Latest releases
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2,017 releases
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Language Commissioners must build trust not division - Butler
UUP Deputy Leader Robbie Butler MLA says the newly appointed Language Commissioners and the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression director must prove they serve the public and build trust. He criticises the Sinn Féin and DUP talks process as sidelining others, and urges value for money and…
Disability and equality Issue: Office of Identity and Cultural Expression appointments announced Original release: Language Commissioners must build trust not division - Butler (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw welcomes appointment of Language Commissioners
Alliance Executive Office Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw welcomes the First and deputy First Minister's sending of letters of offer to Pól Deeds and Lee Reynolds, appointees as Irish Language and Ulster-Scots Commissioners. She says the process took too long and looks forward to them presenting their…
Disability and equality Issue: Identity and Language Act Commissioner appointments delay Original release: Bradshaw welcomes appointment of Language Commissioners (opens in a new tab)
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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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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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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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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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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)
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Finnegan raises concern over discovery of Asian hornet nest
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan expresses concern after an Asian hornet nest was found, the first confirmed sighting of the species in the north. She welcomes the Environment Agency's response and urges the public to report suspected sightings or nests.
Environment and climate Issue: Asian hornet nest discovery in Northern Ireland Original release: Finnegan raises concern over discovery of Asian hornet nest (opens in a new tab)
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Job of Assembly to grasp opportunities to improve people’s lives – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney welcomes the Executive's 2025–26 Legislation Programme, backing the Racial Equality Bill and the 'Good Jobs' Employment Rights Bill, which he says will protect vulnerable workers and be introduced by Minister Caoimhe Archibald next year.
Economy and employment Disability and equality Issue: Executive 2025–26 Legislation Programme and 'Good Jobs' Employment Rights Bill Original release: Job of Assembly to grasp opportunities to improve people’s lives – Kearney (opens in a new tab)