Latest releases
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1,575 releases
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SDLP stands against Welfare Bill
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP backs two reasoned amendments, signed with Colum Eastwood, to block the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill at its Commons Second Reading. She warns the welfare reforms will push hundreds of thousands into poverty, hitting Northern Ireland hardest…
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill Commons Second Reading Original release: SDLP stands against Welfare Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Jim Allister responds to A5 ruling
TUV leader Jim Allister KC MLA responds to the ruling on the A5 road, saying farmers in West Tyrone will be relieved and blaming MLAs who backed the Climate Change Act for the fallout. He claims Northern Ireland is being strangled by net zero, with infrastructure, agriculture and industry…
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: A5 road scheme judicial review ruling Original release: Jim Allister responds to A5 ruling (opens in a new tab)
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A5 ruling adds to uncertainty- Erskine
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine, Chair of the Stormont Infrastructure Committee, says the A5 judicial review ruling creates uncertainty for families, farmers and landowners and calls for urgent clarity from DfI on the scheme's future. She says the handling of the scheme has been deeply flawed and…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: A5 road scheme judicial review ruling Original release: A5 ruling adds to uncertainty- Erskine (opens in a new tab)
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Education system continues to fail vulnerable young SEN people and their families, say Mathison and Guy
Alliance MLAs Nick Mathison and Michelle Guy say the education system is failing vulnerable SEN children, pointing to poor communication, delayed statements and over 150 pupils still without school places, and call for a radical overhaul and cross‑departmental legislation to secure post‑19 pathways.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Equity in Education event reveals SEN support failures Original release: Education system continues to fail vulnerable young SEN people and their families, say Mathison and Guy (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP condemns ‘appalling and disturbing’ attack on Belfast Islamic Centre
SDLP MPs and MLAs Claire Hanna and Matthew O'Toole condemn an attack on the Belfast Islamic Centre, where a device was thrown through a window during prayers. They call for consistent political leadership against hate and for the Executive to deliver its anti-racism and integration strategies.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Attack on Belfast Islamic Centre while people inside Original release: SDLP condemns ‘appalling and disturbing’ attack on Belfast Islamic Centre (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin welcomes new legislation on spiking but urges further action to protect women
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin welcomes the Justice Minister's move to bring forward a Legislative Consent Motion making drink spiking an offence in its own right, and calls for licensed venues to be required to supply testing kits.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Assembly approval of anti-spiking legislative consent motion Original release: McLaughlin welcomes new legislation on spiking but urges further action to protect women (opens in a new tab)
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Green Party leader responds to NI exec's climate action plan
Green Party Leader Mal O'Hara says the Executive's climate action plan is late and lacks ambition, particularly on agriculture and transport, and urges the Minister to act on ICCC recommendations and the All-Island Rail Review.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: DAERA draft Climate Action Plan consultation Original release: Green Party leader responds to NI exec's climate action plan (opens in a new tab)
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Finnegan welcomes publication of draft Climate Action Plan
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan urges the public to respond to the consultation on the draft Climate Action Plan published by the environment department today. She says the party will assess the plan for a fair transition, all-Ireland climate challenges and the needs of rural communities.
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA draft Climate Action Plan consultation Original release: Finnegan welcomes publication of draft Climate Action Plan (opens in a new tab)
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TUV: Civil Service Must Address Concerns of Staff Opposed to Pride Participation
TUV Equality spokesperson Ann McClure says Timothy Gaston's questions to Finance Minister John O'Dowd on Civil Service participation in Belfast Pride received vague answers, and calls on the Civil Service and Minister to directly address concerns about impartiality and objecting staff.
