Latest releases
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1,576 releases
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McNulty: Executive must tackle barriers to youth sport participation
SDLP Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty calls on the Northern Ireland Executive to act on inequality in young people's access to sport and physical activity, following a meeting with Ulster University about new research on cost and access barriers. He proposes community sports hub investment, a…
Disability and equality Issue: Ulster University research on youth sport participation barriers Original release: McNulty: Executive must tackle barriers to youth sport participation (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance representatives welcome decision to protect Tullynagardy Wood
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison and Councillor Vicky Moore welcome Ards and North Down Council's Planning Committee decision to refuse permission for five houses in Tullynagardy Wood, Newtownards, despite officer recommendations to approve. Mathison hopes the site's protection is confirmed at the next…
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Tullynagardy Wood housing planning refusal by Ards and North Down Council Original release: Alliance representatives welcome decision to protect Tullynagardy Wood (opens in a new tab)
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Mineral licensing regulatory framework must be fit for purpose – McAleer
Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer says the recent surrender of mineral prospecting licences in the Sperrins highlights the need for a licensing framework that prioritises environmental safeguards, openness and local consultation, and urges the ongoing policy review to be accelerated. He notes Minister Cá
Environment and climate Issue: Sperrins mineral prospecting licences relinquished Original release: Mineral licensing regulatory framework must be fit for purpose – McAleer (opens in a new tab)
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Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Begins with Consistent Sentencing – Beattie
UUP justice spokesperson Doug Beattie MLA calls for a Sentencing Council for Northern Ireland, arguing inconsistent sentencing is undermining confidence in the courts. He cites a recent case where a man received a suspended sentence for striking a teenage girl, and urges the Justice Minister to…
Justice and policing Education Original release: Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Begins with Consistent Sentencing – Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Minister has to get A5 appeal right
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan says the Infrastructure Minister, Liz Kimmins, must ensure an appeal against the court ruling that delayed the A5 project does not repeat past failures on climate targets. He criticises the timing of the appeal decision and calls for it to be the final delay.
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: DfI Minister's appeal against the A5 court ruling Original release: McCrossan: Minister has to get A5 appeal right (opens in a new tab)
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Erskine comments on A5 appeal
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine, Chair of the Assembly Infrastructure Committee, says the DfI Minister's appeal of the A5 ruling is valid but will take time. She questions how it will address climate targets cited by the judge and urges the Minister to pursue interim road safety measures and fair…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: DfI Minister's appeal against the A5 court ruling Original release: Erskine comments on A5 appeal (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston raises concerns with Minister Lyons following “drag queen story time” for children event
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston has written to Communities Minister Gordon Lyons over a drag story time event for children at Holywood Arches Library, asking whether Libraries NI approved it, for a review of criteria for child-targeted library events, and for confirmation that safeguarding checks on…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Holywood Arches Library drag story time event for children Original release: Gaston raises concerns with Minister Lyons following “drag queen story time” for children event (opens in a new tab)
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Criminal Probe Into Asbestos in South Belfast Raises Serious Questions for NIEA and Landowners — Issues Gaston Highlighted in a Letter Last Month
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says a NIEA criminal investigation into asbestos at Meridi Street, off the Donegall Road, is overdue and calls for answers on the site's history. He questions why the land owner's links were given little attention and demands transparency over NIEA action since 2018.
