Latest releases
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3,340 releases
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No one should have a licence to pollute, says Blair, welcoming stronger wastewater pollution regulations
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes the Environment Minister's Assembly update on stronger wastewater pollution rules, including tougher fines, ending NI Water's licence to pollute and stricter discharge consent standards. He urges Executive approval and urgent Infrastructure…
Environment and climate Issue: Environment Minister's Assembly update on wastewater pollution measures Original release: No one should have a licence to pollute, says Blair, welcoming stronger wastewater pollution regulations (opens in a new tab)
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Forsythe: DfE Must Be Honest About Unrealistic 2030 Energy Targets
DUP South Down MLA Diane Forsythe says the Department for the Economy must be candid about Northern Ireland's 2030 renewable electricity target of 80%, which she calls unachievable on current trajectory. She cites roughly 44% renewable generation today and calls for a credible, deliverable energy…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Economy Committee questioning of Energy Group officials on 2030 renewable electricity target Original release: Forsythe: DfE Must Be Honest About Unrealistic 2030 Energy Targets (opens in a new tab)
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Irish Language Commission links language to IRA campaign – he should go
TUV leader Jim Allister says Irish Language Commissioner Pol Deeds's claim that opposition to Irish is a blow for unification echoes a 1982 IRA-era remark and calls for his removal, urging Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly to act.
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Issue: Irish Language Commissioner Pol Deeds comments on opposition to Irish Original release: Irish Language Commission links language to IRA campaign – he should go (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Long health waiting lists leaving patients in limbo
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the latest hospital waiting list figures, showing over 542,000 people awaiting a first outpatient appointment and more than 174,000 waiting over two years, raise doubts about whether the Executive treats the backlog as a priority.
Health Issue: Latest hospital waiting list figures for outpatient appointments Original release: McGrath: Long health waiting lists leaving patients in limbo (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds Calls for Urgent Action on Eating Disorder Services
DUP MLA Diane Dodds calls on the Health Minister to set a firm timetable for upgrading the regional eating disorder service, noting an outline business case awaits Finance review under Action 29d of the Mental Health Strategy.
Health Issue: Eating disorder service enhancement timetable ahead of Awareness Week debate Original release: Dodds Calls for Urgent Action on Eating Disorder Services (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: PSNI officers abusing position for sexual purposes reinforces need for cultural change
SDLP MLA Colin McGrath, a Policing Board member, says the high number of officers abusing their position for sexual purposes shows a need for cultural change in the PSNI, following the Police Ombudsman's report on the issue. He calls for the Justice Minister to confirm when legislation for faster…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Police Ombudsman report on sexual misconduct by PSNI officers Original release: McGrath: PSNI officers abusing position for sexual purposes reinforces need for cultural change (opens in a new tab)
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‘Stark’ endometriosis waiting times highlight need for change – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn calls for a step change in endometriosis services in the north after new figures show average diagnosis waiting times of nearly 10 years. She urges the Health Minister to set up specialist endometriosis services and work with Dublin on an all-island approach.
Health Disability and equality Issue: New figures on endometriosis diagnosis waiting times Original release: ‘Stark’ endometriosis waiting times highlight need for change – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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Brooks expresses concern at lack of transparency and consideration around plans for Botanic Gardens
Alliance councillor Tara Brooks voices concern that Belfast City Council's plan to move a community garden and an EU-funded UPSURGE environmental project from Botanic Gardens for a sports pitch lacks transparency. She says her proposal to pause the decision for more information was ignored and…
Local government Environment and climate Issue: Botanic Gardens community garden relocation for new sports pitch Original release: Brooks expresses concern at lack of transparency and consideration around plans for Botanic Gardens (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Minister must address soaring temporary accommodation spend
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan, who chairs the Public Accounts Committee, calls on Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to urgently address spending on temporary accommodation after a PAC report found £40m was spent in 2024/25.
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Public Accounts Committee report on homelessness Original release: McCrossan: Minister must address soaring temporary accommodation spend (opens in a new tab)
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NI homelessness crisis exacerbated by lack of investment and continued selling of social homes, says Armstrong
Alliance's Kellie Armstrong MLA says homelessness in Northern Ireland is worsening due to low prevention investment and NI Housing Executive Right to Buy sales, and calls for an urgent pause on selling social homes after a Public Accounts Committee inquiry recommended changes to the scheme.
