Latest releases
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2,023 releases
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Death of John Walker
TUV leader and North Antrim MP Jim Allister expresses sadness at the death of John Walker, describing him as a prominent Ballymena figure in business, and offers condolences to his family.
Other Original release: Death of John Walker (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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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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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)
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Drop the Puberty Blocker Ban
People Before Profit's Gerry Carroll criticises the Alliance Party's tabled Assembly motion for International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, and calls on the Executive to reverse its indefinite ban on puberty blockers for under-18s and publish the clinical evidence behind it.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Assembly motion on International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia Original release: Drop the Puberty Blocker Ban (opens in a new tab)
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Green Deputy leader expresses disappointment in Executive Programme for Government
Green Party Deputy Leader expresses disappointment in the Executive's Programme for Government, according to the release. The release gives no further detail on the specific criticisms or commitments involved.
Other Issue: Executive Programme for Government publication Original release: Green Deputy leader expresses disappointment in Executive Programme for Government (opens in a new tab)
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No Pride in Betrayal
Green Party NI says the Stormont Executive parties have failed LGBTQ+ people, citing no promised strategy since 2007, no equality ministerial funding since 2005, and an unfinished 2020 hate crime review. It urges Pride not to give them an unearned pass.
Disability and equality Original release: No Pride in Betrayal (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister must bring forward LGBTQI+ Strategy, says Armstrong
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong calls on Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to deliver an LGBTQI+ strategy without delay, noting it was first promised over a decade ago. She also criticises the minister for not yet meeting LGBTQI+ sector representatives, ahead of a motion in the Assembly on Monday.
Disability and equality Issue: Communities Minister LGBTQI+ strategy delay and Assembly motion Original release: Communities Minister must bring forward LGBTQI+ Strategy, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Government must now act on commitments to extend presidential voting rights to citizens in the North – Pearse Doherty TD
Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty TD urges the government to set a timeline and date for a referendum on giving Irish citizens in the North a vote in presidential elections, following a Stormont vote and the Tánaiste's supportive response.
Constitutional affairs Disability and equality Issue: Stormont vote on presidential voting rights for Northern citizens Original release: Government must now act on commitments to extend presidential voting rights to citizens in the North – Pearse Doherty TD (opens in a new tab)
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Erskine praises response to Clogher Valley fire
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine thanks emergency services on the third day of battling wildfires in the Clogher Valley, describing the scale of the damage as massive and upsetting. She urges the public to avoid lighting fires during the dry spell and to stay clear of the blaze.
Environment and climate Issue: Clogher gorse fire, County Tyrone Original release: Erskine praises response to Clogher Valley fire (opens in a new tab)
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Free Speech and Scrutiny Vindicated: Gaston Welcomes Standards Commissioner Ruling
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston welcomes the Assembly Commissioner for Standards' decision to dismiss a complaint against him over questions he asked in an October committee session. He argues the ruling protects MLAs' scrutiny role and criticises committee chair Paula Bradshaw's interview remarks.
Disability and equality Issue: Standards Commissioner ruling on Timothy Gaston committee questioning complaint Original release: Free Speech and Scrutiny Vindicated: Gaston Welcomes Standards Commissioner Ruling (opens in a new tab)