Latest releases
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1,502 releases
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Brownlee – Disclosing of private sexual materials a societal issue…
DUP MLA Cheryl Brownlee says PSNI figures showing over 170 reports of disclosing private sexual images since 2020 show a societal issue that cannot be ignored. She calls for stronger prevention, support systems, enhanced legislation and awareness campaigns.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: Brownlee – Disclosing of private sexual materials a societal issue… (opens in a new tab)
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Green Party reacts saying puberty blocker decision turns failure of our community into betrayal
Green Party Councillor Anthony Flynn calls on the Executive to release the evidence behind its puberty blocker decision, now made indefinite after a temporary ban. He accuses the Executive parties of failing LGBTQ+ people over an equality strategy promised since 2007, and singles out Sinn Féin and…
Disability and equality Issue: Executive vote on indefinite ban on puberty blockers Original release: Green Party reacts saying puberty blocker decision turns failure of our community into betrayal (opens in a new tab)
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Egan presents petition on diagnosis and management of Ehlers-Danlos syndromes with Ehlers Danlos Support UK
Alliance MLA Connie Egan presented a petition to the Assembly, backed by Ehlers Danlos Support UK, urging the Health Minister to set up a dedicated diagnostic and treatment pathway for Ehlers‑Danlos syndromes across Northern Ireland.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Petition for Ehlers‑Danlos syndrome care pathway in NI Original release: Egan presents petition on diagnosis and management of Ehlers-Danlos syndromes with Ehlers Danlos Support UK (opens in a new tab)
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7 in 7 Challenge congratulated through Commons motion
DUP MP Gregory Campbell congratulates rugby league player Kevin Sinfield on his 7 in 7 challenge of seven ultramarathons in seven days, raising money for Motor Neurone Disease, and says he has tabled a Commons motion marking it.
Other Disability and equality Original release: 7 in 7 Challenge congratulated through Commons motion (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew welcomes confirmation that Executive agrees to extend welfare mitigations
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew welcomes the Executive's agreement to extend welfare mitigations to 2028, citing support for DLA-to-PIP transition, the benefit cap and bedroom tax. He calls on the Labour government to build a fairer benefits system.
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: Executive agreement to extend welfare mitigations to 2028 Original release: Gildernew welcomes confirmation that Executive agrees to extend welfare mitigations (opens in a new tab)
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So-called 'conversion' practices have no place in society, says Tennyson, launching Private Members' Bill.
Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson, the Upper Bann MLA, launches a consultation on a Private Members' proposal to criminalise so-called conversion practices in Northern Ireland, open until 20 March 2025, saying such practices cause lasting harm.
Disability and equality Issue: Consultation launch on banning conversion practices in Northern Ireland Original release: So-called 'conversion' practices have no place in society, says Tennyson, launching Private Members' Bill. (opens in a new tab)
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Legacy of HMS Caroline lives on in Belfast – Little-Pengelly
Emma Little-Pengelly, the DUP’s deputy First Minister and MLA, honoured the more than 1,500 Northern Irish and island sailors who died serving in the Royal Navy at a ceremony marking HMS Caroline’s centenary in Belfast, and welcomed the National Museum of the Royal Navy’s plan to create a memorial –
Other Issue: National Museum of the Royal Navy memorial at Alexander Dock Original release: Legacy of HMS Caroline lives on in Belfast – Little-Pengelly (opens in a new tab)
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Ongoing inaction on racial equality increasingly indefensible, says Bradshaw.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Original release: Ongoing inaction on racial equality increasingly indefensible, says Bradshaw. (opens in a new tab)
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Incorporating UNCRPD into law is essential to eliminate discrimination, says Donnelly.
Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly urges the public to respond to the consultation on his Private Member's Bill to incorporate the UNCRPD into domestic law, arguing it would help eliminate discrimination against disabled people. He says the Assembly and Executive have not acted since 2009 and calls for a…
Disability and equality Issue: Donnelly Private Member's Bill UNCRPD consultation launch Original release: Incorporating UNCRPD into law is essential to eliminate discrimination, says Donnelly. (opens in a new tab)
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Brett - Answers needed from Ulster Boxing Council on Protestant Boxer…
North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett calls for an urgent review of Ulster Boxing Council policies and procedures after the body agreed a settlement with boxer Daryl Clarke, who was excluded from the 2022 Commonwealth Games team. He also says he has contacted funders and wants Commonwealth Games NI to…
Disability and equality Community relations and legacy Issue: Daryl Clarke settlement with Ulster Boxing Council over 2022 Commonwealth Games selection Original release: Brett - Answers needed from Ulster Boxing Council on Protestant Boxer… (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: Foyle cuts ‘unbelievable’ following Ofcom report
SDLP MP Colum Eastwood says Ofcom’s finding that the BBC breached its licence by cutting Radio Foyle programming validates the cross‑party campaign against the cuts, criticises the broadcaster for ignoring the North West’s unique news needs and calls for first‑class public service broadcasting for
Other Issue: Ofcom breach finding on Radio Foyle cuts Original release: Eastwood: Foyle cuts ‘unbelievable’ following Ofcom report (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston exposes Assembly squander on Irish translation
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says over £437,000 has been spent on Irish language interpretation in the Assembly, calling it a waste, and criticises the simultaneous translation system made permanent after a six-month review. His release also cites Assembly Commission answers on the Interpretation and…
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Assembly Commission review of Irish language interpretation service Original release: Gaston exposes Assembly squander on Irish translation (opens in a new tab)
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Givan announces £1.2m Pre-School Support Fund for children with…
Education Minister Paul Givan announces a £1.2million pilot Pre-School Education Inclusion Support Fund for young children with special educational needs. Settings with a child undergoing statutory assessment will receive £750 per month per class, with payments in tranches.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Pre-School Education Inclusion Support Fund pilot announcement Original release: Givan announces £1.2m Pre-School Support Fund for children with… (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong welcomes increased health support for people in receipt of Universal Credit.
Alliance Strangford MLA Kellie Armstrong welcomes plans to extend free sight tests, dental treatment and hospital travel help to Universal Credit claimants in Northern Ireland, saying realignment with the UK should happen within six months, followed by a six-week consultation.
Health Social security and welfare Issue: Universal Credit eyecare and health cost entitlement realignment with UK Original release: Armstrong welcomes increased health support for people in receipt of Universal Credit. (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin urges Executive to do more to support women and girls
SDLP Opposition MLA Sinéad McLaughlin says the Executive must do more to support frontline services, after Women's Aid's annual report showed almost 11,000 referrals in 2023/24, up 600 on the previous year. She calls for greater investment across all departments.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Women's Aid annual report 2023/24 referrals increase Original release: McLaughlin urges Executive to do more to support women and girls (opens in a new tab)
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‘No Dignity in Lying’: Carla Lockhart
DUP MLA Carla Lockhart argues that the 'dignity' language used by assisted suicide campaigners, such as Dignity in Dying, is a misleading framing. She says legalising assisted suicide would lower the perceived worth of disabled, poor and homeless people, citing a Canadian poll on MAID eligibility.
Disability and equality Health Original release: ‘No Dignity in Lying’: Carla Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Disappointment at lack of details on SEN End to End Review, says Alliance representatives
Education Disability and equality Original release: Disappointment at lack of details on SEN End to End Review, says Alliance representatives (opens in a new tab)
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Our parks must be accessible and inclusive for all, says Ashe, welcoming agreement on communication board motion.
Alliance Comber Councillor Rachel Ashe welcomes Ards and North Down Borough Council's agreement to install communication boards in Tier 1 play parks, after the feasibility report on her motion was approved. Ashe says the boards will help children with speech, language or autism-related…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Ards and North Down communication boards in Tier 1 play parks Original release: Our parks must be accessible and inclusive for all, says Ashe, welcoming agreement on communication board motion. (opens in a new tab)
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Children and young people with special educational needs in Irish medium schools must be supported – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason urges the Department of Education to improve special educational needs support in Irish medium schools, saying they need access to educational psychologists who work in Irish and other health professionals. She welcomes the department's acknowledgement of the issues.
Education Disability and equality Original release: Children and young people with special educational needs in Irish medium schools must be supported – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Special educational needs action plan must be published urgently – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker urges the Department of Education to publish its transformation plan for special educational needs services, noting over 200 recommendations from reports so far without a delivery plan. He calls on the Education Minister to release the SEN Reform Agenda and its delivery…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Special educational needs action plan must be published urgently – Baker (opens in a new tab)