Latest releases
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3,067 releases
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De Faoite calls for response to racist intimidation
SDLP Belfast City Council Group Leader Séamas de Faoite urges a joint response to racist intimidation across East Belfast, citing social media posts, and wants an urgent East Belfast Policing and Community Safety Partnership meeting. He also presses the PSNI and Justice Minister to act and to…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: East Belfast racist intimidation social media posts Original release: De Faoite calls for response to racist intimidation (opens in a new tab)
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Dillon encourages the public to have their say on breastfeeding bill
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon urges the public to respond to a consultation on her Private Member's Bill that would create an offence for discouraging breastfeeding in public, require premises to be breastfeeding-friendly, and penalise discrimination. The consultation closes on 24 October 2025.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Linda Dillon Private Members Bill breastfeeding consultation launch Original release: Dillon encourages the public to have their say on breastfeeding bill (opens in a new tab)
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McNulty: Executive must tackle barriers to youth sport participation
SDLP Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty calls on the Northern Ireland Executive to act on inequality in young people's access to sport and physical activity, following a meeting with Ulster University about new research on cost and access barriers. He proposes community sports hub investment, a…
Disability and equality Issue: Ulster University research on youth sport participation barriers Original release: McNulty: Executive must tackle barriers to youth sport participation (opens in a new tab)
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Panel announced for healthcare in a new Ireland discussion
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen will lead a panel on healthcare in a new Ireland on Thursday 7 August at 1 pm, Gasyard Centre, with Dr Kevin Cosgrove, Edel O’Doherty and George McGowan. He says a single island health system would improve services, outcomes and community wellbeing, and urges the public to‑go
Health Constitutional affairs Issue: Healthcare in a new Ireland panel announcement Original release: Panel announced for healthcare in a new Ireland discussion (opens in a new tab)
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Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Begins with Consistent Sentencing – Beattie
UUP justice spokesperson Doug Beattie MLA calls for a Sentencing Council for Northern Ireland, arguing inconsistent sentencing is undermining confidence in the courts. He cites a recent case where a man received a suspended sentence for striking a teenage girl, and urges the Justice Minister to…
Justice and policing Education Original release: Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Begins with Consistent Sentencing – Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston raises concerns with Minister Lyons following “drag queen story time” for children event
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston has written to Communities Minister Gordon Lyons over a drag story time event for children at Holywood Arches Library, asking whether Libraries NI approved it, for a review of criteria for child-targeted library events, and for confirmation that safeguarding checks on…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Holywood Arches Library drag story time event for children Original release: Gaston raises concerns with Minister Lyons following “drag queen story time” for children event (opens in a new tab)
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Donnelly condemns racially motivated hate crimes in Larne
Alliance Larne Lough Councillor Maeve Donnelly condemns racially motivated criminal damage to two houses in Larne, where police are investigating graffiti and property damage in Hampton Crescent and Doric Way. She urges anyone with information to contact police immediately.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Larne racially motivated criminal damage to two houses investigation Original release: Donnelly condemns racially motivated hate crimes in Larne (opens in a new tab)
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TUV Challenges Irish Medium Sector on Lack of Newcomer Intake
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston calls for urgent scrutiny of the Irish medium sector after Assembly answer figures showed just 20 newcomer pupils in Irish medium primary schools and none in post-primary. He says the sector should take its fair share of newcomer children.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Assembly answer on newcomer pupil enrolment in Irish medium schools Original release: TUV Challenges Irish Medium Sector on Lack of Newcomer Intake (opens in a new tab)
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Lockhart Secures High-Level Meeting with Airport Chiefs Over…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says Belfast International Airport senior executives have agreed to meet her and constituents over reports of humiliating security screening experiences involving stoma bags. She also says she has contacted Belfast City Airport about sharing training, and will work with…
Disability and equality Health Issue: Belfast International Airport meeting over stoma bag security screening complaints Original release: Lockhart Secures High-Level Meeting with Airport Chiefs Over… (opens in a new tab)
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Banning Conversion Practices
Alliance MLA Eóin Tennyson proposes a Private Members' Bill to ban conversion practices in Northern Ireland, creating two new offences: engaging in conversion practice, and removing a person from Northern Ireland for that purpose.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Private Members' Bill to ban conversion practices in Northern Ireland Original release: Banning Conversion Practices (opens in a new tab)
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United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Obligation on Public Authorities) Bill
Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly is introducing a Bill that would require public authorities in Northern Ireland to give statutory due regard to the rights set out in the UN disability treaty, UNCRPD, when developing and reviewing policies and decisions.
