Latest releases
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11,735 releases
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Hanna to co-sponsor Bill to support Mother and Baby Home survivors
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says she will co‑sponsor Philomena’s Law, a draft bill introduced by Labour MP Liam Conlon on 12 March, to protect Mother and Baby Home survivors in Britain from losing benefits when they accept compensation and to raise awareness of the scheme.
Social security and welfare Issue: Introduction of Philomena’s Law draft legislation Original release: Hanna to co-sponsor Bill to support Mother and Baby Home survivors (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna invites PM to Belfast Fleadh Cheoil
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP invited Prime Minister Keir Starmer to the Belfast Fleadh Cheoil during PMQs, where she also spoke in Irish for the first time to mark Irish Language Week and St Patrick’s Day, and the PM accepted the invitation.
Other Issue: Invitation to PM Keir Starmer to attend Belfast Fleadh Cheoil Original release: Hanna invites PM to Belfast Fleadh Cheoil (opens in a new tab)
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Problems facing Ireland’s migration system need government action, not EU legislation – Matt Carthy TD
Sinn Féin spokesperson Matt Carthy TD says Ireland's migration and international protection problems need a government that acts decisively, not EU legislation, after the Commission published its 'A Common System for Returns' proposals. He says the party backs EU coordination on returns and…
Immigration International affairs Issue: EU Commission 'A Common System for Returns' proposals Original release: Problems facing Ireland’s migration system need government action, not EU legislation – Matt Carthy TD (opens in a new tab)
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Lord Mandelson appointment a huge opportunity for Northern Ireland
DUP Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly MLA says a meeting with the UK Ambassador in Washington was productive and that Lord Mandelson's appointment as ambassador gives Northern Ireland a champion in the US. She says she and Communities Minister Gordon Lyons will seek to promote Northern…
International affairs Issue: Lord Mandelson appointment as UK Ambassador to the United States Original release: Lord Mandelson appointment a huge opportunity for Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Women in agriculture must be supported – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy welcomes cross-party Assembly backing for a motion on women's contribution to agriculture, saying it urges the Agriculture Minister to boost female participation and leadership in the industry. She calls for help for women inheriting farms, owning land and running…
Agriculture and rural affairs Disability and equality Issue: Assembly motion on women's role in agriculture Original release: Women in agriculture must be supported – Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Buchanan welcomes Ulster American Folk Park investment
DUP MLA for West Tyrone Tom Buchanan welcomes the Communities Minister Gordon Lyons's £750,000 investment to improve the visitor experience at the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh, saying the attraction needs to modernise.
Economy and employment Issue: Ulster American Folk Park £750,000 visitor experience investment Original release: Buchanan welcomes Ulster American Folk Park investment (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister announces £750,000 museum investment during…
Communities Minister Lyons announces more than £750,000 for the Ulster American Folk Park in County Tyrone, funding a modernised Welcome Centre and enhanced storytelling, made as part of a push to strengthen heritage and tourism ties with the United States.
Economy and employment International affairs Issue: Ulster American Folk Park £750,000 visitor experience investment Original release: Communities Minister announces £750,000 museum investment during… (opens in a new tab)
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Panel for Bhaile Ghib People’s Assembly announced – Darren O’Rourke TD
Sinn Féin TD Darren O’Rourke announced the independent chairperson and panel for the People’s Assembly at Halla Bhaile Ghib on 14 March, urging the public to attend and discuss future constitutional arrangements, language rights and an all‑island economy.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Bhaile Ghib People’s Assembly panel announcement Original release: Panel for Bhaile Ghib People’s Assembly announced – Darren O’Rourke TD (opens in a new tab)
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£6.5m paid out in childcare support a boost for working families –…
DUP South Down MLA Diane Forsythe welcomes the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme, saying £6.5m has been allocated and 15,375 children enrolled in its first six months. She credits Education Minister Paul Givan and points to the scheme's extension with a 10% higher subsidy cap.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme first six months figures Original release: £6.5m paid out in childcare support a boost for working families –… (opens in a new tab)
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Pan-UK approach to tackle drugs needed : Campbell
DUP MP Gregory Campbell urges the UK Government to work with devolved administrations on a joined-up, pan-UK drugs strategy, prioritising prevention and reviewing enforcement, after raising the issue at Justice Questions in the Commons.
