Latest releases
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1,983 releases
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McLaughlin welcomes approval of Climate Commissioner for Northern Ireland
SDLP Economy Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin MLA welcomes the Assembly's approval of draft regulations establishing a Northern Ireland Climate Commissioner. She says the independent office is long overdue and calls for faster, joined-up action on climate change and net zero.
Environment and climate Issue: Assembly vote to create a Climate Commissioner role Original release: McLaughlin welcomes approval of Climate Commissioner for Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Black Mountain fire threatens wildlife and natural habitat – Reilly
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly expresses shock at a fire burning on Black Mountain in west Belfast, warning it threatens wildlife and natural habitat. She urges the public to give fire crews room and calls for anyone with information on a deliberate start to come forward.
Environment and climate Issue: Black Mountain fire in west Belfast Original release: Black Mountain fire threatens wildlife and natural habitat – Reilly (opens in a new tab)
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Greens welcome vote to create Climate Commissioner role
Green Party NI Leader Mal O'Hara welcomes the Assembly's vote to establish a Climate Commissioner, which he says would scrutinise the Executive's environmental record, and criticises the five Executive parties' approach to Lough Neagh and environmental protection.
Environment and climate Issue: Assembly vote to create a Climate Commissioner role Original release: Greens welcome vote to create Climate Commissioner role (opens in a new tab)
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Mourne Fire Prevention Plan must be priority for DAERA – Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard calls on DAERA Minister Andrew Muir to urgently deliver a long-delayed Mourne Fire Prevention Plan after recent fires, and asks for an immediate review of the legal controlled-burning period.
Environment and climate Issue: Mourne fires and delayed Mourne Fire Prevention Plan Original release: Mourne Fire Prevention Plan must be priority for DAERA – Hazzard (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Greater care needed to end Mournes fires
SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath urges people to take more care around the Mournes to stop repeated fires, warning that blazes of this scale threaten homes, health and the environment. He calls for severe punishments for those responsible and for anyone with information to contact police.
Environment and climate Issue: Mourne Mountains wildfires started deliberately Original release: McGrath: Greater care needed to end Mournes fires (opens in a new tab)
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Those behind Mournes fires must be held to account – Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard condemns those responsible for deliberately starting wildfires in the Mournes, thanks firefighters, and calls for a thorough probe into causes and impacts plus accountability for those responsible.
Environment and climate Justice and policing Issue: Mourne Mountains wildfires started deliberately Original release: Those behind Mournes fires must be held to account – Hazzard (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance Representatives express concerns following Mourne Mountains Fires
Alliance South Down MLA Andrew McMurray and Councillor Jill Truesdale express concern over gorse fires spreading across the Mourne Mountains, blaming deliberate fire lighting. They urge people to follow NIFRS evacuation advice, be vigilant with fires and report displaced ponies.
Environment and climate Issue: Mourne Mountains wildfires started deliberately Original release: Alliance Representatives express concerns following Mourne Mountains Fires (opens in a new tab)
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Irish Unity is best defence to climate challenge – Lynn Boylan MEP
Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan says a conference in Dublin on climate change and an all-island strategy found broad agreement that Irish unity would best equip the island to meet the climate challenge. Boylan points to Storm Éowyn's cross-border impact as evidence for a joint approach.
Environment and climate Constitutional affairs Issue: Sinn Féin all-island climate change conference in Dublin Original release: Irish Unity is best defence to climate challenge – Lynn Boylan MEP (opens in a new tab)
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Irish unity is best defence to climate challenge – Boylan
Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan says a conference in Dublin on climate change across the island found broad agreement that Irish unity offers the best route to meeting the challenge, citing Storm Éowyn's cross-border impact as evidence for an all-island environmental strategy.
Environment and climate Constitutional affairs Original release: Irish unity is best defence to climate challenge – Boylan (opens in a new tab)
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TUV hits out on Central Station controversy
TUV leader Jim Allister attacks Infrastructure Minister Kimmins over Irish signage at Grand Central Station, arguing she lacks authority over operational Translink decisions. He backs a legal challenge led by Mr Bryson and says the DUP has weakened its position by seeking an Irish Language…
Disability and equality Infrastructure and transport Issue: Irish language signage at Grand Central Station announcement Original release: TUV hits out on Central Station controversy (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison expresses concern at staffing levels in EA SEN Transitions Service
Alliance Education spokesperson and Education Committee Chair Nick Mathison MLA expresses concern that the EA Transitions Service, which supports around 9,000 students with special educational needs across Northern Ireland, has only 10 staff.
