Latest releases
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2,748 releases
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Armstrong Slams DAERA Over Quagga Mussel Threat to Lough Erne
UUP MLA Diana Armstrong says she is shocked by the first confirmed case of invasive Quagga Mussel in Lower Lough Erne and criticises DAERA for failing to implement robust biosecurity measures. She calls for urgent action to protect waterways, citing gaps in guidance on power-washing and regulation…
Environment and climate Issue: First confirmed Quagga Mussel case in Lower Lough Erne Original release: Armstrong Slams DAERA Over Quagga Mussel Threat to Lough Erne (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister must explain why he cut funding to housing associations – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew presses the Communities Minister to publish the analysis behind cutting funding for housing associations, after new research claimed the move would halve social home numbers, particularly in Belfast and Lisburn.
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Communities Minister's social housing funding changes and housing associations review Original release: Communities Minister must explain why he cut funding to housing associations – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Local community is in shock at latest road fatality – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy says the Fermanagh community is shocked by a further road death in the county on Thursday, offers condolences to the family of Francis Lynch, and urges drivers to take extra care. She also thanks first responders at the scene.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Fermanagh road fatality on Thursday Original release: Local community is in shock at latest road fatality – Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: High level of homeless deaths reflects Executive failure
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan says repeated Executive failures directly contribute to the high number of homeless deaths, reacting to new statistics recording 58 such deaths in 2024. He calls for sustained investment in prevention, housing, mental health and addiction…
Housing Health Issue: NISRA report of 58 homeless deaths Original release: Durkan: High level of homeless deaths reflects Executive failure (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison expresses disappointment to PAC appeal on Tullynagardy Wood Development
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison says he is disappointed that the developer of five proposed houses in Tullynagardy Wood, Newtownards, has appealed to the Planning Appeals Commission after the council's committee unanimously moved to reject the plan. He calls on the council to defend its position firmly…
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Tullynagardy Wood five-house development appeal to PAC Original release: Mathison expresses disappointment to PAC appeal on Tullynagardy Wood Development (opens in a new tab)
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Homelessness deaths devastating – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew says the 58 homeless deaths reported by NISRA are devastating and urges priority action on homelessness, calling for more homes, better funded prevention services and legislation to extend Housing Executive support to at least 60 days.
Housing Issue: NISRA report of 58 homeless deaths Original release: Homelessness deaths devastating – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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The Irish language is thriving right across society – Reilly
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly says the 227% rise in Irish language enrolments at Queen’s University Belfast shows the language is thriving across society and pledges Sinn Féin will keep supporting its promotion and preservation.
Disability and equality Education Issue: Queen’s University Belfast Irish language enrolment surge Original release: The Irish language is thriving right across society – Reilly (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison calls for urgent clarity on EA Home to School Transport provision
Alliance education spokesperson and Education Committee chair Nick Mathison MLA urges the Education Minister to give schools and parents swift certainty on EA home-to-school transport and to protect pupils. He questions the EA's request that taxi drivers cut rates by 10% and asks for the evidence…
Education Infrastructure and transport Issue: EA request for taxi drivers to cut rates by 10% Original release: Mathison calls for urgent clarity on EA Home to School Transport provision (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister cut to social housing funding cruel and inhumane, says Armstrong
Alliance's Kellie Armstrong MLA calls the Communities Minister's cut to social housing grant reckless and inhumane amid a supply crisis, citing Simon Community homelessness figures and an NI Audit Office finding, and urges him to reconsider priorities.
