Latest releases
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1,457 releases
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Mathison welcomes Education Minister's U-Turn on girls wearing trousers to school
Alliance Education spokesperson and Education Committee Chair Nick Mathison MLA welcomes the Education Minister's updated legal guidelines on girls' right to wear trousers as school uniform, describing it as a U-turn on an earlier decision.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Minister Givan's school trousers guidance for girls Original release: Mathison welcomes Education Minister's U-Turn on girls wearing trousers to school (opens in a new tab)
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Dillon raises serious concerns over infant mortality with Health Minister
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says she has raised with the Health Minister new figures showing Northern Ireland has the highest infant mortality rate, asking what action is being taken and how inequalities between deprived and affluent areas will be tackled.
Health Disability and equality Issue: New infant mortality figures showing Northern Ireland highest rate Original release: Dillon raises serious concerns over infant mortality with Health Minister (opens in a new tab)
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Yet another Creswell victim let down by incompetence in investigation, says McAllister
Alliance North Belfast MLA Nuala McAllister welcomes a Police Ombudsman report finding the PSNI failed a 2016 complainant over an indecent exposure allegation against Jonathan Creswell. She calls for full transparency, an explanation of why misconduct recommendations are not being followed, and a…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Police Ombudsman findings on PSNI handling of 2016 Creswell complaint Original release: Yet another Creswell victim let down by incompetence in investigation, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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GAA lack of commitment to equality to blame for McAleese departure – Joanna Byrne TD
Sinn Féin spokesperson Joanna Byrne TD blames the GAA for Dr Mary McAleese's resignation as chair of the Integration Committee, claiming the association has backed away from a workable deadline and from equality. She calls for the GAA to appear before the committee and urges it to restore the…
Disability and equality Issue: Mary McAleese resignation as Integration Committee chair Original release: GAA lack of commitment to equality to blame for McAleese departure – Joanna Byrne TD (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong: Rural isolation must never mean suffering in silence
UUP Agriculture and Rural Affairs Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA, during Rural Crime Week, highlights barriers facing rural domestic abuse victims, including distance from refuges and farm ownership issues, and asks the Justice Minister to check whether rural victims get equal refuge and…
Justice and policing Agriculture and rural affairs Original release: Armstrong: Rural isolation must never mean suffering in silence (opens in a new tab)
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Givan levels playing field in pre-school admissions for hard working…
The DUP says Education Minister Paul Givan has confirmed that only benefits named in the outgoing regulations will count for priority in next year's pre-school admissions, ending the reading-in of replacement benefits. He announced this alongside a public consultation on the Socially Disadvantaged…
Education Social security and welfare Issue: Education Minister immediate changes to pre-school Socially Disadvantaged Circumstances criterion Original release: Givan levels playing field in pre-school admissions for hard working… (opens in a new tab)
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Geo-blocking of Katie Taylor fight by RTÉ unacceptable – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy says it is unacceptable that RTÉ is geo-blocking Katie Taylor's fight, locking out viewers in the North. She calls on RTÉ to immediately reverse the decision.
Disability and equality Issue: RTÉ geo-blocking of Katie Taylor fight in Northern Ireland Original release: Geo-blocking of Katie Taylor fight by RTÉ unacceptable – Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Gas customers must not be overlooked following 18.97% price rise - Allen
UUP MLA Andy Allen calls for urgent support for households most at risk after SSE Airtricity announced an 18.97% gas price rise from 1 October, affecting over 200,000 domestic customers in Greater Belfast and West networks. He urges the Executive to target help at gas-heated homes, and the Utility…
Economy and employment Social security and welfare Issue: SSE Airtricity 18.97% gas price increase from 1 October Original release: Gas customers must not be overlooked following 18.97% price rise - Allen (opens in a new tab)
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Heating Oil Support Scheme a welcome help for households: Cameron
DUP MLA Pam Cameron welcomes the Home Heating Oil Support Scheme, which offers £100 vouchers to around 340,000 Northern Ireland households, and urges eligible people to apply when applications open on 9 September.
