Latest releases
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11,735 releases
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UK Government must act on farm tax concerns, says Muir.
Alliance DAERA Minister Andrew Muir backs farmers opposing the UK Government's cut to Agricultural Property Relief, which DAERA analysis says could hit half of Northern Ireland's farms. He says he will press the issue with ministers from across the UK nations and with farming groups.
Agriculture and rural affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: UK Government cut to Agricultural Property Relief for farms Original release: UK Government must act on farm tax concerns, says Muir. (opens in a new tab)
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Poverty leaves permanent scar on children's lives, says Mulholland, before Assembly child food poverty motion.
Alliance's Sian Mulholland urges the Communities Minister to press ahead with the long-delayed Anti-Poverty Strategy, ahead of an Assembly motion on rising child food poverty and food bank parcel numbers.
Social security and welfare Issue: Assembly motion on child food poverty in Northern Ireland Original release: Poverty leaves permanent scar on children's lives, says Mulholland, before Assembly child food poverty motion. (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin: Childcare support can't come soon enough
SDLP Economy Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin MLA welcomes a deadline for the draft Early Learning and Childcare Strategy, with the Minister intending to bring it to the Executive by Autumn 2025. She calls for decisive action and an adequate, ambitious funding plan for parents and providers.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Assembly motion setting deadline for Early Learning and Childcare Strategy Original release: McLaughlin: Childcare support can't come soon enough (opens in a new tab)
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NI Executive agreement for Sign Language Bill
The DUP's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons MLA says Executive Ministers have agreed to introduce his Sign Language Bill to the Assembly, which recognises British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language. He plans to introduce it in February and points to departmental investment in trained…
Disability and equality Issue: Executive agreement to introduce Sign Language Bill to Assembly Original release: NI Executive agreement for Sign Language Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Firearms Licensing Delays Leave Applicants Facing Mounting Costs
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says firearms licence applications in Northern Ireland are facing lengthy delays, with some taking over 12 months, forcing applicants to pay for secure storage. She has written to the Justice Minister urging extra funding and staff to clear the PSNI backlog.
Justice and policing Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: PSNI firearms licensing backlog and applicant storage costs Original release: Firearms Licensing Delays Leave Applicants Facing Mounting Costs (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin invites leaders to conversation on unity
Sinn Féin chairperson Declan Kearney MLA writes to party leaders across the island inviting them to meet Sinn Féin to discuss constitutional change, following the publication of its Commission on the Future of Ireland report. He says collective leadership is needed and urges the Irish and British…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Sinn Féin Commission on the Future of Ireland report publication Original release: Sinn Féin invites leaders to conversation on unity (opens in a new tab)
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Long congratulates Martin and urges him to help reform local institutions
Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA congratulates Micheál Martin on becoming Taoiseach and urges him to help reform the Assembly and Executive, citing his earlier support for Alliance's reform proposals. She also welcomes Simon Harris as Tánaiste.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Michéal Martin becomes Taoiseach for second time Original release: Long congratulates Martin and urges him to help reform local institutions (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance representatives emphasise importance of regular cervical screenings during Cervical Screening Awareness Week.
Alliance MLAs Nuala McAllister and Michelle Guy urge women to attend regular cervical screenings during Cervical Screening Awareness Week. They call for a Department of Health response to Southern Trust misread screening results and back a statutory public inquiry.
Health Issue: Cervical Screening Awareness Week Original release: Alliance representatives emphasise importance of regular cervical screenings during Cervical Screening Awareness Week. (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna pays tribute to Michael Longley
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP pays tribute to poet Michael Longley following his death, describing him as Northern Ireland's greatest living poet and recalling her 2015 nomination of him for the Freedom of Belfast.
Other Original release: Hanna pays tribute to Michael Longley (opens in a new tab)
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Allister urges mammoth turnout to Saturday’s protests against inheritance tax
TUV leader Jim Allister urges people across farming and beyond to back Saturday's tractor runs against the UK Government's inheritance tax changes for family farms, which he calls an assault on them. He says he will join the protest.
