Latest releases
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2,560 releases
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Finnegan welcomes publication of draft Climate Action Plan
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan urges the public to respond to the consultation on the draft Climate Action Plan published by the environment department today. She says the party will assess the plan for a fair transition, all-Ireland climate challenges and the needs of rural communities.
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA draft Climate Action Plan consultation Original release: Finnegan welcomes publication of draft Climate Action Plan (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney welcomes veterinary medicines agreement
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney welcomes a new EU–UK agreement that resolves Brexit-related difficulties in getting animal medicines to Northern Ireland, noting two new schemes will be set up to support it. He says the EU and British governments should build on their recent improved relations.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU-UK veterinary medicines agreement for Northern Ireland Original release: Kearney welcomes veterinary medicines agreement (opens in a new tab)
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Climate Action Plan proposals show Muir has learned nothing from NAP…
DUP Deputy Leader and Agriculture Spokesperson Michelle McIlveen MLA criticises DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's draft Climate Action Plan consultation, warning of a £1 billion cost to 2027 and of livestock reductions of 81,000 beef and 25,000 dairy cattle, and urges farmers to respond.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: DAERA draft Climate Action Plan consultation Original release: Climate Action Plan proposals show Muir has learned nothing from NAP… (opens in a new tab)
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Government still letting NI down on veterinary medicines
TUV leader Jim Allister says the government has failed to stand up to the EU over veterinary medicines supply to Northern Ireland, claiming ministers are steering supplies from the EU instead of GB. He disputes the government's figure of a 10-15% supply shortfall and says past internal market…
Agriculture and rural affairs International affairs Issue: Secretary of State statement on veterinary medicines supply Original release: Government still letting NI down on veterinary medicines (opens in a new tab)
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All-island approach needed to tackle air pollution – Finnegan
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan calls for an all-island approach to tackle air pollution on Clean Air Day, arguing it harms health, worsens health inequalities and contributes to hundreds of deaths each year. She pledges support for the Executive and the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and…
Environment and climate Health Original release: All-island approach needed to tackle air pollution – Finnegan (opens in a new tab)
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International cooperation key to addressing major global Issues – Hughes
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes says international cooperation is essential to tackling global challenges facing workers and families, after addressing the inaugural gathering of the European Left Alliance in Porto. He calls on the Irish government to begin planning for Irish reunification.
International affairs Constitutional affairs Issue: European Left Alliance inaugural congress in Porto Original release: International cooperation key to addressing major global Issues – Hughes (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Speaker’s rebuke underlines importance of constructive Opposition
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA endorses the Speaker's rebuke of MLAs over the standard of Assembly debate, accusing Executive parties of treating the Chamber as an inconvenience. He points to Sinn Féin and other parties failing to vote or attend at an Opposition Day.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Speaker Edwin Poots rebuke to MLAs over Assembly debate standards Original release: O’Toole: Speaker’s rebuke underlines importance of constructive Opposition (opens in a new tab)
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Independent EPA key to strengthening environmental governance, says Blair, following publication of report
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes the interim report of the Independent Panel on Environmental Governance, backing its recommendation for an independent Environmental Protection Agency. He urges Executive parties to fully support the final recommendations expected this…
Environment and climate Issue: Independent Panel on Environmental Governance interim report publication Original release: Independent EPA key to strengthening environmental governance, says Blair, following publication of report (opens in a new tab)
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O’Dowd ignoring crumbling water infrastructure: O’Toole
SDLP Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole says Finance Minister John O'Dowd refuses to acknowledge a funding crisis at NI Water, despite Fiscal Council warnings, and calls for a funding plan, citing Lough Neagh pollution and social housing targets.
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: NI Water funding crisis and Finance Minister's refusal to acknowledge it Original release: O’Dowd ignoring crumbling water infrastructure: O’Toole (opens in a new tab)
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Allister calls on Government to tighten border controls
TUV leader and North Antrim MP Jim Allister calls on the UK Government to address unfettered access to Northern Ireland via the Republic of Ireland, claiming freedom of movement has effectively continued and that border controls are not being exercised. He says the Protocol could worsen this.