Environment and climate Issue: NIEA criminal investigation into asbestos at Meridi Street, South Belfast Original release: Criminal Probe Into Asbestos in South Belfast Raises Serious Questions for NIEA and Landowners — Issues Gaston Highlighted in a Letter Last Month (opens in a new tab)
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Action needed to eliminate foul odour – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew urges Environment Minister Andrew Muir to hold an urgent meeting on foul odours from the Sawgrass/Northway factory, after the smell forced a local GAA summer camp to move and caused vomiting among children, calling for swift action by the minister and the Environment Ag
Environment and climate Issue: Sawgrass/Northway factory foul odour affecting GAA summer camp Original release: Action needed to eliminate foul odour – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Donnelly condemns racially motivated hate crimes in Larne
Alliance Larne Lough Councillor Maeve Donnelly condemns racially motivated criminal damage to two houses in Larne, where police are investigating graffiti and property damage in Hampton Crescent and Doric Way. She urges anyone with information to contact police immediately.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Larne racially motivated criminal damage to two houses investigation Original release: Donnelly condemns racially motivated hate crimes in Larne (opens in a new tab)
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Finnegan calls for long-term local fishing support
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan welcomes the £3.25m Marine Environment and Fisheries Fund from the environment department but says it must become long-term funding beyond a one-year offer. She also presses the British government to clarify local fisheries support under its May Fishing and Coastal…
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: Marine Environment and Fisheries Fund £3.25m support announcement Original release: Finnegan calls for long-term local fishing support (opens in a new tab)
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TUV Challenges Irish Medium Sector on Lack of Newcomer Intake
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston calls for urgent scrutiny of the Irish medium sector after Assembly answer figures showed just 20 newcomer pupils in Irish medium primary schools and none in post-primary. He says the sector should take its fair share of newcomer children.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Assembly answer on newcomer pupil enrolment in Irish medium schools Original release: TUV Challenges Irish Medium Sector on Lack of Newcomer Intake (opens in a new tab)
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Lockhart Secures High-Level Meeting with Airport Chiefs Over…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says Belfast International Airport senior executives have agreed to meet her and constituents over reports of humiliating security screening experiences involving stoma bags. She also says she has contacted Belfast City Airport about sharing training, and will work with…
Disability and equality Health Issue: Belfast International Airport meeting over stoma bag security screening complaints Original release: Lockhart Secures High-Level Meeting with Airport Chiefs Over… (opens in a new tab)
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Tree Protection Bill
Alliance Party calls for a Tree Protection Bill to strengthen legal protections for single trees, groups of trees and ancient woodland, citing a NIPSO report finding only one of 369 reported tree protection breaches led to enforcement action. The bill would reinforce Tree Preservation Orders…
Environment and climate Issue: Tree Protection Bill consultation and NIPSO tree protection breaches report Original release: Tree Protection Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Banning Conversion Practices
Alliance MLA Eóin Tennyson proposes a Private Members' Bill to ban conversion practices in Northern Ireland, creating two new offences: engaging in conversion practice, and removing a person from Northern Ireland for that purpose.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Private Members' Bill to ban conversion practices in Northern Ireland Original release: Banning Conversion Practices (opens in a new tab)
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United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Obligation on Public Authorities) Bill
Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly is introducing a Bill that would require public authorities in Northern Ireland to give statutory due regard to the rights set out in the UN disability treaty, UNCRPD, when developing and reviewing policies and decisions.
Disability and equality Issue: UNCRPD public authorities due regard Bill introduction Original release: United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Obligation on Public Authorities) Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Blair welcomes DAERA Minister’s commitment to key environmental decisions
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's commitment to a series of environmental strategies this Assembly mandate, citing a written answer. He calls for political will across the chamber and reform of the Executive approval process, which he says is…
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's environmental strategies commitment for remainder of mandate Original release: Blair welcomes DAERA Minister’s commitment to key environmental decisions (opens in a new tab)
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Councillor Truesdale welcomes decision by DAERA Minister to reject gondola proposal due to environmental concerns
Alliance Mournes Councillor Jill Truesdale welcomes DAERA's rejection of a proposal to site a gondola in Kilbroney Forest Park, Rostrevor, saying it would threaten wildlife and the surrounding landscape. She says Alliance and local residents have long opposed the project over economic and…
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: DAERA rejection of Kilbroney Forest Park gondola proposal Original release: Councillor Truesdale welcomes decision by DAERA Minister to reject gondola proposal due to environmental concerns (opens in a new tab)
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TUV write to Health Minister raising issues with gender identity service and demanding full transparency
TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston writes to Health Minister Mike Nesbitt raising safeguarding concerns about the Department's new gender identity service, which he says appears to accept referrals without a lower age limit. He demands full disclosure of the policy's development, consultees and…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Health Minister's £800,000 gender identity service allocation Original release: TUV write to Health Minister raising issues with gender identity service and demanding full transparency (opens in a new tab)
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TUV Condemns “Blasphemous Display” at Belfast Pride and Calls Out Public Sector Participation
TUV Equality Spokeswoman Ann McClure condemns a figure dressed as Jesus Christ in Belfast Pride's parade as offensive to Christians and says public sector bodies taking part will be challenged over Section 75 obligations and political neutrality.
Disability and equality Issue: Individual dressed as Jesus Christ at Belfast Pride parade Original release: TUV Condemns “Blasphemous Display” at Belfast Pride and Calls Out Public Sector Participation (opens in a new tab)