Latest releases
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1,981 releases
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PSNI must explain reason not to implement Ombudsman’s recommendations in full – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon calls on the PSNI to explain why it did not fully implement the Police Ombudsman's recommendations on four officers' conduct during a December 2022 arrest. She says the findings of misogynistic remarks toward a woman reporting domestic abuse are concerning.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Police Ombudsman report on officers' conduct during December 2022 arrest Original release: PSNI must explain reason not to implement Ombudsman’s recommendations in full – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Final Anti-Poverty Strategy must be delivered without delay – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew raises concern about delays to a final Anti-Poverty Strategy, after Communities Committee officials said it could slip to after April 2026. He calls on the Communities Minister to set a clear timeline for a robust strategy.
Social security and welfare Issue: Communities Committee update on final Anti-Poverty Strategy timing Original release: Final Anti-Poverty Strategy must be delivered without delay – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Green Councillor Calls for Native Replanting and Community Involvement After Tree Loss in Holywood
Green Party Councillor Lauren Kendall calls on Ards and North Down Council to commit to native-species replanting along King John's Walk in Holywood after several mature trees were felled. She also urges better resident communication and involvement in management plans.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: King John's Walk Holywood tree felling and replanting Original release: Green Councillor Calls for Native Replanting and Community Involvement After Tree Loss in Holywood (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone welcomes £100k funding to save Scoil Spreagtha scheme
SDLP Irish Language Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA welcomes £100,000 in funding to keep the Scoil Spreagtha Irish language lessons scheme running for another year, followed by an evaluation, and says he will keep pressing for future funding.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Scoil Spreagtha scheme £100,000 funding confirmation Original release: McGlone welcomes £100k funding to save Scoil Spreagtha scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Breaking Barriers in Agriculture and Championing Women Farmers
UUP MLA Diana Armstrong urges DAERA to implement the recommendations of the 2022 Breaking the Grass Ceiling report, saying women farmers are vital to NI’s agri‑food economy and the party will lobby for equality.
Agriculture and rural affairs Disability and equality Issue: Breaking the Grass Ceiling report recommendations Original release: Breaking Barriers in Agriculture and Championing Women Farmers (opens in a new tab)
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Northern Ireland Cannot Be Broken by Unachievable Climate Targets
UUP Deputy Leader Robbie Butler MLA says a Audit Office report confirms concerns that the Department for Economy's energy strategy is falling short, and calls for a revision of Northern Ireland's 2030 climate targets, citing grid connection delays, planning delays and the lack of a storage strategy.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Audit Office report on Department for the Economy green energy strategy Original release: Northern Ireland Cannot Be Broken by Unachievable Climate Targets (opens in a new tab)
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Independent environmental regulator crucial in helping us tackle pollution – Finnegan
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan welcomes Environment Minister Andrew Muir's intention to create an independent environmental regulator, following an independent report on environmental governance, and says it would help tackle pollution in air, water and Lough Neagh.
Environment and climate Issue: Expert panel report recommending independent Environmental Protection Agency for Northern Ireland Original release: Independent environmental regulator crucial in helping us tackle pollution – Finnegan (opens in a new tab)
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Oireachtas na Samhna opportunity to showcase Irish as vibrant and flourishing language – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says Belfast's hosting of Oireachtas na Samhna, running 29 October to 2 November, shows Irish is vibrant and flourishing, citing the city's new Irish language policy and upcoming Gaeltacht and Fleadh hosting.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Oireachtas na Samhna festival hosted in Belfast 2025 Original release: Oireachtas na Samhna opportunity to showcase Irish as vibrant and flourishing language – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin committed to building cleaner, greener environment – Sheerin
SDLP... no. Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin welcomes the Economy Department's pledge to meet its energy targets after an Audit Office report on its green energy strategy. She urges all parties to redouble efforts on climate goals, pointing to REPG price guarantees and a forthcoming mid-term review.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Audit Office report on Department for the Economy green energy strategy Original release: Sinn Féin committed to building cleaner, greener environment – Sheerin (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin: Report exposes shocking lack of delivery on energy and climate commitments
SDLP Opposition Economy Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin MLA says a Audit Office report finds the Department for the Economy is lagging on its Path to Net Zero Energy strategy despite £107 million spent since 2020, citing flaws in governance, milestones and monitoring.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Audit Office report on Department for the Economy green energy strategy Original release: McLaughlin: Report exposes shocking lack of delivery on energy and climate commitments (opens in a new tab)
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Blair welcomes report recommending establishment of an independent Environmental Protection Agency
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes an expert panel report recommending an independent Environmental Protection Agency for Northern Ireland, and urges others to back its 32 recommendations without delay.
