Latest releases
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2,471 releases
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Boylan welcomes ‘further evidence of positive change’ in our planning system
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan welcomes new Department for Infrastructure figures showing major planning applications had their quickest annual processing time since planning powers came to Stormont, with 77% of consulted applications answered on time.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Department for Infrastructure planning processing times statistics release Original release: Boylan welcomes ‘further evidence of positive change’ in our planning system (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP challenges Infrastructure Minister on active travel failure
SDLP Opposition Infrastructure Spokesperson Justin McNulty MLA challenges Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins over missed active travel targets, writing to ask how she will respond to a Northern Ireland Audit Office report finding no significant rise in active travel rates.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Northern Ireland Audit Office active travel report Original release: SDLP challenges Infrastructure Minister on active travel failure (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan demands action on household heating costs and damp homes
SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan calls for urgent action on fuel poverty, energy efficiency and damp in homes after an Assembly motion on household energy costs. He cites 40,000 damp reports to the Housing Executive and only 24% of Affordable Warmth Scheme applicants receiving support in 2023/24.
Housing Economy and employment Issue: Assembly motion on reducing household energy costs Original release: Durkan demands action on household heating costs and damp homes (opens in a new tab)
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New Derry-Dublin flight another boost for the north west – Delargy
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy welcomes the Irish government's announcement, made as part of its 2026 budget, of a new Derry to Dublin air route. He says the flight will boost the north west and support City of Derry Airport's role in the local economy.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Derry-Dublin air route announced in Irish government 2026 budget Original release: New Derry-Dublin flight another boost for the north west – Delargy (opens in a new tab)
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Justice System Failing Victims of Violence Against Women says Beattie
UUP Justice Spokesperson Doug Beattie MLA says non-fatal strangulation cases are handled inadequately, citing 2023-24 figures showing 329 of 344 prosecutions heard in the Magistrates' Court and only 28 prison sentences, and calls for sentences that deter.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Non-fatal strangulation prosecutions and sentencing figures 2023-2024 Original release: Justice System Failing Victims of Violence Against Women says Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw demands clarity on Language Commissioner appointments
Alliance Executive Office Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw, also South Belfast MLA, demands urgent clarity from the First and deputy First Minister on Identity and Language Commissioner appointments, as publicised appointees have not received confirmation after resigning from their current jobs.
Disability and equality Issue: Identity and Language Act Commissioner appointments delay Original release: Bradshaw demands clarity on Language Commissioner appointments (opens in a new tab)
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‘Derry unity is vital to delivery’ – Delargy
Sinn Féin MLA Padraig Delargy calls for parties across Derry and the North West to work together to sustain investment, citing the A6 road scheme, the regional cancer facility and Magee expansion as examples of past progress. He says regional balance is a shared goal of the economic strategy led…
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Original release: ‘Derry unity is vital to delivery’ – Delargy (opens in a new tab)
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Consultation on Disability and Work strategy launched by Minister…
DUP's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons outlines a Disability and Work Strategy aiming to bring 50,000 more people into the workforce over ten years, launching a 12-week public consultation running to 12 January 2026. The strategy proposes a Disability and Work Council and four themes including…
Disability and equality Economy and employment Issue: Disability and Work Strategy public consultation launch Original release: Consultation on Disability and Work strategy launched by Minister… (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan calls for joined-up approach between Ministers on Disability and Work Strategy
SDLP Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA welcomes the draft Disability and Work Strategy but says it will only succeed with concrete commitments on community rehabilitation access. He calls for the Department of Health to publish its Community Rehabilitation Framework alongside the strategy…
Disability and equality Health Issue: Disability and Work Strategy public consultation launch Original release: Durkan calls for joined-up approach between Ministers on Disability and Work Strategy (opens in a new tab)
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De Faoite condemns threats to council vehicles
SDLP Belfast City Council Group Leader Councillor Séamas de Faoite condemns reported loyalist paramilitary plans to attack council vehicles bearing Irish language signage, saying paramilitaries should not exist. He defends the council's Irish language policy and pledges SDLP cooperation with…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Loyalist paramilitary threats to Belfast City Council facilities Original release: De Faoite condemns threats to council vehicles (opens in a new tab)
