Latest releases
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1,502 releases
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DUP representatives meet Veterans Commissioner
The DUP says its representatives met the newly appointed Veterans Commissioner, David Johnstone, at Westminster, and Leader Gavin Robinson calls for the Armed Forces Covenant duty to be extended to employment, pensions, social care and criminal justice.
Other Issue: DUP meeting with Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner at Westminster Original release: DUP representatives meet Veterans Commissioner (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister’s reform of housing points welcomed
DUP East Antrim MLA Cheryl Brownlee welcomes Communities Minister Gordon Lyons's commitment to reform the Housing Executive points system for intimidated applicants. She urges swift reforms so housing is allocated on genuine need rather than intimidation points, which she says criminals can abuse.
Housing Disability and equality Issue: Removal of Housing Executive intimidation points Original release: Communities Minister’s reform of housing points welcomed (opens in a new tab)
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Bravery of Paddy Mayne merits VC award – Shannon
Strangford DUP MP Jim Shannon calls for Blair 'Paddy' Mayne to be posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, having tabled a Commons motion urging MPs to back the campaign. He says the BBC drama SAS: Rogue Heroes took creative licence with Mayne's character.
Other Original release: Bravery of Paddy Mayne merits VC award – Shannon (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter: SEN plan must be fully funded
SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA says the Education Minister's special educational needs transformation plan must be fully funded, noting the Executive has earmarked no money for it in its latest budget. She welcomes proposals including a child development passport.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Special Educational Needs Reform Agenda and five-year delivery plan Original release: Hunter: SEN plan must be fully funded (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: FM’s delivery claims don’t add up
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says First Minister Michelle O'Neill's claims about the Executive's delivery record do not add up, accusing her of spin and saying the Executive failed to deliver half its legislative programme last year.
Other Issue: First Minister claims on Executive delivery record January 2025 Original release: O’Toole: FM’s delivery claims don’t add up (opens in a new tab)
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Rationale for female only prison spaces is clear - Bunting
DUP Justice Spokesperson Joanne Bunting MLA asks Justice Minister Naomi Long how she will keep Hydebank Wood women's prison exclusively for biologically female prisoners after a High Court ruling allowed a transfer from Maghaberry. She says the Minister must set out a plan and warns that admitting…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: High Court ruling on transfer of prisoner to Hydebank Wood Original release: Rationale for female only prison spaces is clear - Bunting (opens in a new tab)
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Commitment to SEN first approach a welcome step – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker welcomes the education minister’s announcement on overhauling provision for children with special educational needs, urging the minister to promptly release a SEN Reform Agenda and Delivery Plan and to adopt a ‘SEN first’ placement policy.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education minister's SEN transformation statement Original release: Commitment to SEN first approach a welcome step – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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Givan: Reform begins for children with special educational needs
Education Minister Paul Givan announces a reform agenda and five-year delivery plan for special educational needs support, moving away from one-to-one adult support toward more flexible school-led models. He also plans a bespoke early-years programme for toddlers aged two and three, including…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Special Educational Needs Reform Agenda and five-year delivery plan Original release: Givan: Reform begins for children with special educational needs (opens in a new tab)
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Time for action on SEN education crisis, not more empty words says Alliance representatives.
Alliance MLAs Nick Mathison and Michelle Guy say the Education Minister's statement on SEN transformation offered only empty words, with no finalised action plan, costings or success measures. They call for a clear plan and outcome framework.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Special Educational Needs Reform Agenda and five-year delivery plan Original release: Time for action on SEN education crisis, not more empty words says Alliance representatives. (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Opposition Day to focus on violence against women and girls
SDLP MLA Sinéad McLaughlin and SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter call for urgent action on violence against women and girls, citing 25 women killed in Northern Ireland since 2020. Their Opposition Day motions cover new victim-protection laws, online abuse, RSE and gender-based budgeting.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: SDLP Opposition Day motions on violence against women and girls Original release: SDLP Opposition Day to focus on violence against women and girls (opens in a new tab)
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Gregory Campbell MP Welcomes Ulster University’s Decision to Revise…
DUP MP Gregory Campbell welcomes Ulster University's decision to revise promotional imagery for its new sports science degree in Derry, after he raised concerns that the original images were exclusive. He urges the university to consider diverse backgrounds in future marketing.
