Latest releases
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4,301 releases
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McGrath: Executive must deal with wildfire causes
SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath urges the Executive to address the root causes of wildfires after recent fires in the Mournes and elsewhere, saying previous plans lacked funding or were never implemented and calling an end to the repeated cycle.
Environment and climate Issue: Recent wildfires in the Mourne Mountains and other parts of the North Original release: McGrath: Executive must deal with wildfire causes (opens in a new tab)
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Whyte welcomes funding for North Belfast school enhancement
SDLP North Belfast Councillor Carl Whyte welcomes Department of Education money for a major expansion at Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, saying the new facilities will transform the learning environment and urging the Minister to prevent further delays.
Education Local government Issue: Funding announced for Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School extension Original release: Whyte welcomes funding for North Belfast school enhancement (opens in a new tab)
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Beattie hits out at Justice Minister over policing funding crisis
UUP Justice spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA hits back at Justice Minister Naomi Long after her Nolan Show appearance, saying the PSNI is underfunded and blaming the Justice Department and Alliance for failing to fight for policing funding.
Justice and policing Public finance and taxation Issue: Justice Minister Naomi Long's Nolan Show comments on policing funding Original release: Beattie hits out at Justice Minister over policing funding crisis (opens in a new tab)
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Progress on Regional Mother and Baby Unit welcome but lack of interim measure disappointing, says McAllister
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA welcomes confirmation that the new Regional Mother and Baby Unit will be located at Belfast City Hospital, but says it is disappointing that no interim provision will be in place before the facility opens.
Health Issue: Health Minister Nesbitt announcement on Belfast mother and baby unit Original release: Progress on Regional Mother and Baby Unit welcome but lack of interim measure disappointing, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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Delay in appointment of Climate Commissioner inexcusable, says Bradshaw
Alliance's Paula Bradshaw MLA says the continued vacancy of the Climate Commissioner post, which legislation requires, is inexcusable, and accuses the DUP of deliberately stalling the appointment despite regulations being in place for over a year. She argues a commissioner would help deliver…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Original release: Delay in appointment of Climate Commissioner inexcusable, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Ulster Unionist Party welcomes landmark public health reform as Tobacco and Vapes Act becomes law
UUP MP Robin Swann and Health Spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA welcome Royal Assent for the Tobacco and Vapes Act, calling it a landmark for public health in Northern Ireland. Chambers says smoking causes over 2,000 deaths a year locally and credits the Assembly's Legislative Consent Motion request.
Health Issue: Tobacco and Vapes Act receives Royal Assent Original release: Ulster Unionist Party welcomes landmark public health reform as Tobacco and Vapes Act becomes law (opens in a new tab)
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Lyons heralds historic day for Deaf community
Disability and equality Original release: Lyons heralds historic day for Deaf community (opens in a new tab)
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Assembly passes ‘transformative’ Sign Language Bill – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew welcomes the Assembly’s passage of the Sign Language Bill, saying it gives legal recognition to Irish and British Sign Language and places a duty on bodies to provide accessible services for deaf and deaf‑blind people.
Disability and equality Issue: Assembly passage of Sign Language Bill Original release: Assembly passes ‘transformative’ Sign Language Bill – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Strategy without action is failing the Mournes – Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard calls for political will to protect the Mournes from deliberate landscape fires, saying a new wildfire framework from the Environment Minister is welcome but must be matched by timely action. He urges tighter enforcement, including licensing and penalties, and more…
Environment and climate Issue: Environment Minister's wildfire strategy framework Original release: Strategy without action is failing the Mournes – Hazzard (opens in a new tab)
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SF soundbites won’t deliver A5 - Erskine
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine challenges Sinn Féin to back repeated A5 promises with action, blaming net zero climate targets for blocking projects and citing £150 million spent with no tarmac laid and £6.6 million returned for the A4 Enniskillen Bypass.
