Latest releases
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4,601 releases
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SDLP proposes amendment to establish independent EPA
SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole says the party has tabled an amendment to an omnibus bill to create an independent environmental protection agency, citing Lough Neagh pollution and DUP blocking at Executive level. The amendment seeks an Assembly debate and vote, with the Speaker deciding whether it…
Environment and climate Issue: SDLP amendment seeking independent environmental protection agency Original release: SDLP proposes amendment to establish independent EPA (opens in a new tab)
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New framework welcome but statutory duty of candour needed to ensure openness and transparency, says McAllister
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA welcomes the new Being Open Framework for Health and Social Care, due to start on 1 April, but says only a statutory duty of candour will guarantee the openness and transparency the service needs.
Health Issue: Being Open Framework for Health and Social Care publication Original release: New framework welcome but statutory duty of candour needed to ensure openness and transparency, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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Martin: Planning Enforcement Integrity Cannot Be Optional
DUP MLA Peter Martin says serious questions remain about the unauthorised billboard erected near the Egyptian Arch in Newry, urging the Minister to reveal who is responsible, ensure equal enforcement of planning rules and address public‑safety risks.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Egyptian Arch Newry billboard Sinn Féin FOI disclosure Original release: Martin: Planning Enforcement Integrity Cannot Be Optional (opens in a new tab)
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New waterfront plans will help to continue with the positive transformation of Derry – Ferguson
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson says proposed waterfront plans for Derry will be a game-changer and urges the public to comment on the £45 million Derry City Central Riverfront project, which would add cycle and walking routes and community spaces along The Quay.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Derry City Central Riverfront £45 million waterfront consultation Original release: New waterfront plans will help to continue with the positive transformation of Derry – Ferguson (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds and Little-Pengelly press Royal Mail for urgent action on…
DUP MLAs Diane Dodds and Emma Little-Pengelly say they pressed Royal Mail leadership in Northern Ireland for prompt fixes to late and missing post in Banbridge and Lisburn. Royal Mail has pledged 18 new delivery staff, overtime and agency cover, and the MLAs will raise missed health appointments…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Banbridge and Lisburn postal delivery delays and Royal Mail staffing shortages Original release: Dodds and Little-Pengelly press Royal Mail for urgent action on… (opens in a new tab)
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Puberty blockers trial never justified and should be permanently…
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds says Health Minister's position on the puberty blocker trial defies logic, accusing the Ulster Unionist Party of reversing its support within 24 hours. She calls for the trial to be permanently ended, not just paused.
Health Issue: Northern Ireland withdrawal from puberty blocker trial Original release: Puberty blockers trial never justified and should be permanently… (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds Challenges First Minister Over Veterans Support
DUP MLA Diane Dodds says the First Minister's reply to her Question Time question on veterans was dismissive and offensive. She calls for devolved services such as housing, health and employment support to better recognise the barriers veterans and their families face from repeated deployments and…
Health Issue: First Minister's Question Time reply on veterans support Original release: Dodds Challenges First Minister Over Veterans Support (opens in a new tab)
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Brett: First Minister’s Rhetoric Cannot Hide Costly Climate…
DUP MLA Phillip Brett criticises First Minister Michelle O'Neill for not justifying the £1 million annual cost of a proposed Climate Change Commissioner. He says the work is already done at UK level and that NI accounts for 0.04% of world emissions.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Proposed Northern Ireland Climate Change Commissioner cost Original release: Brett: First Minister’s Rhetoric Cannot Hide Costly Climate… (opens in a new tab)
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Consistent mental health data needed to support those struggling – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn says the lack of accurate, consistent mental‑health data in the north hampers service planning and delivery, and calls for a single, standardised data system to help health trusts better plan and support those in need.