Justice and policing Health Original release: Pan-UK approach to tackle drugs needed : Campbell (opens in a new tab)
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McGuigan concerned by Ambulance Handover waiting times
Sinn Féin Health Committee Chair Phillip McGuigan, North Antrim MLA, expresses concern at an Audit Office report on ambulance handovers, calling on the Health Department to act on its recommendations and review ambulance workforce and hospital and social care capacity.
Health Issue: Northern Ireland Audit Office report on ambulance handover delays Original release: McGuigan concerned by Ambulance Handover waiting times (opens in a new tab)
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End the self-sabotage of our Health Service: Dodds
DUP health spokesperson Diane Dodds, MLA for Upper Bann, calls the Audit Office report on ambulance handover delays devastating and urges an end to what she calls self-sabotage in the health system. She says she has pressed the Health Minister for months to name a senior lead with a dedicated team…
Health Issue: Northern Ireland Audit Office report on ambulance handover delays Original release: End the self-sabotage of our Health Service: Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Givan launches new strategy for education excellence in Northern…
Education Minister Paul Givan has launched TransformED, a new education strategy, which he says will reform teaching, pupil learning and school delivery across Northern Ireland. He points to a ten-point plan and new school principals' panels as early steps.
Education Issue: TransformED education strategy launch for Northern Ireland Original release: Givan launches new strategy for education excellence in Northern… (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw welcomes evident police shift on removing sectarian and hate displays
Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw welcomes reported plans by PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher to act more firmly against public displays linked to proscribed groups, and says she has written to the Secretary of State backing a Terrorism Act amendment allowing seizure of such items.
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: PSNI plans to act against proscribed group displays in public Original release: Bradshaw welcomes evident police shift on removing sectarian and hate displays (opens in a new tab)
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Patients will continue to suffer without action to fix crisis in ambulance service, says Donnelly
Alliance Health spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA says the Department of Health must take definitive action on the ambulance service crisis, citing an NIAO review that found handover delays cost NIAS £50 million and could have harmed over 3,800 patients. He criticises repeated DoH strategies that…
Health Issue: Northern Ireland Audit Office report on ambulance handover delays Original release: Patients will continue to suffer without action to fix crisis in ambulance service, says Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Opposition rejects above-inflation regional rates increase
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says his party could not support the Executive's above-inflation regional rates increase, calling for clear explanation of how the money will improve public services. He criticises the lack of Assembly debate.
Public finance and taxation Local government Issue: Above-inflation regional rates increase approved by Executive parties Original release: SDLP Opposition rejects above-inflation regional rates increase (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Audit Office report underlines ambulances crisis
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says an Audit Office report showing a dramatic rise in ambulance handover times – over 11,000 took more than three hours in 2023/24 – highlights a crisis and calls for fundamental change, welcoming the Health Minister’s willingness to discuss the
Health Issue: Northern Ireland Audit Office report on ambulance handover delays Original release: McGrath: Audit Office report underlines ambulances crisis (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna pushes for increase in maternity pay
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says she has tabled an amendment to the Employment Rights Bill proposing that statutory maternity pay be raised to the real living wage. The party also calls on the UK government to support small firms adapting to the reforms and urges the Executive to match the…
Economy and employment Disability and equality Issue: Employment Rights Bill returns to the Commons Original release: Hanna pushes for increase in maternity pay (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: Disability cuts ‘immoral and unethical’
SDLP MP Colum Eastwood says proposed British Government plans to freeze personal independence payments and tighten criteria are immoral and unethical, will leave vulnerable families worse off, and pledges to oppose any legislation cutting disability support.
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: UK government proposal to freeze PIP payments Original release: Eastwood: Disability cuts ‘immoral and unethical’ (opens in a new tab)
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New homes for north Belfast a positive announcement – Ní Chuilín
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín welcomes Belfast City Council's plan to turn car parks and disused land near Little Donegall Street, Library Street and Kent Street into mixed housing, shops and meeting spaces, and says it will help cut housing waiting lists.
Housing Local government Issue: Belfast City Council Little Donegall Street housing regeneration announcement Original release: New homes for north Belfast a positive announcement – Ní Chuilín (opens in a new tab)