Latest releases
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4,033 releases
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Caithfear comhionannas don Ghaeilge a chur i bhfeidhm; níor chóir bac a chur leis – Gildernew
Sinn Féin Communities Committee chair Colm Gildernew urges the DUP Communities Minister to back Irish language promotion rather than obstruct it, after a High Court judge dismissed a legal bid against Belfast City Council's Irish language policy. He says the council can now proceed and calls for…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: High Court dismissal of challenge to Belfast City Council Irish language policy Original release: Caithfear comhionannas don Ghaeilge a chur i bhfeidhm; níor chóir bac a chur leis – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Autism report exposes failure to turn promises into reality
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the Independent Autism Reviewer's report shows autism services in Northern Ireland are failing in practice despite years of commitments. He calls on the Health Minister to take ownership and drive cross-government coordination, clear…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Independent Autism Reviewer first report launch Original release: McGrath: Autism report exposes failure to turn promises into reality (opens in a new tab)
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SEN school staff workloads are unmanageable and unsustainable, says Mathison, ahead of Assembly motion
Alliance Education spokesperson Nick Mathison MLA says SENCO workload pressures are unfair and unsustainable, and calls on the Education Minister for urgent interventions, properly resourced EA Local Impact Teams and a thorough review of the role ahead of an Assembly motion.
Education Disability and equality Issue: SENCO workload pressures ahead of Assembly motion on special educational needs Original release: SEN school staff workloads are unmanageable and unsustainable, says Mathison, ahead of Assembly motion (opens in a new tab)
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Autism Reviewer’s report must be catalyst for real change, says Donnelly
Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly welcomes the first Annual Report of the Independent Autism Reviewer, Ema Cubitt, saying it must set a benchmark for services. He cites a finding that 90% of respondents felt unheard when seeking help and calls for findings to drive real improvements.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Independent Autism Reviewer first report launch Original release: Autism Reviewer’s report must be catalyst for real change, says Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
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Mary Lou McDonald Ard Fheis address
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, in her Ard Fheis address, calls for an emergency budget with a substantial fuel excise cut, €400 electricity credits, a €500 disability payment and a permanent USC cut. She accuses Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael of failing working families and says the British…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Original release: Mary Lou McDonald Ard Fheis address (opens in a new tab)
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Bobby Sands Statue: DUP Stirring Up Sectarian Discourse, Enabled by SDLP’s Political Cowardice
People Before Profit councillor Michael Collins says the DUP is trying to sectarianise debate over the Bobby Sands statue in Twinbrook, pointing to unchallenged unauthorised memorials and murals across Belfast. He criticises the SDLP for leaving the Council meeting early and not voting, and says…
Community relations and legacy Local government Issue: Bobby Sands statue motion at Belfast City Council Original release: Bobby Sands Statue: DUP Stirring Up Sectarian Discourse, Enabled by SDLP’s Political Cowardice (opens in a new tab)
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Legal and Financial Issues Highlight Level of Executive Dysfunction says Brolly
Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly says Executive dysfunction is evident after only 4% of £230 million allocated for key services was spent, and raises concerns that Education Department and Education Authority reform proposals are not fully legally compliant.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Only 4% of £230 million allocated for key services spent Original release: Legal and Financial Issues Highlight Level of Executive Dysfunction says Brolly (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin will not accept any attempt to obstruct one community’s right of remembrance – Beattie
Sinn Féin Councillor Ciaran Beattie criticises a DUP motion on Belfast City Council as a one-sided attack on Republicans' right to remember their dead, linked to the Bobby Sands statue in Twinbrook. He calls for planning enforcement on monuments and memorials to be proportionate and applied…
Community relations and legacy Local government Issue: Belfast City Council special meeting Original release: Sinn Féin will not accept any attempt to obstruct one community’s right of remembrance – Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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Aontú slams British government legacy amendments
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín says he has asked the Taoiseach to reflect on British Secretary Hilary Benn's comments that Legacy Bill amendments would protect British veterans, opposing any hierarchy in the framework. Deputy leader Gemma Brolly calls the move unacceptable, citing the Sean Brown case.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Legacy bill delay to October over British military protections Original release: Aontú slams British government legacy amendments (opens in a new tab)
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Northern Ireland cancer waiting times worst in UK
TUV leader Jim Allister says a Cancer Research UK report showing Northern Ireland has the worst cancer waits in the UK is further evidence Stormont must act now. He cites only about 31% of patients starting treatment within 62 days in 2025 and calls for more investment, lung screening and a lower…