Housing Issue: Public Accounts Committee inquiry on NIHE Right to Buy Scheme Original release: NI homelessness crisis exacerbated by lack of investment and continued selling of social homes, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Horrifying reports of AI-generated abuse of disabled people highlights need for regulation, says Nicholl
Alliance MLA Kate Nicholl calls for AI regulation after reports that Meta is investigating accounts sharing AI-generated sexualised content degrading disabled people. She says she will bring an amendment to the Justice Bill banning tools built to create non-consensual sexually explicit images.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Meta investigation into AI-generated sexualised content of disabled people Original release: Horrifying reports of AI-generated abuse of disabled people highlights need for regulation, says Nicholl (opens in a new tab)
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Carroll Passes Motion on Damp and Mould - Hits Out at Shameless Pay Hike
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll says his motion on damp and mould in rented housing has passed at Stormont and calls on the Communities Minister to bring in tougher legislation requiring landlords to investigate and fix such problems within set deadlines. He cites NHS costs of cold, damp…
Housing Economy and employment Issue: Stormont motion on damp and mould in rented housing Original release: Carroll Passes Motion on Damp and Mould - Hits Out at Shameless Pay Hike (opens in a new tab)
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Murphy welcomes Executive approval to permanently end Petroleum Exploration and Licensing
Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy welcomes the Executive's sign-off on repeal legislation that would permanently halt oil and gas exploration and licensing in the north, including fracking. She says it aligns the region with the rest of the island and will protect Fermanagh communities.
Environment and climate Issue: Executive approval of Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill Original release: Murphy welcomes Executive approval to permanently end Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (opens in a new tab)
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Doctors’ testimony of impact of genocide on Gaza healthcare system harrowing – Cullen
Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP Pat Cullen describes testimony from Palestinian and British doctors on Gaza's healthcare system as harrowing, condemns Israel's blocking of medical treatment and evacuations, and calls for stronger global pressure to enforce international law.
International affairs Health Issue: Westminster briefing on impact of Gaza conflict on healthcare Original release: Doctors’ testimony of impact of genocide on Gaza healthcare system harrowing – Cullen (opens in a new tab)
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Rising levels of homelessness must be tackled – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew calls on Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to tackle rising homelessness with greater focus on prevention, following a Public Accounts Committee report. He urges full acceptance of its recommendations and welcomes its support for his bill on preventing homelessness.
Housing Issue: Public Accounts Committee report on homelessness Original release: Rising levels of homelessness must be tackled – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Huge support for all pupils having the option to wear trousers – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason welcomes the strongly positive response to a survey by the Education Committee on a plan guaranteeing all pupils the right to wear trousers, with about 98% in favour. She says the School Uniform Bill was a missed opportunity and calls for it to pass before next year's…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Committee survey on pupils' right to wear trousers Original release: Huge support for all pupils having the option to wear trousers – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Bilingual signage at Ulster University students’ union ‘another positive step for equality’ – Delargy
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy welcomes Ulster University's decision to install bilingual Irish and English signage across its students' union, citing a 2018 student vote, and commends Irish language campaigners for their work.
Disability and equality Education Issue: Ulster University students' union bilingual signage installation Original release: Bilingual signage at Ulster University students’ union ‘another positive step for equality’ – Delargy (opens in a new tab)
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McAllister expresses horror at those behind swastika in West Belfast
Alliance MLA Nuala McAllister says she is horrified by a swastika and anti-immigration message daubed on a gate on the Ballygomartin Road in West Belfast. She condemns those responsible, says Alliance contacted Belfast City Council for its removal, and urges anyone with information to contact the…
Disability and equality Issue: Swastika and anti-immigration graffiti on Ballygomartin Road gate Original release: McAllister expresses horror at those behind swastika in West Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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Marine Protected Areas Strategy crucial for healthier habitats, says Blair, following publication
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair welcomes the launch of Northern Ireland’s Marine Protected Areas Strategy by Minister Andrew Muir, calling it a vital step to restore marine and freshwater habitats, boost biodiversity and use carbon‑absorbing seagrass and kelp to aid climate action.
Environment and climate Issue: Launch of Northern Ireland Marine Protected Areas Strategy Original release: Marine Protected Areas Strategy crucial for healthier habitats, says Blair, following publication (opens in a new tab)
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Halt For-Profit Gouging of Health Service
People Before Profit's Cllr Shaun Harkin brings a motion to Derry City and Strabane District Council's February meeting urging a halt to profiteering in the health service, citing more than £302 million paid to private providers by Health and Social Care Trusts from 2020 to 2025.
Health Public finance and taxation Original release: Halt For-Profit Gouging of Health Service (opens in a new tab)