Latest releases
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11,735 releases
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Gildernew calls out DUP Communities Minister for refusal to meet Conradh na Gaeilge
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew, Chair of the Communities Committee, criticises Communities Minister Gordon Lyons for refusing to meet Conradh na Gaeilge during Seachtain na Gaeilge. He calls on the Minister to meet Irish language organisations and help co-design and deliver language strategies.
Disability and equality Issue: Communities Minister refusal to meet Conradh na Gaeilge Original release: Gildernew calls out DUP Communities Minister for refusal to meet Conradh na Gaeilge (opens in a new tab)
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Lyons secures special status for Northern Ireland in US 250th…
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announces Northern Ireland will have special status at America250's 250th anniversary celebrations of the Declaration of Independence, secured via a Memorandum of Understanding developed in coming months, following talks in Washington DC.
International affairs Issue: Northern Ireland special status at America250 Declaration of Independence anniversary Original release: Lyons secures special status for Northern Ireland in US 250th… (opens in a new tab)
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President Trump calling time on Irish Republic underscores the urgent need for the UK to stand up for NI and reject the Protocol
TUV leader Jim Allister, MP for North Antrim, argues that Donald Trump's move against Irish Republic tax arrangements shows the UK must challenge the Republic's special status, and calls on the UK Government to press Dublin to back an end to the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Trump action on Republic of Ireland corporate tax dispensation Original release: President Trump calling time on Irish Republic underscores the urgent need for the UK to stand up for NI and reject the Protocol (opens in a new tab)
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Respite provision failing families in need – Dodds
DUP MLA Diane Dodds says health trusts across Northern Ireland lack a clear pathway for respite care, with over 800 unallocated cases and 500 in the South Eastern Trust. She calls for urgent action to cut waiting lists and deliver the respite beds promised by the £13 million investment.
Health Disability and equality Issue: BBC Spotlight ‘I am not OK’ documentary on respite care Original release: Respite provision failing families in need – Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Don’t Let the Government Pull the Wool over your Eyes with talk of the ‘UK Internal Market System’ – It is really ‘the Windsor Framework GB – EU/NI International Trade Border System.’
TUV's Dan Boucher says the term 'UK Internal Market System' misrepresents the Windsor Framework, arguing the Green Lane still involves customs and SPS border checks. His party's written evidence to a Westminster committee inquiry on the framework says the label is misleading and calls for honesty…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Windsor Framework inquiry evidence on UK Internal Market System terminology Original release: Don’t Let the Government Pull the Wool over your Eyes with talk of the ‘UK Internal Market System’ – It is really ‘the Windsor Framework GB – EU/NI International Trade Border System.’ (opens in a new tab)
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Speaking up for Northern Ireland in Washington
The DUP says Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons and Upper Bann MLA Jonathan Buckley travelled to Washington to press Northern Ireland's case with politicians on Capitol Hill and at the White House.
International affairs Original release: Speaking up for Northern Ireland in Washington (opens in a new tab)
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Lockhart slams Government’s war on UK farmers
Upper Bann DUP MP Carla Lockhart condemns the Government’s ongoing assault on UK farmers, citing excessive regulation and proposed inheritance tax changes that threaten family farms, and calls for the policies to be scrapped to protect food security.
Agriculture and rural affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Proposed inheritance tax changes for UK farms Original release: Lockhart slams Government’s war on UK farmers (opens in a new tab)
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Long welcomes planned delivery of green bus stop roofs scheme
Alliance Lisnasharragh Councillor Michael Long welcomes plans to fit green roofs on bus stop shelters in East Belfast, following installations on the Shankill Road, with further stops on the Castlereagh, Cregagh and Holywood roads due next year.
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: Translink green bus stop roofs scheme East Belfast Original release: Long welcomes planned delivery of green bus stop roofs scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Slashing UK international aid funding morally wrong and strategically short-sighted, says Nicholl
Alliance MLA Kate Nicholl, chair of the Assembly's All-Party Group on International Development, criticises the planned cut in UK aid from 0.5% to 0.3% of national income. She warns of fewer children receiving nutrition, reduced healthcare and education programmes, and calls for restoring the 0.7%…
International affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: UK aid budget cut to 0.3% of national income Original release: Slashing UK international aid funding morally wrong and strategically short-sighted, says Nicholl (opens in a new tab)
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Murphy appeals decision not to grant ‘Banking Hub’ and ATM to Lisnaskea
SDLP... no, Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy says she has formally appealed LINK's refusal to provide a Banking Hub and 24-hour ATM in Lisnaskea, arguing it would serve residents and traders. She criticises the lack of response to her earlier meeting request and the absence of consultation on rural needs.