Education Disability and equality Issue: EA SEN Transitions Service staffing levels revealed Original release: Mathison expresses concern at staffing levels in EA SEN Transitions Service (opens in a new tab)
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Every child deserves accessible park facilities, says Kemp, welcoming communication board installations
Alliance Killultagh Councillor Claire Kemp welcomes the installation of communication boards in Lisburn and Castlereagh Council parks, saying the facilities make play spaces accessible for children with speech, language and communication needs and praising the timing during World Autism Acceptance
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Communication boards installed in Lisburn & Castlereagh parks Original release: Every child deserves accessible park facilities, says Kemp, welcoming communication board installations (opens in a new tab)
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Enough talk on Irish at Grand Central – what’s the DUP action?
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says the DUP has talked about the Infrastructure Minister's unilateral move to impose Irish signage at Grand Central but must act, urging it to sign his petition, have ministers call in the decision or take legal action.
Disability and equality Infrastructure and transport Issue: Irish language signage at Grand Central Station announcement Original release: Enough talk on Irish at Grand Central – what’s the DUP action? (opens in a new tab)
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Boylan calls for improved autism services and greater inclusion of people with autism
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan calls for better autism services and wider inclusion of autistic people in daily life as World Autism Month begins. He credits Autism NI and Caleb's Cause for advocacy, and says cross-departmental action is needed, pledging work with the Health, Education and Economy…
Disability and equality Health Original release: Boylan calls for improved autism services and greater inclusion of people with autism (opens in a new tab)
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GB Energy shouldn't fund damage of NI tourism: Wilson
DUP MP Sammy Wilson calls for a clear government commitment that GB Energy will not fund a proposed offshore wind farm near the Giant's Causeway, arguing it would damage the World Heritage Site and the tourism industry. He says the government failed to give a straight answer at Northern Ireland…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Proposed offshore wind farm near Giant's Causeway and GB Energy funding Original release: GB Energy shouldn't fund damage of NI tourism: Wilson (opens in a new tab)
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Focus Needed on Lough Neagh Ahead of Summer - Swann & Butler
UUP MP Robin Swann and AERA Committee Chair Robbie Butler MLA call for renewed focus on the Lough Neagh algae crisis after Environment Minister Andrew Muir confirmed an 80% probability of a blue-green algae bloom this summer. Swann urges delivery of the Lough Neagh Action Plan on time, while…
Environment and climate Issue: Minister Muir confirms 80% probability of Lough Neagh algae bloom Original release: Focus Needed on Lough Neagh Ahead of Summer - Swann & Butler (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Link between poverty and suicide crisis can’t be ignored
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan urges the Executive to recognise the link between poverty and rising suicide rates and calls for an effective anti-poverty strategy, following a Samaritans report on inequality and suicidality. He says suicide rates are three times higher in deprived areas and calls…
Health Social security and welfare Issue: Samaritans 'Lost Futures' report on poverty and suicide in Northern Ireland Original release: Durkan: Link between poverty and suicide crisis can’t be ignored (opens in a new tab)
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Assembly unites to reject British government cuts – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew welcomes cross-party Assembly support for a motion calling on the British government to reconsider its cuts to disability benefits, which followed the Chancellor's recent announcement of further welfare and public service cuts.
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: UK Government disability benefit cuts and employability support plans Original release: Assembly unites to reject British government cuts – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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People with terminal illnesses deserve early access to their state pension – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon welcomes cross-party support for a party motion calling on the British government to allow terminally ill people early access to their state pension, arguing it would provide financial security in their final months.
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: Assembly motion on early state pension access for terminally ill people Original release: People with terminal illnesses deserve early access to their state pension – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Irish signage row distraction from real issues
SDLP Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA says the controversy surrounding Irish‑language signs at Grand Central Station distracts from the Executive’s failure to deliver public services, urges the signs be installed promptly and condemns identity‑politics‑driven obstruction.
Disability and equality Infrastructure and transport Issue: Irish language signage at Grand Central Station announcement Original release: Durkan: Irish signage row distraction from real issues (opens in a new tab)