Latest releases
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1,502 releases
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Hanna: No place for racism
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP condemns the racist graffiti attack on a Roden Street property in south Belfast, calling the act disgraceful, stating there is no place for racism in the city and urging that the affected family be helped to find a new home.
Disability and equality Issue: Racist graffiti on south Belfast property Original release: Hanna: No place for racism (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw condemns racially motivated attack on home of mother and child in South Belfast
Alliance South Belfast MLA Paula Bradshaw condemns a racially motivated attack on a young mother and her child's home in the Roden Street area, saying it was meant to intimidate them. She calls on all parties to condemn such incidents and urges anyone with information to contact PSNI or…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Racially motivated attack on home in Roden Street, South Belfast Original release: Bradshaw condemns racially motivated attack on home of mother and child in South Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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Hargey slams racist graffiti
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey condemns racist graffiti sprayed on a property in south Belfast overnight, calls for those responsible to face justice and urges anyone with information to contact police.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Racist graffiti on south Belfast property Original release: Hargey slams racist graffiti (opens in a new tab)
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The Irish language is seen in every part of life and grows stronger each day – Reilly
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly says the Irish language is growing stronger and urges people to attend Seachtain na Gaeilge events. She welcomes progress by The Executive Office on the Identity and Language Act, including preparations to establish an Office of Identity and Cultural Expression and…
Disability and equality Original release: The Irish language is seen in every part of life and grows stronger each day – Reilly (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew presses Communities Minister on Irish Language Strategy
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew says he pressed Communities Minister Gordon Lyons at a Communities Committee meeting for a timeline to publish an Irish Language Strategy, and calls for the minister to re-engage with Conradh na Gaeilge and the Irish language sector.
Disability and equality Issue: Communities Committee meeting on Irish Language Strategy timeline Original release: Gildernew presses Communities Minister on Irish Language Strategy (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Programme for Government will be judged on delivery for public, not photo-opps
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the Executive's Programme for Government will be judged on whether it delivers targets and priorities that improve people's lives. He criticises ministers for press conferences on a PfG that was signed off but not published for scrutiny.
Other Health Issue: Executive agreement on Programme for Government Original release: O’Toole: Programme for Government will be judged on delivery for public, not photo-opps (opens in a new tab)
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Mulholland welcomes historic election of Belfast President to Conradh na Gaeilge
Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland welcomes the election of a Belfast figure as president of Conradh na Gaeilge, the first from Belfast in 30 years, and congratulates him on his long-standing commitment to the organisation. She urges constructive dialogue over an emergency motion on legal action against…
Disability and equality Issue: Conradh na Gaeilge presidential election at Wexford ard fheis Original release: Mulholland welcomes historic election of Belfast President to Conradh na Gaeilge (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone backs striking Irish language groups
SDLP Irish Language Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA offers his party's support to Irish language and Gaeltacht groups taking half-day strike action over cuts to Foras na Gaeilge. He urges the Irish Government and Executive to fund the body with a long-term plan and welcomes UK plans to repeal the…
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Irish language organisations strike over Foras na Gaeilge funding cuts Original release: McGlone backs striking Irish language groups (opens in a new tab)
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Seasann Sinn Féin le hearnáil na Gaeilge sa stailc i gcionne ciorruithe – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD & Conor McGuinness TD
Sinn Féin TDs Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Irish language and Gaeltacht spokesperson, and Conor McGuinness, junior spokesperson for Tuaithe, Pobail agus Gaeltacht, back the Irish-language sector strike against planned Foras na Gaeilge cuts. Ó Snodaigh urges Minister Dara Calleary to fund affected…
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Irish language organisations strike over Foras na Gaeilge funding cuts Original release: Seasann Sinn Féin le hearnáil na Gaeilge sa stailc i gcionne ciorruithe – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD & Conor McGuinness TD (opens in a new tab)
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Ofcom’s New Social Media Guidance - Toothless and Ineffective
DUP Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart says Ofcom's new guidance on online misogyny and deepfake abuse lacks enforcement, calling it symbolic and relying on voluntary compliance. She calls for legally binding obligations and financial penalties for social media platforms.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Ofcom online misogyny and deepfake abuse guidance Original release: Ofcom’s New Social Media Guidance - Toothless and Ineffective (opens in a new tab)
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Lifting ban on Irish in our courts wrong on three fronts
TUV leader Jim Allister MP says repealing the ban on Irish in Northern Ireland's courts is regressive on equality, justice and finances. He claims it would make the legal profession less welcoming to Unionists, weaken juries' understanding of defendants, and add translation costs and delays.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: British government repeal of ban on Irish in courts Original release: Lifting ban on Irish in our courts wrong on three fronts (opens in a new tab)
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‘Hugely significant’ as British government to scrap ban on Irish in courts – Reilly
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly welcomes reports that the British government will repeal its ban on Irish being used in courts, a provision from the 2022 Irish language act that has not yet taken effect. She describes the move as a major step for Irish speakers in the north.
