Latest releases
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1,225 releases
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OEP findings "depressing and concerning" - Cllr Smyth
Green Party councillor Brian Smyth, for Lisnasharragh, says the Office for Environmental Protection's findings that water quality laws are not being implemented properly are depressing and concerning. He accuses the Stormont Executive of giving persistent polluters a free pass and says it may have…
Environment and climate Original release: OEP findings "depressing and concerning" - Cllr Smyth (opens in a new tab)
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Let’s use Plastic Free July to shape our attitude towards plastic waste, says Blair.
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says Plastic Free July should inform how people approach plastic waste and pollution in future. The release is general commentary on a recurring campaign rather than a specific development.
Environment and climate Original release: Let’s use Plastic Free July to shape our attitude towards plastic waste, says Blair. (opens in a new tab)
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Brogan welcomes agreement on tackling Lough Neagh issues
Sinn Féin MLA Nicola Brogan welcomes the Executive's agreement on an action plan to address problems at Lough Neagh, pointing to recent increases in blue-green algae blooms and calling for urgent work to start.
Environment and climate Original release: Brogan welcomes agreement on tackling Lough Neagh issues (opens in a new tab)
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Muir welcomes Executive approval for Lough Neagh Report and Action Plan
Alliance DAERA Minister Andrew Muir welcomes the Executive's approval of the 37-action Lough Neagh plan, calling it a first step towards long-term water quality recovery. He says there are no quick fixes and that progress will depend partly on available funding.
Environment and climate Original release: Muir welcomes Executive approval for Lough Neagh Report and Action Plan (opens in a new tab)
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Labour's first King's speech lacks ambition to be bold - Senator O'Hara
Green Party NI leader Senator Mal O'Hara says the King's speech lacks the bold action needed on the NHS, public services, and the climate and nature emergencies. He welcomes the planned scrapping of the Legacy Act but says there is no commitment on votes at 16, AI regulation, or banning extraction.
Environment and climate Original release: Labour's first King's speech lacks ambition to be bold - Senator O'Hara (opens in a new tab)
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Unacceptable 120 pupils with SEN have no confirmed place for new school year, says Nicholl
Alliance spokesperson Kate Nicholl MLA says it is unacceptable that 120 children with SEN statements lack a confirmed September school place, after an EA briefing could not guarantee placements. She calls on the Education Minister to prioritise SEN reform and investment.
Education Disability and equality Original release: Unacceptable 120 pupils with SEN have no confirmed place for new school year, says Nicholl (opens in a new tab)
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Finucane urges department to protect local waterways
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane says he has written to DAERA Minister Andrew Muir seeking an urgent on-site meeting and an action plan over blue-green algae found in Wolfhill Dam, Ligoneil, and urges swift action to stop its spread to nearby waterways.
Environment and climate Original release: Finucane urges department to protect local waterways (opens in a new tab)
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McMurray welcomes proposed actions by Minister Muir to address odour concerns in Warrenpoint
Alliance South Down MLA Andrew McMurray welcomes proposed actions by DAERA Minister Andrew Muir to tackle odour concerns in Warrenpoint, including expanded water quality testing and a multi-agency response led by DAERA. He also asks residents to document issues and send them to a designated address.
Environment and climate Original release: McMurray welcomes proposed actions by Minister Muir to address odour concerns in Warrenpoint (opens in a new tab)
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McConville-Walker welcomes decision to overturn Maghery landfill extension plans
Sinn Féin councillor Clare McConville-Walker welcomes the reversal of a planning approval for a landfill extension at Maghery, saying key details were missing from the application. She says the community and Lough Neagh will continue to be defended.
