Latest releases
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6,022 releases
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Loss of Carlingford Ferry a major blow to South Down Tourism -…
DUP MLA Diane Forsythe says the cancellation of the Carlingford Ferry for 2026 is a huge setback for South Down tourism and local businesses, criticises the lack of support from tourism agencies and the Department for the Economy, and urges that the ferry and the Narrow Water Bridge can coexist.
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Issue: Carlingford Ferry suspension for 2026 Original release: Loss of Carlingford Ferry a major blow to South Down Tourism -… (opens in a new tab)
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Rachel Reeves great summer giveaway needs careful study
UUP MLA Steve Aiken urges close scrutiny of the Chancellor's summer measures, including VAT cuts on children's activities and food and tariff changes on over 100 essential food items entering GB. He questions whether Windsor Framework rules would allow similar savings in Northern Ireland and wants…
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Chancellor's summer cost-of-living support measures announcement Original release: Rachel Reeves great summer giveaway needs careful study (opens in a new tab)
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Protecting the environment should be a collective effort, says Blair, on Biodiversity Day
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA calls for a collective political effort to protect the environment on Biodiversity Day, after visiting Divis and the Black Mountain with the National Trust. He backs DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's nature recovery work and urges support from other…
Environment and climate Original release: Protecting the environment should be a collective effort, says Blair, on Biodiversity Day (opens in a new tab)
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PSNI and Policing Federation need to listen to under-represented sections of our communities – Kelly
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly calls on the PSNI and Policing Federation to listen to Catholic, Nationalist and Republican communities and other under-represented groups, responding to the Federation chairman's annual conference speech. He says 50-50 recruitment should be explored as part of an…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Police Federation chairman's annual conference speech on PSNI recruitment Original release: PSNI and Policing Federation need to listen to under-represented sections of our communities – Kelly (opens in a new tab)
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Boylan welcomes Strategic Review of the Planning Appeals Commission report
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan welcomes a National Audit Office report on the Planning Appeals Commission, saying it confirms long-known delays and backlogs. He commends Planning Minister Kimmins's bid to the Transformation Board on 'Hear and Report' cases and urges the Justice Minister to speed up…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Northern Ireland Audit Office report on planning system failures Original release: Boylan welcomes Strategic Review of the Planning Appeals Commission report (opens in a new tab)
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McEntee remarks on Northern passport office disgraceful and deeply out of touch – Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD
Sinn Féin TD Pádraig Mac Lochlainn condemns Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee's Dáil remarks comparing calls for a North and north west passport office with wasteful public spending, saying the comparison is disgraceful and insulting to citizens.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: McEntee Dáil remarks on passport office versus public spending waste Original release: McEntee remarks on Northern passport office disgraceful and deeply out of touch – Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD (opens in a new tab)
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Planning System Failing Northern Ireland – Brett
North Belfast DUP MLA Phillip Brett, who chairs the Assembly's Economy Committee, says a Northern Ireland Audit Office report exposes failures in the planning system and calls for reform. He cites planning appeals averaging 73 weeks and a Planning Appeals Commission lacking statutory targets and…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Northern Ireland Audit Office report on planning system failures Original release: Planning System Failing Northern Ireland – Brett (opens in a new tab)
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Bus and rail cuts a direct result of Minister’s failure to prioritise public transport
UUP infrastructure spokesperson John Stewart MLA says Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins is not giving public transport enough priority, after Translink warned of possible bus and rail service cuts and reduced concessionary fares. He blames years of underfunding and calls on the Minister to work…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Translink considering service cuts and fare discount removal Original release: Bus and rail cuts a direct result of Minister’s failure to prioritise public transport (opens in a new tab)
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Ní Chuilín welcomes further progress on public inquiry into Mother and Baby institutions
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín welcomes progress on the Mother and Baby Institutions Bill in the Assembly, saying it will provide a framework for a public inquiry into institutions where women and girls were held. She says victims' priority is exposing the abuse they endured and criticises…
Disability and equality Issue: Mother and Baby Institutions Bill progress in the Assembly Original release: Ní Chuilín welcomes further progress on public inquiry into Mother and Baby institutions (opens in a new tab)
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Meaningful engagement needed between Health Minister and BMA – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan calls on the Health Minister to urgently hold meaningful negotiations with the BMA to avert planned hospital doctor strikes, citing the 3.5% pay offer rejection and warning of added pressure on emergency services.
