Latest releases
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3,081 releases
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Autism Reviewer’s report must be catalyst for real change, says Donnelly
Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly welcomes the first Annual Report of the Independent Autism Reviewer, Ema Cubitt, saying it must set a benchmark for services. He cites a finding that 90% of respondents felt unheard when seeking help and calls for findings to drive real improvements.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Independent Autism Reviewer first report launch Original release: Autism Reviewer’s report must be catalyst for real change, says Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
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Hazzard praises fire crews tackling Mournes fires and urges public caution
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard thanks emergency services tackling two wildfires overnight in the Mournes at Slievenaman Road and Bloody Bridge, and urges the public to stay away from affected areas and heed the yellow wildfire warning.
Environment and climate Issue: Mournes wildfires at Slievenaman Road and Bloody Bridge Original release: Hazzard praises fire crews tackling Mournes fires and urges public caution (opens in a new tab)
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Mary Lou McDonald Ard Fheis address
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, in her Ard Fheis address, calls for an emergency budget with a substantial fuel excise cut, €400 electricity credits, a €500 disability payment and a permanent USC cut. She accuses Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael of failing working families and says the British…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Original release: Mary Lou McDonald Ard Fheis address (opens in a new tab)
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Bobby Sands Statue: DUP Stirring Up Sectarian Discourse, Enabled by SDLP’s Political Cowardice
People Before Profit councillor Michael Collins says the DUP is trying to sectarianise debate over the Bobby Sands statue in Twinbrook, pointing to unchallenged unauthorised memorials and murals across Belfast. He criticises the SDLP for leaving the Council meeting early and not voting, and says…
Community relations and legacy Local government Issue: Bobby Sands statue motion at Belfast City Council Original release: Bobby Sands Statue: DUP Stirring Up Sectarian Discourse, Enabled by SDLP’s Political Cowardice (opens in a new tab)
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Legal and Financial Issues Highlight Level of Executive Dysfunction says Brolly
Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly says Executive dysfunction is evident after only 4% of £230 million allocated for key services was spent, and raises concerns that Education Department and Education Authority reform proposals are not fully legally compliant.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Only 4% of £230 million allocated for key services spent Original release: Legal and Financial Issues Highlight Level of Executive Dysfunction says Brolly (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin will not accept any attempt to obstruct one community’s right of remembrance – Beattie
Sinn Féin Councillor Ciaran Beattie criticises a DUP motion on Belfast City Council as a one-sided attack on Republicans' right to remember their dead, linked to the Bobby Sands statue in Twinbrook. He calls for planning enforcement on monuments and memorials to be proportionate and applied…
Community relations and legacy Local government Issue: Belfast City Council special meeting Original release: Sinn Féin will not accept any attempt to obstruct one community’s right of remembrance – Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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Aontú slams British government legacy amendments
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín says he has asked the Taoiseach to reflect on British Secretary Hilary Benn's comments that Legacy Bill amendments would protect British veterans, opposing any hierarchy in the framework. Deputy leader Gemma Brolly calls the move unacceptable, citing the Sean Brown case.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Legacy bill delay to October over British military protections Original release: Aontú slams British government legacy amendments (opens in a new tab)
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TUV blast O’Neill hypocrisy after “weapons of war” comments
TUV business spokesman Councillor Keith Ratcliffe accuses Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill of hypocrisy over her remarks on weapons of war, pointing to Kingsmill and the MoD funding dispute, and says she is unfit for office.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Michelle O'Neill's Cool FM remarks on weapons of war and MoD funding Original release: TUV blast O’Neill hypocrisy after “weapons of war” comments (opens in a new tab)
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Lough Neagh fishermen must not become economic casualties of ongoing crisis – Kearney
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, says Lough Neagh fishermen must not become casualties of the ecological crisis after meeting DAERA Minister Andrew Muir ahead of the eel season. He calls for a comprehensive strategy to support fishermen and secure commercial fishing's future on the…
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: Lough Neagh eel fishing season 2026 uncertainty and DAERA engagement Original release: Lough Neagh fishermen must not become economic casualties of ongoing crisis – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Victims and families’ confidence will be further eroded by the cynical actions of the British government – Finucane
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane accuses the British government of political cynicism after Hilary Benn delayed the legacy bill until October to add protections for British military personnel. He says victims and families face further erosion of confidence and calls on the Taoiseach and Irish government…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Legacy bill delay to October over British military protections Original release: Victims and families’ confidence will be further eroded by the cynical actions of the British government – Finucane (opens in a new tab)
