Latest releases
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1,580 releases
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Hunter questions Minister’s top marks on Irish language
SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA questions Education Minister Paul Givan's self-assessed 'A' grade on Irish language education, citing mobile classrooms, unimplemented 2008 review recommendations, Foras na Gaelige funding cuts and a lack of Irish language representation on a…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Minister Givan's Irish language education performance grade in Assembly Original release: Hunter questions Minister’s top marks on Irish language (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan to bring forward legislation to protect environment
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says he is bringing a Private Member’s Bill to Stormont that would set binding air, water, soil and biodiversity targets for government bodies, impose a duty to conserve and create Nature Recovery Networks, and urge DAERA to set long‑term and interim environmental goals.
Environment and climate Issue: SDLP Private Member’s Bill on environmental targets Original release: Durkan to bring forward legislation to protect environment (opens in a new tab)
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Boylan welcomes Minister’s ‘innovative thinking’ to deliver better wastewater infrastructure
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan welcomes Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins's commitment to better water and wastewater infrastructure, and says ageing wastewater systems must be a top priority. He blames austerity and British Government underfunding and points to an extra £19.5 million for NI Water…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Infrastructure Minister's Assembly statement on water and wastewater infrastructure Original release: Boylan welcomes Minister’s ‘innovative thinking’ to deliver better wastewater infrastructure (opens in a new tab)
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‘Racist graffiti is disgusting and deplorable’ – Maskey
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey condemns racist graffiti that has appeared in west Belfast in recent days, calling it repugnant and urging that racism be opposed and challenged. He says the majority of local people reject such hatred and pledges continued support for diversity.
Disability and equality Issue: West Belfast racist graffiti condemnation Original release: ‘Racist graffiti is disgusting and deplorable’ – Maskey (opens in a new tab)
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Communities in worst affected areas feel let down and forgotten in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn – Matt Carthy TD
Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy says communities in worst-hit areas such as Monaghan and Cavan feel let down after Storm Éowyn, and calls for investment in the electricity grid, water services and storm planning. He also urges ESB compensation for prolonged power cuts and underground routing for the…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Storm Éowyn aftermath and Dáil statements on government response Original release: Communities in worst affected areas feel let down and forgotten in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn – Matt Carthy TD (opens in a new tab)
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Maoinigh Pobal na Gaeilge Anois!
People Before Profit's Gerry Carroll calls on the Executive and the Irish Government to fill the funding gap facing Foras na Gaeilge after cuts of over €800,000, warning they will damage jobs and language projects. The release also criticises the DUP's stance on the language and questions Sinn…
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Foras na Gaeilge €800,000 budget cuts Original release: Maoinigh Pobal na Gaeilge Anois! (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister publishes SEN Reform Agenda and Delivery Plan
The DUP says Education Minister Paul Givan has published the SEN Reform Agenda and a five-year Delivery Plan, setting out short-term actions to rebuild trust with parents, build workforce capability, improve placements and support sustained funding.
Education Disability and equality Issue: SEN Reform Agenda and five-year Delivery Plan publication Original release: Education Minister publishes SEN Reform Agenda and Delivery Plan (opens in a new tab)
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Blair condemns other parties for protecting polluters
Alliance MLA John Blair accuses Sinn Féin, the DUP, UUP and SDLP of blocking tougher penalties for repeat polluters after an Assembly vote. He says the other parties are undermining protection for Lough Neagh and farmers, and urges them to reflect on their stance.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Assembly vote on stricter penalties for repeat polluters Original release: Blair condemns other parties for protecting polluters (opens in a new tab)
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Fair funding for Foras na Gaeilge essential – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says he is extremely concerned the DUP is delaying agreement on a new funding model that could increase financial backing for small Irish language groups, after Foras na Gaeilge announced savings forcing cuts to grassroots organisations. He urges the DUP to agree it…
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Foras na Gaeilge €800,000 budget cuts Original release: Fair funding for Foras na Gaeilge essential – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Brolly: Storm response must prioritise vulnerable
Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly says storm contingency plans must be accelerated so vulnerable people on the critical care register, including those on home dialysis, get power and support without delay. She calls for investment in generators for health services and cross-border collaboration…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Storm aftermath response and critical care register support Original release: Brolly: Storm response must prioritise vulnerable (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw welcomes Executive commitment to combatting forced marriage.
Alliance TEO spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA welcomes the Finance Minister's assurance that Executive agreement has been secured to extend the forced marriage offence to arranging marriages of under-18s. She calls for the related legislation to be brought before the Assembly in coming months.
