Latest releases
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4,389 releases
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Hazzard makes case for Strangford Lough Bridge Study
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard calls on Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to commission a feasibility study into a bridge linking Portaferry and Strangford across Strangford Lough, arguing it would boost economic and social development. He also cites possible tidal energy and cycling lanes.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Original release: Hazzard makes case for Strangford Lough Bridge Study (opens in a new tab)
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Minister must do more to support ‘rapid’ Irish-medium education growth – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan urges the Education Minister to invest properly in Irish-medium education after Department of Education figures showed a near 400% rise in pupils. He says the growth brings accommodation and curriculum resource shortfalls, and he is bringing forward a law on staffing.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Department of Education Irish-medium pupil numbers rise figures Original release: Minister must do more to support ‘rapid’ Irish-medium education growth – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Questions for Infrastructure Minister in light of latest court…
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine says a latest court judgement on the A5 road project was no surprise and questions Infrastructure Minister's meetings with the DAERA Minister and her earlier Assembly claims about talks. She says the minister must explain the lack of urgency.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: High Court ruling on A5 road scheme Original release: Questions for Infrastructure Minister in light of latest court… (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows and Swann seek clarity on the future of student finance for NI students
UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA and Robin Swann MP write to the Economy Minister and Chief Secretary to the Treasury seeking clarity on whether NI students stay on Plan 1 or move to Plan 5 loan repayment terms. They also call for interest to be suspended during illness or career breaks and for rates…
Education Issue: UK student loan review and possible Plan 5 shift for NI students Original release: Burrows and Swann seek clarity on the future of student finance for NI students (opens in a new tab)
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International School Meals Day
People Before Profit joins a Derry Trades Union Council rally at the Guildhall calling for free school meals for all children. It cites 41% of children in poverty lacking access and a 20% school meals price rise, and calls for universal free school meals now.
Social security and welfare Education Original release: International School Meals Day (opens in a new tab)
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Northern Ireland Men Denied Life-Saving Prostate Cancer Drug Available Across Rest of UK
TUV MP Jim Allister calls on Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to make abiraterone available to Northern Ireland men with prostate cancer that has not spread, as it is already offered in England, Scotland and Wales. The Minister says NI lacks a NICE equivalent and cites budget pressures.
Health Issue: Abiraterone prostate cancer drug availability in Northern Ireland Original release: Northern Ireland Men Denied Life-Saving Prostate Cancer Drug Available Across Rest of UK (opens in a new tab)
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We must all stay united to deliver A5 – Begley
Sinn Féin MP Órfhlaith Begley reaffirms her party's commitment to building the A5 road and saving lives after a High Court ruling, noting the case returns to the Court of Appeal. She welcomes the Infrastructure Minister's stated intention to continue her appeal and calls for all parties to stay…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: High Court ruling on A5 road scheme Original release: We must all stay united to deliver A5 – Begley (opens in a new tab)
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Gannon questions Sinn Féin’s commitment to delivering Enniskillen Bypass
SDLP council group leader Councillor Adam Gannon questions Sinn Féin's commitment to the A4 Enniskillen Southern Bypass after a Sinn Féin amendment removed firm commitments to reinstate £6.6m funding, start work in 2026 and include the project in an Executive multi-year budget.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Sinn Féin amendment to SDLP motion on A4 Enniskillen bypass funding Original release: Gannon questions Sinn Féin’s commitment to delivering Enniskillen Bypass (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin: Executive must act now to secure future of Childcare Subsidy Scheme
SDLP Opposition MLA Sinéad McLaughlin calls on the Executive to urgently allocate funding so the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme continues beyond March 2026. She says parents face uncertainty and that the scheme should not lapse without confirmed funding.
