Latest releases
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1,582 releases
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Lavery welcomes Pride approval for Lurgan Park
Alliance Lurgan Councillor Peter Lavery welcomes the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council vote, passed 16 to 14, allowing Lurgan Pride to hold its August event in Lurgan Park. He criticises DUP and TUV opposition as shameful and discriminatory.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Lurgan Pride event approval in Lurgan Park by ABC Council Original release: Lavery welcomes Pride approval for Lurgan Park (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister’s painfully slow progress on delivery frustrating, says Armstrong
Alliance's Kellie Armstrong MLA says the Communities Minister's slow progress on social strategies, including anti-poverty, disability and LGBTQI+ plans, is delaying their outcomes. She questions the 'phased approach' used and calls for urgency before the multi-year budget.
Disability and equality Original release: Communities Minister’s painfully slow progress on delivery frustrating, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Patsy McGlone: Incentives and clarity for farmers needed amid nutrients action programme changes
SDLP Opposition AERA Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA calls on DAERA to match nutrients action programme regulation with increased financial support and a realistic lead-in time for farmers. He cites Irish Government low-emission slurry spreading and advisory supports as a model.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: DAERA consultation on Nutrients Action Programme review and 2026-2029 programme Original release: Patsy McGlone: Incentives and clarity for farmers needed amid nutrients action programme changes (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter Applauds Landmark Vote by Camogie Association
SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter welcomes the Camogie Association special Congress vote, which overwhelmingly backed letting players choose between shorts and skorts in matches. She calls it a long-overdue win for camogie players and for women in sport.
Disability and equality Issue: Camogie Association special Congress vote on shorts or skorts Original release: Hunter Applauds Landmark Vote by Camogie Association (opens in a new tab)
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Nutrient Action Programme proposals unworkable – McAleer
Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer says the Nutrient Action Programme proposals – cutting the P balance to 8 kg/ha from 2029 and mandating Low Emission Slurry Spreading Equipment by 2030 – are unworkable, could force farmers out of business and ignore local conditions, and urges the Minister to listen and
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: DAERA consultation on Nutrients Action Programme review and 2026-2029 programme Original release: Nutrient Action Programme proposals unworkable – McAleer (opens in a new tab)
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TUV challenges the Equality Commission on its attitude to Irish language in light of polling evidence
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston writes to the Equality Commission challenging it to produce evidence that Irish language signage is a neutral act, citing LucidTalk and Analogical Research polling on unionist reaction. He asks the Commission to reassess its position, consider a 'chill factor' effect on…
Disability and equality Issue: Irish language signage at Grand Central Station announcement Original release: TUV challenges the Equality Commission on its attitude to Irish language in light of polling evidence (opens in a new tab)
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Marriage Equality was a vote for hope, equality and inclusion – Mary Lou McDonald TD
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald marks the tenth anniversary of the Irish marriage equality referendum, calling it a vote for hope, equality and inclusion, and says transphobia and homophobia must be challenged.
Disability and equality Original release: Marriage Equality was a vote for hope, equality and inclusion – Mary Lou McDonald TD (opens in a new tab)
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All-island approach needed to address biodiversity crisis – Réada Cronin TD
Sinn Féin spokesperson Réada Cronin TD urges the government to take an island-wide approach to biodiversity loss during Dáil statements, citing poor habitat and bird species figures and calling for stronger Marine Protected Areas legislation.
Environment and climate Constitutional affairs Issue: Dáil statements on biodiversity Original release: All-island approach needed to address biodiversity crisis – Réada Cronin TD (opens in a new tab)
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No place for racism or intimidation in our society – Donnelly
Sinn Féin councillor Pádraig Donnelly condemns those behind a suspected racially motivated attack on a home in east Belfast late on Tuesday night. He calls on political and community leaders to challenge such behaviour and urges anyone with information to contact police.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: East Belfast suspected racially motivated attack on home Original release: No place for racism or intimidation in our society – Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
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Home childcare services must be supported in upcoming childcare strategy – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason says the Education Minister must include Approved Home Childcare services in the forthcoming childcare strategy and deliver a comprehensive, affordable plan that supports families and providers of children with physical or additional needs.