Environment and climate Issue: Expert panel report recommending independent Environmental Protection Agency for Northern Ireland Original release: Blair welcomes report recommending establishment of an independent Environmental Protection Agency (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister must ensure Anti-Poverty Strategy is strengthened – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew calls on the Communities Minister to strengthen the final Anti-Poverty Strategy and address concerns raised about the draft, after a Joseph Rowntree Foundation roundtable marking World Poverty Day.
Social security and welfare Issue: Draft Anti-Poverty Strategy concerns and final version Original release: Communities Minister must ensure Anti-Poverty Strategy is strengthened – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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If Government Don’t Achieve Families’ Scoliosis Demands Aontú will Table a Motion of no Confidence Within Next 6 months – Tóibín
Aontú's Peadar Tóibín says the party will not table a no-confidence motion next week, but will do so within six months unless the government meets scoliosis demands on an inquiry and CHI reform. He also says Aontú will table a motion on presidential voting rights for northern Irish citizens and…
Health Constitutional affairs Issue: Aontú scoliosis no-confidence motion decision Original release: If Government Don’t Achieve Families’ Scoliosis Demands Aontú will Table a Motion of no Confidence Within Next 6 months – Tóibín (opens in a new tab)
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Hughes writes to British government over incorrect Child Benefit letters
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes says he has written to British Treasury minister Daniel Tomlinson and Secretary of State Hilary Benn, signed by all seven Sinn Féin MPs, over HMRC wrongly sending Child Benefit stop letters to families who had travelled abroad and returned in time. He calls for an…
Social security and welfare Issue: HMRC Child Benefit stop letters sent to families in error Original release: Hughes writes to British government over incorrect Child Benefit letters (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister should set a date for the delivery of the Irish Language Strategy – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew urges the Communities Minister to set a delivery date for the Irish Language Strategy, or failing that a clear publication timeframe, after a Communities Committee session heard from Irish language community members.
Disability and equality Issue: Communities Committee session on Irish Language Strategy delay Original release: Communities Minister should set a date for the delivery of the Irish Language Strategy – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Hargey condemns suspected south Belfast racist attack
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey condemns a suspected racist assault on a young woman in Botanic, south Belfast, on Wednesday night, and urges anyone who saw it to contact police. She says the woman has been discharged from hospital.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Botanic, south Belfast suspected racist assault on young woman Original release: Hargey condemns suspected south Belfast racist attack (opens in a new tab)
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Doherty: Child poverty must be political priority
SDLP West Belfast councillor Paul Doherty says child poverty must become a political priority, urging the Executive and Communities Minister to overhaul the anti‑poverty strategy and introduce free school meals, greater childcare support and higher child‑welfare payments after an SDLP Opposition Day
Social security and welfare Issue: SDLP Opposition Day anti‑poverty motion passed Original release: Doherty: Child poverty must be political priority (opens in a new tab)
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Infrastructure Minister should step up on Lough Neagh
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson says Infrastructure Minister must step up on Lough Neagh and appear before the NI Affairs Committee, arguing sewage outflow is an overlooked factor alongside agriculture. He points to Action 12 of the Lough Neagh Action Plan as critical.
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: NI Affairs Committee evidence session on Lough Neagh environmental situation Original release: Infrastructure Minister should step up on Lough Neagh (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance remains committed to planting more trees, says Blair, following announcement of Tree Planting Action Plan
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says the party remains committed to planting more trees, after DAERA Minister Andrew Muir announced a Tree Planting Action Plan at a Woodland Trust event launching a report on Northern Ireland's woods and trees.
Environment and climate Issue: Tree Planting Action Plan announcement at Woodland Trust State of Woods and Trees report launch Original release: Alliance remains committed to planting more trees, says Blair, following announcement of Tree Planting Action Plan (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew welcomes Health Minister’s commitment to visit Dungannon respite facility
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew welcomes the Health Minister's commitment to visit Woodlawn House in Dungannon after an Assembly debate he tabled on respite care. He says families have reported planned respite cancelled at short notice and calls for timely, well-planned services.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Woodlawn House Dungannon respite facility Assembly debate Original release: Gildernew welcomes Health Minister’s commitment to visit Dungannon respite facility (opens in a new tab)