Latest releases
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1,581 releases
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Removal of nursing provision in special schools simply unacceptable, says Mathison
Alliance education spokesperson and Education Committee chair Nick Mathison MLA says the absence of nurses in some special schools is unacceptable, and calls for nursing to be reinstated in every special school that needs it, as soon as possible.
Education Health Issue: Nursing provision removal from special schools review Original release: Removal of nursing provision in special schools simply unacceptable, says Mathison (opens in a new tab)
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Nutrients Action Programme an essential opportunity to address crisis in waterways, says Blair
Alliance's agriculture and environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes DAERA's launch of a consultation on reviewing the 2019 Nutrients Action Programme and the proposed programme covering 2026 to 2029.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: DAERA consultation on Nutrients Action Programme review and 2026-2029 programme Original release: Nutrients Action Programme an essential opportunity to address crisis in waterways, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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New approach to SEN school placements needed – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker says many children with special educational needs risk having no place in September and urges a different method for allocating school places that is suitable, reduces family stress and provides early support. He welcomes the Education Authority’s remarks to the Education C
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Authority remarks on SEN placement approach Original release: New approach to SEN school placements needed – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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Departments must work together to support children with SEN – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan urges the Education and Health departments to coordinate more closely on support for children with special educational needs, citing rising identification and a shortage of allied health professionals. He says neither the Education Department nor the Education Authority…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Departments must work together to support children with SEN – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Fein department cites lack of support for petition in aid of their case to impose Irish signage on Grand Central
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says the Department for Infrastructure cited the lack of signatures on his petition against dual-language signage at Grand Central as justification for claiming the decision was not controversial. He calls on every Unionist MLA to explain why they did not support the…
Disability and equality Infrastructure and transport Issue: Grand Central Irish signage court hearing and petition signatures Original release: Sinn Fein department cites lack of support for petition in aid of their case to impose Irish signage on Grand Central (opens in a new tab)
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Statement from Councillor Debbie Coyle
Sinn Féin councillor Debbie Coyle says statements issued by Fermanagh and Omagh council officials on the UK Supreme Court ruling were not authorised by elected councillors. She says the party will raise it at the next council meeting and urges public bodies to await Equality and Human Rights…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Fermanagh and Omagh council officials' comments on UK Supreme Court ruling Original release: Statement from Councillor Debbie Coyle (opens in a new tab)
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People Before Profit support the Counter Demo
People Before Profit says it will join UNITED AGAINST RACISM's counter-demonstrations against far-right groups marching on Remigration in Dublin, Belfast and Derry this weekend, arguing that housing and public service failures are a government problem, not a migration one.
Disability and equality Housing Issue: United Against Racism counter-demonstrations against far-right Remigration march Original release: People Before Profit support the Counter Demo (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance representatives welcome National Trust report on Donard recovery
Alliance MLA Andrew McMurray and Councillor Jill Truesdale welcome a National Trust report on the condition and recovery of upland habitats around Slieve Donard, citing pressures from recreation, overgrazing and wildfires. McMurray commends the Trust's post-2021 fire recovery work.
Environment and climate Issue: National Trust report on Slieve Donard habitat recovery Original release: Alliance representatives welcome National Trust report on Donard recovery (opens in a new tab)
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Young condemns racist attack in Newry
Alliance Councillor Helena Young condemns a racist attack in Newry on international doctors and their families at a park on 12 April, saying those responsible should be ashamed and the abuse must stop immediately.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Racist attack on international doctors in Newry park Original release: Young condemns racist attack in Newry (opens in a new tab)
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Cut the Gorse, Not the Grazing – Butler Calls for Cooperative Fire Prevention Plan
UUP MLA Robbie Butler calls for a co-designed approach to wildfire risk on upland and designated land, arguing that unmanaged gorse rather than sheep grazing is the main danger to the environment and rural safety. He cites talks with the National Sheep Association and repeated fires, and urges…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Original release: Cut the Gorse, Not the Grazing – Butler Calls for Cooperative Fire Prevention Plan (opens in a new tab)
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Deeply concerning so many SEN children remain without a school place ahead of new academic year, says Guy
Alliance Education spokesperson Michelle Guy MLA says it is deeply concerning that around 400 children with SEN statements still lack a school place before September, citing Education Minister Paul Givan's confirmation. She calls for delivery of the SEN reform plan's high-level actions and…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Around 400 SEN pupils without school places ahead of September Original release: Deeply concerning so many SEN children remain without a school place ahead of new academic year, says Guy (opens in a new tab)
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DUP - “A victory for commonsense and biological reality”
DUP MP Carla Lockhart welcomes the UK Supreme Court judgment, brought by For Women Scotland, holding that legal womanhood rests on biological sex. She says it restores clarity in law and criticises the Alliance Party for avoiding the question.
