Latest releases
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1,464 releases
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Education Minister cuts first sod at Kilronan Special School
Education Minister Paul Givan cuts the first sod on a £4.9 million School Enhancement Programme at Kilronan Special School, Magherafelt, announcing a single‑storey extension with specialist classrooms and support facilities, and saying the investment will benefit pupils, staff and local families and
Education Disability and equality Issue: Kilronan Special School SEP project start Original release: Education Minister cuts first sod at Kilronan Special School (opens in a new tab)
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Lavery welcomes Pride approval for Lurgan Park
Alliance Lurgan Councillor Peter Lavery welcomes the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council vote, passed 16 to 14, allowing Lurgan Pride to hold its August event in Lurgan Park. He criticises DUP and TUV opposition as shameful and discriminatory.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Lurgan Pride event approval in Lurgan Park by ABC Council Original release: Lavery welcomes Pride approval for Lurgan Park (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister’s painfully slow progress on delivery frustrating, says Armstrong
Alliance's Kellie Armstrong MLA says the Communities Minister's slow progress on social strategies, including anti-poverty, disability and LGBTQI+ plans, is delaying their outcomes. She questions the 'phased approach' used and calls for urgency before the multi-year budget.
Disability and equality Original release: Communities Minister’s painfully slow progress on delivery frustrating, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter Applauds Landmark Vote by Camogie Association
SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter welcomes the Camogie Association special Congress vote, which overwhelmingly backed letting players choose between shorts and skorts in matches. She calls it a long-overdue win for camogie players and for women in sport.
Disability and equality Issue: Camogie Association special Congress vote on shorts or skorts Original release: Hunter Applauds Landmark Vote by Camogie Association (opens in a new tab)
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TUV challenges the Equality Commission on its attitude to Irish language in light of polling evidence
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston writes to the Equality Commission challenging it to produce evidence that Irish language signage is a neutral act, citing LucidTalk and Analogical Research polling on unionist reaction. He asks the Commission to reassess its position, consider a 'chill factor' effect on…
Disability and equality Issue: Irish language signage at Grand Central Station announcement Original release: TUV challenges the Equality Commission on its attitude to Irish language in light of polling evidence (opens in a new tab)
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Cruel, Punishing Budget Won’t Deliver for Working Class People
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll says the 2025/26 Budget, which he voted against, is another year of crisis management, citing homelessness, toxic algae in Lough Neagh and health waiting lists. He calls for mitigations to Westminster social security cuts and the two-child limit and for…
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Northern Ireland 2025/26 Budget vote Original release: Cruel, Punishing Budget Won’t Deliver for Working Class People (opens in a new tab)
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Marriage Equality was a vote for hope, equality and inclusion – Mary Lou McDonald TD
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald marks the tenth anniversary of the Irish marriage equality referendum, calling it a vote for hope, equality and inclusion, and says transphobia and homophobia must be challenged.
Disability and equality Original release: Marriage Equality was a vote for hope, equality and inclusion – Mary Lou McDonald TD (opens in a new tab)
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Communities minister calls for full reinstatement of Winter Fuel…
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons calls for full reinstatement of the universal Winter Fuel Payment and a rethink of Labour's welfare reforms, including cuts to the UC health element and PIP changes. He says Starmer's move to widen eligibility does not go far enough.
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: Starmer announcement widening Winter Fuel Payment eligibility Original release: Communities minister calls for full reinstatement of Winter Fuel… (opens in a new tab)
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Labour’s winter fuel u-turn a long overdue climbdown - Wilson
DUP MP Sammy Wilson welcomes Labour's plans to reverse its decision to remove Winter Fuel Payment support from pensioners, while saying the detail is still awaited in the next Budget. He says the policy caused real fear and hardship and credits DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons for interim…
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: Starmer announcement widening Winter Fuel Payment eligibility Original release: Labour’s winter fuel u-turn a long overdue climbdown - Wilson (opens in a new tab)
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No place for racism or intimidation in our society – Donnelly
Sinn Féin councillor Pádraig Donnelly condemns those behind a suspected racially motivated attack on a home in east Belfast late on Tuesday night. He calls on political and community leaders to challenge such behaviour and urges anyone with information to contact police.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: East Belfast suspected racially motivated attack on home Original release: No place for racism or intimidation in our society – Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
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Home childcare services must be supported in upcoming childcare strategy – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason says the Education Minister must include Approved Home Childcare services in the forthcoming childcare strategy and deliver a comprehensive, affordable plan that supports families and providers of children with physical or additional needs.
