Latest releases
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1,983 releases
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SDLP nominates Doherty as Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast
SDLP says it will nominate Belfast councillor Paul Doherty, an anti-poverty campaigner and founder of Foodstock, as the city's next Deputy Lord Mayor, taking up the post on 2 June.
Social security and welfare Local government Issue: SDLP nomination of Paul Doherty as Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast Original release: SDLP nominates Doherty as Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan questions Executive dissent over anti-poverty strategy
SDLP Communities Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan MLA questions whether Executive parties dissent over the anti-poverty strategy, saying some MLAs distanced themselves from it in the Assembly. He calls on Executive parties to explain why they signed it off and says the whole Executive must take…
Social security and welfare Issue: Executive agreement on anti-poverty strategy for public consultation Original release: McCrossan questions Executive dissent over anti-poverty strategy (opens in a new tab)
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Whyte condemns racist graffiti
SDLP North Belfast councillor Carl Whyte condemns racist 'Muslims out' graffiti, featuring a firearm's cross hairs, in North Belfast, saying it has been removed after he reported it to the council and urging anyone with information to contact police.
Disability and equality Issue: North Belfast 'Muslims out' racist graffiti removal Original release: Whyte condemns racist graffiti (opens in a new tab)
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TUV Chair Warns of Trans Lobby Influence in Local Government
TUV chairman Councillor Keith Ratcliffe says he has asked Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council to seek assurances on single-sex toilet use at the August Lurgan Pride event in Lurgan Park. He also calls for the council's staff guidance on transgender access to be brought into line with the…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Supreme Court ruling on legal definition of a woman council facilities Original release: TUV Chair Warns of Trans Lobby Influence in Local Government (opens in a new tab)
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Allister: Assisted Dying Bill is a Dangerous Charter for Death
TUV leader Jim Allister MP criticises the Assisted Dying Bill as a danger to vulnerable people, arguing it lacks safeguards, including on mental capacity and minors, and urges MPs to reject it.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Assisted Dying Bill Committee Stage amendments and vote Original release: Allister: Assisted Dying Bill is a Dangerous Charter for Death (opens in a new tab)
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Hargey appeals for information following ‘despicable’ racist attack
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey describes a racially motivated assault on a man near the City Hospital in south Belfast, reportedly carried out by up to 15 teenagers who stole his bike. She appeals for anyone with information to contact the PSNI and says those involved must be brought to justice.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: South Belfast racially motivated assault near City Hospital bike theft Original release: Hargey appeals for information following ‘despicable’ racist attack (opens in a new tab)
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Butler Welcomes NAP Extension But Real Change Demands Co-Design
UUP MLA Robbie Butler, agriculture, environment and rural affairs spokesperson, welcomes the Minister's extension of the Nitrates Action Programme consultation to 24 July 2025 but says it must include co-design with farmers, representative bodies and rural communities.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Nitrates Action Programme consultation extension to 24 July 2025 Original release: Butler Welcomes NAP Extension But Real Change Demands Co-Design (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister must listen to views of anti-poverty organisations – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew says anti‑poverty groups must be consulted as the draft Anti‑Poverty Strategy is reviewed, urging Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey and Minister Lyons to heed their input to shape an effective plan for low‑income families.
Social security and welfare Issue: Presentation of draft Anti-Poverty Strategy to Executive Original release: Communities Minister must listen to views of anti-poverty organisations – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Doherty: Long-awaited anti-poverty strategy must deliver
SDLP West Belfast councillor Paul Doherty says the draft anti-poverty strategy signed off by the Executive must deliver, warning it is meaningless without funding and measures. He urges the Communities Minister to act on poverty now, not wait for consultation.
Social security and welfare Issue: Presentation of draft Anti-Poverty Strategy to Executive Original release: Doherty: Long-awaited anti-poverty strategy must deliver (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin welcomes progress on childcare support
SDLP Economy Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin welcomes the Education Minister's decision to open the Childcare Subsidy scheme to school-age children, but says it is only a start. She calls for a fully funded childcare strategy, a Department for the Economy support scheme for providers, and UK action…
Education Economy and employment Issue: Executive approval of £55m early learning and childcare package Original release: McLaughlin welcomes progress on childcare support (opens in a new tab)
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Irish medium early years education must be supported – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason says the Department of Education must do more to enhance Irish medium early years education, calling for investment in facilities, training and retention of early years educators. Her remarks follow an Education Committee meeting.
