Latest releases
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1,378 releases
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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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Cllr Groogan condemns posters in Belvoir
Green Party Botanic councillor Aine Groogan condemns overnight posters in the Belvoir area that she says make concerning statements about housing and stir up tensions. She blames Stormont and the executive parties for the housing shortage and says she is liaising with police and the council to…
Housing Issue: South Belfast Belvoir estate posters calling for local homes Original release: Cllr Groogan condemns posters in Belvoir (opens in a new tab)
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DUP leads Assembly debate on illegal immigration
DUP MLAs led an Assembly debate on illegal immigration, with Upper Bann MLA Jonathan Buckley proposing it. DUP MLA Deborah Erskine says asylum accommodation costs have reached £400 million and calls on the Infrastructure Minister to revisit the Strategic Planning Policy Statement on HMO…
Immigration Housing Issue: Assembly debate on illegal immigration impact in Northern Ireland Original release: DUP leads Assembly debate on illegal immigration (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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McDowell comments on vandalism
TUV Court Councillor Ron McDowell condemns graffiti on an unoccupied property but says condemnation is not enough. He calls for a review of housing policy, arguing local people in the area are being overlooked while foreign nationals are allocated homes there.
Housing Local government Issue: Graffiti on unoccupied property and local housing allocation concerns Original release: McDowell comments on vandalism (opens in a new tab)
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We must continue working together to break down segregation – Cullen
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen calls for society to deliver on young people's aspirations to tackle sectarian segregation, responding to a new Pivotal report on greater integration in the north. She urges more inter-community interaction for young people, better transport links and needs-based housing.
Community relations and legacy Housing Issue: Pivotal report on integration and segregation in the north Original release: We must continue working together to break down segregation – Cullen (opens in a new tab)
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Irish medium early years education must be supported – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason says the Department of Education must do more to enhance Irish medium early years education, calling for investment in facilities, training and retention of early years educators. Her remarks follow an Education Committee meeting.
Education Disability and equality Original release: Irish medium early years education must be supported – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew launches consultation on homelessness prevention legislation
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew invites public views on his proposed bill to extend Housing Executive support for people at risk of homelessness from 28 days to at least 60 days. He says the consultation will help ensure the legislation meets people's needs.
Housing Social security and welfare Issue: Gildernew homelessness prevention bill public consultation Original release: Gildernew launches consultation on homelessness prevention legislation (opens in a new tab)
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Rejection of balanced amendment undermines opportunity to protect rights – Beattie MC MLA
UUP MLA Doug Beattie criticises Alliance, Sinn Féin and the SDLP for voting down his party's amendment to an Assembly motion on discrimination against the LGBTQI+ community, which also sought to protect women's rights. He calls the rejection disappointing and says the amendment struck a fair…
Disability and equality Issue: Assembly motion amendment on LGBTQI+ discrimination and women's rights rejected Original release: Rejection of balanced amendment undermines opportunity to protect rights – Beattie MC MLA (opens in a new tab)
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Every young person deserves same opportunity to thrive, says Donnelly, welcoming passing of Caleb's Causing motion
Alliance Larne Lough Councillor Maeve Donnelly welcomes the council's passing of her motion backing Caleb's Cause and Alma White, which calls for better post-19 SEN provision. It urges the Economy, Health and Education Ministers to consider legislation for post-19 Education Health and Care plans.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Larne Borough Council motion on post-19 SEN provision and Caleb's Cause Original release: Every young person deserves same opportunity to thrive, says Donnelly, welcoming passing of Caleb's Causing motion (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone welcomes Education Minister meeting with Gael Linn
SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone welcomes a meeting between Education Minister Paul Givan and Gael Linn on funding for the Scoil Spreagtha Irish-language scheme, which is set to end in June 2025. He says no firm commitments were given, but the Minister will look again at funding options.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Scoil Spreagtha funding meeting between Education Minister and Gael Linn Original release: McGlone welcomes Education Minister meeting with Gael Linn (opens in a new tab)
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We must redouble our efforts to stamp out homophobia, biphobia and transphobia – Sheerin
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin marks International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, urging political representatives to redouble efforts against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia and warning against toxic discourse becoming mainstream.
Disability and equality Original release: We must redouble our efforts to stamp out homophobia, biphobia and transphobia – Sheerin (opens in a new tab)
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Drop the Puberty Blocker Ban
People Before Profit's Gerry Carroll criticises the Alliance Party's tabled Assembly motion for International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, and calls on the Executive to reverse its indefinite ban on puberty blockers for under-18s and publish the clinical evidence behind it.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Assembly motion on International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia Original release: Drop the Puberty Blocker Ban (opens in a new tab)
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No Pride in Betrayal
Green Party NI says the Stormont Executive parties have failed LGBTQ+ people, citing no promised strategy since 2007, no equality ministerial funding since 2005, and an unfinished 2020 hate crime review. It urges Pride not to give them an unearned pass.
Disability and equality Original release: No Pride in Betrayal (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister must bring forward LGBTQI+ Strategy, says Armstrong
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong calls on Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to deliver an LGBTQI+ strategy without delay, noting it was first promised over a decade ago. She also criticises the minister for not yet meeting LGBTQI+ sector representatives, ahead of a motion in the Assembly on Monday.
Disability and equality Issue: Communities Minister LGBTQI+ strategy delay and Assembly motion Original release: Communities Minister must bring forward LGBTQI+ Strategy, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Renters continue to have their security eroded, says Armstrong
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA says private renters' security is being eroded by rent rises, no-fault evictions and short-term lets, and calls on the Communities Minister to act on Alliance's 'A New Deal for Renters' proposals following a Belfast anti-eviction rally.
Housing Issue: Belfast anti-eviction march announced for 10 May Original release: Renters continue to have their security eroded, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Government must now act on commitments to extend presidential voting rights to citizens in the North – Pearse Doherty TD
Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty TD urges the government to set a timeline and date for a referendum on giving Irish citizens in the North a vote in presidential elections, following a Stormont vote and the Tánaiste's supportive response.
Constitutional affairs Disability and equality Issue: Stormont vote on presidential voting rights for Northern citizens Original release: Government must now act on commitments to extend presidential voting rights to citizens in the North – Pearse Doherty TD (opens in a new tab)