Latest releases
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3,375 releases
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Storm Chandra Exposes Once Again Flaws in NI School Closure System
UUP Education Spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA calls for urgent reform of school closure decisions after more than 346 schools closed during Storm Chandra. He says the Department of Education's fragmented approach left principals to coordinate informally and urges it to take central responsibility for…
Education Issue: Storm Chandra school closures and Department of Education response Original release: Storm Chandra Exposes Once Again Flaws in NI School Closure System (opens in a new tab)
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First Environmental Improvement Plan report shows progress, but political will is vital to save our environment, says Blair
Alliance Environment Spokesperson John Blair MLA says political will is vital to protect the environment after Andrew Muir released the first yearly update on the Environmental Improvement Plan, which Blair says shows progress.
Environment and climate Issue: Environmental Improvement Plan first annual progress report Original release: First Environmental Improvement Plan report shows progress, but political will is vital to save our environment, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Government must stop undermining NI bus manufacturing - Campbell
DUP MP Gregory Campbell says Windsor Framework and EU state aid rules leave Northern Ireland bus manufacturers, including Wrightbus, at a disadvantage, blocking access to UK Government incentives available elsewhere, and calls for equal support.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Westminster debate on bus manufacturing and Windsor Framework Original release: Government must stop undermining NI bus manufacturing - Campbell (opens in a new tab)
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Holocaust Memorial Day
TUV leader Jim Allister MP says he signed a Holocaust commemoration pledge book on Holocaust Memorial Day and calls for antisemitism to be confronted wherever it appears, with action matching remembrance.
Disability and equality Original release: Holocaust Memorial Day (opens in a new tab)
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New driver licensing changes will improve road safety – Boylan
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan welcomes Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins' driver licensing reforms, including Graduated Driver Licensing due by October and new tests from April 2027, saying they target collisions involving new and young drivers.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Graduated Driver Licensing reforms for new drivers announced by Infrastructure Minister Original release: New driver licensing changes will improve road safety – Boylan (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter highlights ongoing traffic problems in East Derry
SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter highlights ongoing traffic delays in Ballykelly, Greysteel and Kilrea, including roadworks at Kilrea Bridge, and calls on the Infrastructure Minister to review project management and working hours. She also asks for clear timelines and a visit to the areas at peak…
Infrastructure and transport Original release: Hunter highlights ongoing traffic problems in East Derry (opens in a new tab)
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McNulty: Graduated Driver Licensing an important step forward
SDLP Opposition Infrastructure Spokesperson Justin McNulty MLA welcomes the introduction of Graduated Driver Licensing as an important road safety step, saying it was long overdue and noting Mark H Durkan's 2016 legislation. He calls for effective enforcement, awareness campaigns and continued…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Graduated Driver Licensing reforms for new drivers announced by Infrastructure Minister Original release: McNulty: Graduated Driver Licensing an important step forward (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin committed to working with other parties to make sexually explicit deepfakes illegal – Sheerin
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin says all tools must be used against non-consensual sexual deepfakes ahead of an Assembly debate urging the Justice Minister to criminalise them. She criticises X's paywalling of Grok image features, urges British government and Ofcom action, and asks the education…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Assembly debate on criminalising sexually explicit deepfakes Original release: Sinn Féin committed to working with other parties to make sexually explicit deepfakes illegal – Sheerin (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter to bring forward Assembly motion on online harm against women
SDLP MLA Hunter says she will bring forward an Assembly motion on online harm against women. The release gives no further detail on the motion's wording or timing.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: Hunter to bring forward Assembly motion on online harm against women (opens in a new tab)
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Whyte welcomes expanded EV charging plans for North & West Belfast
SDLP councillor Carl Whyte welcomes Belfast City Council's revised plans to expand EV charging in North and West Belfast, after earlier proposals put most new sites in East Belfast. He says the new process identifies 29 potential sites in North Belfast and 28 in West Belfast, and calls for equal…
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Expanded EV charging plans for North and West Belfast Original release: Whyte welcomes expanded EV charging plans for North & West Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan calls on Health Minister to examine screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan urges the Health Minister to assess introducing newborn screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy, citing early diagnosis benefits and a pilot in Scotland, and says the North should not fall behind.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Spinal Muscular Atrophy screening review in Northern Ireland Original release: McCrossan calls on Health Minister to examine screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (opens in a new tab)
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Consultation on Nature Recovery Strategy a step in the right direction, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes the public consultation on the draft Nature Recovery Strategy announced by Minister Muir, calling it a timely step to reverse nature decline and urging public bodies, businesses, farmers and citizens to submit their ideas.
