Latest releases
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5,395 releases
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SDLP calls on UK and Irish Governments to initiate urgent talks on Stormont reform
SDLP leader Claire Hanna MP says she has written to the UK Prime Minister and Taoiseach urging them to start formal cross-party talks on Stormont institutional reform, aiming to agree a focused package before the May 2027 Assembly election.
Constitutional affairs Original release: SDLP calls on UK and Irish Governments to initiate urgent talks on Stormont reform (opens in a new tab)
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Whyte welcomes funding for North Belfast school enhancement
SDLP North Belfast Councillor Carl Whyte welcomes Department of Education money for a major expansion at Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, saying the new facilities will transform the learning environment and urging the Minister to prevent further delays.
Education Local government Issue: Funding announced for Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School extension Original release: Whyte welcomes funding for North Belfast school enhancement (opens in a new tab)
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Beattie hits out at Justice Minister over policing funding crisis
UUP Justice spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA hits back at Justice Minister Naomi Long after her Nolan Show appearance, saying the PSNI is underfunded and blaming the Justice Department and Alliance for failing to fight for policing funding.
Justice and policing Public finance and taxation Issue: Justice Minister Naomi Long's Nolan Show comments on policing funding Original release: Beattie hits out at Justice Minister over policing funding crisis (opens in a new tab)
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Progress on Regional Mother and Baby Unit welcome but lack of interim measure disappointing, says McAllister
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA welcomes confirmation that the new Regional Mother and Baby Unit will be located at Belfast City Hospital, but says it is disappointing that no interim provision will be in place before the facility opens.
Health Issue: Health Minister Nesbitt announcement on Belfast mother and baby unit Original release: Progress on Regional Mother and Baby Unit welcome but lack of interim measure disappointing, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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Ulster Unionist Party welcomes landmark public health reform as Tobacco and Vapes Act becomes law
UUP MP Robin Swann and Health Spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA welcome Royal Assent for the Tobacco and Vapes Act, calling it a landmark for public health in Northern Ireland. Chambers says smoking causes over 2,000 deaths a year locally and credits the Assembly's Legislative Consent Motion request.
Health Issue: Tobacco and Vapes Act receives Royal Assent Original release: Ulster Unionist Party welcomes landmark public health reform as Tobacco and Vapes Act becomes law (opens in a new tab)
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Lyons heralds historic day for Deaf community
Disability and equality Original release: Lyons heralds historic day for Deaf community (opens in a new tab)
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Assembly passes ‘transformative’ Sign Language Bill – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew welcomes the Assembly’s passage of the Sign Language Bill, saying it gives legal recognition to Irish and British Sign Language and places a duty on bodies to provide accessible services for deaf and deaf‑blind people.
Disability and equality Issue: Assembly passage of Sign Language Bill Original release: Assembly passes ‘transformative’ Sign Language Bill – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Ireland’s EU Presidency must be used to advance unity and peace – Kathleen Funchion MEP and Lynn Boylan MEP
Sinn Féin MEPs Kathleen Funchion and Lynn Boylan call on the Irish government to use its EU Presidency to advance unity, peace and social justice, including starting EU-level discussions on Irish reunification and representation for the North. Boylan also urges calls for suspension of the…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Sinn Féin priorities for Ireland's EU Presidency Original release: Ireland’s EU Presidency must be used to advance unity and peace – Kathleen Funchion MEP and Lynn Boylan MEP (opens in a new tab)
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SF soundbites won’t deliver A5 - Erskine
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine challenges Sinn Féin to back repeated A5 promises with action, blaming net zero climate targets for blocking projects and citing £150 million spent with no tarmac laid and £6.6 million returned for the A4 Enniskillen Bypass.
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Original release: SF soundbites won’t deliver A5 - Erskine (opens in a new tab)
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2026 Sinn Féin Ard Fheis motions demonstrate commitment to tackling gender violence in communities across Ireland – Máire Devine TD
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: 2026 Sinn Féin Ard Fheis motions demonstrate commitment to tackling gender violence in communities across Ireland – Máire Devine TD (opens in a new tab)
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Maskey welcomes opening of applications for residents’ parking schemes
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey welcomes the opening of applications for residents' parking schemes, thanking Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins and encouraging residents in west Belfast and inner-city areas to apply to tackle commuter parking.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Opening of applications for residents' parking schemes Original release: Maskey welcomes opening of applications for residents’ parking schemes (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Historic day for the Deaf Community as Sign Language Bill passes
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA welcomes the passage of the Sign Language Bill, which provides free sign language classes for children and families and recognises British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language. He pays tribute to campaigners.
Disability and equality Education Issue: Assembly passage of Sign Language Bill Original release: Durkan: Historic day for the Deaf Community as Sign Language Bill passes (opens in a new tab)
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Allen welcomes Final Stage passage of Sign Language Bill
Ulster Unionist Communities Spokesperson Andy Allen MBE MLA welcomes the bill’s passage through the Assembly’s final stage, noting it will now proceed to Royal Assent and urging that its duties on British and Irish Sign Language be fully resourced and implemented.
Disability and equality Issue: Assembly passage of Sign Language Bill Original release: Allen welcomes Final Stage passage of Sign Language Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Independent Autism Reviewer report will play key role in informing policy to improve the lives of those with Autism – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan says the Independent Autism Reviewer's initial findings will help shape policy to improve services for autistic people, and says the report exposes a gap between policy and reality. He calls for the Assembly and Health Committee to keep scrutinising delivery and press…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Independent Autism Reviewer first report launch Original release: Independent Autism Reviewer report will play key role in informing policy to improve the lives of those with Autism – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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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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Time for action after infrastructure failures - Dunne
DUP MLA Stephen Dunne calls on Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to act urgently on delayed projects, citing the York Street Interchange, where over £27 million has been spent, the A5, potholes, utility reinstatement and the wastewater crisis.
Infrastructure and transport Original release: Time for action after infrastructure failures - Dunne (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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O’Toole: First Minister reform promises must be more than cynical rhetoric
SDLP Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole says Sinn Féin's recent remarks on Stormont reform must be backed by substance after Michelle O'Neill gave no detail on her party's position in Assembly questions. He calls for concrete proposals that parties can progress.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Michelle O'Neill Assembly questions on Stormont reform position Original release: O’Toole: First Minister reform promises must be more than cynical rhetoric (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)