Disability and equality Issue: UNCRPD public authorities due regard Bill introduction Original release: United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Obligation on Public Authorities) Bill (opens in a new tab)
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TUV write to Health Minister raising issues with gender identity service and demanding full transparency
TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston writes to Health Minister Mike Nesbitt raising safeguarding concerns about the Department's new gender identity service, which he says appears to accept referrals without a lower age limit. He demands full disclosure of the policy's development, consultees and…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Health Minister's £800,000 gender identity service allocation Original release: TUV write to Health Minister raising issues with gender identity service and demanding full transparency (opens in a new tab)
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Hard Border ‘Cements-in’ the Division of the United Kingdom from Today – ‘Permanent’ Border Control Posts Operationalise
TUV leader Jim Allister KC MP says the permanent Border Control Post at Larne, opening today, cements a hard Irish Sea border that cuts Northern Ireland off from the UK Internal Market for Goods, with Belfast following on 11 August.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Larne permanent Border Control Post opening Original release: Hard Border ‘Cements-in’ the Division of the United Kingdom from Today – ‘Permanent’ Border Control Posts Operationalise (opens in a new tab)
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Trump/EU trade deal brings more challenges than opportunities for Windsor Framework stifled Northern Ireland - Aiken
Ulster Unionist Windsor Framework spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken MLA says the 15% EU-US tariff avoids a 30% cliff edge but the Irish Sea Border will add bureaucracy for Northern Ireland imports from the United States. He says the Secretary of State has not taken a firm stance on tariff variations and…
Economy and employment International affairs Issue: US tariff announcement affecting Ireland Original release: Trump/EU trade deal brings more challenges than opportunities for Windsor Framework stifled Northern Ireland - Aiken (opens in a new tab)
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TUV Condemns “Blasphemous Display” at Belfast Pride and Calls Out Public Sector Participation
TUV Equality Spokeswoman Ann McClure condemns a figure dressed as Jesus Christ in Belfast Pride's parade as offensive to Christians and says public sector bodies taking part will be challenged over Section 75 obligations and political neutrality.
Disability and equality Issue: Individual dressed as Jesus Christ at Belfast Pride parade Original release: TUV Condemns “Blasphemous Display” at Belfast Pride and Calls Out Public Sector Participation (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston writes to NICS head over “Pride” concerns
North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says he has written to the Northern Ireland Civil Service head, Ms Brady, over NICS intranet promotion of Belfast Pride, questioning the basis for it and whether political sensitivities were considered. He asks about safeguards against endorsing political causes…
Disability and equality Issue: Civil Service participation in Belfast Pride FOI response Original release: Gaston writes to NICS head over “Pride” concerns (opens in a new tab)
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Pride more important than ever, says Murray, wishing all celebrating a happy Belfast Pride
Alliance councillor Micky Murray, a former Belfast Lord Mayor, wishes everyone celebrating Belfast Pride a safe and happy event, saying the 'No Going Back' theme is especially fitting given the present social climate.
Disability and equality Original release: Pride more important than ever, says Murray, wishing all celebrating a happy Belfast Pride (opens in a new tab)
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Ní Chuilín welcomes investment for Brackenburn Clinic
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín welcomes Department of Health investment in the Brackenburn Clinic, saying it is long overdue and will help trans people access timely, consent-based medical care. She urges the minister to ensure the clinic meets their needs.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Department of Health investment in Brackenburn Clinic Original release: Ní Chuilín welcomes investment for Brackenburn Clinic (opens in a new tab)
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Irish Unity, tariffs and genocide in Gaza raised during US trip – Mary Lou McDonald TD
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, on a two-day US visit, says she pressed Washington contacts and Capitol Hill figures on Irish unity referendums, American trade duties and Gaza, calling for an immediate ceasefire and urging the Irish government to prepare for a border poll.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Mary Lou McDonald US visit on Irish unity, tariffs and Gaza Original release: Irish Unity, tariffs and genocide in Gaza raised during US trip – Mary Lou McDonald TD (opens in a new tab)
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Pride and Prejudice – TUV FOI Exposes NICS knew participation in Pride was controversial, questions over Little-Pengelly role
TUV Equality spokesperson Ann McClure says a Freedom of Information response shows senior Civil Service officials knew Civil Service participation in Belfast Pride was politically sensitive, and questions whether ministers were consulted, including the DUP deputy First Minister. She calls for a…
Community relations and legacy Disability and equality Issue: Civil Service participation in Belfast Pride FOI response Original release: Pride and Prejudice – TUV FOI Exposes NICS knew participation in Pride was controversial, questions over Little-Pengelly role (opens in a new tab)