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3,947 releases
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Alliance proposal to explore nature-friendly burials passes in Belfast City Council
Alliance says a motion it brought forward, proposing that Belfast City Council explore nature-friendly burials, has passed the People and Communities committee. Cllr Hedley Abernethy says the motion would consider the feasibility of natural burials as an alternative to traditional burial and…
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Belfast City Council People and Communities committee passes nature-friendly burials motion Original release: Alliance proposal to explore nature-friendly burials passes in Belfast City Council (opens in a new tab)
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Baby Loss Certificate Scheme marks a compassionate step forward, says Tennyson
Alliance Finance spokesperson Eóin Tennyson MLA says the new legislation creating a Baby Loss Certificate Scheme is a compassionate advance, and urges the Department of Finance to swiftly issue regulations while pressing the Health Minister to launch a comprehensive Women’s Health Strategy and to 지원
Health Issue: Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill final stage passage Original release: Baby Loss Certificate Scheme marks a compassionate step forward, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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We must do all we can to protect and grow our ‘world-class’ agri-food industry – McAleer
Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer urges continued support for Northern Ireland's agri-food sector, opposing cattle culls and warning that cutting local production could raise emissions through imports, ahead of an Assembly food security debate.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: Assembly motion on food security Original release: We must do all we can to protect and grow our ‘world-class’ agri-food industry – McAleer (opens in a new tab)
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Police shouldn’t be expected to pick up pieces of broken health system, says McAllister, ahead of Assembly motion
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA says police are being left to handle mental health crisis calls that belong in the health system, citing 39,000 yearly safety calls and urging the Health Minister to deliver the Mental Health Strategy and Right Care, Right Person model ahead of an…
Health Justice and policing Issue: Assembly motion on police time spent on mental health calls Original release: Police shouldn’t be expected to pick up pieces of broken health system, says McAllister, ahead of Assembly motion (opens in a new tab)
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Green Party Cllr Kendall Again Condemns Executive Over Continued Delay of Safe Leave
Green Party Councillor Lauren Kendall accuses the Economy Minister and the Executive of stalling Safe Leave, which would give paid leave to domestic abuse victims, and says the delay is letting victims down. She links the criticism to new Women's Aid figures on refuge use and referrals in 2024/25.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Safe Leave legislation delay and inaction Original release: Green Party Cllr Kendall Again Condemns Executive Over Continued Delay of Safe Leave (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 29 November 2025 (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston raises concerns about Palestinian protest with Education Minister
TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston says he will table questions for the Education Minister after parents complained about pro‑Palestine protests and the NASUWT’s ‘Stand for Palestine’ vigils in schools, calling the activities inappropriate and demanding guidance on political impartiality.
Education International affairs Issue: Pro‑Palestine protests in Ballycastle schools Original release: Gaston raises concerns about Palestinian protest with Education Minister (opens in a new tab)
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BBC reporting on RE further evidence of their “serious and systemic” bias
TUV Party Secretary and Equality Spokeswoman Ann McClure says BBC coverage of the Education Minister's schools letter on Supreme Court RE ramifications is misleading, insisting the Education and Libraries Order, not the Department, requires RE to be based on Holy Scriptures. She says TUV will…
Education Issue: Supreme Court judgement implications for RE letter to schools Original release: BBC reporting on RE further evidence of their “serious and systemic” bias (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister must act to review current RE legislation following Supreme Court Ruling, says Mathison
Alliance Education Spokesperson and Education Committee Chair Nick Mathison MLA calls on the Education Minister to issue prompt guidance to schools after a Supreme Court judgment on religious education and worship, and says the legislation should be reviewed to comply with it.
Education Issue: Supreme Court ruling on mandatory Christian worship in NI schools Original release: Education Minister must act to review current RE legislation following Supreme Court Ruling, says Mathison (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Fein hypocrisy highlighted following Enniskillen Hotel event
TUV spokesperson Alex Elliott accuses Sinn Fein of hypocrisy over an Enniskillen Hotel event on an all-Ireland health service, linking the party to a republican terror campaign that he says drained health resources. He also rejects a proposed €100 GP charge and calls the event an electioneering…
Health Community relations and legacy Issue: Sinn Fein Enniskillen Hotel all-Ireland health service event Original release: Sinn Fein hypocrisy highlighted following Enniskillen Hotel event (opens in a new tab)
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Fifth Electrical Switchgear Academy driver to make North West a vibrant place to live, work and study – Delargy
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy says a fifth Electrical Switchgear Academy run with Vertiv will boost the North West, offering 16 places for eight weeks of pre-employment training towards a Level 2 electrical installation qualition for reskilling or new careers.
