Latest releases
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11,735 releases
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Egan welcomes launch of free legal support service for child victims of sexual offences
Alliance Justice spokesperson Connie Egan MLA welcomes the new CSOLA scheme, which gives free, independent legal advice to victims aged 17 and under until trial, delivered by Victim Support NI under Justice Minister Naomi Long. She hopes it will encourage more children and families to report…
Justice and policing Issue: Children's Sexual Offences Legal Adviser scheme launch Original release: Egan welcomes launch of free legal support service for child victims of sexual offences (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: Executive can’t escape failure to reform public services
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says the Executive cannot escape its failure to reform public services, citing health and education, and says the Executive made political choices with its record funding package rather than using the UK Government as cover. She urges Executive parties to address the…
Public finance and taxation Issue: Secretary of State Hilary Benn Belfast speech on public service reform Original release: Hanna: Executive can’t escape failure to reform public services (opens in a new tab)
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Maoinigh Pobal na Gaeilge Anois!
People Before Profit's Gerry Carroll calls on the Executive and the Irish Government to fill the funding gap facing Foras na Gaeilge after cuts of over €800,000, warning they will damage jobs and language projects. The release also criticises the DUP's stance on the language and questions Sinn…
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Foras na Gaeilge €800,000 budget cuts Original release: Maoinigh Pobal na Gaeilge Anois! (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister drives safety with £187,000 motorsports…
The DUP's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announces £187,000 in funding for the motorsports sector, distributed through Sport NI, to buy shared safety bales and other safety equipment for road races, rallies, karting and track days.
Other Issue: Communities Minister £187,000 motorsports safety equipment funding Original release: Communities Minister drives safety with £187,000 motorsports… (opens in a new tab)
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Each abortion represents a life lost – Lockhart
DUP MP for Upper Bann Carla Lockhart, Chair of the All-Party Pro-Life Group, expresses deep concern at Northern Ireland abortion statistics showing 2,792 abortions in 2023/24, a 28.8% rise, and calls for work to repeal Westminster's abortion laws.
Health Issue: Department of Health abortion statistics for 2023/24 published Original release: Each abortion represents a life lost – Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister publishes SEN Reform Agenda and Delivery Plan
The DUP says Education Minister Paul Givan has published the SEN Reform Agenda and a five-year Delivery Plan, setting out short-term actions to rebuild trust with parents, build workforce capability, improve placements and support sustained funding.
Education Disability and equality Issue: SEN Reform Agenda and five-year Delivery Plan publication Original release: Education Minister publishes SEN Reform Agenda and Delivery Plan (opens in a new tab)
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‘Reduced VAT rate would be a vital help to hospitality businesses’ – Sheerin
SF MLA Emma Sheerin calls on the British Government to introduce a reduced VAT rate for hospitality businesses in the north, citing a 20 per cent rate against 13 per cent in the south and a planned 9 per cent rate for food-led hospitality there. She also welcomes Finance Minister John O'Dowd's…
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Irish Government reduction of hospitality VAT to nine per cent Original release: ‘Reduced VAT rate would be a vital help to hospitality businesses’ – Sheerin (opens in a new tab)
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Treasury must ensure NI hospitality remains competitive – Middleton
DUP Foyle MLA Gary Middleton calls on the UK Government to match the Irish Government's reduction of hospitality VAT to nine per cent with a similar rate for Northern Ireland, warning of lost business and job losses near the border.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Irish Government reduction of hospitality VAT to nine per cent Original release: Treasury must ensure NI hospitality remains competitive – Middleton (opens in a new tab)
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Hilary Benn’s comments show a blatant disregard for communities here – Archibald
Sinn Féin Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald accuses Secretary of State Hilary Benn of disregarding communities and democratic institutions during his unannounced Ulster University visit, and criticises UK austerity, winter fuel cuts and the Legacy Act.
Constitutional affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Hilary Benn comments during unannounced Ulster University visit Original release: Hilary Benn’s comments show a blatant disregard for communities here – Archibald (opens in a new tab)
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Minister must commit to supporting year-round late-night public…
DUP North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett leads an Assembly debate on the Belfast night-time economy and calls on the Minister to support Translink's business case for year-round late-night public transport, which he says could start as soon as Easter. He cites 17,000 passengers using the seasonal…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Translink year-round late-night public transport funding application Original release: Minister must commit to supporting year-round late-night public… (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew expresses thoughts with family affected by Dungannon house fire
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew expresses sympathy for those affected by a house fire in Dungannon the previous night. He commends frontline responders for evacuating all residents and pays tribute to police officers who entered the burning home to rescue people.