Community relations and legacy Education Issue: Ulster University revising sports science course promotional imagery Original release: Gregory Campbell MP Welcomes Ulster University’s Decision to Revise… (opens in a new tab)
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Egan welcomes vital funding for ending violence against women and girls, stating it must be co-ordinated effectively.
Alliance spokesperson Connie Egan MLA welcomes the Executive Office's launch of the £2 million Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Local Change Fund, administered through councils. She says the funding must be co-ordinated across areas and agencies to avoid a siloed approach and to target…
Justice and policing Local government Issue: Executive Office launch of EVAWG Local Change Fund Original release: Egan welcomes vital funding for ending violence against women and girls, stating it must be co-ordinated effectively. (opens in a new tab)
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Maskey expresses condolences after body found in Spain
West Belfast MP Paul Maskey offers sympathy to the relatives of John George, whose body has been found in Spain, and hopes his remains can be brought back to Ireland quickly so his family can hold a dignified funeral.
Other Issue: John George body found in Spain Original release: Maskey expresses condolences after body found in Spain (opens in a new tab)
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Condolences on the passing of President J Carter from the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland.
Alliance leader Naomi Long MLA offers condolences to the family of former US President Jimmy Carter, praising his peacebuilding and humanitarian record, including his 1977 intervention that began American involvement in the Northern Ireland peace process.
Other International affairs Original release: Condolences on the passing of President J Carter from the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland. (opens in a new tab)
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Racist signs appalling, says Tennyson
Alliance MLA Eóin Tennyson condemns racist signs tied to railings outside a Lurgan school as appalling and urges anyone with information to contact police. PSNI is investigating the incident on Pollock Drive as a hate crime.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Racist signs outside Lurgan school on Pollock Drive Original release: Racist signs appalling, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan questions delay to Troubles pension payments
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan says Assembly answers show slow progress on the Troubles victims' disability payment scheme, with under a quarter of applications decided. He calls on the Executive to work with the Payment Board to conclude the process quickly.
Community relations and legacy Social security and welfare Issue: Troubles Permanent Disability Payment scheme progress figures Assembly answer Original release: McCrossan questions delay to Troubles pension payments (opens in a new tab)
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Ted Howell was a patriot whose contribution to Irish Republicanism will endure for generations to come – Mary Lou McDonald TD
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD expresses condolences on the death of Sinn Féin strategist Ted Howell, describing him as a valued political strategist, adviser and friend who played a significant role in the peace process.
Other Constitutional affairs Original release: Ted Howell was a patriot whose contribution to Irish Republicanism will endure for generations to come – Mary Lou McDonald TD (opens in a new tab)
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Statement from Gerry Adams on the death of Ted Howell
Former Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams pays tribute to Ted Howell, describing him as a longstanding friend and a figure in republican strategy, peace policy and international outreach, and offers condolences to his family.
Other International affairs Original release: Statement from Gerry Adams on the death of Ted Howell (opens in a new tab)
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Statement from Michelle O’Neill on the passing of life long Irish republican activist, Ted Howell
Sinn Féin Leas-Uachtarán Michelle O'Neill expresses sorrow at the death of lifelong Irish republican activist Ted Howell, praising his quiet work as long-time Chair of the Sinn Féin negotiating team through the peace process up to New Decade, New Approach.
Other International affairs Original release: Statement from Michelle O’Neill on the passing of life long Irish republican activist, Ted Howell (opens in a new tab)
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Actions, not words, required after racial equality review, says Bradshaw
Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw calls on the First and deputy First Minister to urgently set out actions to address deficiencies in the outgoing Racial Equality Strategy, after a review found no clear action plan or budget and no response from them.
Disability and equality Issue: Racial Equality Strategy review findings Original release: Actions, not words, required after racial equality review, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)