Social security and welfare Economy and employment Issue: Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme funding beyond March 2026 Original release: McLaughlin: Executive must act now to secure future of Childcare Subsidy Scheme (opens in a new tab)
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McIlveen warns Maritime Carbon Scheme could drive up costs for…
DUP Deputy Leader Michelle McIlveen warns that extending the carbon market to shipping could raise freight costs by about £15 per trailer, pushing prices up for businesses and households. She criticises Sinn Féin, the SDLP and Alliance for backing the measure and calls for the policy to be…
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Issue: Assembly debate on extending UK carbon pricing to maritime transport Original release: McIlveen warns Maritime Carbon Scheme could drive up costs for… (opens in a new tab)
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New residents’ parking scheme will benefit communities – Maskey
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey welcomes Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins's announcement that applications for residents' parking schemes will open in April 2026, operated on the basis of demand, and urges residents who think it would help their area to apply.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Infrastructure Minister residents' parking scheme applications announcement Original release: New residents’ parking scheme will benefit communities – Maskey (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin: Magee expansion at critical stage due to funding gap
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin says the Magee campus expansion has reached a critical stage after a Permanent Secretary briefing on funding risks. She opposes raising student fees and calls on the Executive to secure the funding needed for expansion to 10,000 students.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Magee expansion funding gap raised at Economy Committee briefing Original release: McLaughlin: Magee expansion at critical stage due to funding gap (opens in a new tab)
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McNulty: Clarity needed from Infrastructure Minister on Residents' Parking Zones
SDLP Opposition Infrastructure Spokesperson Justin McNulty MLA calls on Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to set out a timeline for Residents' Parking Zones after she announced a scheme letting residents apply for them. He welcomes the plan but says no specific timelines were given.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Infrastructure Minister residents' parking scheme applications announcement Original release: McNulty: Clarity needed from Infrastructure Minister on Residents' Parking Zones (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Education Minister must value role of classroom assistants
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says Education Minister Paul Givan should give classroom assistants proper respect, ahead of an SDLP Opposition Day motion on Monday. He criticises proposed reforms, especially around special educational needs, and calls for scrutiny of the Executive.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Classroom assistant reforms proposed by Education Minister Paul Givan Original release: Durkan: Education Minister must value role of classroom assistants (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston challenges Executive Ministers after “neither” gender category exposed in violence against women funding scheme
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says funding for a violence against women scheme is allocated to groups using a third gender category, 'neither', and has submitted questions to all Executive Ministers on how departmental data is broken down by gender and defined.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Violence against women funding scheme gender category 'neither' questions to Executive Ministers Original release: Gaston challenges Executive Ministers after “neither” gender category exposed in violence against women funding scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Minister’s childcare proposals must increase support and fairness for pre-schools – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason says any childcare proposals from Education Minister Paul Givan must improve funding and fairness across pre-school settings. She argues the planned extension of free pre-school hours should close funding gaps that leave some providers feeling overlooked, and calls for…
Education Issue: Education Minister's proposed extension of free pre-school hours Original release: Minister’s childcare proposals must increase support and fairness for pre-schools – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Givan welcomes Independent Review of Assessment Report
Education Minister Paul Givan welcomes the Independent Review of Assessment report, saying it delivers on the TransformED strategy and provides an evidence base for a low‑stakes, low‑workload assessment system that reduces workload and supports progress for every child.
Education Issue: Publication of Independent Review of Assessment report Original release: Givan welcomes Independent Review of Assessment Report (opens in a new tab)
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Women Left Waiting Years in Pain – Urgent Investment Needed in Northern Ireland’s Gynaecology Services
TUV councillor Anna Henry, Mid and East Antrim, warns women face years of chronic pain awaiting first gynaecology specialist appointments, citing June 2025 figures showing over 14,000 waiting in the South Eastern Trust and wait times near two years, and calls for urgent investment.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Department of Health June 2025 gynaecology outpatient waiting list figures Original release: Women Left Waiting Years in Pain – Urgent Investment Needed in Northern Ireland’s Gynaecology Services (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP: Single Irish state can unlock our economic potential
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says a single Irish state offers the strongest chance to unlock a New Ireland’s economic potential, unveiling the ‘Success by Design’ paper with proposals for an all‑island infrastructure fund, stronger rail links, skills alignment and a Ministry for a New Ireland.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Launch of SDLP Success by Design policy paper Original release: SDLP: Single Irish state can unlock our economic potential (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister commends healthcare staff working to reduce waiting lists
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt welcomes the latest waiting list figures, citing a fall of over 15,000 patients awaiting first outpatient appointments and 7,316 fewer waiting for inpatient or day case admission. He commends healthcare staff and expects further improvement from the Elective Care…
Health Issue: Latest hospital waiting list figures for outpatient appointments Original release: Health Minister commends healthcare staff working to reduce waiting lists (opens in a new tab)