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Paul Givan must heed ‘significant intervention’ from education bodies over flawed SEN reforms – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan welcomes the Children's Law Centre and other bodies' opposition to Education Minister Paul Givan's special educational needs reforms, and calls on him to pause the process and engage with them, unions and frontline staff on a rights-based plan.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Children's Law Centre opposition to SEN reform proposals Original release: Paul Givan must heed ‘significant intervention’ from education bodies over flawed SEN reforms – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter: Minister must halt SEN reform
SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA calls on the Education Minister to halt proposed special educational needs (SEN) reforms, citing an open letter from 14 organisations including teaching unions and warnings from the Children's Law Centre. She says the Minister has ignored…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Children's Law Centre opposition to SEN reform proposals Original release: Hunter: Minister must halt SEN reform (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows presses case for Northern Ireland at Westminster
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA says his Westminster visit was to make the case for Northern Ireland, urging a VAT reduction for hospitality and tourism, restoration of the Irish Sea border settlement, fairness for veterans and former RUC officers, and answers on the former Police Ombudsman's security‑v
Constitutional affairs Justice and policing Issue: UUP Westminster visit urging VAT cut for hospitality Original release: Burrows presses case for Northern Ireland at Westminster (opens in a new tab)
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Issue of using flags to mark territory can only be resolved through legislation, says Bradshaw
Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Paula Bradshaw, South Belfast MLA, says Tricolour flags at a mixed South Belfast housing development show the need for legislation. She will bring a bill to the Assembly to oblige authorities to remove disrespectful or antagonistic flags and emblems.
Community relations and legacy Issue: Tricolour flags at mixed South Belfast housing development Original release: Issue of using flags to mark territory can only be resolved through legislation, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Efforts to stymie growth of the Irish language will fail – McLaughlin
Sinn Féin councillor Ronan McLaughlin welcomes the court’s favourable decision on Belfast City Council’s call‑in case concerning its Irish language policy, saying efforts to block the language’s growth will fail and urging Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to advance an Irish Language Strategy while
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Court ruling on Belfast City Council Irish language policy Original release: Efforts to stymie growth of the Irish language will fail – McLaughlin (opens in a new tab)
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Belfast Flag Decision “Procedurally Unlawful” as Battle Moves to Appeal
TUV says a court ruling shows Belfast City Council's decision to fly the Palestinian flag was procedurally unlawful, and that standing orders letting a legal opinion decide minority safeguards will go to the Court of Appeal. Deputy leader Ron McDowell will write to the council seeking confirmation…
Community relations and legacy Local government Issue: Belfast City Council Palestinian flag decision court ruling Original release: Belfast Flag Decision “Procedurally Unlawful” as Battle Moves to Appeal (opens in a new tab)
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Biomethane strategy must be based on treating waste and by-products, not distorting the agricultural system – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy says a biomethane strategy should focus on treating waste and by‑products rather than altering the agricultural system, urging local consultation, strong planning, robust regulation and direct benefits for rural communities.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Original release: Biomethane strategy must be based on treating waste and by-products, not distorting the agricultural system – Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Léiríonn Gildernew imní faoi thodhchaí mhaoiniú Thionscadal Logainmneacha
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew, Chair of the Communities Committee, calls on the Department for Communities to keep funding the Place-Name Project after a ministerial answer showed translation service funding runs only until Summer 2026.
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Place-Name Project translation service funding ending Summer 2026 Original release: Léiríonn Gildernew imní faoi thodhchaí mhaoiniú Thionscadal Logainmneacha (opens in a new tab)
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O'Toole: Absence of no fault divorce in Marriage Bill a missed opportunity
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill's omission of no-fault divorce is a missed opportunity to modernise marriage law. He asks the Finance Minister to explain why it was left out, arguing it could help tackle abuse.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill omission of no-fault divorce Original release: O'Toole: Absence of no fault divorce in Marriage Bill a missed opportunity (opens in a new tab)
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Political and economic status quo no longer working – Pearse Doherty TD
Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty says rising living costs and strained public services show the current political and economic order is failing, and that an alternative is urgently needed. Speaking at a 50th anniversary commemoration in Belleeks for IRA Volunteer Peter Cleary, he also calls for Irish…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Peter Cleary 50th anniversary commemoration in Belleeks Original release: Political and economic status quo no longer working – Pearse Doherty TD (opens in a new tab)