Latest releases
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1,502 releases
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Crisis response from the Education Minister needed on SEN school placements, say Guy and Mathison
Alliance MLAs Michelle Guy and Nick Mathison say the Education Minister must explore all options to resolve the special educational needs placement crisis, after the Education Authority reported over 160 children still lack confirmed school places for next year.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Authority reports 160+ SEN children awaiting school places Original release: Crisis response from the Education Minister needed on SEN school placements, say Guy and Mathison (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin introduce bill to end RTÉ’s second-class treatment of audiences in north – Hughes
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes welcomes a new Sinn Féin bill, introduced by TDs Aengus Ó Snodaigh and Joanna Byrne, to end RTÉ geo-blocking and the exclusion of northern audiences from its competitions. He says the bill would require broadcasters to make reasonable efforts and would ask Coimisiún na…
Disability and equality Issue: Broadcasting (All Ireland Service) Bill first-stage Dáil introduction Original release: Sinn Féin introduce bill to end RTÉ’s second-class treatment of audiences in north – Hughes (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin to introduce bill to end second-class treatment of audiences in North by RTÉ – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD & Joanna Byrne TD
Sinn Féin TDs Aengus Ó Snodaigh and Joanna Byrne say they have been given leave to introduce a first-stage Dáil bill requiring RTÉ to end the exclusion of Six County audiences from its services, including geo-blocking and audience competitions.
Disability and equality Issue: Broadcasting (All Ireland Service) Bill first-stage Dáil introduction Original release: Sinn Féin to introduce bill to end second-class treatment of audiences in North by RTÉ – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD & Joanna Byrne TD (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP stands against Welfare Bill
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP backs two reasoned amendments, signed with Colum Eastwood, to block the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill at its Commons Second Reading. She warns the welfare reforms will push hundreds of thousands into poverty, hitting Northern Ireland hardest…
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill Commons Second Reading Original release: SDLP stands against Welfare Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Education system continues to fail vulnerable young SEN people and their families, say Mathison and Guy
Alliance MLAs Nick Mathison and Michelle Guy say the education system is failing vulnerable SEN children, pointing to poor communication, delayed statements and over 150 pupils still without school places, and call for a radical overhaul and cross‑departmental legislation to secure post‑19 pathways.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Equity in Education event reveals SEN support failures Original release: Education system continues to fail vulnerable young SEN people and their families, say Mathison and Guy (opens in a new tab)
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Justin McNulty MLA offers condolences following tragic Meigh house fire
SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty expresses sympathy to the family and wider community after a fatal house fire that killed a woman and injured a young man. He wishes the injured man a swift recovery and pays tribute to the emergency responders.
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SDLP condemns ‘appalling and disturbing’ attack on Belfast Islamic Centre
SDLP MPs and MLAs Claire Hanna and Matthew O'Toole condemn an attack on the Belfast Islamic Centre, where a device was thrown through a window during prayers. They call for consistent political leadership against hate and for the Executive to deliver its anti-racism and integration strategies.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Attack on Belfast Islamic Centre while people inside Original release: SDLP condemns ‘appalling and disturbing’ attack on Belfast Islamic Centre (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin welcomes new legislation on spiking but urges further action to protect women
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin welcomes the Justice Minister's move to bring forward a Legislative Consent Motion making drink spiking an offence in its own right, and calls for licensed venues to be required to supply testing kits.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Assembly approval of anti-spiking legislative consent motion Original release: McLaughlin welcomes new legislation on spiking but urges further action to protect women (opens in a new tab)
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Clarke praises emergency services in aftermath of Carrickfergus incident
TUV councillor David Clarke thanks the RNLI, paramedics, air ambulance staff and police for their response after nine children and one adult were endangered when a boat capsized near Carrickfergus Marina. He also wishes a hospitalised child and family well and urges water safety ahead of summer.
Other Issue: Carrickfergus Marina boat capsize incident involving nine children Original release: Clarke praises emergency services in aftermath of Carrickfergus incident (opens in a new tab)
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TUV: Civil Service Must Address Concerns of Staff Opposed to Pride Participation
TUV Equality spokesperson Ann McClure says Timothy Gaston's questions to Finance Minister John O'Dowd on Civil Service participation in Belfast Pride received vague answers, and calls on the Civil Service and Minister to directly address concerns about impartiality and objecting staff.
