Latest releases
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4,788 releases
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SoS must step in to ensure establishment of independent Environmental Protection Agency, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA calls on Secretary of State Hilary Benn to step in and help establish an independent Environmental Protection Agency, which he says all main parties committed to in New Decade, New Approach. He accuses the DUP of blocking it at the Executive ahead…
Environment and climate Constitutional affairs Issue: Independent Environmental Protection Agency establishment blocked at Executive Original release: SoS must step in to ensure establishment of independent Environmental Protection Agency, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston challenges Executive Ministers after “neither” gender category exposed in violence against women funding scheme
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says funding for a violence against women scheme is allocated to groups using a third gender category, 'neither', and has submitted questions to all Executive Ministers on how departmental data is broken down by gender and defined.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Violence against women funding scheme gender category 'neither' questions to Executive Ministers Original release: Gaston challenges Executive Ministers after “neither” gender category exposed in violence against women funding scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Minister’s childcare proposals must increase support and fairness for pre-schools – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason says any childcare proposals from Education Minister Paul Givan must improve funding and fairness across pre-school settings. She argues the planned extension of free pre-school hours should close funding gaps that leave some providers feeling overlooked, and calls for…
Education Issue: Education Minister's proposed extension of free pre-school hours Original release: Minister’s childcare proposals must increase support and fairness for pre-schools – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Givan welcomes Independent Review of Assessment Report
Education Minister Paul Givan welcomes the Independent Review of Assessment report, saying it delivers on the TransformED strategy and provides an evidence base for a low‑stakes, low‑workload assessment system that reduces workload and supports progress for every child.
Education Issue: Publication of Independent Review of Assessment report Original release: Givan welcomes Independent Review of Assessment Report (opens in a new tab)
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Women Left Waiting Years in Pain – Urgent Investment Needed in Northern Ireland’s Gynaecology Services
TUV councillor Anna Henry, Mid and East Antrim, warns women face years of chronic pain awaiting first gynaecology specialist appointments, citing June 2025 figures showing over 14,000 waiting in the South Eastern Trust and wait times near two years, and calls for urgent investment.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Department of Health June 2025 gynaecology outpatient waiting list figures Original release: Women Left Waiting Years in Pain – Urgent Investment Needed in Northern Ireland’s Gynaecology Services (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP: Single Irish state can unlock our economic potential
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says a single Irish state offers the strongest chance to unlock a New Ireland’s economic potential, unveiling the ‘Success by Design’ paper with proposals for an all‑island infrastructure fund, stronger rail links, skills alignment and a Ministry for a New Ireland.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Launch of SDLP Success by Design policy paper Original release: SDLP: Single Irish state can unlock our economic potential (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister commends healthcare staff working to reduce waiting lists
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt welcomes the latest waiting list figures, citing a fall of over 15,000 patients awaiting first outpatient appointments and 7,316 fewer waiting for inpatient or day case admission. He commends healthcare staff and expects further improvement from the Elective Care…
Health Issue: Latest hospital waiting list figures for outpatient appointments Original release: Health Minister commends healthcare staff working to reduce waiting lists (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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Alliance South Belfast MLAs call for urgent action to restore Rosetta Primary School Hall
Alliance South Belfast MLAs Kate Nicholl and Paula Bradshaw call on the Education Authority to prioritise and fast-track repairs to the closed school hall at Rosetta Primary School, saying the prolonged closure is disrupting assemblies, daily school life and community events.
Education Issue: Rosetta Primary School hall closure and repairs delay Original release: Alliance South Belfast MLAs call for urgent action to restore Rosetta Primary School Hall (opens in a new tab)
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Bill to support Irish-medium education passes first stage – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says his Irish Medium Education Bill has passed its first stage in the Assembly. He says Irish-medium schools struggle to recruit teachers, SEN and early years staff, and calls for the Department of Education to plan the Irish-medium workforce with evidence, targets and…
Education Issue: Irish Medium Education Bill passes first stage in Assembly Original release: Bill to support Irish-medium education passes first stage – Sheehan (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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Education Minister should accept he got it wrong and scrap reform agenda – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says the Education Minister's revised statement repackages AS-level proposals already rejected by the public, and objects to moving most GCSEs to end-of-course exams. He urges Paul Givan to scrap the reform agenda and focus on SEN provision, underachievement and childcare…
Education Issue: Education Minister's AS-level and GCSE assessment reform statement Original release: Education Minister should accept he got it wrong and scrap reform agenda – Sheehan (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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McCrossan demands urgent action on dangerous A5 road conditions
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan calls on the Department for Infrastructure to act immediately on the deteriorating A5, citing large potholes, blocked gullies and standing water that he says have led to drivers losing control.
Infrastructure and transport Original release: McCrossan demands urgent action on dangerous A5 road conditions (opens in a new tab)
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McNulty expresses disappointment at lack of timeline for school bus safety laws
SDLP Opposition Infrastructure Spokesperson Justin McNulty MLA says he is disappointed the Infrastructure Minister gave no clear timeline for school bus safety legislation. He calls for a law banning overtaking stationary school buses while children board or leave, citing further accidents since…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Infrastructure Minister's lack of timeline for school bus safety legislation Original release: McNulty expresses disappointment at lack of timeline for school bus safety laws (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)