Latest releases
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2,955 releases
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Armstrong seeks clarity for A5 landowners following Court of Appeal judgment
Infrastructure and transport Agriculture and rural affairs Original release: Armstrong seeks clarity for A5 landowners following Court of Appeal judgment (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows: Permanent Secretary's no-show undermines accountability at the Assembly
UUP leader and Education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA criticises the Permanent Secretary's decision not to attend the Education Committee's meeting, calling it unacceptable and an erosion of Assembly accountability. He calls for a swift end to the dispute and urges the Minister to drop the boycott.
Education Issue: Education Minister withdraws officials from Education Committee appearances Original release: Burrows: Permanent Secretary's no-show undermines accountability at the Assembly (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong: A5 farmers to be paid 2024 prices for land taken in 2026
UUP Deputy Leader and Agriculture spokesperson Diana Armstrong says A5 route farmers are being shortchanged, as the Infrastructure Minister confirmed land taken for the scheme will be valued at November 2024 prices. She calls for the valuation law to be changed and asks what discretion exists over…
Agriculture and rural affairs Infrastructure and transport Issue: A5 land vesting compensation valued at November 2024 prices Original release: Armstrong: A5 farmers to be paid 2024 prices for land taken in 2026 (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Public entitled to answers from the Education Minister and Department, says Guy
Alliance Education spokesperson Michelle Guy MLA calls for the Education Minister and his department to give answers after Education Committee members were told the Permanent Secretary will miss tomorrow's meeting.
Education Issue: Education Minister withdraws officials from Education Committee appearances Original release: Public entitled to answers from the Education Minister and Department, says Guy (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 10 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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O'Neill's silence on abuse of DUP women is breathtaking - McIlveen
DUP Deputy Leader Michelle McIlveen MLA accuses First Minister Michelle O'Neill of double standards for refusing to condemn intimidation and misogynistic abuse aimed at party colleagues Lockhart and Dodds during an Assembly sitting on the Garvaghy Road.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: First Minister's Assembly appearance over Garvaghy Road events Original release: O'Neill's silence on abuse of DUP women is breathtaking - McIlveen (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 5 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP proposes “no regrets” actions to enhance all-island cooperation
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP urges the Irish Government to fast-track all-island economic integration in its upcoming 2027 spending plans, seeking more Shared Island Fund investment and an All-Island Economic Task Force. She warns that Stormont's lack of budgets is creating uncertainty for public…
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Original release: SDLP proposes “no regrets” actions to enhance all-island cooperation (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: Four in every five pounds of Careers Portal spend went on staff
UUP Deputy Leader Diana Armstrong MLA says a breakdown of Careers Portal spending shows £700,000 of £889,000 went on staff while development spending fell to £6,000 in the final year. She calls for the Economy Minister to put a figure on the cost of keeping the mothballed project in operational…
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Careers Portal Project spending revealed in Assembly question response Original release: Armstrong: Four in every five pounds of Careers Portal spend went on staff (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 6 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Free School Meals Is Common-Sense That Stormont Refuses to Implement Cllr Shaun Harkin
PBP Cllr Shaun Harkin pledges support for UNISON's campaign for universal free school meals, urging Stormont to implement the policy and arguing that child poverty in Derry shows the need for it.
Social security and welfare Education Original release: Free School Meals Is Common-Sense That Stormont Refuses to Implement Cllr Shaun Harkin (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 2 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows asks Director of Public Prosecutions to refer unduly lenient rape sentences to Court of Appeal
UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA urges the Director of Public Prosecutions, Stephen Herron, to refer two rape sentences to the Court of Appeal as unduly lenient, arguing a three-year custodial term is inadequate. He also asks whether deportation notices have been issued against both men.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Unduly lenient rape sentences referral request to Director of Public Prosecutions Original release: Burrows asks Director of Public Prosecutions to refer unduly lenient rape sentences to Court of Appeal (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 3 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP selects Pete Byrne for Newry and Armagh
The SDLP announces that Councillor Pete Byrne has been selected by party members to contest Newry and Armagh at the 2027 Assembly election. Byrne pledges to champion fighting for Daisy Hill, local businesses and infrastructure, and Leader Claire Hanna praises his experience.