Education Disability and equality Issue: NICMA report on childcare for children with additional needs Original release: Home childcare services must be supported in upcoming childcare strategy – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP nominates Doherty as Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast
SDLP says it will nominate Belfast councillor Paul Doherty, an anti-poverty campaigner and founder of Foodstock, as the city's next Deputy Lord Mayor, taking up the post on 2 June.
Social security and welfare Local government Issue: SDLP nomination of Paul Doherty as Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast Original release: SDLP nominates Doherty as Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan questions Executive dissent over anti-poverty strategy
SDLP Communities Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan MLA questions whether Executive parties dissent over the anti-poverty strategy, saying some MLAs distanced themselves from it in the Assembly. He calls on Executive parties to explain why they signed it off and says the whole Executive must take…
Social security and welfare Issue: Executive agreement on anti-poverty strategy for public consultation Original release: McCrossan questions Executive dissent over anti-poverty strategy (opens in a new tab)
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Whyte condemns racist graffiti
SDLP North Belfast councillor Carl Whyte condemns racist 'Muslims out' graffiti, featuring a firearm's cross hairs, in North Belfast, saying it has been removed after he reported it to the council and urging anyone with information to contact police.
Disability and equality Issue: North Belfast 'Muslims out' racist graffiti removal Original release: Whyte condemns racist graffiti (opens in a new tab)
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TUV Chair Warns of Trans Lobby Influence in Local Government
TUV chairman Councillor Keith Ratcliffe says he has asked Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council to seek assurances on single-sex toilet use at the August Lurgan Pride event in Lurgan Park. He also calls for the council's staff guidance on transgender access to be brought into line with the…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Supreme Court ruling on legal definition of a woman council facilities Original release: TUV Chair Warns of Trans Lobby Influence in Local Government (opens in a new tab)
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Allister: Assisted Dying Bill is a Dangerous Charter for Death
TUV leader Jim Allister MP criticises the Assisted Dying Bill as a danger to vulnerable people, arguing it lacks safeguards, including on mental capacity and minors, and urges MPs to reject it.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Assisted Dying Bill Committee Stage amendments and vote Original release: Allister: Assisted Dying Bill is a Dangerous Charter for Death (opens in a new tab)
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Hargey appeals for information following ‘despicable’ racist attack
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey describes a racially motivated assault on a man near the City Hospital in south Belfast, reportedly carried out by up to 15 teenagers who stole his bike. She appeals for anyone with information to contact the PSNI and says those involved must be brought to justice.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: South Belfast racially motivated assault near City Hospital bike theft Original release: Hargey appeals for information following ‘despicable’ racist attack (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister must listen to views of anti-poverty organisations – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew says anti‑poverty groups must be consulted as the draft Anti‑Poverty Strategy is reviewed, urging Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey and Minister Lyons to heed their input to shape an effective plan for low‑income families.
Social security and welfare Issue: Presentation of draft Anti-Poverty Strategy to Executive Original release: Communities Minister must listen to views of anti-poverty organisations – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Doherty: Long-awaited anti-poverty strategy must deliver
SDLP West Belfast councillor Paul Doherty says the draft anti-poverty strategy signed off by the Executive must deliver, warning it is meaningless without funding and measures. He urges the Communities Minister to act on poverty now, not wait for consultation.
Social security and welfare Issue: Presentation of draft Anti-Poverty Strategy to Executive Original release: Doherty: Long-awaited anti-poverty strategy must deliver (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin welcomes progress on childcare support
SDLP Economy Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin welcomes the Education Minister's decision to open the Childcare Subsidy scheme to school-age children, but says it is only a start. She calls for a fully funded childcare strategy, a Department for the Economy support scheme for providers, and UK action…
Education Economy and employment Issue: Executive approval of £55m early learning and childcare package Original release: McLaughlin welcomes progress on childcare support (opens in a new tab)