Other Issue: Dungannon house fire evacuation of residents Original release: Gildernew expresses thoughts with family affected by Dungannon house fire (opens in a new tab)
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Ulster Unionists pay tribute to former Councillor Jim Montgomery
UUP leader Mike Nesbitt, South Antrim MP Robin Swann and South Antrim MLA Steve Aiken pay tribute to Jim Montgomery, a former local councillor and mayor, describing him as fair, selfless and a highly respected figure in Antrim. They extend condolences to his family.
Other Local government Original release: Ulster Unionists pay tribute to former Councillor Jim Montgomery (opens in a new tab)
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Police officers saved lives in Dungannon Fire - Armstrong
Ulster Unionist MLA Diana Armstrong praises the emergency services, particularly police officers, for their bravery in rescuing a family of four trapped in a Dungannon fire that she says could have become a tragedy. She urges the public not to speculate while the police investigation continues.
Justice and policing Issue: Dungannon house fire evacuation of residents Original release: Police officers saved lives in Dungannon Fire - Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Immediate action needed to support school-aged childcare sector, says Guy.
Alliance MLA Michelle Guy urges the Education Minister to act quickly to widen financial help for school-age childcare providers, after PlayBoard NI's report on the sector's finances and staffing. She says the Childcare Subsidy Scheme currently excludes children past primary age.
Education Economy and employment Issue: PlayBoard NI school-aged childcare sector report launch at Stormont Original release: Immediate action needed to support school-aged childcare sector, says Guy. (opens in a new tab)
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Apprenticeships offer young people incredible opportunities, says Nicholl, marking Apprenticeship Week.
Alliance Economy spokesperson Kate Nicholl MLA marks Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week 2025 and calls for standardised careers advice, devolution and reform of the Apprenticeship Levy, and more Economy Minister support for small businesses taking on apprentices.
Economy and employment Education Original release: Apprenticeships offer young people incredible opportunities, says Nicholl, marking Apprenticeship Week. (opens in a new tab)
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Blair condemns other parties for protecting polluters
Alliance MLA John Blair accuses Sinn Féin, the DUP, UUP and SDLP of blocking tougher penalties for repeat polluters after an Assembly vote. He says the other parties are undermining protection for Lough Neagh and farmers, and urges them to reflect on their stance.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Assembly vote on stricter penalties for repeat polluters Original release: Blair condemns other parties for protecting polluters (opens in a new tab)
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Fully implementing Cancer Strategy must be prioritised by DoH, says Donnelly, marking World Cancer Day.
Alliance Health spokesperson and East Antrim MLA Danny Donnelly calls for the Department of Health to fully implement the Cancer Strategy for Northern Ireland, marking World Cancer Day 2025. He says many recommendations, including extending bowel screening to those aged 50 to 59, remain unactioned.
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Secretary of State can help improve public services by beginning political reform process, says Tennyson.
Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson says the Secretary of State can improve public services by starting a process to reform Northern Ireland's political institutions, responding to Hilary Benn's speech marking one year since restoration. Tennyson argues stable government is needed to end repeated…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Hilary Benn speech marking one year since restoration of institutions Original release: Secretary of State can help improve public services by beginning political reform process, says Tennyson. (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: Westminster inquiry will highlight need to protect journalistic freedoms
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says a Westminster Northern Ireland Affairs Committee inquiry, which she proposed, will examine PSNI surveillance of journalists and legal representatives, threats to journalists and SLAPPs. She calls for press freedoms such as protection of sources to be safeguarded.
Justice and policing Issue: Westminster Northern Ireland Affairs Committee inquiry into PSNI surveillance of journalists Original release: Hanna: Westminster inquiry will highlight need to protect journalistic freedoms (opens in a new tab)
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Constitutional change is a powerful incentive for increased all-Ireland co-operation – Kearney
Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney welcomes an Assembly motion supporting greater north-south co-operation and calls on the Irish Government to plan for Irish unity. He urges its Programme for Government to back a unity referendum this decade and to create a Minister for Reunification.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Assembly motion supporting greater north-south co-operation Original release: Constitutional change is a powerful incentive for increased all-Ireland co-operation – Kearney (opens in a new tab)