Other Local government Issue: SDLP selection of Pete Byrne for Newry and Armagh 2027 Assembly election Original release: SDLP selects Pete Byrne for Newry and Armagh (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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Sheehan hits out at Education Minister for hiding from scrutiny
Sinn Féin's Pat Sheehan MLA accuses Education Minister Paul Givan of avoiding scrutiny after he told departmental staff to stop attending the Education Committee unless questioning is restricted. Sheehan links this to the committee's probes into cronyism, bullying and governance failures.
Education Issue: Education Minister withdraws officials from Education Committee appearances Original release: Sheehan hits out at Education Minister for hiding from scrutiny (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 1 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: A5 must be delivered as the cost of failure is too high
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan says the A5 must be delivered ahead of a judgment due on 6 October, citing road safety deaths, economic harm and delays. He blames the Sinn Féin/DUP-led Executive for incompetence and dysfunction and calls for the Department to get the project right.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: A5 road judgment due 6 October 2026 Original release: McCrossan: A5 must be delivered as the cost of failure is too high (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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Hunter: Givan must reverse decision to restrict Education Committee scrutiny
SDLP Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA calls on Education Minister Paul Givan to reverse his decision withdrawing departmental officials from the Education Committee, arguing it is a disproportionate overreach that hampers scrutiny of curriculum and education reform.
Education Issue: Education Minister withdraws officials from Education Committee appearances Original release: Hunter: Givan must reverse decision to restrict Education Committee scrutiny (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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Education Minister playing games with children's education, says Mathison, following withdrawal of officials from Committee
Alliance Chair of the Education Committee Nick Mathison says the Education Minister's decision to withdraw departmental officials from committee is unprecedented and unacceptable, accusing him of avoiding scrutiny of SEN provision, school buildings and industrial relations.
Education Issue: Education Minister withdraws officials from Education Committee appearances Original release: Education Minister playing games with children's education, says Mathison, following withdrawal of officials from Committee (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 2 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Tennyson welcomes Conversion Practices Bill passing second stage
Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson MLA welcomes his Conversion Practices Bill clearing second stage in the Assembly, with the bill now moving to Committee Stage. He calls conversion practices cruel and archaic and says the bill protects LGBT+ people while preserving free speech and religious…
Disability and equality Issue: Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill Second Stage debate Original release: Tennyson welcomes Conversion Practices Bill passing second stage (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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Sinn Féin opposed to conversion therapy – Hargey
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey says the party opposes conversion therapy during the Second Stage debate on the Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill. She says Sinn Féin will keep engaging with the Bill sponsor to make the legislation fit for purpose.
Disability and equality Issue: Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill Second Stage debate Original release: Sinn Féin opposed to conversion therapy – Hargey (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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Access to Public Transport Threatened if Attacks in Derry Don't Stop
People Before Profit councillor Shaun Harkin condemns a weekend attack on a Foyle Metro bus in Derry, which he says endangered children, passengers and the driver. He sends solidarity to those affected, says he has spoken to trade unions and backs the driver and workforce, and warns that attacks…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Foyle Metro bus attack in Derry Original release: Access to Public Transport Threatened if Attacks in Derry Don't Stop (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 3 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Carroll: Stormont Stalemate Robbing Thousands of a Second Chance at Education
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll condemns the planned cut of almost 8,000 further‑education places, saying the Executive’s budget stalemate will hit working‑class, women returning to work and newcomers, and calls for emergency funding to restore the places.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Planned cuts of 8,000 further‑education places Original release: Carroll: Stormont Stalemate Robbing Thousands of a Second Chance at Education (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 3 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Givan launches programme to boost support for pupils preparing for…
DUP's Education Minister Paul Givan announces a new Primary Literacy and Numeracy / Transitions Support Programme for Primary 6 and 7 pupils, with up to £600,000 for schools in 2026/27 and expressions of interest open until 1 October.
Education Issue: Primary Literacy and Numeracy / Transitions Support Programme launch Original release: Givan launches programme to boost support for pupils preparing for… (opens in a new tab)
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Clear answers must be provided on proposed Richill AFC funding allocation – Sheehan
Sinn Féin Education spokesperson Pat Sheehan MLA calls for clear answers from Education Minister Paul Givan on a proposed £30,000 allocation for a football pitch at Richhill AFC, questioning changed departmental advice after the minister's visit and asking the Education Committee to investigate.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Proposed £30,000 funding allocation for Richhill AFC football pitch Original release: Clear answers must be provided on proposed Richill AFC funding allocation – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)