Education Disability and equality Issue: NICMA report on childcare for children with additional needs Original release: Home childcare services must be supported in upcoming childcare strategy – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Allister welcomes Wrightbus to Westminster
TUV MP Jim Allister welcomes Wrightbus's hydrogen bus display at Parliament as North Antrim MP, calls for government to prioritise UK manufacturing in zero emission bus rollout and support diesel bus conversions, and hopes Wrightbus expands into hydrogen coaches at Galgorm.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Wrightbus hydrogen bus display at Parliament Original release: Allister welcomes Wrightbus to Westminster (opens in a new tab)
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New Nutrients Action Programme Proposals Will Devastate Family Farms Without Delivering Real Environmental Gains
TUV vice chairman Causeway Councillor Allister Kyle says proposed Nutrients Action Programme measures for 2026–2029 would harm small and medium farms, citing slurry spreading limits, a 3-metre buffer strip and low emission equipment rules. He calls on the Department to redraft the programme and…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: DAERA consultation on Nutrients Action Programme review and 2026-2029 programme Original release: New Nutrients Action Programme Proposals Will Devastate Family Farms Without Delivering Real Environmental Gains (opens in a new tab)
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Whyte condemns racist graffiti
SDLP North Belfast councillor Carl Whyte condemns racist 'Muslims out' graffiti, featuring a firearm's cross hairs, in North Belfast, saying it has been removed after he reported it to the council and urging anyone with information to contact police.
Disability and equality Issue: North Belfast 'Muslims out' racist graffiti removal Original release: Whyte condemns racist graffiti (opens in a new tab)
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TUV Chair Warns of Trans Lobby Influence in Local Government
TUV chairman Councillor Keith Ratcliffe says he has asked Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council to seek assurances on single-sex toilet use at the August Lurgan Pride event in Lurgan Park. He also calls for the council's staff guidance on transgender access to be brought into line with the…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Supreme Court ruling on legal definition of a woman council facilities Original release: TUV Chair Warns of Trans Lobby Influence in Local Government (opens in a new tab)
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Allister: Assisted Dying Bill is a Dangerous Charter for Death
TUV leader Jim Allister MP criticises the Assisted Dying Bill as a danger to vulnerable people, arguing it lacks safeguards, including on mental capacity and minors, and urges MPs to reject it.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Assisted Dying Bill Committee Stage amendments and vote Original release: Allister: Assisted Dying Bill is a Dangerous Charter for Death (opens in a new tab)
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Hargey appeals for information following ‘despicable’ racist attack
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey describes a racially motivated assault on a man near the City Hospital in south Belfast, reportedly carried out by up to 15 teenagers who stole his bike. She appeals for anyone with information to contact the PSNI and says those involved must be brought to justice.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: South Belfast racially motivated assault near City Hospital bike theft Original release: Hargey appeals for information following ‘despicable’ racist attack (opens in a new tab)
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Butler Welcomes NAP Extension But Real Change Demands Co-Design
UUP MLA Robbie Butler, agriculture, environment and rural affairs spokesperson, welcomes the Minister's extension of the Nitrates Action Programme consultation to 24 July 2025 but says it must include co-design with farmers, representative bodies and rural communities.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Nitrates Action Programme consultation extension to 24 July 2025 Original release: Butler Welcomes NAP Extension But Real Change Demands Co-Design (opens in a new tab)
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Irish medium early years education must be supported – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason says the Department of Education must do more to enhance Irish medium early years education, calling for investment in facilities, training and retention of early years educators. Her remarks follow an Education Committee meeting.
Education Disability and equality Original release: Irish medium early years education must be supported – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin: Mineral licences decision a slap in the face for local communities
SDLP Economy Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin MLA criticises the award of seven new mineral prospecting licences to four companies, saying it contradicts the Economy Minister's earlier support for a moratorium. She calls for the licences to be suspended until a departmental review of mineral…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Seven new mineral licences granted in the West Original release: McLaughlin: Mineral licences decision a slap in the face for local communities (opens in a new tab)
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Minister challenged on Nutrients Action Programme
DUP representatives, including Westminster spokesperson Carla Lockhart MP and Stormont agriculture spokesperson Michelle McIlveen, reject DAERA's draft Nutrients Action Programme and call for publication of a full economic impact assessment and the data behind its modelling.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: DAERA consultation on Nutrients Action Programme review and 2026-2029 programme Original release: Minister challenged on Nutrients Action Programme (opens in a new tab)