Health Issue: Cancer Research UK Northern Ireland Overview 2026 cancer waiting times report Original release: Northern Ireland cancer waiting times worst in UK (opens in a new tab)
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McGuigan comments on latest emergency care waiting time statistics
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan says recent emergency care waiting figures point to sustained strain in emergency departments, citing only 40.2% of patients seen within four hours and a sharp rise in 12-hour waits. He urges the Health Minister to tackle hospital flow, delayed discharges and…
Health Issue: Emergency care waiting time statistics for the last three months Original release: McGuigan comments on latest emergency care waiting time statistics (opens in a new tab)
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TUV blast O’Neill hypocrisy after “weapons of war” comments
TUV business spokesman Councillor Keith Ratcliffe accuses Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill of hypocrisy over her remarks on weapons of war, pointing to Kingsmill and the MoD funding dispute, and says she is unfit for office.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Michelle O'Neill's Cool FM remarks on weapons of war and MoD funding Original release: TUV blast O’Neill hypocrisy after “weapons of war” comments (opens in a new tab)
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Healthcare transformation essential to tackle alarming ED wait times, says Donnelly
Alliance spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA calls on the Health Minister to prioritise healthcare transformation after new Department of Health figures showed a rise of over 14 per cent in patients waiting more than 12 hours in Emergency Departments.
Health Issue: Emergency care waiting time statistics for the last three months Original release: Healthcare transformation essential to tackle alarming ED wait times, says Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
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Victims and families’ confidence will be further eroded by the cynical actions of the British government – Finucane
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane accuses the British government of political cynicism after Hilary Benn delayed the legacy bill until October to add protections for British military personnel. He says victims and families face further erosion of confidence and calls on the Taoiseach and Irish government…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Legacy bill delay to October over British military protections Original release: Victims and families’ confidence will be further eroded by the cynical actions of the British government – Finucane (opens in a new tab)
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Paul Givan must heed ‘significant intervention’ from education bodies over flawed SEN reforms – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan welcomes the Children's Law Centre and other bodies' opposition to Education Minister Paul Givan's special educational needs reforms, and calls on him to pause the process and engage with them, unions and frontline staff on a rights-based plan.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Children's Law Centre opposition to SEN reform proposals Original release: Paul Givan must heed ‘significant intervention’ from education bodies over flawed SEN reforms – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter: Minister must halt SEN reform
SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA calls on the Education Minister to halt proposed special educational needs (SEN) reforms, citing an open letter from 14 organisations including teaching unions and warnings from the Children's Law Centre. She says the Minister has ignored…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Children's Law Centre opposition to SEN reform proposals Original release: Hunter: Minister must halt SEN reform (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows presses case for Northern Ireland at Westminster
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA says his Westminster visit was to make the case for Northern Ireland, urging a VAT reduction for hospitality and tourism, restoration of the Irish Sea border settlement, fairness for veterans and former RUC officers, and answers on the former Police Ombudsman's security‑v
Constitutional affairs Justice and policing Issue: UUP Westminster visit urging VAT cut for hospitality Original release: Burrows presses case for Northern Ireland at Westminster (opens in a new tab)
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Issue of using flags to mark territory can only be resolved through legislation, says Bradshaw
Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Paula Bradshaw, South Belfast MLA, says Tricolour flags at a mixed South Belfast housing development show the need for legislation. She will bring a bill to the Assembly to oblige authorities to remove disrespectful or antagonistic flags and emblems.
Community relations and legacy Issue: Tricolour flags at mixed South Belfast housing development Original release: Issue of using flags to mark territory can only be resolved through legislation, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister must engage with British Medical Association – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan calls on the Health Minister to engage in meaningful dialogue with the British Medical Association to resolve a pay dispute and prevent strike action, after the BMA announced a ballot of members on industrial action.
Health Economy and employment Issue: BMA ballot of members on industrial action over pay Original release: Health Minister must engage with British Medical Association – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Efforts to stymie growth of the Irish language will fail – McLaughlin
Sinn Féin councillor Ronan McLaughlin welcomes the court’s favourable decision on Belfast City Council’s call‑in case concerning its Irish language policy, saying efforts to block the language’s growth will fail and urging Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to advance an Irish Language Strategy while
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Court ruling on Belfast City Council Irish language policy Original release: Efforts to stymie growth of the Irish language will fail – McLaughlin (opens in a new tab)