Disability and equality Issue: British government repeal of ban on Irish in courts Original release: ‘Hugely significant’ as British government to scrap ban on Irish in courts – Reilly (opens in a new tab)
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Irish language organisations deserve fair funding – Delargy
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy backs Irish language groups ahead of a Wednesday walkout protesting cuts to their funding, urging a fair, long-term resolution to Foras na Gaeilge funding disputes.
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Irish language organisations strike over Foras na Gaeilge funding cuts Original release: Irish language organisations deserve fair funding – Delargy (opens in a new tab)
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Repeal of ban on languages other than English in courts needs follow-up action from First and deputy First Minister, says Bradshaw
Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Paula Bradshaw welcomes the Secretary of State’s decision to start the fourth section of the Identity and Language (NI) Act 2022, which clarifies the repeal of the ban on non‑English languages in courts, and urges the First and deputy First Minister to promptly
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Commencement of Section 4 of the Identity and Language Act Original release: Repeal of ban on languages other than English in courts needs follow-up action from First and deputy First Minister, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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“We have lost a great patriot who lived his life for the freedom and unity of Ireland”
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald sends condolences after the death of Bik McFarlane, describing him as a lifelong republican and a key figure in the H-Blocks and the peace process. She pays tribute to his music and extends sympathy to his family.
Other Constitutional affairs Original release: “We have lost a great patriot who lived his life for the freedom and unity of Ireland” (opens in a new tab)
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Statement from Gerry Kelly on death of Brendan ‘Bik’ McFarlane
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly offers condolences on the death of Brendan 'Bik' McFarlane, a long-standing republican he describes as a friend and comrade who died after a brief illness. Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.
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Children with special educational needs in Irish-medium schools must not be left behind – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason urges the Health and Education departments to act urgently on support for children with special educational needs in Irish-medium schools, after a joint committee meeting. She says there is no clear picture of allied health professionals in the sector and calls for…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Joint Health and Education Committees meeting on SEN support in Irish-medium schools Original release: Children with special educational needs in Irish-medium schools must not be left behind – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Immediate action needed to address gaps in community SEN services – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon urges health and justice officials to coordinate so young people and adults with complex needs are not held in the justice system. She cites a teenage girl remanded in custody despite being bail-eligible, citing gaps in respite and residential provision.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Remand of teenage girl with complex needs due to lack of support services Original release: Immediate action needed to address gaps in community SEN services – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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‘On-site nurse must be restored to Knockevin Special School’ – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason calls on the Departments of Education and Health to work with the South Eastern Trust to quickly reinstate the on-site nurse at Knockevin Special School, after the Trust withdrew that support. She says the school was not consulted.
Health Education Issue: Knockevin Special School on-site nurse withdrawal by South Eastern Trust Original release: ‘On-site nurse must be restored to Knockevin Special School’ – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna pays tribute to Bríd Rodgers on 90th birthday
SDLP leader Claire Hanna MP marks 90th birthday of party president Bríd Rodgers, praising her as an inspiration and recognising her role in the civil rights movement, the Good Friday Agreement and early Stormont Executive. A birthday event in her honour is due in Derry.
Other Disability and equality Original release: Hanna pays tribute to Bríd Rodgers on 90th birthday (opens in a new tab)