Latest releases
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6,073 releases
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Extension of bereavement benefits is welcomed says Armstrong
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong welcomes new legislation extending bereavement benefit to parents of dependent children whose cohabiting partner has died, including backdated payments and a 12-month application window. She urges anyone needing help with applications to contact…
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: Bereavement benefit extension to cohabiting parents legislation Original release: Extension of bereavement benefits is welcomed says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin expresses concern at potential delay of Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy
SDLP Justice Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin voices concern that the Executive Office has warned work on the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy may stall without a functioning Executive, blaming the DUP boycott for putting it at risk.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Executive Office warning on delayed Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy Original release: McLaughlin expresses concern at potential delay of Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (opens in a new tab)
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Fare increase will hit struggling workers and families – Boylan
Newry and Armagh MLA Cathal Boylan, Sinn Féin's infrastructure spokesperson, criticises the rise in bus and train fares during the cost-of-living crisis, saying it will hit hard-pressed households and contrasts with the earlier fare freeze under John O'Dowd.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Bus and train fare increase during cost-of-living crisis Original release: Fare increase will hit struggling workers and families – Boylan (opens in a new tab)
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Sheerin welcomes that Safe Access Zones Act is now law
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin welcomes the Safe Access Zones Act becoming law, noting it will be enforceable from 7 May 2023. She says the measure will protect people using healthcare services from intimidation and will safeguard women and healthcare workers.
Health Issue: Safe Access Zones Act receiving Royal Assent and becoming law Original release: Sheerin welcomes that Safe Access Zones Act is now law (opens in a new tab)
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The Secretary of State must progress organ donation legislation.
DUP MP Carla Lockhart urges the Secretary of State to push secondary legislation through the Commons so Daithi's Law, the organ donation measure passed by the Assembly a year ago, can take effect in Northern Ireland. She raised the request with NIO Minister of State Steve Baker.
Health Issue: Daithi's Law organ donation secondary legislation Westminster progress Original release: The Secretary of State must progress organ donation legislation. (opens in a new tab)
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Drug gang will not defeat proud north Lurgan community – Haughian
Sinn Féin Councillor Keith Haughian says a drug gang in North Lurgan is causing serious harm to families and calls for a sustained policing operation. He urges residents to report drugs and weapons to police or Crimestoppers, and says the party is seeking extra school support from the Department…
Justice and policing Original release: Drug gang will not defeat proud north Lurgan community – Haughian (opens in a new tab)
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“Education Cuts Endangering the Lives of Children” - Brolly
Aontú Deputy Leader and Bann DEA representative Gemma Brolly demands unity against education cuts, calling for an urgent meeting with the Secretary of State over reduced funding and the non-replacement of crossing patrol staff at St Columba's Primary School, Ballerin.
Education Infrastructure and transport Issue: Education Authority recruitment halt and crossing patrol cuts Original release: “Education Cuts Endangering the Lives of Children” - Brolly (opens in a new tab)
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Green Party Leader welcomes Royal Assent for Clare Bailey’s Buffer Zones Bill.
Green Party leader Councillor Mal O'Hara welcomes Royal Assent for the Buffer Zones Bill, which he says will be enforceable from 7 May 2023 and end intimidation of people accessing abortion services. He credits former MLA Clare Bailey and campaigners.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Safe Access Zones Act receiving Royal Assent and becoming law Original release: Green Party Leader welcomes Royal Assent for Clare Bailey’s Buffer Zones Bill. (opens in a new tab)
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Fare increases regrettable and a step backwards as consequence of underinvestment in public transport, says Muir
Alliance Infrastructure Spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA says planned Translink fare rises of around 7% from 6 March will deter public transport use and hit struggling households, calling for a more sustainable funding model for bus and rail.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Bus and train fare increase during cost-of-living crisis Original release: Fare increases regrettable and a step backwards as consequence of underinvestment in public transport, says Muir (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Translink fares increase will punish worst off
SDLP Infrastructure Spokesperson and Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says a 7% Translink fares increase, directed by Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris, will hit families struggling with the cost of living. He calls for sustainable transport to be made more accessible rather than costlier.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Translink 7% fares increase directed by Secretary of State Original release: Durkan: Translink fares increase will punish worst off (opens in a new tab)
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Molloy denounces phone hacking of Bahraini pro-democracy activists
Mid Ulster MP Francie Molloy condemns the Bahraini government for hacking the phones of pro-democracy activists and political exiles, after addressing a London meeting with party colleague Mickey Brady MP. He cites a British High Court ruling against Bahrain over hacking activists' computers in…
International affairs Justice and policing Issue: Bahrain phone hacking of pro-democracy activists in Britain Original release: Molloy denounces phone hacking of Bahraini pro-democracy activists (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw marks Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week and calls for restoration of the Executive so that vital action can be taken
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw backs this week's awareness campaign and says she has tabled an Assembly motion on infant mental health, urging support for the Mental Health Strategy and its infant-focused action. She blames the DUP's boycott for blocking action and calls for the…
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It’s time to take notice of the unsustainable way NI is financed
DUP MP Gavin Robinson warns that public service spending for Northern Ireland will fall by about £2,000 per household in real terms over three years, calling for debate on how Northern Ireland is financed. He cites the PSNI shortfall, the Barnett formula and the Fiscal Council.