Health Issue: Sinn Féin motion for single mental health data system Original release: Consistent mental health data needed to support those struggling – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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Sexual crimes during the Troubles must be addressed in the Legacy Bill
UUP Justice Spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA says he will table a motion on 17 February urging the Government to add sexual crimes as a specific criterion in the Legacy Commission Bill’s Troubles investigation, and calls on the First and Deputy First Minister to back it.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Legacy Commission Bill – inclusion of sexual crimes Original release: Sexual crimes during the Troubles must be addressed in the Legacy Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Dunne challenges Kimmins on pothole pandemic
North Down DUP MLA Stephen Dunne says a Assembly motion he proposed, which passed, calls on the Infrastructure Minister to tackle a worsening road network crisis, citing over 127,000 surface defects logged in 2025 and a £3 billion maintenance backlog, and urges permanent repairs and tighter…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Assembly motion on Northern Ireland road maintenance and potholes Original release: Dunne challenges Kimmins on pothole pandemic (opens in a new tab)
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Welcome Nesbitt u-turn but major questions remain on his approach to puberty blockers
TUV equality spokeswoman Ann McClure welcomes Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's reversal on Northern Ireland's role in the puberty blocker trial but says he must explain how the decision was made and reversed. Party colleague Timothy Gaston is seeking an urgent Assembly answer from the Minister, and…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Northern Ireland withdrawal from puberty blocker trial Original release: Welcome Nesbitt u-turn but major questions remain on his approach to puberty blockers (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Fein denial over Newry billboard collapses as FOI shows Department contacted party office
TUV councillor Keith Ratcliffe says FOI documents show the Department for Infrastructure contacted Sinn Féin about an illegal Egyptian Arch billboard in Newry, contradicting Sinn Féin's denial in the Assembly, and asks why the law is not enforced against it.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Egyptian Arch Newry billboard Sinn Féin FOI disclosure Original release: Sinn Fein denial over Newry billboard collapses as FOI shows Department contacted party office (opens in a new tab)
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Norris welcomes progress on Muff Glen Bridge
SDLP Faughan Councillor Declan Norris welcomes the lodging of a planning application by DAERA to replace Muff Glen Bridge, which was destroyed in 2017 flooding. He urges the DAERA Minister to identify the necessary funding without delay, citing safety concerns for residents and visitors.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Muff Glen Bridge replacement planning application lodged by DAERA Original release: Norris welcomes progress on Muff Glen Bridge (opens in a new tab)
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Jim Allister Calls the SDLP and Alliance to Account for Voting to Increase the Cost of Living
TUV leader Jim Allister, MP for North Antrim, criticises the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Maritime Activities) Order 2026, saying its carbon charges on Great Britain–Northern Ireland ferries will raise travel and goods costs. He accuses the SDLP and Alliance of…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme maritime extension order 2026 Original release: Jim Allister Calls the SDLP and Alliance to Account for Voting to Increase the Cost of Living (opens in a new tab)
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PEACEPLUS funding from Brussels must be safeguarded – Hughes
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes urges the EU to keep PEACEPLUS funding in place beyond 2027, after a Joint Committee briefing revealed no guaranteed Brussels allocation despite the programme continuing.
Community relations and legacy International affairs Issue: Peace Plus funding beyond current programme period after EU extension proposal Original release: PEACEPLUS funding from Brussels must be safeguarded – Hughes (opens in a new tab)
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British government delay to Pat Finucane Inquiry ‘inexcusable’ – Hargey
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey calls on the British government to publish the final Terms of Reference for the Pat Finucane Inquiry so it can begin, after Geraldine Finucane appealed for publication. Hargey accuses London of stalling and delaying on truth and justice for the family.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Pat Finucane Inquiry Terms of Reference publication delay Original release: British government delay to Pat Finucane Inquiry ‘inexcusable’ – Hargey (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney welcomes commencement of major road improvement scheme for Ahoghill Road
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, welcomes the start of a £380,000 carriageway and footway upgrade on Ahoghill Road in Randalstown, due for completion by 3 April, and outlines the two-stage lane and daytime closures with a signed diversion.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Ahoghill Road Randalstown carriageway and footway improvement scheme Original release: Kearney welcomes commencement of major road improvement scheme for Ahoghill Road (opens in a new tab)
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Gannon: Unacceptable to face up to 90 minute journeys in health emergency
SDLP Fermanagh and Omagh councillor Adam Gannon says it is unacceptable that Fermanagh patients face up to 90-minute emergency journeys to Altnagelvin, citing an Assembly answer from Health Minister Mike Nesbitt showing a 2025 average of 1 hour 26 minutes. He calls for immediate local provision…
Health Issue: South West Acute Hospital emergency general surgery removal patient journey times Original release: Gannon: Unacceptable to face up to 90 minute journeys in health emergency (opens in a new tab)
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Boyle welcomes beginning of work at Meenan Square
SDLP Moor Councillor John Boyle welcomes the start of construction at Meenan Square in the Bogside, calling it a long-awaited step after more than two decades of delay. He says the scheme will provide homes, retail units, office space and a community hub, and hopes it ends years of frustration…
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Meenan Square regeneration construction start Original release: Boyle welcomes beginning of work at Meenan Square (opens in a new tab)