Latest releases
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4,533 releases
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Government’s Local Growth Fund Decision Puts Community Services at Risk
UUP MLA John Stewart says the Government's decision to keep the current Local Growth Fund arrangements, including the 70/30 split, puts charities and voluntary groups at risk of a funding cliff edge on 31 March. He calls on the Executive to explore additional or bridging funding.
Public finance and taxation Issue: Local Growth Fund 70/30 split retained for charities and voluntary sector Original release: Government’s Local Growth Fund Decision Puts Community Services at Risk (opens in a new tab)
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No one should have a licence to pollute, says Blair, welcoming stronger wastewater pollution regulations
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes the Environment Minister's Assembly update on stronger wastewater pollution rules, including tougher fines, ending NI Water's licence to pollute and stricter discharge consent standards. He urges Executive approval and urgent Infrastructure…
Environment and climate Issue: Environment Minister's Assembly update on wastewater pollution measures Original release: No one should have a licence to pollute, says Blair, welcoming stronger wastewater pollution regulations (opens in a new tab)
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Lyons announces £9million for grassroots football facilities
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announces a £9million pilot stage of the Grassroots Facilities Programme under the Northern Ireland Football Fund, with awards of £500,000 to £1.5million and applications now open. The DUP-linked release says six projects will be supported.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Grassroots Facilities Programme pilot £9million funding call Original release: Lyons announces £9million for grassroots football facilities (opens in a new tab)
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Forsythe: DfE Must Be Honest About Unrealistic 2030 Energy Targets
DUP South Down MLA Diane Forsythe says the Department for the Economy must be candid about Northern Ireland's 2030 renewable electricity target of 80%, which she calls unachievable on current trajectory. She cites roughly 44% renewable generation today and calls for a credible, deliverable energy…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Economy Committee questioning of Energy Group officials on 2030 renewable electricity target Original release: Forsythe: DfE Must Be Honest About Unrealistic 2030 Energy Targets (opens in a new tab)
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Irish Language Commission links language to IRA campaign – he should go
TUV leader Jim Allister says Irish Language Commissioner Pol Deeds's claim that opposition to Irish is a blow for unification echoes a 1982 IRA-era remark and calls for his removal, urging Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly to act.
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Issue: Irish Language Commissioner Pol Deeds comments on opposition to Irish Original release: Irish Language Commission links language to IRA campaign – he should go (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Long health waiting lists leaving patients in limbo
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the latest hospital waiting list figures, showing over 542,000 people awaiting a first outpatient appointment and more than 174,000 waiting over two years, raise doubts about whether the Executive treats the backlog as a priority.
Health Issue: Latest hospital waiting list figures for outpatient appointments Original release: McGrath: Long health waiting lists leaving patients in limbo (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: Secretary of State must recognise link between need for reform and Executive’s fiscal doom loop
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says Secretary of State Hilary Benn needs to accept that reforming Stormont's institutions is central to tackling the Executive's financial dysfunction. Speaking after his appearance before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, she argues the current system is broken…
Public finance and taxation Constitutional affairs Issue: Secretary of State appearance before Northern Ireland Affairs Committee Original release: Hanna: Secretary of State must recognise link between need for reform and Executive’s fiscal doom loop (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds Calls for Urgent Action on Eating Disorder Services
DUP MLA Diane Dodds calls on the Health Minister to set a firm timetable for upgrading the regional eating disorder service, noting an outline business case awaits Finance review under Action 29d of the Mental Health Strategy.
Health Issue: Eating disorder service enhancement timetable ahead of Awareness Week debate Original release: Dodds Calls for Urgent Action on Eating Disorder Services (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: PSNI officers abusing position for sexual purposes reinforces need for cultural change
SDLP MLA Colin McGrath, a Policing Board member, says the high number of officers abusing their position for sexual purposes shows a need for cultural change in the PSNI, following the Police Ombudsman's report on the issue. He calls for the Justice Minister to confirm when legislation for faster…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Police Ombudsman report on sexual misconduct by PSNI officers Original release: McGrath: PSNI officers abusing position for sexual purposes reinforces need for cultural change (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan welcomes removal of two-child limit
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA welcomes the removal of the two-child limit on Universal Credit, following the Assembly's Legislative Consent Motion on the Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill. He calls for clarity on transitional protections and a timely…
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: Assembly passes bill scrapping two-child benefit limit Original release: Durkan welcomes removal of two-child limit (opens in a new tab)
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£390m Barnett boost welcome but waste and inefficiency must be tackled
UUP Finance spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA welcomes an extra £390m in Barnett consequentials from the Chancellor's Spring Estimates, but says inefficiency and failure to reform public spending undermine services. He cites the Fiscal Council's criticism and calls the Department for…
Public finance and taxation Infrastructure and transport Issue: Chancellor's Spring Estimates Barnett consequentials for Northern Ireland Original release: £390m Barnett boost welcome but waste and inefficiency must be tackled (opens in a new tab)
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‘Stark’ endometriosis waiting times highlight need for change – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn calls for a step change in endometriosis services in the north after new figures show average diagnosis waiting times of nearly 10 years. She urges the Health Minister to set up specialist endometriosis services and work with Dublin on an all-island approach.