Agriculture and rural affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: UFU tractor runs against British government farm inheritance tax proposals Original release: Allister urges mammoth turnout to Saturday’s protests against inheritance tax (opens in a new tab)
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Government must accept realities of Northern Ireland’s finances:…
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson says the Labour Government must recognise Northern Ireland's fiscal realities and accept that its actions, including higher employers' National Insurance contributions, have made delivering public services harder. He made the point after questioning NIO Minister Fleur…
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Employers' National Insurance increase impact on Northern Ireland public finances Original release: Government must accept realities of Northern Ireland’s finances:… (opens in a new tab)
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Boylan encourages public to have its say on MOT consultation
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan encourages the public to respond to a Department for Infrastructure consultation on moving some vehicles from annual to two-yearly MOT testing, open until 16 April 2025. He says Minister John O'Dowd is working to cut MOT wait times through recruitment and Sunday and…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Department for Infrastructure consultation on biennial MOT testing Original release: Boylan encourages public to have its say on MOT consultation (opens in a new tab)
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Government must be clear in commitment to pension triple lock – Dodds
DUP peer Lord Dodds presses the Government in the Lords to affirm its long-term commitment to the state pension triple lock, citing a new Pensions Minister's past criticism of the mechanism. He rejects any means testing of pensions and says the DUP will stay vigilant, while welcoming the…
Social security and welfare Issue: Pensions Minister appointment and triple lock commitment Original release: Government must be clear in commitment to pension triple lock – Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Gender inequalities a stark reality in health, says McAllister
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA calls on the Department of Health to explore expanding robotic-assisted surgery to other specialties, after Health Minister figures showed 513 of 599 such surgeries since 2019 were on males. She says the split reflects unequal access to…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Minister's figures on gender split in robotic surgery Original release: Gender inequalities a stark reality in health, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: PSNI recruitment key to keeping communities safe
SDLP Policing Board member Mark H Durkan says PSNI officer numbers falling to an all-time low is a serious concern, calling on the Executive to meet the 7,500 target and properly resource policing. He also urges the PSNI to recruit more widely from nationalist and minority communities.
Justice and policing Issue: PSNI recruitment campaign launch January 2025 Original release: Durkan: PSNI recruitment key to keeping communities safe (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Fein press conference on McMonagle a cynical attempt to set the narrative ahead of next week’s TUV debate
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston publishes the text of a TUV motion on the Assembly Members' allowances review into Michael McMonagle's role, ahead of a debate next week. He rejects the First Minister's description of the review as "very comprehensive" and calls for regular audits of MLA and party spending.
Public finance and taxation Issue: Review of MLA allowances and Michael McMonagle's role Original release: Sinn Fein press conference on McMonagle a cynical attempt to set the narrative ahead of next week’s TUV debate (opens in a new tab)
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DUP will oppose unlimited public funds to assisted suicide legislation
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP says the party will vote against a money resolution in the House of Commons giving uncapped public spending for developing the assisted suicide legislation. He argues it risks diverting scarce resources from palliative care and mental health support, and calls for…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Commons money resolution on assisted suicide bill uncapped spending Original release: DUP will oppose unlimited public funds to assisted suicide legislation (opens in a new tab)
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Flynn welcomes support for reducing stigma surrounding mental ill-health
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn welcomes backing from across parties for a motion aimed at reducing stigma around mental ill-health. She credits the Health Minister's work so far, while urging further practical steps and more accessible mental health services under the Mental Health Strategy.
Health Issue: Cross-party motion on reducing stigma around mental ill-health Original release: Flynn welcomes support for reducing stigma surrounding mental ill-health (opens in a new tab)
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Economy Minister must step up on childcare: Forsythe
DUP MLA Diane Forsythe calls on the Economy Minister to act on the Executive's childcare commitment, arguing all relevant Ministers should share responsibility rather than leaving it to the Education Minister. She cites 14,000 children receiving childcare bill reductions and a £2million assessment…
Education Economy and employment Original release: Economy Minister must step up on childcare: Forsythe (opens in a new tab)
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Sheerin welcomes additional funding to help communities tackle violence against women and girls
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin welcomes an additional £1.2 million for grassroots organisations to raise awareness of violence against women and girls, following an earlier £2 million commitment to local communities.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Additional £1.2 million funding for violence against women and girls awareness Original release: Sheerin welcomes additional funding to help communities tackle violence against women and girls (opens in a new tab)