Economy and employment Issue: Lisnaskea Banking Hub and ATM application refused by LINK Original release: Murphy appeals decision not to grant ‘Banking Hub’ and ATM to Lisnaskea (opens in a new tab)
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Harvey welcomes Ballynahinch bypass progress
DUP Strangford MLA Harry Harvey welcomes DfI's approval for the Ballynahinch Bypass to move to finalising its business case and procurement, with procurement expected in about two years. He says the timetable must be maintained and that Ballynahinch cannot afford further delays.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Ballynahinch Bypass business case and procurement approval by DfI Original release: Harvey welcomes Ballynahinch bypass progress (opens in a new tab)
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EU retaliation to tariffs drives home how Northern Ireland has been cut off from the rest of our own country
North Antrim TUV MP Jim Allister says EU retaliatory tariffs against US steel and aluminium duties would leave Northern Ireland businesses on EU tariff rules, adding inflation pressure. He calls on the UK Government to scrap the Irish Sea border and seek a US trade deal.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: EU retaliatory tariffs response to US steel and aluminium tariffs Original release: EU retaliation to tariffs drives home how Northern Ireland has been cut off from the rest of our own country (opens in a new tab)
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Discrimination case should serve as a wakeup call for PSNI – Kelly
Sinn Féin Policing spokesperson Gerry Kelly says a discrimination case brought by four Catholic PSNI officers should serve as a wake-up call and catalyst for change. He points to falling Catholic applicant percentages, retention problems and the end of 50-50 recruitment.
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: PSNI discrimination case brought by Catholic officers Original release: Discrimination case should serve as a wakeup call for PSNI – Kelly (opens in a new tab)
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Hazzard welcomes progress on A24 Ballynahinch Bypass Scheme
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard welcomes the Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins's announcement that the A24 Ballynahinch Bypass Scheme will move to the business case and procurement stage, with procurement expected in 2027/28. He says the bypass will ease town traffic, improve safety and cut journey…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Ballynahinch Bypass business case and procurement approval by DfI Original release: Hazzard welcomes progress on A24 Ballynahinch Bypass Scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Government must act on car insurance costs
DUP Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart asks the Transport Secretary for an urgent meeting to discuss government action on the 42% rise in car insurance premiums, urging regulation of claims managers, transparent pricing and reforms to help young drivers afford motoring.
Economy and employment Issue: 42% rise in car insurance premiums Original release: Government must act on car insurance costs (opens in a new tab)
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Payment date for £100 fuel support payment announced by Minister Lyons
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announces that the £100 Pension Age Fuel Support Payment, funded by £17million of Executive money, will start arriving automatically in pensioners' accounts from Friday 21 March. He says it will partly offset changes to Winter Fuel Payment eligibility.
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: Pension Age Fuel Support Payment date announced after Winter Fuel Payment changes Original release: Payment date for £100 fuel support payment announced by Minister Lyons (opens in a new tab)
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'Warm words' from Irish Government Simply Not Enough - Beattie
UUP Justice spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA says Irish Government assurances of full cooperation with the Omagh inquiry are not enough, and that he has written to the Irish Justice Minister over the failure to hold a parallel inquiry into the 1998 Omagh bombing.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Assembly motion on Omagh bombing inquiry and Irish Government cooperation Original release: 'Warm words' from Irish Government Simply Not Enough - Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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Childcare subsidy scheme cap increase the bare minimum, says Guy
Alliance education spokesperson Michelle Guy MLA says a rise in the childcare subsidy cap is the bare minimum, calling for the scheme to be extended to school-aged children and the long-awaited Early Learning and Childcare Strategy to be published. She also criticises the return of nearly £2…
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme continuation into 2025/26 Original release: Childcare subsidy scheme cap increase the bare minimum, says Guy (opens in a new tab)
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Organisations impacted by Connswater closure must get all support possible, says McAteer, bringing forward proposal
Alliance Titanic Councillor Fiona McAteer says charities and independent businesses affected by the Connswater Shopping Centre closure should receive all available help. She has put forward a council proposal to examine their eligibility for the 'Vacant to Vibrant' scheme and further economic…
Economy and employment Local government Issue: Connswater Shopping Centre closure impact on local organisations Original release: Organisations impacted by Connswater closure must get all support possible, says McAteer, bringing forward proposal (opens in a new tab)
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Ballynahinch Bypass could have been delivered sooner, says Alliance representatives
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison welcomes the Infrastructure Minister's decision to progress and prioritise the Ballynahinch Bypass, but says it has been side-lined for too long due to stop-start government and calls for institutional reform. Colleague Kellie Armstrong pledges to hold the Minister to…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Ballynahinch Bypass business case and procurement approval by DfI Original release: Ballynahinch Bypass could have been delivered sooner, says Alliance representatives (opens in a new tab)