to their parents and carers.
Education Local government Issue: Belfast council funding approval for refugee children's literacy scheme Original release: Children's literature scheme will be a valuable resource for many children, says Bower (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Baby Loss Certificate Scheme should be free and open-ended
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan welcomes Assembly progress on the Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill and calls for a baby loss certificate scheme that is costless to use and open to requests for losses at any date. He says the Finance Minister has indicated cost and eligibility will depend on…
Health Issue: Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill Second Stage passed Original release: Durkan: Baby Loss Certificate Scheme should be free and open-ended (opens in a new tab)
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Doherty: Executive must get school uniform support right
SDLP West Belfast councillor Paul Doherty calls on the Executive to ensure the School Uniforms Bill, expedited by the Assembly, genuinely lowers costs for parents. He says he will work with SDLP colleagues on amendments, arguing the bill risks offering little beyond the appearance of action.
Education Issue: Assembly vote to expedite School Uniforms Bill Original release: Doherty: Executive must get school uniform support right (opens in a new tab)
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O’Neill calls on British Prime Minister to grant public inquiry into Sean Brown murder
Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill MLA has written to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer urging a public inquiry into the 1997 killing of Sean Brown, following a Court of Appeal ruling that refusing one was unlawful. She calls on the UK government to act without delay.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Sean Brown murder hearing in Belfast Original release: O’Neill calls on British Prime Minister to grant public inquiry into Sean Brown murder (opens in a new tab)
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Every child must have access to a pre-school placement – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon urges the Education Minister to ensure every child can secure a preschool place, asking the Education Authority to adopt a flexible approach to community settings and collaborate with providers and families amid a severe shortage and recent email errors.
Education Issue: Education Authority email error on preschool placements Original release: Every child must have access to a pre-school placement – Dillon (opens in a new tab)