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5,195 releases
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Paid domestic abuse safe leave will help support workers – Sheerin
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin welcomes the Economy Minister's plan to bring in 10 days of paid leave for domestic abuse victims from April 2027, available from day one of employment and without needing to give a reason. She says it will help workers stay safe without losing their jobs.
Economy and employment Justice and policing Issue: Paid domestic abuse safe leave introduction from April 2027 Original release: Paid domestic abuse safe leave will help support workers – Sheerin (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Swann calls on Treasury to scrap Air Passenger Duty in Northern Ireland
UUP MP Robin Swann writes to the Chancellor urging HM Treasury to consider abolishing or substantially, gradually reducing Air Passenger Duty for flights from Northern Ireland airports ahead of the Budget, arguing Dublin Airport gains a competitive edge.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Air Passenger Duty reform for Northern Ireland airports ahead of Budget Original release: Swann calls on Treasury to scrap Air Passenger Duty in Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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John Blair selected as Alliance South Antrim Assembly candidate
Alliance MLA John Blair has been selected to stand for Alliance in South Antrim at the 2027 Assembly election, pledging better rural facilities, lower living costs, animal welfare, environmental protection and cuts to health waiting lists.
Other Health Issue: John Blair selected as Alliance South Antrim Assembly candidate Original release: John Blair selected as Alliance South Antrim Assembly candidate (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 22 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Boylan welcomes further roll-out of part-time 20mph zones at schools
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan welcomes Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins's announcement that a further 34 schools will receive part-time 20mph speed limit schemes. He says the measures will improve child road safety, especially on rural roads, and urges motorists to slow down near schools.
Infrastructure and transport Education Issue: Further part-time 20mph school speed limit schemes for 34 schools Original release: Boylan welcomes further roll-out of part-time 20mph zones at schools (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Harkin: DUP Incitement of Sectarian Tensions Must be Challenged
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin says sectarian attacks on young people in Belfast must be condemned, and accuses the DUP of inflaming sectarian and racist tensions to deflect from its political crisis, linking this to Stormont cuts and housing failures.
Community relations and legacy Economy and employment Original release: Harkin: DUP Incitement of Sectarian Tensions Must be Challenged (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Planning system continues to hold back economic growth, says McReynolds
Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Peter McReynolds MLA says the planning system is holding back growth, citing provisional statistics for April to June 2026 showing over 30% of live applications open for more than a year. He calls for a comprehensive reform programme, including mandatory…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Planning system statistics and business concerns Original release: Planning system continues to hold back economic growth, says McReynolds (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong: Biomethane consultation must deliver what the Assembly already voted for
UUP Deputy Leader and Agriculture Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA welcomes the Biomethane Strategy consultation, six months after an Assembly motion she says called for one, and sets out three tests the strategy must meet. These include a stable, inflation-proofed support mechanism, planning and…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Biomethane Strategy consultation launch Original release: Armstrong: Biomethane consultation must deliver what the Assembly already voted for (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Minister Butler thanks ambulance staff ahead of busy winter period
Health Minister Robbie Butler thanks Northern Ireland Ambulance Service staff after visiting its Belfast Integrated Clinical Hub, praising telephone and on-scene treatment models that cut demand on emergency departments before winter. The release cites 2025-26 figures of 44,064 incidents resolved…
Health Original release: Minister Butler thanks ambulance staff ahead of busy winter period (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Richard Brown-Stewart selected as Alliance East Londonderry Assembly candidate
Alliance councillor Richard Brown-Stewart says he has been selected to stand for East Londonderry in the 2027 Assembly election, citing his record as councillor and Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens. He pledges work on childcare, public transport, second homes and holiday lets, and energy…
Economy and employment Local government Original release: Richard Brown-Stewart selected as Alliance East Londonderry Assembly candidate (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 22 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Allen calls for longer term action on cost of living pressures ahead of UK Budget
UUP MLA Andy Allen calls for further targeted cost of living support from the UK Budget, and for longer-term measures on energy efficiency and fuel poverty, after a Northern Ireland Assembly motion on the cost of living.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: Assembly cost of living motion ahead of UK Budget Original release: Allen calls for longer term action on cost of living pressures ahead of UK Budget (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 22 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw to present petition calling for safe school crossing at Lough View
Infrastructure and transport Education Original release: Bradshaw to present petition calling for safe school crossing at Lough View (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Disparity for Derry. No New A&E at Altnagelvin.
