Latest releases
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2,471 releases
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Hunter: North falling further behind on free school meals
SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA says the North is falling further behind on free school meals after the Education Authority announced nearly 20% rises in school dinner costs. She calls for universal free school meals and restored holiday hunger payments instead.
Education Social security and welfare Issue: Education Authority school dinner price increase announcement Original release: Hunter: North falling further behind on free school meals (opens in a new tab)
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Allen welcomes long overdue action on pavement parking, but stressed enforcement and awareness are key
Ulster Unionist MLA Andy Allen MBE welcomes Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins' plans to bring in secondary legislation on pavement parking, but warns the measures will fall short without enforcement and awareness. He calls on the Minister to explain how the Department will tackle vehicles that…
Infrastructure and transport Disability and equality Issue: Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins pavement parking secondary legislation announcement Original release: Allen welcomes long overdue action on pavement parking, but stressed enforcement and awareness are key (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong calls for a NI Fuel Poverty Strategy now
Alliance's Kellie Armstrong MLA urges the Communities Minister to publish a targeted fuel poverty strategy before the upcoming Budget, citing National Energy Action NI findings that many households went without heating and that fuel poverty worsens health and mental wellbeing.
Social security and welfare Housing Issue: National Energy Action NI fuel poverty briefing Original release: Armstrong calls for a NI Fuel Poverty Strategy now (opens in a new tab)
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We need more EV charging infrastructure in Belfast, says Long, welcoming progress
Alliance Belfast City Council Group Leader Councillor Michael Long welcomes council's agreement to begin tendering for the operating model of 42 EV charging stations on council land, after a Sinn Féin deferral. He calls for more charging infrastructure across Belfast to encourage electric vehicle…
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Belfast City Council EV charging stations tender decision Original release: We need more EV charging infrastructure in Belfast, says Long, welcoming progress (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin condemns west Belfast racially motivated hate incident
Sinn Féin councillor Ronan McLaughlin condemns a racially‑motivated hate attack in west Belfast’s Glen Road, offers sympathy to the affected family, says there is no place for racism, praises the community’s hospitality, pledges to support the family and urges anyone with details to contact the PSNI
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Racist hate incident in Glen Road, west Belfast Original release: McLaughlin condemns west Belfast racially motivated hate incident (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong expresses concern over fare increases for Strangford Ferry
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong criticises the Infrastructure Minister's decision to raise Strangford Ferry fares for a second consecutive year, warning of harm to commuters, students and outpatients attending Downe Hospital, and asks for the calculation and internal efficiencies behind the rise.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Strangford Ferry fare increase consultation 2025 Original release: Armstrong expresses concern over fare increases for Strangford Ferry (opens in a new tab)
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DUP must act to prevent their Irish language commissioner interfering in Grand Central case
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says Conradh na Gaeilge's statement on the newly appointed Irish Language Commissioner is a manifesto for cultural conquest and calls on the DUP to use its claimed Executive veto to block any Commissioner interference in the Grand Central controversy.
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Issue: Pól Deeds appointed Irish Language Commissioner Original release: DUP must act to prevent their Irish language commissioner interfering in Grand Central case (opens in a new tab)
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‘Céim mhór chun cinn’ do Ghaeilgeoirí – Kearney
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, National Chairperson, welcomes the appointment of Pól Deeds as Irish Language Commissioner, which the Executive Office has announced, saying it marks a major advance for Irish speakers in the north. He says the commissioner will lead efforts to strengthen the language…
Disability and equality Issue: Pól Deeds appointed Irish Language Commissioner Original release: ‘Céim mhór chun cinn’ do Ghaeilgeoirí – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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TUV blasts appointment of Irish Language Commissioner
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says the appointment of Pol Deeds as Irish Language Commissioner is deeply troubling, citing his past declared Sinn Féin affiliation and advocacy for expanded Irish language legislation, and claims the DUP signed off on it.
Disability and equality Issue: Pól Deeds appointed Irish Language Commissioner Original release: TUV blasts appointment of Irish Language Commissioner (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter urges Department to deliver swift resolution to Kilrea bridge closure
SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter welcomes the Department for Infrastructure taking steps on structural work for the River Bann bridge in Kilrea, closed since September, but calls for dates and deadlines and warns against further delays to reopening.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Kilrea River Bann bridge closure Original release: Hunter urges Department to deliver swift resolution to Kilrea bridge closure (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone welcomes appointment of language commissioners
SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone welcomes the confirmation that Irish Language and Ulster Scots Commissioners will soon take up their posts, ending long uncertainty. He criticises the Executive for delays and asks the Executive Office to set out the experience of newly named appointees to the cultural body.
