Latest releases
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1,464 releases
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Churlish efforts to discourage use of Irish will not succeed – Ní Chonghaile
Sinn Féin councillor Maighréad Ní Chonghaile welcomes the dismissal of a complaint against her for speaking Irish at an Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council meeting. She calls on the council to adopt a proactive policy protecting Irish speakers' rights.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Complaint against Maighréad Ní Chonghaile for speaking Irish at Antrim and Newtownabbey council dismissed Original release: Churlish efforts to discourage use of Irish will not succeed – Ní Chonghaile (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Anthony Flynn defends Belfast City Hall's LGBTQ window as a vital cultural and historical landmark
Green Party Cllr Anthony Flynn defends the LGBTQ+ window at Belfast City Hall as an iconic landmark, citing its imagery and references to rights campaigns. He accuses the TUV of hypocrisy over a slogan in the design and says the TUV backed the window unanimously.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Belfast City Hall Pride window equality complaint and investigation Original release: Cllr Anthony Flynn defends Belfast City Hall's LGBTQ window as a vital cultural and historical landmark (opens in a new tab)
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TUV Action Prompts Investigation into Offensive City Hall Pride Window
TUV secretary and equality spokesperson Ann McClure says a formal complaint over Belfast City Council's City Hall "Pride" window has prompted an internal equality investigation, and calls for the offensive portion to be covered or removed, retrospective equality screening, consultation with faith…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Belfast City Hall Pride window equality complaint and investigation Original release: TUV Action Prompts Investigation into Offensive City Hall Pride Window (opens in a new tab)
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McAlpine condemns sinister graffiti in Millisle
Alliance Ards Peninsula representative Alderman Lorna McAlpine condemns racist graffiti daubed overnight on a residential property in Millisle, saying it does not reflect local people. She says the incident has been reported to police and urges anyone with information to contact them.
Disability and equality Issue: Millisle racist graffiti on residential property Original release: McAlpine condemns sinister graffiti in Millisle (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister must bring forward Irish language strategy – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew criticises the Communities Minister for not committing to a timeline for an Irish language strategy, following questioning in committee and a judicial review lodged by Conradh na Gaeilge.
Disability and equality Issue: Communities Minister Irish language strategy timeline delay Original release: Communities Minister must bring forward Irish language strategy – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Westminster will never serve the interests of workers and families in Ireland – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew says Westminster will never serve workers and families on the island, criticising the chaos over proposed welfare cuts. He calls for continued opposition to cuts and proper investment in welfare and public services, and argues a united Ireland is the best option.
Social security and welfare Constitutional affairs Issue: Westminster welfare cuts proposals and parliamentary chaos Original release: Westminster will never serve the interests of workers and families in Ireland – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Targeted intimidation will not silence Ballymena Pride
SDLP Councillor Séamas de Faoite condemns what he calls a targeted intimidation act after slurry was laid along the route of Ballymena's first Pride parade. He praises organisers and volunteers for continuing the event and welcomes two arrests linked to the incident.
Disability and equality Issue: Slurry spread ahead of Ballymena Pride parade Original release: Targeted intimidation will not silence Ballymena Pride (opens in a new tab)
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Cara Hunter MLA: No child should lose their mother to violence
SDLP MLA Cara Hunter calls for urgent support for the children of a woman killed in Donaghadee and for a coordinated government response to violence against women and girls. She says the strategy's funding is at risk and calls for the Executive to work with the UK Government on online…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Donaghadee woman killing and violence against women strategy Original release: Cara Hunter MLA: No child should lose their mother to violence (opens in a new tab)
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Paralympic hero meets SDLP Opposition to drive disabled sport change
SDLP Councillor Declan Norris calls for urgent action to improve disabled people's access to sport in schools, communities and elite competition, citing an 18% fall in participation over five years according to Disability Sport NI figures. The SDLP urges the Executive to work with schools…
Disability and equality Issue: Disability Sport NI report on falling disabled participation in sport Original release: Paralympic hero meets SDLP Opposition to drive disabled sport change (opens in a new tab)
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Allister tables motion in the Commons expressing concern at Equality Commission becoming a cheerleader for trans activism
TUV North Antrich MP Jim Allister says he has tabled an Early Day Motion in the Commons expressing dismay at the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland exploring ways to get around the Supreme Court ruling on the legal meaning of "woman" and "man".