Environment and climate Issue: Draft Northern Ireland Nature Recovery Strategy consultation Original release: Consultation on Nature Recovery Strategy a step in the right direction, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Tackling poverty central to any effort to raise wellbeing standards, says Bradshaw
Alliance TEO spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA says Northern Ireland wellbeing figures are encouraging overall but show persistent gaps for disabled people and those in deprived circumstances. She calls for early investment in healthcare, housing, education and mental health, and for the Executive…
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: Individual Wellbeing in Northern Ireland 2024 to 2025 report publication Original release: Tackling poverty central to any effort to raise wellbeing standards, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Assembly backs call for removal of illegal Sinn Fein billboard
The DUP says the Assembly backed its motion condemning an unauthorised Sinn Fein billboard at Newry’s Egyptian arch and urges the Infrastructure Minister to allocate resources and authority to have it removed.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Sinn Fein billboard at Newry Egyptian arch Original release: Assembly backs call for removal of illegal Sinn Fein billboard (opens in a new tab)
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Casement Park development must match funding available
The DUP's sport spokesman, Stephen Dunne MLA, says the UK Government has clarified its contribution to Casement Park but a large funding gap remains. He says it is now for the GAA to either add funding or scale back its project to fit the money available.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Casement Park funding gap after UK Government contribution clarification Original release: Casement Park development must match funding available (opens in a new tab)
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Mournes must be protected for future generations – Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard says the Mourne Mountains must be protected as visitor numbers rise, urging the Stormont Executive to grant regional asset status to secure sustainable investment and safeguard fragile habitats.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Rising visitor numbers to the Mourne Mountains Original release: Mournes must be protected for future generations – Hazzard (opens in a new tab)
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Doherty: Casement progress welcome but project must be delivered
SDLP Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Paul Doherty welcomes the confirmed restart of work at Casement Park, urging that it not become another false dawn and calling for political agreement, secured funding and a clear timeline to deliver the stadium.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Casement Park preparatory works announcement and public funding Original release: Doherty: Casement progress welcome but project must be delivered (opens in a new tab)
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Beattie Slams AI Deepfake Menace in Schools
UUP Justice Spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA warns of AI misuse in schools after police opened a criminal investigation into boys at The Armagh Royal Academy over fake sexualised AI images of female pupils. He urges pupils who received such images to inform police or school authorities and not…
Justice and policing Education Issue: Armagh Royal Academy police investigation into AI-generated sexualised images of pupils Original release: Beattie Slams AI Deepfake Menace in Schools (opens in a new tab)
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Independent Environmental Protection Agency - NOW!
Alliance says the DUP has blocked its plan for an independent Environmental Protection Agency at the Executive, citing Lough Neagh and the Mobuoy illegal dump, and calls on the UK and Irish governments to reform the system via a petition.
Environment and climate Issue: DUP blocks independent Environmental Protection Agency at Executive Original release: Independent Environmental Protection Agency - NOW! (opens in a new tab)
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Work on Layde Cliff Path due to begin in May – McMullan
Sinn Féin Councillor Oliver McMullan says Causeway Coast and Glens Council officers have told him work on the Layde Cliff Path will start in May, brought forward by several months. He says the design team has visited the site and tendering is under way, and he will seek a further update.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Layde Cliff Path restoration works start date Original release: Work on Layde Cliff Path due to begin in May – McMullan (opens in a new tab)