Latest releases
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3,944 releases
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First and deputy First Minister can no longer ignore Covid Inquiry’s demand for institutional reform – Bradshaw
Alliance's Paula Bradshaw, Executive Office spokesperson, says the First and deputy First Minister can no longer sidestep the UK Covid-19 Inquiry's findings on Executive dysfunction. She argues only institutional overhaul will prevent political deadlock from hampering future emergency health…
Constitutional affairs Health Issue: UK Covid-19 Inquiry recommendations on Executive dysfunction and institutional reform Original release: First and deputy First Minister can no longer ignore Covid Inquiry’s demand for institutional reform – Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Allister questions impact of ECJ ruling in support of trans ideology on Northern Ireland
TUV leader Jim Allister warns that a European Court of Justice ruling in the Shipovo case, recognising a trans woman's legal gender, could override the UK Supreme Court's finding that sex is biological under the Protocol. He has tabled an urgent Westminster question on its impact on gender…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: ECJ Shipovo ruling on gender recognition and Northern Ireland Original release: Allister questions impact of ECJ ruling in support of trans ideology on Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Hazzard raises serious concerns over Downe Hospital service reductions
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard has raised concerns with the South Eastern Health Trust over reduced services at Downe Hospital on St Patrick's Day, calling for adequate staffing and a holiday contingency strategy.
Health Issue: Downe Hospital service reductions on St Patrick's Day 2026 Original release: Hazzard raises serious concerns over Downe Hospital service reductions (opens in a new tab)
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Women deserve timely, high-quality care at every stage of their lives – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says women in the north are let down by a health system that dismisses their pain, citing long waits for breast and gynaecology services and endometriosis care. She welcomes an Assembly vote backing a Women's Health Strategy and says her party supports a fully resourced…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Assembly motion on a Women's Health Strategy passed Original release: Women deserve timely, high-quality care at every stage of their lives – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Mulholland welcomes purchase of NI buses by Greater Manchester Mayor
Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland welcomes Greater Manchester's order of 55 more electric buses from Ballymena manufacturer Wrightbus, part of a £66 million investment, and calls it a vote of confidence in North Antrim's manufacturing workforce.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Greater Manchester order of 55 electric buses from Wrightbus Original release: Mulholland welcomes purchase of NI buses by Greater Manchester Mayor (opens in a new tab)
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Hazzard makes case for Strangford Lough Bridge Study
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard calls on Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to commission a feasibility study into a bridge linking Portaferry and Strangford across Strangford Lough, arguing it would boost economic and social development. He also cites possible tidal energy and cycling lanes.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Original release: Hazzard makes case for Strangford Lough Bridge Study (opens in a new tab)
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McIlveen: DUP Brings Common Sense to Debate on New Environment Quango
DUP Deputy Leader Michelle McIlveen MLA says the DUP alone applied common sense in an Assembly debate on a proposed independent Environmental Protection Agency, arguing it would add another unelected arm's length body and shift responsibility from DAERA's Minister. Alliance, Sinn Féin and the SDLP…
Environment and climate Issue: Assembly debate on proposed independent Environmental Protection Agency Original release: McIlveen: DUP Brings Common Sense to Debate on New Environment Quango (opens in a new tab)
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Minister must do more to support ‘rapid’ Irish-medium education growth – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan urges the Education Minister to invest properly in Irish-medium education after Department of Education figures showed a near 400% rise in pupils. He says the growth brings accommodation and curriculum resource shortfalls, and he is bringing forward a law on staffing.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Department of Education Irish-medium pupil numbers rise figures Original release: Minister must do more to support ‘rapid’ Irish-medium education growth – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows and Swann seek clarity on the future of student finance for NI students
UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA and Robin Swann MP write to the Economy Minister and Chief Secretary to the Treasury seeking clarity on whether NI students stay on Plan 1 or move to Plan 5 loan repayment terms. They also call for interest to be suspended during illness or career breaks and for rates…
Education Issue: UK student loan review and possible Plan 5 shift for NI students Original release: Burrows and Swann seek clarity on the future of student finance for NI students (opens in a new tab)
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International School Meals Day
People Before Profit joins a Derry Trades Union Council rally at the Guildhall calling for free school meals for all children. It cites 41% of children in poverty lacking access and a 20% school meals price rise, and calls for universal free school meals now.
