Latest releases
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2,506 releases
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No place for racism or hate in society – Hargey
Sinn Féin MLA Deidre Hargey condemns racism, racist violence and intimidation as unacceptable and calls for it to stop immediately, after police probed an alleged attack on a migrant tied to vigilante groups. She says she has written to the Justice Minister offering joint work with her and police…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: PSNI probe into alleged attack on migrant linked to vigilante groups Original release: No place for racism or hate in society – Hargey (opens in a new tab)
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Kelly writes to Chief Constable over arrest of woman at Palestinian solidarity vigilv
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly says he has written to the Chief Constable asking for an explanation of why a woman was arrested at a Palestinian solidarity vigil after giving her details in Irish, when others were reportedly just cautioned.
Justice and policing International affairs Issue: Arrest of woman at Palestinian solidarity vigil after giving details in Irish Original release: Kelly writes to Chief Constable over arrest of woman at Palestinian solidarity vigilv (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong astounded by wasted energy that could be used to address fuel poverty
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong says she is astounded that £94 million of excess wind energy was wasted in the first two quarters of 2025, citing SONI figures. She calls on the Communities and Economy Ministers to work together to use surplus wind power to cut household energy bills and tackle fuel…
Economy and employment Environment and climate Issue: SONI figures on wasted excess wind energy in 2025 Original release: Armstrong astounded by wasted energy that could be used to address fuel poverty (opens in a new tab)
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Apprenticeship Action Plan welcome but falls short, says Honeyford
Alliance Economy spokesperson David Honeyford MLA welcomes the Department for the Economy's Apprenticeship Action Plan but says it is neither ambitious nor targeted enough. He calls for stronger links to Further Education Colleges and to employers, citing the Republic's Skillnet Ireland model as a…
Economy and employment Education Issue: Department for the Economy Apprenticeship Action Plan launch Original release: Apprenticeship Action Plan welcome but falls short, says Honeyford (opens in a new tab)
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De Faoite calls for response to racist intimidation
SDLP Belfast City Council Group Leader Séamas de Faoite urges a joint response to racist intimidation across East Belfast, citing social media posts, and wants an urgent East Belfast Policing and Community Safety Partnership meeting. He also presses the PSNI and Justice Minister to act and to…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: East Belfast racist intimidation social media posts Original release: De Faoite calls for response to racist intimidation (opens in a new tab)
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Dillon encourages the public to have their say on breastfeeding bill
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon urges the public to respond to a consultation on her Private Member's Bill that would create an offence for discouraging breastfeeding in public, require premises to be breastfeeding-friendly, and penalise discrimination. The consultation closes on 24 October 2025.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Linda Dillon Private Members Bill breastfeeding consultation launch Original release: Dillon encourages the public to have their say on breastfeeding bill (opens in a new tab)
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McNulty: Executive must tackle barriers to youth sport participation
SDLP Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty calls on the Northern Ireland Executive to act on inequality in young people's access to sport and physical activity, following a meeting with Ulster University about new research on cost and access barriers. He proposes community sports hub investment, a…
Disability and equality Issue: Ulster University research on youth sport participation barriers Original release: McNulty: Executive must tackle barriers to youth sport participation (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance representatives welcome decision to protect Tullynagardy Wood
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison and Councillor Vicky Moore welcome Ards and North Down Council's Planning Committee decision to refuse permission for five houses in Tullynagardy Wood, Newtownards, despite officer recommendations to approve. Mathison hopes the site's protection is confirmed at the next…
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Tullynagardy Wood housing planning refusal by Ards and North Down Council Original release: Alliance representatives welcome decision to protect Tullynagardy Wood (opens in a new tab)
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Mineral licensing regulatory framework must be fit for purpose – McAleer
Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer says the recent surrender of mineral prospecting licences in the Sperrins highlights the need for a licensing framework that prioritises environmental safeguards, openness and local consultation, and urges the ongoing policy review to be accelerated. He notes Minister Cá
Environment and climate Issue: Sperrins mineral prospecting licences relinquished Original release: Mineral licensing regulatory framework must be fit for purpose – McAleer (opens in a new tab)
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Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Begins with Consistent Sentencing – Beattie
UUP justice spokesperson Doug Beattie MLA calls for a Sentencing Council for Northern Ireland, arguing inconsistent sentencing is undermining confidence in the courts. He cites a recent case where a man received a suspended sentence for striking a teenage girl, and urges the Justice Minister to…
Justice and policing Education Original release: Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Begins with Consistent Sentencing – Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Minister has to get A5 appeal right
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan says the Infrastructure Minister, Liz Kimmins, must ensure an appeal against the court ruling that delayed the A5 project does not repeat past failures on climate targets. He criticises the timing of the appeal decision and calls for it to be the final delay.
