Latest releases
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2,513 releases
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Health Minister must take responsibility and address the crisis in autism services – Brogan
Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Nicola Brogan says the autism services crisis in the Western Trust is due to inaction by the Health Minister, citing over 3,000 people waiting for assessment, including 2,686 children, and calls for immediate, targeted investment in diagnostic capacity and staff.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Western Trust autism assessment waiting lists figures Original release: Health Minister must take responsibility and address the crisis in autism services – Brogan (opens in a new tab)
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Delargy welcomes rise in university applicants
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy welcomes new UCAS figures showing a 1.5% rise in applicants from the North by the 30 June deadline and a 2% rise in applicants choosing local institutions. He highlights growth among applicants from the most disadvantaged areas and a roadmap to increase student…
Education Issue: UCAS 2025 admissions cycle application figures for Northern Ireland Original release: Delargy welcomes rise in university applicants (opens in a new tab)
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Dillon Encourages responses to Breastfeeding Bill Consultation
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon launches a public consultation on her proposed Private Members Bill to give statutory protection to breastfeeding in public spaces and require businesses and service providers to be breastfeeding-friendly. The consultation runs until 24 October 2025.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Linda Dillon Private Members Bill breastfeeding consultation launch Original release: Dillon Encourages responses to Breastfeeding Bill Consultation (opens in a new tab)
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Other parties must step up and support Minister on tackling Lough Neagh crisis, says Blair following suspension of eel fishing
Alliance AERA spokesperson John Blair MLA says other parties must step up and support the Minister in tackling the Lough Neagh crisis, following the Lough Neagh Fishermen's Co-Operative Society's decision to suspend commercial eel fishing for the 2025 season.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Lough Neagh commercial eel fishing suspended for remainder of 2025 season Original release: Other parties must step up and support Minister on tackling Lough Neagh crisis, says Blair following suspension of eel fishing (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone urges support after eel fishing suspended
SDLP AERA spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA asks Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir for an immediate support package for businesses and seasonal workers hit by the suspension of eel fishing on Lough Neagh, which he blames on years of pollution and political inaction.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Lough Neagh commercial eel fishing suspended for remainder of 2025 season Original release: McGlone urges support after eel fishing suspended (opens in a new tab)
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Minister must urgently establish financial support scheme for commercial fishermen – Kearney
SDLP... no, Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney urges the Agriculture Minister to set up a crisis support fund for eel fishermen after commercial eel fishing on Lough Neagh was suspended for the rest of the 2025 season. He also says the Irish government must engage directly, including meeting local…
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: Lough Neagh commercial eel fishing suspended for remainder of 2025 season Original release: Minister must urgently establish financial support scheme for commercial fishermen – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Votes at 16 welcome, but it must be accompanied by changes to education curriculum - Butler
UUP MLA Robbie Butler, young people's spokesperson, welcomes votes at 16 but says it must be accompanied by changes to the education curriculum adding political education on how the Northern Ireland and UK voting systems work. He hopes this will encourage wider youth turnout.
Constitutional affairs Education Original release: Votes at 16 welcome, but it must be accompanied by changes to education curriculum - Butler (opens in a new tab)
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BBC Retreats After TUV Complaint Over Trans Activism Bias
TUV press officer Sammy Morrison says the BBC has edited its 'The State of Us' podcast after a TUV complaint, removing comments about councillor Keith Ratcliffe and other content. He argues the BBC failed to offer a right of reply and that its clarification is hard to find, and vows to keep…
Disability and equality Issue: BBC edits 'The State of Us' podcast after TUV complaint Original release: BBC Retreats After TUV Complaint Over Trans Activism Bias (opens in a new tab)
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NI Civil Service Must Clarify Its Role in Belfast Pride Following Landmark Court Ruling
TUV Equality spokesperson Ann McClure calls on the Northern Ireland Civil Service to withdraw from Belfast Pride, citing a High Court ruling in England on Northumbria Police officers marching under the Progress Pride flag and arguing civil servants must stay impartial.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: High Court ruling on Northumbria Police Progress Pride flag Original release: NI Civil Service Must Clarify Its Role in Belfast Pride Following Landmark Court Ruling (opens in a new tab)
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Time to deliver on disability rights, says Donnelly, on publication of PMB report
Alliance spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA publishes the consultation report on his proposed Disability Rights Bill, which would require public authorities to take account of the UN disability convention, citing 87% support. He calls the bill a vital first step and urges Northern Ireland to act…
Disability and equality Issue: Donnelly Disability Rights Bill consultation report publication Original release: Time to deliver on disability rights, says Donnelly, on publication of PMB report (opens in a new tab)
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‘Racism will not win’ – Maskey
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey condemns xenophobic graffiti sprayed on a company van overnight in Andersontown, west Belfast, says the incident has been reported to the PSNI and urges anyone with information to come forward.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Xenophobic graffiti on company van in Andersontown, west Belfast Original release: ‘Racism will not win’ – Maskey (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew condemns burning of Moygashel racist bonfire
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew condemns the burning of a bonfire in Moygashel that included a racist effigy of refugees in a small boat and other racist displays. He welcomes police treating it as a hate incident and calls for those responsible to be held accountable.