Disability and equality Issue: UK Supreme Court ruling on biological sex definition in law Original release: DUP - “A victory for commonsense and biological reality” (opens in a new tab)
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TUV welcome victory for women in Supreme Court judgement
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston welcomes the UK Supreme Court ruling on the meaning of sex in equality law, and calls on Stormont to withdraw the Finance Department's Inclusive Language Guide, end Stonewall funding and revisit prison housing policy for men.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: UK Supreme Court ruling on biological sex definition in law Original release: TUV welcome victory for women in Supreme Court judgement (opens in a new tab)
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Northern Ireland cannot be the outlier in Equality Legislation – Beattie
UUP Justice spokesperson Doug Beattie MLA says the Supreme Court ruling on biological sex has major implications for Northern Ireland equality law. He asks the Justice Minister whether women prisoners could sue over transgender prisoner placements, and calls on the Equality Commission to advise…
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: UK Supreme Court ruling on biological sex definition in law Original release: Northern Ireland cannot be the outlier in Equality Legislation – Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone calls for urgency in addressing crisis at Lough Neagh
SDLP AERA Spokesperson Patsy McGlone says the AERA Minister is delaying key water quality plans, including the River Basin Management Plan and Nutrient Action Plan, as blue-green algae appears in Lough Neagh for 2025. He calls for urgent action rather than what he describes as PR-driven responses.
Environment and climate Issue: Blue-green algae confirmed in Lough Neagh for 2025 Original release: McGlone calls for urgency in addressing crisis at Lough Neagh (opens in a new tab)
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Need for intense and ongoing scrutiny of DUP ministers – Gildernew
Colm Gildernew MLA, Sinn Féin’s communities spokesperson, says DUP ministers must be subject to intense, ongoing scrutiny and urged to prioritise equality, inclusion and respect over personal projects. Sinn Féin will examine public‑fund allocations and robustly challenge any breaches.
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Original release: Need for intense and ongoing scrutiny of DUP ministers – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Platform: We don’t need another quango - Emma Little-Pengelly MLA
DUP MLA Emma Little-Pengelly calls on the Assembly to remove the legal requirement for a climate change commissioner, arguing the £1million-a-year post duplicates the UK-wide Climate Change Committee and that the money should fund public services instead.
Environment and climate Public finance and taxation Issue: Assembly vote to create a Climate Commissioner role Original release: Platform: We don’t need another quango - Emma Little-Pengelly MLA (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney welcomes additional funding for Foras na Gaeilge
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney welcomes the Irish Government’s €630,000 allocation to Foras na Gaeilge, saying it eases pressure and will boost language promotion, and urges a fair, sustainable funding model while condemning the DUP’s blockage of further Irish‑government support.
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: €630,000 funding for Foras na Gaeilge Original release: Kearney welcomes additional funding for Foras na Gaeilge (opens in a new tab)
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Council far behind goal of planting one million trees by 2035, says Maghie
Alliance Ormiston Councillor Jenna Maghie says Belfast City Council is around 220,000 trees behind schedule on its One Million Trees initiative, which aims to plant one million native trees by 2035. She calls for the project to be reinvigorated and back on track, pointing to the Belfast Tree…
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Belfast City Council One Million Trees initiative progress concerns Original release: Council far behind goal of planting one million trees by 2035, says Maghie (opens in a new tab)
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Fáilte roimh an maoiniú do pinsin, ach cur chuige nua ag teastáil don Fhoras – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD
Sinn Féin's Gaeilge, Gaeltachta and Ealaíon spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD welcomes the Dublin government's decision to cover Bord na Gaeilge's historic pension costs, which lets Foras na Gaeilge avoid threatened cuts, but calls for a new funding approach.
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Foras na Gaeilge pension costs funding decision and threatened cuts Original release: Fáilte roimh an maoiniú do pinsin, ach cur chuige nua ag teastáil don Fhoras – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD (opens in a new tab)