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Original release: SF soundbites won’t deliver A5 - Erskine (opens in a new tab)
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2026 Sinn Féin Ard Fheis motions demonstrate commitment to tackling gender violence in communities across Ireland – Máire Devine TD
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: 2026 Sinn Féin Ard Fheis motions demonstrate commitment to tackling gender violence in communities across Ireland – Máire Devine TD (opens in a new tab)
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Maskey welcomes opening of applications for residents’ parking schemes
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey welcomes the opening of applications for residents' parking schemes, thanking Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins and encouraging residents in west Belfast and inner-city areas to apply to tackle commuter parking.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Opening of applications for residents' parking schemes Original release: Maskey welcomes opening of applications for residents’ parking schemes (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Historic day for the Deaf Community as Sign Language Bill passes
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA welcomes the passage of the Sign Language Bill, which provides free sign language classes for children and families and recognises British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language. He pays tribute to campaigners.
Disability and equality Education Issue: Assembly passage of Sign Language Bill Original release: Durkan: Historic day for the Deaf Community as Sign Language Bill passes (opens in a new tab)
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Butler says better upland farming key to preventing Mourne wildfires
UUP MLA Robbie Butler, Agriculture Spokesperson and AERA Committee Chairman, reacts to Mourne Mountains wildfires with around 95 firefighters deployed, calling for better upland farming and gorse management to reduce fire risk and support grazing.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Mournes wildfires at Slievenaman Road and Bloody Bridge Original release: Butler says better upland farming key to preventing Mourne wildfires (opens in a new tab)
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Allen welcomes Final Stage passage of Sign Language Bill
Ulster Unionist Communities Spokesperson Andy Allen MBE MLA welcomes the bill’s passage through the Assembly’s final stage, noting it will now proceed to Royal Assent and urging that its duties on British and Irish Sign Language be fully resourced and implemented.
Disability and equality Issue: Assembly passage of Sign Language Bill Original release: Allen welcomes Final Stage passage of Sign Language Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Banning petroleum exploration and licensing ‘important step forward in protecting both people and the planet’ – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy welcomes the Petroleum Exploration and Licensing Bill in the Assembly, saying it bans petroleum exploration and licensing and credits Fermanagh and Leitrim communities who campaigned against fracking. She argues new fossil fuel exploration would be reckless amid climate…
Environment and climate Issue: Petroleum Exploration and Licensing Bill Assembly debate Original release: Banning petroleum exploration and licensing ‘important step forward in protecting both people and the planet’ – Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Proposed body to help tackle climate change ‘crucial’ – Finnegan
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan backs the proposed Just Transition Commission, put forward by the Environment Minister, saying it would help make climate change actions fair and measured while remaining effective. She says it would give agriculture, energy and infrastructure representation as the…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Proposed Just Transition Commission from the Environment Minister Original release: Proposed body to help tackle climate change ‘crucial’ – Finnegan (opens in a new tab)
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Independent Autism Reviewer report will play key role in informing policy to improve the lives of those with Autism – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan says the Independent Autism Reviewer's initial findings will help shape policy to improve services for autistic people, and says the report exposes a gap between policy and reality. He calls for the Assembly and Health Committee to keep scrutinising delivery and press…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Independent Autism Reviewer first report launch Original release: Independent Autism Reviewer report will play key role in informing policy to improve the lives of those with Autism – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Caithfear comhionannas don Ghaeilge a chur i bhfeidhm; níor chóir bac a chur leis – Gildernew
Sinn Féin Communities Committee chair Colm Gildernew urges the DUP Communities Minister to back Irish language promotion rather than obstruct it, after a High Court judge dismissed a legal bid against Belfast City Council's Irish language policy. He says the council can now proceed and calls for…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: High Court dismissal of challenge to Belfast City Council Irish language policy Original release: Caithfear comhionannas don Ghaeilge a chur i bhfeidhm; níor chóir bac a chur leis – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Time for action after infrastructure failures - Dunne
DUP MLA Stephen Dunne calls on Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to act urgently on delayed projects, citing the York Street Interchange, where over £27 million has been spent, the A5, potholes, utility reinstatement and the wastewater crisis.
Infrastructure and transport Original release: Time for action after infrastructure failures - Dunne (opens in a new tab)