Disability and equality Issue: Pól Deeds appointed Irish Language Commissioner Original release: McGlone welcomes appointment of language commissioners (opens in a new tab)
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Language Commissioners must build trust not division - Butler
UUP Deputy Leader Robbie Butler MLA says the newly appointed Language Commissioners and the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression director must prove they serve the public and build trust. He criticises the Sinn Féin and DUP talks process as sidelining others, and urges value for money and…
Disability and equality Issue: Office of Identity and Cultural Expression appointments announced Original release: Language Commissioners must build trust not division - Butler (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw welcomes appointment of Language Commissioners
Alliance Executive Office Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw welcomes the First and deputy First Minister's sending of letters of offer to Pól Deeds and Lee Reynolds, appointees as Irish Language and Ulster-Scots Commissioners. She says the process took too long and looks forward to them presenting their…
Disability and equality Issue: Identity and Language Act Commissioner appointments delay Original release: Bradshaw welcomes appointment of Language Commissioners (opens in a new tab)
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PSNI must explain reason not to implement Ombudsman’s recommendations in full – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon calls on the PSNI to explain why it did not fully implement the Police Ombudsman's recommendations on four officers' conduct during a December 2022 arrest. She says the findings of misogynistic remarks toward a woman reporting domestic abuse are concerning.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Police Ombudsman report on officers' conduct during December 2022 arrest Original release: PSNI must explain reason not to implement Ombudsman’s recommendations in full – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Final Anti-Poverty Strategy must be delivered without delay – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew raises concern about delays to a final Anti-Poverty Strategy, after Communities Committee officials said it could slip to after April 2026. He calls on the Communities Minister to set a clear timeline for a robust strategy.
Social security and welfare Issue: Communities Committee update on final Anti-Poverty Strategy timing Original release: Final Anti-Poverty Strategy must be delivered without delay – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone welcomes £100k funding to save Scoil Spreagtha scheme
SDLP Irish Language Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA welcomes £100,000 in funding to keep the Scoil Spreagtha Irish language lessons scheme running for another year, followed by an evaluation, and says he will keep pressing for future funding.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Scoil Spreagtha scheme £100,000 funding confirmation Original release: McGlone welcomes £100k funding to save Scoil Spreagtha scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Breaking Barriers in Agriculture and Championing Women Farmers
UUP MLA Diana Armstrong urges DAERA to implement the recommendations of the 2022 Breaking the Grass Ceiling report, saying women farmers are vital to NI’s agri‑food economy and the party will lobby for equality.
Agriculture and rural affairs Disability and equality Issue: Breaking the Grass Ceiling report recommendations Original release: Breaking Barriers in Agriculture and Championing Women Farmers (opens in a new tab)
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Northern Ireland Cannot Be Broken by Unachievable Climate Targets
UUP Deputy Leader Robbie Butler MLA says a Audit Office report confirms concerns that the Department for Economy's energy strategy is falling short, and calls for a revision of Northern Ireland's 2030 climate targets, citing grid connection delays, planning delays and the lack of a storage strategy.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Audit Office report on Department for the Economy green energy strategy Original release: Northern Ireland Cannot Be Broken by Unachievable Climate Targets (opens in a new tab)
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Oireachtas na Samhna opportunity to showcase Irish as vibrant and flourishing language – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says Belfast's hosting of Oireachtas na Samhna, running 29 October to 2 November, shows Irish is vibrant and flourishing, citing the city's new Irish language policy and upcoming Gaeltacht and Fleadh hosting.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Oireachtas na Samhna festival hosted in Belfast 2025 Original release: Oireachtas na Samhna opportunity to showcase Irish as vibrant and flourishing language – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Closure of road near Benburb causing disruption – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew says he is pressing authorities for urgent repairs to a bridge-damaged road linking Benburb and Tullysaran, closed after Storm Amy, which is hurting local residents and businesses via a diversion.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Benburb to Tullysaran road closure after Storm Amy bridge damage Original release: Closure of road near Benburb causing disruption – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)