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Communities Minister's social housing funding changes and housing associations review Original release: Communities Minister cut to social housing funding cruel and inhumane, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Lyons launches consultation on ten-year Executive Disability Strategy
DUP's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons launches a public consultation on the draft ten-year Executive Disability Strategy for 2025 to 2035, with commitments including a Regional Disability Forum, a review of disability legislation and an annual Disability Data compendium. The consultation runs…
Disability and equality Issue: Executive Disability Strategy 2025-2035 public consultation launch Original release: Lyons launches consultation on ten-year Executive Disability Strategy (opens in a new tab)
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New strategy must mark step toward delivering real equality for those with disabilities – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew welcomes the Department for Communities' draft Disability Strategy, published as it goes out for public consultation, calling it a step toward real equality for disabled people. He urges the Communities Minister to bring forward legislative change and encourages people…
Disability and equality Issue: Executive Disability Strategy 2025-2035 public consultation launch Original release: New strategy must mark step toward delivering real equality for those with disabilities – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Dolan welcomes investment in public services and workers
Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan welcomes Finance Minister John O'Dowd's monitoring round allocation of £162 million for capital projects and £104 million for public sector pay awards. She says it will improve roads, public transport, housing, healthcare and education, and urges parties to work together…
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Executive monitoring round allocates £162m capital and £104m public sector pay Original release: Dolan welcomes investment in public services and workers (opens in a new tab)
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Time to move forward and build the A5 – Begley
Sinn Féin MP Órfhlaith Begley says the A5 upgrade in the north west must stay a priority ahead of an appeal against a decision to proceed with the scheme. She calls on parties and campaigners to stay united and says she hopes work can soon begin to prevent further deaths.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: A5 road upgrade appeal against decision to proceed Original release: Time to move forward and build the A5 – Begley (opens in a new tab)
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O'Toole: Quarter of a billion unspent capital underlines staggering Executive mismanagement
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the £250 million underspend revealed in the December monitoring round shows Executive financial mismanagement, criticises delays on the A5, Casement Park and Royal Victoria Children’s Hospital, welcomes PSNI and public‑sector pay allocations and
Public finance and taxation Infrastructure and transport Issue: Executive monitoring round allocates £162m capital and £104m public sector pay Original release: O'Toole: Quarter of a billion unspent capital underlines staggering Executive mismanagement (opens in a new tab)
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Ní Chuilín expresses alarm at projected reduction in social homes
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín says an independent review of changes to social housing grant levels projects Belfast social home completions falling from 1,026 to 337. She calls on the Communities Minister to urgently re-engage with housing associations and protect building in areas of greatest…
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Communities Minister's social housing funding changes and housing associations review Original release: Ní Chuilín expresses alarm at projected reduction in social homes (opens in a new tab)
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Changes to social housing funding must not impact building of homes – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew warns that changes to social housing funding could cut the number of social homes built, citing an independent review commissioned by the Federation of Housing Associations. He calls on the Communities Minister to urgently re-engage with housing associations and…
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Communities Minister's social housing funding changes and housing associations review Original release: Changes to social housing funding must not impact building of homes – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Environment Agency delays holding mid Ulster back – Mallaghan
Sinn Féin MP Cathal Mallaghan says delays by the Environment Agency in responding to planning consultations are holding back economic development in mid Ulster. He says the Agriculture and Environment Minister declined his request for an urgent meeting, and calls for updates and transparency for…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Environment Agency planning consultation backlog in mid Ulster Original release: Environment Agency delays holding mid Ulster back – Mallaghan (opens in a new tab)
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Wilson welcomes news that Marine Court Hotel will no longer accommodate asylum seekers
TUV North Down chairman Peter Wilson welcomes confirmation that asylum seekers will stop being accommodated at the Marine Court Hotel in Bangor in February 2026, arguing no formal change of use was approved. He calls for a firmer immigration system returning arrivals to the first safe country, and…
Immigration Housing Issue: Marine Court Hotel asylum accommodation closure in February 2026 Original release: Wilson welcomes news that Marine Court Hotel will no longer accommodate asylum seekers (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney commends community campaign to restore street lighting on Staffordstown Road
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney welcomes the Department for Infrastructure's decision to replace two removed street lights with four new ones on the Staffordstown Road in Creggan, after a petition and his representations. He credits the local school, GAA club and residents for the change.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Staffordstown Road street lighting replacement decision by Department for Infrastructure Original release: Kearney commends community campaign to restore street lighting on Staffordstown Road (opens in a new tab)
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Butler Challenges DAERA Minister To Break Planning Deadlock Harming NI’s Agri-Food Sector
UUP deputy leader Robbie Butler MLA calls on the DAERA Minister to break a planning deadlock stalling farm improvements, urging adoption of a mitigation-and-betterment model like Natural England's. He also criticises the Department's reliance on the Office for Environmental Protection and a…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Original release: Butler Challenges DAERA Minister To Break Planning Deadlock Harming NI’s Agri-Food Sector (opens in a new tab)