Community relations and legacy Immigration Issue: Moygashel bonfire refugee effigy and 'Stop the Boats' posters Original release: Gildernew condemns burning of Moygashel racist bonfire (opens in a new tab)
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‘Vile’ racist effigies and posters must be removed – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew condemns an effigy of refugees in a boat placed atop a bonfire in Moygashel, alongside 'Stop the Boats' posters, and calls for it to be removed immediately and for local political leaders to call for removal.
Immigration Disability and equality Issue: Moygashel bonfire refugee effigy and 'Stop the Boats' posters Original release: ‘Vile’ racist effigies and posters must be removed – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Roofe calls for the immediate removal of racist display on County Tyrone bonfire, describing it as despicable
Alliance Councillor Eddie Roofe calls for the immediate removal of a model refugee boat placed on top of a bonfire in Moygashel, County Tyrone, which he says is racist and must not be excused as cultural celebration.
Community relations and legacy Disability and equality Issue: Moygashel bonfire refugee effigy and 'Stop the Boats' posters Original release: Roofe calls for the immediate removal of racist display on County Tyrone bonfire, describing it as despicable (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: We need to get serious about environmental crime
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says environmental crime is not being taken seriously enough after the PPS decided not to appeal sentences for two men convicted over illegal dumping at Mobuoy near Derry. He calls on the Environment Minister and Justice Minister to urgently review sentencing…
Environment and climate Justice and policing Issue: PPS decision not to appeal Mobuoy illegal dumping sentences Original release: Durkan: We need to get serious about environmental crime (opens in a new tab)
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Churlish efforts to discourage use of Irish will not succeed – Ní Chonghaile
Sinn Féin councillor Maighréad Ní Chonghaile welcomes the dismissal of a complaint against her for speaking Irish at an Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council meeting. She calls on the council to adopt a proactive policy protecting Irish speakers' rights.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Complaint against Maighréad Ní Chonghaile for speaking Irish at Antrim and Newtownabbey council dismissed Original release: Churlish efforts to discourage use of Irish will not succeed – Ní Chonghaile (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Anthony Flynn defends Belfast City Hall's LGBTQ window as a vital cultural and historical landmark
Green Party Cllr Anthony Flynn defends the LGBTQ+ window at Belfast City Hall as an iconic landmark, citing its imagery and references to rights campaigns. He accuses the TUV of hypocrisy over a slogan in the design and says the TUV backed the window unanimously.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Belfast City Hall Pride window equality complaint and investigation Original release: Cllr Anthony Flynn defends Belfast City Hall's LGBTQ window as a vital cultural and historical landmark (opens in a new tab)
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Flexibility Isn’t Weakness, It’s Wisdom: Butler Backs Locally-Informed Climate Planning
UUP agriculture spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA welcomes the European Commission's more flexible 2040 climate target and calls for a co-designed Rural Climate and Energy Roadmap for Northern Ireland, with cross-departmental leadership and support for anaerobic digestion.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: European Commission 2040 climate target of 90% emissions reduction Original release: Flexibility Isn’t Weakness, It’s Wisdom: Butler Backs Locally-Informed Climate Planning (opens in a new tab)
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TUV Action Prompts Investigation into Offensive City Hall Pride Window
TUV secretary and equality spokesperson Ann McClure says a formal complaint over Belfast City Council's City Hall "Pride" window has prompted an internal equality investigation, and calls for the offensive portion to be covered or removed, retrospective equality screening, consultation with faith…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Belfast City Hall Pride window equality complaint and investigation Original release: TUV Action Prompts Investigation into Offensive City Hall Pride Window (opens in a new tab)
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Stewart welcomes recognition of Portstewart Strand as UK Beach of the Year
Alliance Alderman Richard Stewart, Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Council, welcomes Portstewart Strand being ranked the top beach in the UK and Northern Ireland in a Times and Sunday Times guide, praising its scenery, water quality and community spirit.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Portstewart Strand ranked UK top beach in Times and Sunday Times guide Original release: Stewart welcomes recognition of Portstewart Strand as UK Beach of the Year (opens in a new tab)