Disability and equality Issue: NICS participation in Belfast Pride 2025 and Stonewall links Original release: TUV: Civil Service Must Address Concerns of Staff Opposed to Pride Participation (opens in a new tab)
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Guy calls for additional support for school children impacted by racial violence
Alliance education spokesperson Michelle Guy MLA calls on the Department of Education to allocate extra resources to the Education Authority and schools to support children affected by recent racial violence across Northern Ireland. She says newcomer children have been absent from school and asks…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Racial violence impact on school children and newcomer absences Original release: Guy calls for additional support for school children impacted by racial violence (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Executive failing young people with SEN
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says the Executive is letting down young people with special educational needs, arguing the Economy Minister's new post-school support proposals fall well short and calling for joined-up, fully resourced help.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Economy Minister's post-school proposals for pupils with additional needs Original release: Durkan: Executive failing young people with SEN (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew challenges Communities Minister over ‘irresponsible’ social media post
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew questioned Communities Minister Gordon Lyons on actions to secure safe housing for families driven from their Ballymena homes by racist thugs and condemned the minister’s recent Larne Leisure Centre social media post as irresponsible.
Housing Disability and equality Issue: Gordon Lyons social media post on Larne community centre housing Original release: Gildernew challenges Communities Minister over ‘irresponsible’ social media post (opens in a new tab)
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Minister’s statement on SEN protections must be backed up with action…
DUP MLA Phillip Brett, Chair of Stormont's Economy Committee, welcomes the Economy Minister's statement on special educational needs protections as a step forward, but calls for decisive action and legislative safeguards for young people moving into further education, skills and training.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Economy Minister's statement on SEN transition protections Original release: Minister’s statement on SEN protections must be backed up with action… (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin committed to improving support for children with special educational needs – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker welcomes Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald's Assembly proposals to expand post-school options, strengthen further education transitions through new legislation, and fund college accessibility upgrades. He urges Health and Education ministers to commit to the changes.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Economy Minister's post-school proposals for pupils with additional needs Original release: Sinn Féin committed to improving support for children with special educational needs – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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South Belfast racist graffiti ‘deplorable’ – Hargey
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey condemns racist graffiti sprayed on a home in Chadwick Street, south Belfast, calling the behaviour hateful and urging anyone with information to contact the PSNI so those responsible can face justice.
Disability and equality Issue: Racist graffiti on a home in Chadwick Street, south Belfast Original release: South Belfast racist graffiti ‘deplorable’ – Hargey (opens in a new tab)
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TUV call for local hero’s darts triumph to be marked
TUV Braid Councillor Christopher Jamieson congratulates Daryl Gurney and Josh Rock on Northern Ireland's first World Cup of Darts title in Frankfurt. He says he will request a Mayor's reception for Rock in Broughshane on his return.
Other Issue: Northern Ireland win 2025 World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt Original release: TUV call for local hero’s darts triumph to be marked (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP opposition to demand action and accountability after race riots
SDLP Opposition Leader Matthew O'Toole MLA demands a coordinated Executive response to the recent riots, including more PSNI resources, updated hate crime laws and timelines for refugee integration and racial equality strategies. The party also calls for clarity on any loyalist paramilitary…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Ballymena and Larne race riots and Executive response Original release: SDLP opposition to demand action and accountability after race riots (opens in a new tab)
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Long pays tribute to former party leader Sean Neeson following his passing
Alliance Leader Naomi Long pays tribute to former party leader Sean Neeson following his death, saying Alliance has lost part of its history. She recalls his leadership from 1998 to 2001, his time as East Antrim MLA and as a Carrickfergus councillor and mayor.
Other Local government Original release: Long pays tribute to former party leader Sean Neeson following his passing (opens in a new tab)
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Violence in Portadown deplorable and unacceptable, says Tennyson
Alliance Upper Bann MLA Eóin Tennyson condemns overnight violence in Portadown, in which police were attacked and 22 officers injured, calling it deplorable and unacceptable. He says those responsible do not speak for the town's majority and expresses solidarity with migrant and ethnic minority…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Portadown overnight violence against police and migrant communities Original release: Violence in Portadown deplorable and unacceptable, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)