Environment and climate Local government Original release: McConville-Walker welcomes decision to overturn Maghery landfill extension plans (opens in a new tab)
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Brogan comments on audit office waste report
Sinn Féin MLA Nicola Brogan says accurate waste data is crucial to cutting waste and meeting climate targets, citing councils' results in the Audit Office report on waste management. She says NIEA is not required to track landfill capacity and urges the DAERA Minister to set a firm timeline for…
Environment and climate Local government Original release: Brogan comments on audit office waste report (opens in a new tab)
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Robust police action needed to end racist and sectarian intimidation – Kearney
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, calls for robust police operations and prosecutions to end racist and sectarian intimidation in Antrim Town, including targeting of ethnic minority families in Ballycraigy and flags placed across the town centre.
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Original release: Robust police action needed to end racist and sectarian intimidation – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Brogan welcomes Lough Neagh action plan
Sinn Féin MLA Nicola Brogan welcomes a report setting out plans to tackle blue-green algae in Lough Neagh, and the announced action plan and £1.5 million funding from the Finance Minister. She says she will keep engaging with other parties and local communities to protect the lough.
Environment and climate Original release: Brogan welcomes Lough Neagh action plan (opens in a new tab)
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DAREA Minister worked at pace to deliver Lough Neagh actions despite obstacles, says Blair
Alliance spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's Lough Neagh actions, including an enforcement taskforce of twenty officers, slurry measures and a sand dredging review. He criticises the Executive for not yet approving cross-departmental elements such as fines review and…
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Original release: DAREA Minister worked at pace to deliver Lough Neagh actions despite obstacles, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Sheerin welcomes publication of Sinn Féin Easy Read Manifesto
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin says the party has published an easy read version of its Westminster election manifesto, making it accessible to people with disabilities and learning difficulties. She says it was produced with disabled people.
Disability and equality Original release: Sheerin welcomes publication of Sinn Féin Easy Read Manifesto (opens in a new tab)
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TUV challenges Tesco on exclusion of Northern Ireland from Armed Forces Day offer
TUV candidate for Lagan Valley Lorna Smyth, an RAF veteran, writes to Tesco's Chief Executive urging it to reverse its decision to exclude Northern Ireland from its free breakfast offer for armed forces members on Armed Forces Day. She questions the decision and asks Tesco to revisit it.
Disability and equality Original release: TUV challenges Tesco on exclusion of Northern Ireland from Armed Forces Day offer (opens in a new tab)
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Lough Neagh action plan should be published as a matter of urgency – Brogan
Sinn Féin environment spokesperson Nicola Brogan calls for DAERA's Lough Neagh action plan to be finalised and made public urgently, warning that renewed algae blooms show the lough's problems persist a year after last summer's outbreak.
Environment and climate Original release: Lough Neagh action plan should be published as a matter of urgency – Brogan (opens in a new tab)
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SEN school placements must be suitable and appropriate – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker says many children with special educational needs still lack suitable school places for September and urges the Education Minister to adopt a ‘SEN first’ strategy that embeds SEN pupils in schools’ planned enrolments, giving families assurance and schools clarity.
Education Disability and equality Original release: SEN school placements must be suitable and appropriate – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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McMurray secures meeting with DAERA Minister over Warrenpoint stench.
Alliance South Down MLA Andrew McMurray says he has secured a meeting with the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister over foul odours affecting residents in Warrenpoint.
Environment and climate Original release: McMurray secures meeting with DAERA Minister over Warrenpoint stench. (opens in a new tab)
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Ms Mulholland welcomes introduction of hybrid working for Council groups
Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland welcomes Assembly approval of remote meetings regulations for councils, saying they give councillors with disabilities, caring duties or rural constituencies more flexible participation. She voices concern that each council will set its own hybrid working rules, which…
Local government Disability and equality Original release: Ms Mulholland welcomes introduction of hybrid working for Council groups (opens in a new tab)
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DUP will continue to champion case of WASPI women – Shannon
DUP Westminster candidate Jim Shannon says a DUP MPs team will keep campaigning for WASPI women seeking redress over state pension age changes, welcoming the Ombudsman's finding of maladministration by the DWP and urging the next government to deliver full compensation. He criticises Labour and…
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Original release: DUP will continue to champion case of WASPI women – Shannon (opens in a new tab)