Health Disability and equality Issue: New figures on endometriosis diagnosis waiting times Original release: ‘Stark’ endometriosis waiting times highlight need for change – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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Minister announces Core Grant funding for 2026/27
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt announces that over 70 community and voluntary groups are expected to receive Core Grant funding in 2026/27, totalling £1.8m, up from 26 last year after the scheme was restructured. Subject to checks, feedback will be offered to unsuccessful applicants.
Public finance and taxation Issue: Core Grant funding awards for community and voluntary sector 2026/27 Original release: Minister announces Core Grant funding for 2026/27 (opens in a new tab)
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Brooks expresses concern at lack of transparency and consideration around plans for Botanic Gardens
Alliance councillor Tara Brooks voices concern that Belfast City Council's plan to move a community garden and an EU-funded UPSURGE environmental project from Botanic Gardens for a sports pitch lacks transparency. She says her proposal to pause the decision for more information was ignored and…
Local government Environment and climate Issue: Botanic Gardens community garden relocation for new sports pitch Original release: Brooks expresses concern at lack of transparency and consideration around plans for Botanic Gardens (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Minister must address soaring temporary accommodation spend
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan, who chairs the Public Accounts Committee, calls on Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to urgently address spending on temporary accommodation after a PAC report found £40m was spent in 2024/25.
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Public Accounts Committee report on homelessness Original release: McCrossan: Minister must address soaring temporary accommodation spend (opens in a new tab)
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Horrifying reports of AI-generated abuse of disabled people highlights need for regulation, says Nicholl
Alliance MLA Kate Nicholl calls for AI regulation after reports that Meta is investigating accounts sharing AI-generated sexualised content degrading disabled people. She says she will bring an amendment to the Justice Bill banning tools built to create non-consensual sexually explicit images.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Meta investigation into AI-generated sexualised content of disabled people Original release: Horrifying reports of AI-generated abuse of disabled people highlights need for regulation, says Nicholl (opens in a new tab)
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Murphy welcomes Executive approval to permanently end Petroleum Exploration and Licensing
Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy welcomes the Executive's sign-off on repeal legislation that would permanently halt oil and gas exploration and licensing in the north, including fracking. She says it aligns the region with the rest of the island and will protect Fermanagh communities.
Environment and climate Issue: Executive approval of Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill Original release: Murphy welcomes Executive approval to permanently end Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (opens in a new tab)
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Doctors’ testimony of impact of genocide on Gaza healthcare system harrowing – Cullen
Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP Pat Cullen describes testimony from Palestinian and British doctors on Gaza's healthcare system as harrowing, condemns Israel's blocking of medical treatment and evacuations, and calls for stronger global pressure to enforce international law.
International affairs Health Issue: Westminster briefing on impact of Gaza conflict on healthcare Original release: Doctors’ testimony of impact of genocide on Gaza healthcare system harrowing – Cullen (opens in a new tab)
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Huge support for all pupils having the option to wear trousers – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason welcomes the strongly positive response to a survey by the Education Committee on a plan guaranteeing all pupils the right to wear trousers, with about 98% in favour. She says the School Uniform Bill was a missed opportunity and calls for it to pass before next year's…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Committee survey on pupils' right to wear trousers Original release: Huge support for all pupils having the option to wear trousers – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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PEACEPLUS funding must be maintained – Archibald
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald welcomes support for additional PEACEPLUS funding in the next EU budget, following a proposal by Kathleen Funchion MEP that still needs agreement from a European committee. She calls for funding to be guaranteed beyond 2027.
Community relations and legacy International affairs Issue: Regional Development Committee adoption of PeacePlus funding amendment Original release: PEACEPLUS funding must be maintained – Archibald (opens in a new tab)