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Issue: Equality Commission response to Supreme Court sex-based protections judgment Original release: Allister tables motion in the Commons expressing concern at Equality Commission becoming a cheerleader for trans activism (opens in a new tab)
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Councillor Lauren Kendall comments on the murder of Sarah Montgomery
Green Party Councillor Lauren Kendall mourns the murder of Sarah Montgomery and calls for the perpetrator to be brought to justice. She says the killing is part of a wider pattern of violence against women and calls for urgent action to dismantle the systems and attitudes that allow it.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Murder of Sarah Montgomery Original release: Councillor Lauren Kendall comments on the murder of Sarah Montgomery (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison and Guy question Education Minister commitment to SEN provision following placement crisis
Alliance MLAs Nick Mathison and Michelle Guy question the Education Minister's commitment to special educational needs provision, saying he has not adequately responded to about 160 SEN children lacking school places for September. Guy calls on him to set out how every child will be placed and how…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Special educational needs school placement shortfall for 2025/26 academic year Original release: Mathison and Guy question Education Minister commitment to SEN provision following placement crisis (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance welcomes extra cash to promote social and racial cohesion
Alliance welcomes the Executive Office's announcement of an extra £220,000 for urgent work on social and racial cohesion, with Paula Bradshaw MLA backing a clear stance against racist or xenophobic violence. Stewart Dickson MLA says more direct action on prevention is needed.
Community relations and legacy Disability and equality Issue: Executive Office £220,000 funding for social and racial cohesion Original release: Alliance welcomes extra cash to promote social and racial cohesion (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister must explain decision to oppose Irish signage at Grand Central Station – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has tabled an Urgent Oral Question to Communities Minister Gordon Lyons over his decision to join a legal challenge against Irish signage at Grand Central Station. Gildernew calls on the minister to explain his opposition to bilingual signs, given his responsibility…
Disability and equality Issue: Communities Minister legal challenge to Irish signage at Grand Central Station Original release: Communities Minister must explain decision to oppose Irish signage at Grand Central Station – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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DUP Communities Minister must listen to Anti-Poverty Strategy concerns – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew urges the Communities Minister to heed opposition to the draft Anti-Poverty Strategy, citing a letter from organisations and individuals sent to the Executive. He claims the strategy is weak and not fit for purpose, and asks the minister to engage with those groups.
Social security and welfare Issue: Draft Anti-Poverty Strategy opposition letter to the Executive Original release: DUP Communities Minister must listen to Anti-Poverty Strategy concerns – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong comments on the murder of Sarah Montgomery
UUP MLA Diana Armstrong expresses horror at the killing of Sarah Montgomery and says 27 women have been murdered in Northern Ireland since 2020. She urges the Executive to hold an emergency meeting on immediate protective steps, including tougher sentences and more PSNI resources.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Murder of Sarah Montgomery Original release: Armstrong comments on the murder of Sarah Montgomery (opens in a new tab)
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Labour must completely abandon benefit cuts, says Eastwood
Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood calls on the Labour Government to abandon its benefit cuts Bill entirely ahead of Tuesday's vote, arguing the cuts would disproportionately affect Northern Ireland, where over 11% of residents receive PIP.
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: Commons vote on Labour welfare cuts amendment Original release: Labour must completely abandon benefit cuts, says Eastwood (opens in a new tab)
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Spreading of slurry an attempt to intimidate Ballymena Pride – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan condemns the spreading of slurry in Ballymena, calling it a disgraceful hate‑crime intended to intimidate the town’s first pride parade, welcomes the arrest and pledges Sinn Féin’s continued support for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Slurry spread ahead of Ballymena Pride parade Original release: Spreading of slurry an attempt to intimidate Ballymena Pride – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance slams those behind slurry spreading, night before first Ballymena Pride
North Antrim Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland condemns those who spread slurry on Ballymena streets the night before the town's first Pride parade. She says she has spoken to organisers and the PSNI, and urges anyone with information to contact police or Crimestoppers.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Slurry spread ahead of Ballymena Pride parade Original release: Alliance slams those behind slurry spreading, night before first Ballymena Pride (opens in a new tab)
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Compassion and legal clarity needed following Equality Commission’s paper on British Supreme Court judgment on gender – Ní Chuilín
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín says compassion and legal clarity are needed after the Equality Commission published a paper on the legal position in the north following the British Supreme Court judgment on gender. She says the Commission's plan to seek clarification from the Court is…
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Issue: Equality Commission response to Supreme Court sex-based protections judgment Original release: Compassion and legal clarity needed following Equality Commission’s paper on British Supreme Court judgment on gender – Ní Chuilín (opens in a new tab)