Immigration International affairs Original release: Allister calls on Government to tighten border controls (opens in a new tab)
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Brooks welcomes progress on proposals for new South Belfast greenway
Alliance Balmoral Councillor Tara Brooks says she is pleased a feasibility study has been commissioned for a proposed greenway in Belfast's Blackstaff area, which followed a 2023 Alliance council motion. The study will consider links to Adelaide Train Station and alternatives such as a walking…
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Blackstaff area South Belfast greenway feasibility study commissioned Original release: Brooks welcomes progress on proposals for new South Belfast greenway (opens in a new tab)
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Newry, Mourne and Down Council backs Alliance motion calling for Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty
Alliance says Newry, Mourne and Down Council has backed its motion calling for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, making it the first Northern Ireland local authority to do so. Cllr Jill Truesdale and Cllr Cadogan Enright also criticise public subsidies for gas and call for grid investment in…
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Newry, Mourne and Down Council backs Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty motion Original release: Newry, Mourne and Down Council backs Alliance motion calling for Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (opens in a new tab)
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‘We will continue to make the case for a just transition’ – McAleer
Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer calls on Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir to heed widespread concerns about the department’s Nutrient Action Programme after the Assembly voted to reject the proposals, urging proper farmer engagement, impact assessments and support for a just transition.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Assembly vote rejecting NAP proposals Original release: ‘We will continue to make the case for a just transition’ – McAleer (opens in a new tab)
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Punitive charges on workers and families not the answer to wastewater problems – Boylan
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan says a new Fiscal Council report on NI Water funding shows the impact of British government austerity, and backs Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins's plan to seek Executive funding, consult on developer contributions and legislate for sustainable drainage. He opposes…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Fiscal Council report on NI Water funding model Original release: Punitive charges on workers and families not the answer to wastewater problems – Boylan (opens in a new tab)
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DUP leads Assembly call to withdraw NAP consultation
Deputy Leader and DUP Agriculture Spokesperson Michelle McIlveen led an Assembly debate urging the DAERA Minister to pull back the consultation on the Nutrients Action Programme.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: DAERA consultation on Nutrients Action Programme review and 2026-2029 programme Original release: DUP leads Assembly call to withdraw NAP consultation (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Executive parties cynically abandoning commitment to Lough Neagh
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA accuses Sinn Féin, the DUP and the UUP of dropping their pledges to protect Lough Neagh after backing a motion to halt consultation on the AERA Minister's Nutrients Action Programme. He calls their earlier promises empty rhetoric and urges the…
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Assembly motion to halt consultation on Nutrients Action Programme Original release: O’Toole: Executive parties cynically abandoning commitment to Lough Neagh (opens in a new tab)
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Independent Environmental Protection Agency needed to prevent another Mobuoy-scale disaster - Gerry Carroll MLA
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll welcomes the launch of the public consultation on remediating the Mobuoy dump and calls for a public inquiry and an independent Environmental Protection Agency. Councillor Shaun Harkin says illegal dumping and pollution are going unchecked across the North.
Environment and climate Issue: Mobuoy dump remediation public consultation launch Original release: Independent Environmental Protection Agency needed to prevent another Mobuoy-scale disaster - Gerry Carroll MLA (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Punishment doesn’t fit crime at Mobuoy Dump
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says the sentences for two men convicted of illegal dumping at Mobuoy dump near Derry are too lenient, given the £40 m profit, water‑supply risk, A6 delay and up to £700 m cleanup cost, and calls for a full public inquiry and investment to make the site safe.
Environment and climate Justice and policing Issue: Sentencing of two men for Mobuoy dump illegal dumping Original release: Durkan: Punishment doesn’t fit crime at Mobuoy Dump (opens in a new tab)
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Flawed Energy Rules Undermine Northern Ireland’s Green Goals says Armstrong
UUP economy spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA warns that Department for the Economy rules excluding interconnector-imported renewable power from 2030 targets could classify Scottish wind as fossil fuel, and calls for an urgent review.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Department for the Economy renewable energy accounting rules on interconnector imports Original release: Flawed Energy Rules Undermine Northern Ireland’s Green Goals says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Data confirms Protocol damage to GB to NI Trade
TUV leader Jim Allister KC MP says new ONS data shows GB firms trading with Northern Ireland have fallen sharply since 2020, blaming the Protocol, rebranded as the Windsor Framework, for the decline.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: ONS data on GB-NI trade by business sector Original release: Data confirms Protocol damage to GB to NI Trade (opens in a new tab)