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Lynch condemns Lisburn racist graffiti
Sinn Féin councillor Declan Lynch condemns racist graffiti that has appeared in Lisburn North, saying hate has no place in the community. He praises Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council for removing it quickly and the PSNI for arresting an individual linked to the incidents.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Racist graffiti in Lisburn North and arrest Original release: Lynch condemns Lisburn racist graffiti (opens in a new tab)
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Nationalist and Republican Alliance Must Be Confronted at Every Turn After City Hall Vote
TUV leader Jim Allister condemns Belfast City Council's vote to impose Irish citywide, accusing Alliance of siding with Sinn Féin and of backing Gerry Kelly's amendment removing 'innocent' from a victims motion. He calls for unionists to unite against the Irish Language Commissioner appointment.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Belfast City Council unified Irish language policy approval Original release: Nationalist and Republican Alliance Must Be Confronted at Every Turn After City Hall Vote (opens in a new tab)
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Catney condemns racist graffiti in Lisburn
SDLP Lisburn North Councillor Pat Catney condemns racist graffiti targeting Muslim residents in the Chapel Hill area of Lisburn. He says he has contacted the PSNI and is working with council officials to have it removed.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Racist graffiti in Lisburn North and arrest Original release: Catney condemns racist graffiti in Lisburn (opens in a new tab)
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DUP MLA must apologise for using homophobic slur on national TV, says Tennyson
Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson MLA urges Jonathan Buckley of the DUP to apologise after he allegedly used a homophobic slur during a BBC Question Time appearance. Tennyson also accuses DUP politicians of divisive rhetoric.
Disability and equality Issue: Jonathan Buckley homophobic slur on BBC Question Time Original release: DUP MLA must apologise for using homophobic slur on national TV, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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Minister views construction work on £70m Queen’s Parade project,…
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons visits Bangor to see construction under way on the £70m Queen's Parade regeneration, saying contractors have mobilised at the Marine Gardens site and praising the progress as transformational for the city centre and waterfront.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Queen's Parade regeneration construction start at Marine Gardens, Bangor Original release: Minister views construction work on £70m Queen’s Parade project,… (opens in a new tab)
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Ending the rip-off and supporting workers and families must be top priority in this budget – Mary Lou McDonald TD
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Original release: Ending the rip-off and supporting workers and families must be top priority in this budget – Mary Lou McDonald TD (opens in a new tab)
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Catney: Residents concerned at proposed poultry farm
SDLP Lisburn North councillor Pat Catney says residents are concerned about a proposed poultry farm for up to 32,000 hens in the Tullynacross Road area, citing traffic, smell and manure transport to Sligo. He asks who will monitor the manure transfers.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Tullynacross Road poultry farm planning application Original release: Catney: Residents concerned at proposed poultry farm (opens in a new tab)
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McNulty welcomes go-ahead for Dublin Airport rail link
SDLP Opposition Infrastructure Spokesperson Justin McNulty MLA welcomes the go-ahead for the €9.5bn Metrolink rail line to Dublin Airport, due in the early 2030s, and calls on the Executive to deliver its own rail commitments. He contrasts this with delays on the all-island rail review in the North.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Metrolink Dublin Airport rail link go-ahead Original release: McNulty welcomes go-ahead for Dublin Airport rail link (opens in a new tab)
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Polasaí stairiúil Gaeilge aontaithe ag comhairleoirí Bhéal Feirste – Ó Néill
Sinn Féin councillor Tomás Ó Néill welcomes Belfast City Council's approval of a unified Irish language policy, including bilingual corporate branding and signage in council buildings, which he calls historic and aimed at strengthening Irish speakers' rights.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Belfast City Council unified Irish language policy approval Original release: Polasaí stairiúil Gaeilge aontaithe ag comhairleoirí Bhéal Feirste – Ó Néill (opens in a new tab)
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Boylan welcomes new electric vehicle charging pilot scheme
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan welcomes Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins's announcement of a six-month pilot testing electric vehicle charging across footways for households without driveway access. He says it will encourage more switching to electric vehicles as part of efforts to cut emissions.
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Six-month pilot scheme for electric vehicle charging across footways Original release: Boylan welcomes new electric vehicle charging pilot scheme (opens in a new tab)