Economy and employment Education Issue: Fifth Electrical Switchgear Academy with Vertiv announced for North West Original release: Fifth Electrical Switchgear Academy driver to make North West a vibrant place to live, work and study – Delargy (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows Welcomes New Emergency Messaging System After Storm Amy Communication Failures
UUP education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA welcomes the Education Minister's plan for an opt-in group messaging service for principals and text alerts for parents after the Storm Amy school closure review. He says he had earlier called for a mobile alert system to help the Education Authority…
Education Issue: Storm Amy review and emergency school communication messaging system Original release: Burrows Welcomes New Emergency Messaging System After Storm Amy Communication Failures (opens in a new tab)
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Citizens’ Assembly on future of Ireland must have healthcare front and centre – Mary Lou McDonald TD
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, speaking at a Commission on the Future of Ireland event in Enniskillen on rural health, urges Dublin to hold a citizens' forum on the island's future with health and social care central, and urges deeper cross-border health planning and an all-island public…
Health Constitutional affairs Original release: Citizens’ Assembly on future of Ireland must have healthcare front and centre – Mary Lou McDonald TD (opens in a new tab)
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Mason welcomes support to allow girls the right to wear trousers in school
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason welcomes cross-party support on the Education Committee for a proposal giving girls a clear right to wear trousers in school. She says the DUP Education Minister missed a chance to modernise school uniform policy and pledges to work with others to deliver it.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Committee proposal on girls' right to wear trousers in school Original release: Mason welcomes support to allow girls the right to wear trousers in school (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin representatives welcome Health Minister to Dungannon respite facility
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew and Councillor Nuala McLernon welcome the Health Minister's visit to Woodlawn House in Dungannon, which provides adult respite for people with learning disabilities, and call for urgent action on repeated last-minute respite cancellations.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Health Minister visit to Woodlawn House Dungannon respite facility Original release: Sinn Féin representatives welcome Health Minister to Dungannon respite facility (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter: Minister must have ambition to deliver free school meals
SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA says the Education Minister must show ambition on universal free school meals, following the Assembly's passage of her party's motion on Tuesday. She accuses the Minister of deflecting, warns that children are going hungry and says Northern…
Education Social security and welfare Issue: Assembly Opposition Day motion on universal free school meals Original release: Hunter: Minister must have ambition to deliver free school meals (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong Welcomes Cut in Electricity Connection Costs as Boost for Rural Growth and Renewable Energy
UUP economy spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA welcomes the Department's move to limit connection charges to the cables and equipment needed to reach the main grid, arguing it will boost rural businesses, developers and renewable energy projects. She says small initial rises in bills should level…
Economy and employment Environment and climate Issue: Department for the Economy electricity connection cost reduction Original release: Armstrong Welcomes Cut in Electricity Connection Costs as Boost for Rural Growth and Renewable Energy (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance backs decision to take forward legislation to give girls right to wear trousers in school
Alliance MLA Michelle Guy welcomes the Education Committee's decision to take forward a single-issue bill allowing girls to choose trousers as part of school uniform. She says the Education Minister could have made the change through his uniform guidance and urges him to update the guidelines…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Committee proposal on girls' right to wear trousers in school Original release: Alliance backs decision to take forward legislation to give girls right to wear trousers in school (opens in a new tab)
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Hargey condemns south Belfast racist graffiti
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey condemns graffiti on a property near Ravenhill Embankment in south Belfast that she describes as racist. She says the community is diverse and urges anyone with information to contact police.
Disability and equality Issue: Racist graffiti on property near Ravenhill Embankment, south Belfast Original release: Hargey condemns south Belfast racist graffiti (opens in a new tab)
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Costs faced by families in schools must be reduced – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker calls on the Education Minister to move towards free school meals for all children, ahead of an Assembly debate on school meals. He also says he is bringing forward legislation to support families during school holidays.
Education Social security and welfare Issue: Assembly debate on school meals Original release: Costs faced by families in schools must be reduced – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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O'Toole: Do nothing Executive letting Belfast Lough go same way as Lough Neagh
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the Executive lacks any plan to tackle sewage pollution in Belfast Lough, after the Office for Environmental Protection reported spills there are damaging the environment. He calls for the Infrastructure Minister and Executive to bring forward…
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: Office for Environmental Protection investigation into NI Water sewage discharges into Belfast Lough Original release: O'Toole: Do nothing Executive letting Belfast Lough go same way as Lough Neagh (opens in a new tab)