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: DfI Minister's appeal against the A5 court ruling Original release: McCrossan: Minister has to get A5 appeal right (opens in a new tab)
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Erskine comments on A5 appeal
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine, Chair of the Assembly Infrastructure Committee, says the DfI Minister's appeal of the A5 ruling is valid but will take time. She questions how it will address climate targets cited by the judge and urges the Minister to pursue interim road safety measures and fair…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: DfI Minister's appeal against the A5 court ruling Original release: Erskine comments on A5 appeal (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston raises concerns with Minister Lyons following “drag queen story time” for children event
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston has written to Communities Minister Gordon Lyons over a drag story time event for children at Holywood Arches Library, asking whether Libraries NI approved it, for a review of criteria for child-targeted library events, and for confirmation that safeguarding checks on…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Holywood Arches Library drag story time event for children Original release: Gaston raises concerns with Minister Lyons following “drag queen story time” for children event (opens in a new tab)
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Criminal Probe Into Asbestos in South Belfast Raises Serious Questions for NIEA and Landowners — Issues Gaston Highlighted in a Letter Last Month
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says a NIEA criminal investigation into asbestos at Meridi Street, off the Donegall Road, is overdue and calls for answers on the site's history. He questions why the land owner's links were given little attention and demands transparency over NIEA action since 2018.
Environment and climate Issue: NIEA criminal investigation into asbestos at Meridi Street, South Belfast Original release: Criminal Probe Into Asbestos in South Belfast Raises Serious Questions for NIEA and Landowners — Issues Gaston Highlighted in a Letter Last Month (opens in a new tab)
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Action needed to eliminate foul odour – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew urges Environment Minister Andrew Muir to hold an urgent meeting on foul odours from the Sawgrass/Northway factory, after the smell forced a local GAA summer camp to move and caused vomiting among children, calling for swift action by the minister and the Environment Ag
Environment and climate Issue: Sawgrass/Northway factory foul odour affecting GAA summer camp Original release: Action needed to eliminate foul odour – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Donnelly condemns racially motivated hate crimes in Larne
Alliance Larne Lough Councillor Maeve Donnelly condemns racially motivated criminal damage to two houses in Larne, where police are investigating graffiti and property damage in Hampton Crescent and Doric Way. She urges anyone with information to contact police immediately.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Larne racially motivated criminal damage to two houses investigation Original release: Donnelly condemns racially motivated hate crimes in Larne (opens in a new tab)
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Finnegan calls for long-term local fishing support
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan welcomes the £3.25m Marine Environment and Fisheries Fund from the environment department but says it must become long-term funding beyond a one-year offer. She also presses the British government to clarify local fisheries support under its May Fishing and Coastal…
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: Marine Environment and Fisheries Fund £3.25m support announcement Original release: Finnegan calls for long-term local fishing support (opens in a new tab)
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TUV Challenges Irish Medium Sector on Lack of Newcomer Intake
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston calls for urgent scrutiny of the Irish medium sector after Assembly answer figures showed just 20 newcomer pupils in Irish medium primary schools and none in post-primary. He says the sector should take its fair share of newcomer children.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Assembly answer on newcomer pupil enrolment in Irish medium schools Original release: TUV Challenges Irish Medium Sector on Lack of Newcomer Intake (opens in a new tab)
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Lockhart Secures High-Level Meeting with Airport Chiefs Over…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says Belfast International Airport senior executives have agreed to meet her and constituents over reports of humiliating security screening experiences involving stoma bags. She also says she has contacted Belfast City Airport about sharing training, and will work with…
Disability and equality Health Issue: Belfast International Airport meeting over stoma bag security screening complaints Original release: Lockhart Secures High-Level Meeting with Airport Chiefs Over… (opens in a new tab)
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Mallaghan calls for action to address capacity issues in Irish Medium Education
Sinn Féin MP Cathal Mallaghan says action is required to address places shortages in Irish-medium education after St Joseph's in Donaghmore, the only such provider in Mid Ulster, turned away 11 children due to accommodation limits. He urges the Education Minister and his department to work closely…
Education Issue: St Joseph's Donaghmore rejects 11 Irish-medium secondary applications due to accommodation Original release: Mallaghan calls for action to address capacity issues in Irish Medium Education (opens in a new tab)