Latest releases
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5,301 releases
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Education Minister’s failure to deliver schemes for children in special schools is ‘unacceptable’ – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason says the DUP Education Minister’s failure to provide summer programmes for pupils in special schools is unacceptable, and she will write to the Health and Education Ministers urging them to devise a solution for these children and their families.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Failure to provide special school summer programmes Original release: Education Minister’s failure to deliver schemes for children in special schools is ‘unacceptable’ – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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65 Women Murdered Across Ireland Since 2020, This is No Country for Women – Senator Sarah O’Reilly
Aontú Senator Sarah O'Reilly raises gender-based violence in the Seanad, saying 65 women have been killed across the island since 2020 and calling for more refuge spaces, as Ireland falls well below Council of Europe recommendations. She also raises concerns over the death of Kelly Lynch in…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: 65 Women Murdered Across Ireland Since 2020, This is No Country for Women – Senator Sarah O’Reilly (opens in a new tab)
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Murray calls for pilot drug testing facilities at Belfast events to improve public safety
Alliance councillor Micky Murray says a motion he brought to Belfast City Council seeking pilot drug-checking services at major city events and festivals has cleared its first stage. He argues such testing would help health authorities warn the public about dangerous substances and reduce…
Health Local government Issue: Belfast City Council motion on drug testing at city events Original release: Murray calls for pilot drug testing facilities at Belfast events to improve public safety (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison urges Education and Health Ministers to act urgently to save Summer schemes at special schools
Alliance Education spokesperson Nick Mathison calls on the Education and Health Ministers to urgently secure a joint funding package so summer schemes can run in special schools this year, after the Education Authority cancelled schemes over healthcare concerns.
Education Health Issue: Failure to provide special school summer programmes Original release: Mathison urges Education and Health Ministers to act urgently to save Summer schemes at special schools (opens in a new tab)
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Reilly: Executive must provide clarity on Altnagelvin Hospital ED redevelopment
SDLP Waterside Councillor Martin Reilly says the Executive must provide clarity on the Altnagelvin Hospital Emergency Department redevelopment, after Health Minister Mike Nesbitt confirmed full works would cost £72.8m and depend on a multi-year budget and a 10-year capital plan.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Altnagelvin Hospital Emergency Department redevelopment cost and funding dependency Original release: Reilly: Executive must provide clarity on Altnagelvin Hospital ED redevelopment (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna raises violence against women and girls in House of Commons
SDLP leader Claire Hanna MP used Northern Ireland Questions in the Commons to press for stronger action on violence against women and girls, citing recent killings and a murder conviction and urging the Executive and UK Government to act beyond expressions of concern.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: Hanna raises violence against women and girls in House of Commons (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Public deserve to know money wasted on free hospital car parking delays
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the public should be informed of the expense incurred by the Executive’s repeated postponements of free hospital car parking, and notes an amendment obliges the Health Department to issue a cost report.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Delays to free hospital car parking implementation Original release: McGrath: Public deserve to know money wasted on free hospital car parking delays (opens in a new tab)
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People Before Profit Statement on the Murder of Amy Doherty and the Prevalence of Gender Based Violence
People Before Profit representative Maeve O'Neill expresses sympathy over the murder of Amy Doherty and calls for structural change to tackle gender-based violence, including Safe Leave Act implementation, RSE in schools, anti-poverty and housing action, and better funding for women's shelters…
Justice and policing Economy and employment Issue: Derry-Londonderry woman's death in Summer Meadows Mews murder arrest Original release: People Before Profit Statement on the Murder of Amy Doherty and the Prevalence of Gender Based Violence (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew welcomes progress on delivering Sign Language Bill
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew welcomes progress on the Sign Language Bill after it was approved at Consideration Stage. He says the Bill is an important step towards giving the deaf and deafblind community access to public services in their own language, and praises their input into shaping it.
Disability and equality Issue: Sign Language Bill approval at Consideration Stage Original release: Gildernew welcomes progress on delivering Sign Language Bill (opens in a new tab)
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McGuigan criticises DUP for ignoring scientific evidence in blocking Minimum Unit Pricing
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan criticises the DUP for blocking Minimum Unit Pricing legislation for alcohol despite scientific and medical evidence. He says MUP targets the cheapest, strongest drinks and calls it a missed opportunity to save lives.