Disability and equality Issue: Finance Minister's assurance on forced marriage offence extension in Assembly Original release: Bradshaw welcomes Executive commitment to combatting forced marriage. (opens in a new tab)
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Cultural shift needed to end gender-based violence, says Egan, welcoming launch of Power to Change campaign.
Alliance Justice spokesperson Connie Egan MLA welcomes the PSNI, Department of Justice and Executive Office 'Power to Change' campaign, saying society must change its culture to end gender-based violence. She says men and boys have a crucial role in challenging harmful attitudes and intervening…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: PSNI 'Power to Change' gender-based violence campaign launch Original release: Cultural shift needed to end gender-based violence, says Egan, welcoming launch of Power to Change campaign. (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister levels the playing field in housing allocation
DUP MLA Cheryl Brownlee welcomes the Communities Minister Gordon Lyons' decision to scrap intimidation points in the Northern Ireland Housing Executive's Housing Selection Scheme, arguing victims of domestic abuse have been unfairly scored lower.
Housing Disability and equality Issue: Removal of Housing Executive intimidation points Original release: Communities Minister levels the playing field in housing allocation (opens in a new tab)
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Removal of Housing Executive Intimidation Points will put lives at risk
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll says the Communities Minister's decision to remove Housing Executive intimidation points will put lives at risk, arguing it leaves victims of threats and sectarian, racist or homophobic attacks without priority for permanent homes. He instead calls for…
Housing Disability and equality Issue: Removal of Housing Executive intimidation points Original release: Removal of Housing Executive Intimidation Points will put lives at risk (opens in a new tab)
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Further delay to Climate Change Commissioner appointment is unacceptable, says Bradshaw.
Alliance's Paula Bradshaw MLA calls for urgent clarity from the FM and dFM over the delay in appointing a Climate Change Commissioner, despite regulations having all-party consent and being in force. She says the dFM hinted at further legislative problems during questions on a British-Irish…
Environment and climate Issue: Climate Change Commissioner appointment delay despite approved regulations Original release: Further delay to Climate Change Commissioner appointment is unacceptable, says Bradshaw. (opens in a new tab)
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Classroom Assistants deserve proper recognition and support, says Alliance Education representatives.
Alliance MLAs Nick Mathison and Michelle Guy call on the Education Minister to set out a clear plan to support, develop and reward Classroom Assistants, following an Ulster University report into the workforce. They raise concerns about temporary recruitment and incomplete Access NI checks.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Ulster University report on Classroom Assistants in Northern Ireland Original release: Classroom Assistants deserve proper recognition and support, says Alliance Education representatives. (opens in a new tab)
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Never Again: Why We Remember The Holocaust
People Before Profit marks 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, warning that fascism grows from racism and antisemitism. It cites the AfD in Germany, Elon Musk's rally appearance and online conspiracy theories in Ireland, and urges socialists to oppose all racism, including…
Disability and equality International affairs Original release: Never Again: Why We Remember The Holocaust (opens in a new tab)
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We must stand united against all prejudice, hatred, and violence, says Bradshaw, marking Holocaust Memorial Day.
Alliance's Paula Bradshaw, the South Belfast MLA, marks Holocaust Memorial Day 2025 by calling for unity against prejudice, hatred and violence, citing Northern Ireland's record of offering sanctuary to refugees and rejecting antisemitism, Islamophobia and other forms of bigotry.
Disability and equality International affairs Original release: We must stand united against all prejudice, hatred, and violence, says Bradshaw, marking Holocaust Memorial Day. (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance Belfast City councillors welcome funding for local community and environmental initiatives.
Alliance councillors Sam Nelson and Jenna Maghie welcome Belfast City Council funding agreed by the Strategic Policy & Resources Committee for more street litter bins, an enhanced alleyways scheme and urban wildflower projects, subject to full council ratification.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Belfast City Council Strategic Policy & Resources Committee funding for litter bins, alleyways and wildflowers Original release: Alliance Belfast City councillors welcome funding for local community and environmental initiatives. (opens in a new tab)
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NI Executive agreement for Sign Language Bill
The DUP's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons MLA says Executive Ministers have agreed to introduce his Sign Language Bill to the Assembly, which recognises British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language. He plans to introduce it in February and points to departmental investment in trained…
Disability and equality Issue: Executive agreement to introduce Sign Language Bill to Assembly Original release: NI Executive agreement for Sign Language Bill (opens in a new tab)