Disability and equality Issue: NICS participation in Belfast Pride 2025 and Stonewall links Original release: TUV: Civil Service Must Address Concerns of Staff Opposed to Pride Participation (opens in a new tab)
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Climate Action Plan proposals show Muir has learned nothing from NAP…
DUP Deputy Leader and Agriculture Spokesperson Michelle McIlveen MLA criticises DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's draft Climate Action Plan consultation, warning of a £1 billion cost to 2027 and of livestock reductions of 81,000 beef and 25,000 dairy cattle, and urges farmers to respond.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: DAERA draft Climate Action Plan consultation Original release: Climate Action Plan proposals show Muir has learned nothing from NAP… (opens in a new tab)
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All-island approach needed to tackle air pollution – Finnegan
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan calls for an all-island approach to tackle air pollution on Clean Air Day, arguing it harms health, worsens health inequalities and contributes to hundreds of deaths each year. She pledges support for the Executive and the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and…
Environment and climate Health Original release: All-island approach needed to tackle air pollution – Finnegan (opens in a new tab)
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Guy calls for additional support for school children impacted by racial violence
Alliance education spokesperson Michelle Guy MLA calls on the Department of Education to allocate extra resources to the Education Authority and schools to support children affected by recent racial violence across Northern Ireland. She says newcomer children have been absent from school and asks…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Racial violence impact on school children and newcomer absences Original release: Guy calls for additional support for school children impacted by racial violence (opens in a new tab)
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Independent EPA key to strengthening environmental governance, says Blair, following publication of report
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes the interim report of the Independent Panel on Environmental Governance, backing its recommendation for an independent Environmental Protection Agency. He urges Executive parties to fully support the final recommendations expected this…
Environment and climate Issue: Independent Panel on Environmental Governance interim report publication Original release: Independent EPA key to strengthening environmental governance, says Blair, following publication of report (opens in a new tab)
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O’Dowd ignoring crumbling water infrastructure: O’Toole
SDLP Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole says Finance Minister John O'Dowd refuses to acknowledge a funding crisis at NI Water, despite Fiscal Council warnings, and calls for a funding plan, citing Lough Neagh pollution and social housing targets.
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: NI Water funding crisis and Finance Minister's refusal to acknowledge it Original release: O’Dowd ignoring crumbling water infrastructure: O’Toole (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Executive failing young people with SEN
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says the Executive is letting down young people with special educational needs, arguing the Economy Minister's new post-school support proposals fall well short and calling for joined-up, fully resourced help.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Economy Minister's post-school proposals for pupils with additional needs Original release: Durkan: Executive failing young people with SEN (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew challenges Communities Minister over ‘irresponsible’ social media post
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew questioned Communities Minister Gordon Lyons on actions to secure safe housing for families driven from their Ballymena homes by racist thugs and condemned the minister’s recent Larne Leisure Centre social media post as irresponsible.
Housing Disability and equality Issue: Gordon Lyons social media post on Larne community centre housing Original release: Gildernew challenges Communities Minister over ‘irresponsible’ social media post (opens in a new tab)
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Minister’s statement on SEN protections must be backed up with action…
DUP MLA Phillip Brett, Chair of Stormont's Economy Committee, welcomes the Economy Minister's statement on special educational needs protections as a step forward, but calls for decisive action and legislative safeguards for young people moving into further education, skills and training.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Economy Minister's statement on SEN transition protections Original release: Minister’s statement on SEN protections must be backed up with action… (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin committed to improving support for children with special educational needs – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker welcomes Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald's Assembly proposals to expand post-school options, strengthen further education transitions through new legislation, and fund college accessibility upgrades. He urges Health and Education ministers to commit to the changes.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Economy Minister's post-school proposals for pupils with additional needs Original release: Sinn Féin committed to improving support for children with special educational needs – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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South Belfast racist graffiti ‘deplorable’ – Hargey
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey condemns racist graffiti sprayed on a home in Chadwick Street, south Belfast, calling the behaviour hateful and urging anyone with information to contact the PSNI so those responsible can face justice.
Disability and equality Issue: Racist graffiti on a home in Chadwick Street, south Belfast Original release: South Belfast racist graffiti ‘deplorable’ – Hargey (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP opposition to demand action and accountability after race riots
SDLP Opposition Leader Matthew O'Toole MLA demands a coordinated Executive response to the recent riots, including more PSNI resources, updated hate crime laws and timelines for refugee integration and racial equality strategies. The party also calls for clarity on any loyalist paramilitary…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Ballymena and Larne race riots and Executive response Original release: SDLP opposition to demand action and accountability after race riots (opens in a new tab)