Public finance and taxation Justice and policing Issue: Northern Ireland public spending cuts and PSNI funding shortfall Original release: It’s time to take notice of the unsustainable way NI is financed (opens in a new tab)
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Ennis slams invasive use of counselling records in sexual assault trials
Sinn Féin MLA Sinead Ennis says the practice of introducing survivors’ counselling notes as evidence in sexual‑assault prosecutions is unacceptable, breaches privacy and could discourage victims from seeking help or reporting crimes.
Justice and policing Health Issue: Counselling records used in sexual assault trials Original release: Ennis slams invasive use of counselling records in sexual assault trials (opens in a new tab)
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We are not giving up in our pursuit of the truth – Finucane tells New Lodge 6 families
SF MP John Finucane says the Westminster Legacy Bill denies truth and justice to conflict victims and calls on the Prime Minister to withdraw it, marking 50 years since six unarmed men were killed by soldiers in north Belfast in 1973.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Westminster Legacy Bill and New Lodge Six inquest 50th anniversary event Original release: We are not giving up in our pursuit of the truth – Finucane tells New Lodge 6 families (opens in a new tab)
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A6 must be opened as quickly as possible – Archibald
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald says the Department of Infrastructure must ensure the A6 road and Dungiven Bypass are opened as quickly as possible, urging faster completion after a meeting that highlighted delays, lighting and signage timelines and community frustration.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: A6 Dungiven bypass opening date comments by Department for Infrastructure official Original release: A6 must be opened as quickly as possible – Archibald (opens in a new tab)
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‘No time to waste on forming Executive to deliver for people’ – Michelle O’Neill after Tánaiste meeting
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill, Leas-Uachtarán, urges the DUP to return to the Executive table and form an Executive quickly, after meeting Tánaiste Micheál Martin in Belfast. She says the DUP's block is hurting public services, energy costs and Dáithí's Law on organ donation.
Constitutional affairs Health Issue: Michelle O'Neill and Tánaiste Micheál Martin Belfast meeting on Executive formation Original release: ‘No time to waste on forming Executive to deliver for people’ – Michelle O’Neill after Tánaiste meeting (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw marks World Cancer Day and calls for consistent five-year cancer strategies for NI
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw calls for consistent five-year cancer strategies in Northern Ireland, pointing to Denmark and England as comparators and saying NI has lagged on survival rates since 1995 ahead of World Cancer Day.
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Jim Shannon welcomes Omagh bomb inquiry announcement
DUP MP Jim Shannon welcomes the announcement of an Omagh bomb inquiry, saying it may help victims' families uncover more of the truth. He blames the terrorists for the attack and calls for a similar process in the Irish Republic into the planning carried out across the border.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Omagh bombing independent statutory inquiry announcement Original release: Jim Shannon welcomes Omagh bomb inquiry announcement (opens in a new tab)
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Inquiry announcement a step forward for the Omagh families – Begley
West Tyrone MP Órfhlaith Begley welcomes the announcement of an independent statutory inquiry into the Omagh bombing and calls on the British government to scrap its Legacy Bill, which she describes as flawed and cruel.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Omagh bombing independent statutory inquiry announcement Original release: Inquiry announcement a step forward for the Omagh families – Begley (opens in a new tab)