Economy and employment Social security and welfare Issue: Home heating oil £100 voucher support scheme announcement Original release: Heating Oil Support Scheme a welcome help for households: Cameron (opens in a new tab)
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Lyons announces opening date for Home Heating Oil Support Scheme
DUP's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announces that applications for the £100 heating oil voucher scheme open on 9 September 2026 for about 340,000 eligible households, and urges people to check criteria beforehand. He says he will press for Warm Healthy Homes Strategy funding and will announce…
Social security and welfare Economy and employment Issue: Home heating oil £100 voucher support scheme announcement Original release: Lyons announces opening date for Home Heating Oil Support Scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Oil Payment welcome, but energy efficiency must remain a priority – Allen
East Belfast UUP MLA and Communities Spokesperson Andy Allen MBE welcomes the start of £100 home heating oil payments from September but says the delay shows a framework is needed to deliver future support faster. He calls for energy efficiency measures and Warm Healthy Homes Strategy delivery to…
Economy and employment Social security and welfare Issue: Home heating oil £100 voucher support scheme announcement Original release: Oil Payment welcome, but energy efficiency must remain a priority – Allen (opens in a new tab)
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Cullen calls for urgent action on Friedreich’s Ataxia drug and an all-island approach to healthcare
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen calls for urgent action so patients with Friedreich's Ataxia in the North can access Skyclarys, after the HSE approved its reimbursement in the South. She also urges an all-island approach to healthcare coordination and access to innovative treatments.
Health Disability and equality Issue: HSE approval of Skyclarys for Friedreich's Ataxia reimbursement Original release: Cullen calls for urgent action on Friedreich’s Ataxia drug and an all-island approach to healthcare (opens in a new tab)
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Sodium Valproate families deserve recognition, support and redress – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn says families affected by sodium valproate deserve recognition, support and redress. She calls on the British Government to clarify its response to the Cumberlege Review and Hughes Report, and on the Northern Ireland Department of Health to gather data on those harmed.
Health Disability and equality Original release: Sodium Valproate families deserve recognition, support and redress – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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Egan condemns racist graffiti in Holywood
Alliance North Down MLA Connie Egan condemns racist graffiti found in the Seapark area of Holywood, saying there is no place for hatred or racism in the community. She says Alliance will engage with police to have the graffiti removed and those responsible held to account.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Racist graffiti found in Seapark area of Holywood Original release: Egan condemns racist graffiti in Holywood (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Fein hypocrisy on victims’ payments is breathtaking – Brett
DUP MLA Phillip Brett says Sinn Fein is hypocritical for urging the Secretary of State to reopen the closed claims process for the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme, a programme the DUP helped create for innocent victims.
Community relations and legacy Disability and equality Issue: Sinn Fein request to reopen Troubles Disablement Payment scheme Original release: Sinn Fein hypocrisy on victims’ payments is breathtaking – Brett (opens in a new tab)
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Ní Chuilín urges British Secretary of State to reconsider closing applications to Troubles Permanent Disability Payment Scheme
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín says she is disappointed by the British government's plan to end applications to the Troubles permanent disability scheme at the close of August. She has written to the Secretary of State asking him to reconsider, arguing the deadline leaves many applicants at a…
Community relations and legacy Disability and equality Issue: Sinn Fein request to reopen Troubles Disablement Payment scheme Original release: Ní Chuilín urges British Secretary of State to reconsider closing applications to Troubles Permanent Disability Payment Scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Will activist groups distance themselves from ‘coloniser’ comments
DUP MLA David Brooks challenges Irish language campaign groups, including Conradh na Gaeilge, to say whether they agree that erecting bilingual signs is "decolonisation" and who the colonisers are, after an activist's remarks at a Féile an Phobail concert.
Disability and equality Issue: Féile an Phobail concert remarks on bilingual signs as decolonisation Original release: Will activist groups distance themselves from ‘coloniser’ comments (opens in a new tab)
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Fleadh shows Belfast’s potential, now lets make pedestrianisation of city centre permanent and accessible, say Alliance reps
Alliance representatives across Belfast call on Belfast City Council, the Department for Infrastructure, the Department for Communities and Translink to commission a comprehensive review of city centre pedestrianisation, building on the Fleadh Cheoil. South Belfast MLA Kate Nicholl says…
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Fleadh Cheoil pedestrianisation of Belfast city centre review call Original release: Fleadh shows Belfast’s potential, now lets make pedestrianisation of city centre permanent and accessible, say Alliance reps (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance representatives condemn racially motivated vandalism of homes in Holywood
Alliance North Down’s MLA Andrew Muir and Alderman Martin McRandal condemned two hate‑crime attacks on homes in Holywood’s Church Green and Church Road, urging anyone with information to contact the PSNI and stressing the community’s inclusive values.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Racist vandalism of homes in Holywood Original release: Alliance representatives condemn racially motivated vandalism of homes in Holywood (opens in a new tab)
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Sheehan challenges diversion of Irish-medium funding
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan challenges Education Minister Paul Givan for redirecting £5 million of a £6 million allocation sought for Irish-medium accommodation, questioning the basis for the move and whether it was political.
Disability and equality Education Issue: Diversion of £5 million Irish-medium accommodation funding Original release: Sheehan challenges diversion of Irish-medium funding (opens in a new tab)