Health Issue: Minimum unit pricing for alcohol blocked in Executive Original release: McGuigan criticises DUP for ignoring scientific evidence in blocking Minimum Unit Pricing (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin to host United Ireland public meeting in Cork City – Kathleen Funchion MEP
Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion announces a public meeting in Cork on 8 May at the Clayton Hotel to discuss what a United Ireland should look like. She calls for EU institutions to engage with the Irish unity debate and to set out what supports they could offer after any successful referendum.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Sinn Féin to host United Ireland public meeting in Cork City – Kathleen Funchion MEP (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin publishes plan for new cancer strategy to tackle slipping standards – David Cullinane TD
Sinn Féin health spokesperson David Cullinane TD publishes a discussion paper with 42 recommendations for a new cancer strategy, urging a guaranteed €30 million annual fund, targeted investment to end postcode‑lottery access, equipment upgrades and extended service hours.
Health Public finance and taxation Original release: Sinn Féin publishes plan for new cancer strategy to tackle slipping standards – David Cullinane TD (opens in a new tab)
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DUP are bringing common sense to government – Buckley
Upper Bann MLA and DUP Director of Campaigns Jonathan Buckley says Northern Ireland requires a return to practical government after a visit to Fermanagh, criticising net zero targets and green taxes as adding to fuel and energy costs. He also accuses Sinn Féin, the SDLP and Alliance of…
Economy and employment Environment and climate Original release: DUP are bringing common sense to government – Buckley (opens in a new tab)
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We must continue working to strengthen relations with Europe – Ferguson
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson says the recent Brussels visit by junior ministers Aisling Reilly and Joanne Bunting helped deepen EU ties, highlighting funding, student schemes and all‑island economic growth, and pledges Sinn Féin will continue building relationships and pursue a united‑Ireland path –
International affairs Constitutional affairs Issue: Junior Ministers' Brussels visit to strengthen EU relations Original release: We must continue working to strengthen relations with Europe – Ferguson (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: DUP block on MUP will have serious consequences for public health
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says a DUP veto blocking minimum unit pricing for alcohol will seriously harm public health, after Health Minister Mike Nesbitt confirmed the legislation cannot be brought forward this mandate. He urges the DUP to explain its change of position…
Health Issue: Minimum unit pricing for alcohol blocked in Executive Original release: McGrath: DUP block on MUP will have serious consequences for public health (opens in a new tab)
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Political failure on Minimum Unit Pricing will be measured in lives lost
UUP Health Spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA says the Executive's failure to pass Minimum Unit Pricing on alcohol is a missed opportunity to save lives and reduce harm. He accuses the DUP of using its Executive veto to block progress and calls for an explanation of its change of position.
Health Issue: Minimum unit pricing for alcohol blocked in Executive Original release: Political failure on Minimum Unit Pricing will be measured in lives lost (opens in a new tab)
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Financial support should be targeted to those who need it most, says Eastwood
Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood says financial support for rising energy bills should be targeted at benefit recipients and working families rather than blanket, calling the UK Government's £17 million home heating oil package insufficient and mistargeted. She urges urgent talks between the Executive…
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: British government £17 million home heating oil support package Original release: Financial support should be targeted to those who need it most, says Eastwood (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance calls for alternative parking site to save Bangor green space
Alliance Councillor Chris McCracken urges Bangor Marine and Ards & North Down Borough Council to find an alternative seafront parking location, arguing that the proposed parking would replace a cherished green space near the Marina as waterfront gardens develop.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Bangor waterfront gardens seafront parking proposal Original release: Alliance calls for alternative parking site to save Bangor green space (opens in a new tab)
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Crisis in endometriosis care must be addressed immediately – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn, Chair of the Women's Health APG, calls for urgent action on endometriosis care after an event at Stormont and a report published today. She calls for fully resourced gynaecology services, faster referral pathways and better training, and says she will press the Health…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Endometriosis report published March 2026 calling for urgent action on care Original release: Crisis in endometriosis care must be addressed immediately – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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Reilly welcomes investment in Irish language projects
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly welcomes over £4 million of Irish government investment in Irish language projects in the north, part of a £5 million Shared Island Initiative package for cultural and community development.
Disability and equality Issue: Irish government Shared Island Irish language investment package Original release: Reilly welcomes investment in Irish language projects (opens in a new tab)