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin says the Health Minister's decision not to build a new Altnagelvin Emergency Department shows regional disparity against Derry and the North West. He announces a Guildhall deputation on 26 October by UNISON, UNITE, NIPSA and the RCN on A&E pressures and cuts.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health Minister decision against new Altnagelvin Emergency Department Original release: Disparity for Derry. No New A&E at Altnagelvin. (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 17 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister must urgently engage with BMA following announcement of strike action – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan calls on the Health Minister to urgently negotiate with the British Medical Association after resident, consultant and SAS doctors announced strike dates on 20 and 23 November. He warns escalation during winter could add pressure on emergency services.
Health Issue: BMA resident, consultant and SAS doctors strike action announcement November 2026 Original release: Health Minister must urgently engage with BMA following announcement of strike action – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 16 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong: Farmers squeezed from both ends as UFU survey lays bare inheritance tax damage
UUP Deputy Leader and Agriculture Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA backs the Ulster Farmers' Union's call to reverse inheritance tax changes in the Autumn Budget, citing a UFU survey finding over four in ten farm businesses have cut investment. She also criticises Stormont's farm capital…
Agriculture and rural affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Ulster Farmers' Union survey on inheritance tax impact on farms Original release: Armstrong: Farmers squeezed from both ends as UFU survey lays bare inheritance tax damage (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 16 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Sian Mulholland selected as Alliance North Antrim Assembly candidate
Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland has been chosen to contest the North Antrim seat at the 6 May 2027 Assembly election, saying she will prioritise fighting poverty, easing the cost of living, improving women’s health services, securing affordable homes and reducing energy bills.
Economy and employment Health Issue: Alliance selects North Antrim Assembly candidate Original release: Sian Mulholland selected as Alliance North Antrim Assembly candidate (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 16 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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“Justice Has Been Done” Won’t Wash, Says Carroll After Donaldson Sentence
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll says the DUP's claim that 'justice has been done' after Jeffrey Donaldson's sentence is unconvincing, arguing the survivors won justice themselves and that a DUP-commissioned review cannot be trusted. He calls for proper funding of Women's Aid and rape crisis…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Jeffrey Donaldson sentencing for sexual offences Original release: “Justice Has Been Done” Won’t Wash, Says Carroll After Donaldson Sentence (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 16 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong marks International Day of Rural Women with call for action on women in farming
UUP Deputy Leader Diana Armstrong MLA asks DAERA what progress it has made since the Breaking the Grass Ceiling report on women in agriculture, four years on. She calls for recognition of women's farm work, support for women without legal stake in family farms, and rural service provision.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Original release: Armstrong marks International Day of Rural Women with call for action on women in farming (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 15 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Doctors strike and nurses ballot highlights failure of Minister to prioritise pay awards, says Nuala McAllister MLA
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA says the announced BMA strike involving consultants, SAS doctors and resident doctors, plus the Royal College of Nursing's planned ballot of its members, reflects the Health Minister's failure to prioritise pay awards.
Health Economy and employment Issue: BMA strike announcement and RCN strike ballot in Northern Ireland Original release: Doctors strike and nurses ballot highlights failure of Minister to prioritise pay awards, says Nuala McAllister MLA (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Flexibility, not radio ultimatums, needed to end budget deadlock – Aiken
UUP finance spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA urges the Secretary of State and Executive to drop public sparring and agree a budget, warning that nurses and health workers face continued pay delays and an RCN ballot on industrial action.
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Northern Ireland budget deadlock and health pay award delay Original release: Flexibility, not radio ultimatums, needed to end budget deadlock – Aiken (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 15 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Long issues ‘direct call’ to political leaders to agree Cross-Party Compact on health reform
Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA urges the leaders of all Assembly parties to forge a joint agreement on health and social care transformation, warning that long waiting lists, missed cancer targets and chronic hospital corridor delays risk total system collapse.
Health Issue: Ten‑year anniversary of the Bengoa report Original release: Long issues ‘direct call’ to political leaders to agree Cross-Party Compact on health reform (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 15 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)