Education Disability and equality Original release: Irish medium early years education must be supported – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin: Mineral licences decision a slap in the face for local communities
SDLP Economy Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin MLA criticises the award of seven new mineral prospecting licences to four companies, saying it contradicts the Economy Minister's earlier support for a moratorium. She calls for the licences to be suspended until a departmental review of mineral…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Seven new mineral licences granted in the West Original release: McLaughlin: Mineral licences decision a slap in the face for local communities (opens in a new tab)
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Minister challenged on Nutrients Action Programme
DUP representatives, including Westminster spokesperson Carla Lockhart MP and Stormont agriculture spokesperson Michelle McIlveen, reject DAERA's draft Nutrients Action Programme and call for publication of a full economic impact assessment and the data behind its modelling.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: DAERA consultation on Nutrients Action Programme review and 2026-2029 programme Original release: Minister challenged on Nutrients Action Programme (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew launches consultation on homelessness prevention legislation
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew invites public views on his proposed bill to extend Housing Executive support for people at risk of homelessness from 28 days to at least 60 days. He says the consultation will help ensure the legislation meets people's needs.
Housing Social security and welfare Issue: Gildernew homelessness prevention bill public consultation Original release: Gildernew launches consultation on homelessness prevention legislation (opens in a new tab)
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Parties who let Lough Neagh die are now selling off our land for dirty profit
Green Party leader Mal O'Hara accuses the parties behind Lough Neagh's decline of selling off public land for profit, citing seven new mineral licences granted in the West under a 1969 law despite over 2,000 objections. He also criticises Alliance and Environment Minister Andrew Muir for failing…
Environment and climate Issue: Seven new mineral licences granted in the West Original release: Parties who let Lough Neagh die are now selling off our land for dirty profit (opens in a new tab)
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Rejection of balanced amendment undermines opportunity to protect rights – Beattie MC MLA
UUP MLA Doug Beattie criticises Alliance, Sinn Féin and the SDLP for voting down his party's amendment to an Assembly motion on discrimination against the LGBTQI+ community, which also sought to protect women's rights. He calls the rejection disappointing and says the amendment struck a fair…
Disability and equality Issue: Assembly motion amendment on LGBTQI+ discrimination and women's rights rejected Original release: Rejection of balanced amendment undermines opportunity to protect rights – Beattie MC MLA (opens in a new tab)
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Butler Warns of Strain on Farmers Amid NAP Consultation
UUP agriculture spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA warns that proposed 2026–2029 Nutrients Action Programme changes must not strain farmers' livelihoods, calls for scrutiny of the consultation, and urges stakeholders to respond before the deadline.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: DAERA consultation on Nutrients Action Programme review and 2026-2029 programme Original release: Butler Warns of Strain on Farmers Amid NAP Consultation (opens in a new tab)
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Every young person deserves same opportunity to thrive, says Donnelly, welcoming passing of Caleb's Causing motion
Alliance Larne Lough Councillor Maeve Donnelly welcomes the council's passing of her motion backing Caleb's Cause and Alma White, which calls for better post-19 SEN provision. It urges the Economy, Health and Education Ministers to consider legislation for post-19 Education Health and Care plans.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Larne Borough Council motion on post-19 SEN provision and Caleb's Cause Original release: Every young person deserves same opportunity to thrive, says Donnelly, welcoming passing of Caleb's Causing motion (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone welcomes Education Minister meeting with Gael Linn
SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone welcomes a meeting between Education Minister Paul Givan and Gael Linn on funding for the Scoil Spreagtha Irish-language scheme, which is set to end in June 2025. He says no firm commitments were given, but the Minister will look again at funding options.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Scoil Spreagtha funding meeting between Education Minister and Gael Linn Original release: McGlone welcomes Education Minister meeting with Gael Linn (opens in a new tab)
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We must redouble our efforts to stamp out homophobia, biphobia and transphobia – Sheerin
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin marks International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, urging political representatives to redouble efforts against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia and warning against toxic discourse becoming mainstream.
Disability and equality Original release: We must redouble our efforts to stamp out homophobia, biphobia and transphobia – Sheerin (opens in a new tab)