Health Economy and employment Issue: BMA hospital doctors strike action over 3.5% pay offer Original release: Meaningful engagement needed between Health Minister and BMA – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Changes to how new drivers obtain licenses will improve road safety – Ennis
Sinn Féin MLA Sinéad Ennis welcomes progress on Graduated Driver Licensing, with changes to how new drivers obtain licences expected by October and new tests beginning in April 2027. She says the reforms aim to reduce serious road traffic accidents involving new and young drivers.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Graduated Driver Licensing progress following Infrastructure Committee meeting Original release: Changes to how new drivers obtain licenses will improve road safety – Ennis (opens in a new tab)
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Blocking of RTÉ content in North ‘unacceptable and must be brought to an end’ – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney welcomes the Economy Minister's engagement with the Irish and British governments on geoblocking, arguing that restricted access to RTÉ content in the North must end and urging Dublin to press London, regulators and internet providers.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Geoblocking of RTÉ content in Northern Ireland Original release: Blocking of RTÉ content in North ‘unacceptable and must be brought to an end’ – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Executive must prevent doctors’ strike
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the Executive must take responsibility for deteriorating relations with healthcare workers and calls on the Health Minister to engage with staff representatives to prevent BMA-announced strike action by doctors.
Health Issue: BMA hospital doctors strike action over 3.5% pay offer Original release: McGrath: Executive must prevent doctors’ strike (opens in a new tab)
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McNulty: Executive failure risking Translink cuts
SDLP Opposition Infrastructure Spokesperson Justin McNulty MLA blames an Executive failure to properly fund Translink for possible service cuts and fare discount removals. He says students, disabled and elderly people and rural communities would be hit, and calls for expanded public transport…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Translink considering service cuts and fare discount removal Original release: McNulty: Executive failure risking Translink cuts (opens in a new tab)
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Chambers: Doctors have a genuine ally in Health Minister Nesbitt
UUP health spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA expresses disappointment at the BMA in Northern Ireland balloting members for industrial action, and urges doctors to recognise Health Minister Mike Nesbitt as an ally committed to delivering their pay award once an Executive budget is agreed.
Health Economy and employment Issue: BMA hospital doctors strike action over 3.5% pay offer Original release: Chambers: Doctors have a genuine ally in Health Minister Nesbitt (opens in a new tab)
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Rising prices mean door to home ownership slammed shut for many families, says Mulholland
Alliance Communities Spokesperson Sian Mulholland MLA says rising house prices are shutting young people and families out of home ownership, citing the latest House Price Index showing an average near £200,000. She calls on the Communities Minister to set out a plan to boost supply and support…
Housing Issue: Latest House Price Index showing Northern Ireland average near £200,000 Original release: Rising prices mean door to home ownership slammed shut for many families, says Mulholland (opens in a new tab)
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Dunne Calls for Urgent Review of Grass Cutting Policy Amid Road…
North Down DUP MLA Stephen Dunne urges Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to reassess the department's roadside grass cutting approach, citing poor sight lines at junctions and on key routes after a wet, mild spell. He says the current twice-yearly cut is a safety concern and asks for more…
Infrastructure and transport Original release: Dunne Calls for Urgent Review of Grass Cutting Policy Amid Road… (opens in a new tab)
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Time for Health and Education Ministers to deliver for children with complex and additional needs – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker calls on the Health and Education Ministers to cooperate on drafting a bill in the next mandate that would improve support for young people with complex and additional needs, urging them to act without delay.
Disability and equality Health Original release: Time for Health and Education Ministers to deliver for children with complex and additional needs – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Executive must agree Budget to fund 24/7 thrombectomy services
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA welcomes the Health Minister's pledge to fund a dedicated 24/7 thrombectomy stroke service once his department's Budget is confirmed. He argues progress has been too slow and blames the lack of an agreed Executive budget, and repeats the call…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health Minister commitment to 24/7 thrombectomy stroke service Original release: McGrath: Executive must agree Budget to fund 24/7 thrombectomy services (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter welcomes Assembly backing for post-19 SEN reform
SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA welcomes Assembly backing for her party's Opposition Day motion, urging the Executive to legislate for legal entitlements and consistent, high-quality post-school support for young people with special educational needs up to age 25.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Assembly Opposition Day motion on post-19 special educational needs provision Original release: Hunter welcomes Assembly backing for post-19 SEN reform (opens in a new tab)