Social security and welfare Education Original release: International School Meals Day (opens in a new tab)
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Northern Ireland Men Denied Life-Saving Prostate Cancer Drug Available Across Rest of UK
TUV MP Jim Allister calls on Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to make abiraterone available to Northern Ireland men with prostate cancer that has not spread, as it is already offered in England, Scotland and Wales. The Minister says NI lacks a NICE equivalent and cites budget pressures.
Health Issue: Abiraterone prostate cancer drug availability in Northern Ireland Original release: Northern Ireland Men Denied Life-Saving Prostate Cancer Drug Available Across Rest of UK (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin: Executive must act now to secure future of Childcare Subsidy Scheme
SDLP Opposition MLA Sinéad McLaughlin calls on the Executive to urgently allocate funding so the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme continues beyond March 2026. She says parents face uncertainty and that the scheme should not lapse without confirmed funding.
Social security and welfare Economy and employment Issue: Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme funding beyond March 2026 Original release: McLaughlin: Executive must act now to secure future of Childcare Subsidy Scheme (opens in a new tab)
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McIlveen warns Maritime Carbon Scheme could drive up costs for…
DUP Deputy Leader Michelle McIlveen warns that extending the carbon market to shipping could raise freight costs by about £15 per trailer, pushing prices up for businesses and households. She criticises Sinn Féin, the SDLP and Alliance for backing the measure and calls for the policy to be…
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Issue: Assembly debate on extending UK carbon pricing to maritime transport Original release: McIlveen warns Maritime Carbon Scheme could drive up costs for… (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin: Magee expansion at critical stage due to funding gap
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin says the Magee campus expansion has reached a critical stage after a Permanent Secretary briefing on funding risks. She opposes raising student fees and calls on the Executive to secure the funding needed for expansion to 10,000 students.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Magee expansion funding gap raised at Economy Committee briefing Original release: McLaughlin: Magee expansion at critical stage due to funding gap (opens in a new tab)
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Time for NI to move away from fossil fuel dependency, says Bamford
Alliance councillor Jessica Bamford urges the Economy Minister to draft a plan for moving Northern Ireland away from fossil fuel reliance, via a council motion, citing rising home heating oil costs linked to Middle East instability.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Lisburn and Castlereagh council motion on fossil fuel dependency energy plan Original release: Time for NI to move away from fossil fuel dependency, says Bamford (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Education Minister must value role of classroom assistants
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says Education Minister Paul Givan should give classroom assistants proper respect, ahead of an SDLP Opposition Day motion on Monday. He criticises proposed reforms, especially around special educational needs, and calls for scrutiny of the Executive.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Classroom assistant reforms proposed by Education Minister Paul Givan Original release: Durkan: Education Minister must value role of classroom assistants (opens in a new tab)
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SoS must step in to ensure establishment of independent Environmental Protection Agency, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA calls on Secretary of State Hilary Benn to step in and help establish an independent Environmental Protection Agency, which he says all main parties committed to in New Decade, New Approach. He accuses the DUP of blocking it at the Executive ahead…
Environment and climate Constitutional affairs Issue: Independent Environmental Protection Agency establishment blocked at Executive Original release: SoS must step in to ensure establishment of independent Environmental Protection Agency, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston challenges Executive Ministers after “neither” gender category exposed in violence against women funding scheme
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says funding for a violence against women scheme is allocated to groups using a third gender category, 'neither', and has submitted questions to all Executive Ministers on how departmental data is broken down by gender and defined.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Violence against women funding scheme gender category 'neither' questions to Executive Ministers Original release: Gaston challenges Executive Ministers after “neither” gender category exposed in violence against women funding scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Minister’s childcare proposals must increase support and fairness for pre-schools – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason says any childcare proposals from Education Minister Paul Givan must improve funding and fairness across pre-school settings. She argues the planned extension of free pre-school hours should close funding gaps that leave some providers feeling overlooked, and calls for…
Education Issue: Education Minister's proposed extension of free pre-school hours Original release: Minister’s childcare proposals must increase support and fairness for pre-schools – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Givan welcomes Independent Review of Assessment Report
Education Minister Paul Givan welcomes the Independent Review of Assessment report, saying it delivers on the TransformED strategy and provides an evidence base for a low‑stakes, low‑workload assessment system that reduces workload and supports progress for every child.
Education Issue: Publication of Independent Review of Assessment report Original release: Givan welcomes Independent Review of Assessment Report (opens in a new tab)