Latest releases
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1,578 releases
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Murphy welcomes ban on all forms of onshore petroleum exploration and production
SF MLA Áine Murphy welcomes the Executive's decision to permanently prohibit all onshore petroleum exploration and production, including fracking, saying it aligns the North with the rest of the island and protects local communities.
Environment and climate Issue: Executive decision to permanently ban onshore petroleum exploration and fracking Original release: Murphy welcomes ban on all forms of onshore petroleum exploration and production (opens in a new tab)
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7 in 7 Challenge congratulated through Commons motion
DUP MP Gregory Campbell congratulates rugby league player Kevin Sinfield on his 7 in 7 challenge of seven ultramarathons in seven days, raising money for Motor Neurone Disease, and says he has tabled a Commons motion marking it.
Other Disability and equality Original release: 7 in 7 Challenge congratulated through Commons motion (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew welcomes confirmation that Executive agrees to extend welfare mitigations
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew welcomes the Executive's agreement to extend welfare mitigations to 2028, citing support for DLA-to-PIP transition, the benefit cap and bedroom tax. He calls on the Labour government to build a fairer benefits system.
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: Executive agreement to extend welfare mitigations to 2028 Original release: Gildernew welcomes confirmation that Executive agrees to extend welfare mitigations (opens in a new tab)
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So-called 'conversion' practices have no place in society, says Tennyson, launching Private Members' Bill.
Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson, the Upper Bann MLA, launches a consultation on a Private Members' proposal to criminalise so-called conversion practices in Northern Ireland, open until 20 March 2025, saying such practices cause lasting harm.
Disability and equality Issue: Consultation launch on banning conversion practices in Northern Ireland Original release: So-called 'conversion' practices have no place in society, says Tennyson, launching Private Members' Bill. (opens in a new tab)
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Ongoing inaction on racial equality increasingly indefensible, says Bradshaw.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Original release: Ongoing inaction on racial equality increasingly indefensible, says Bradshaw. (opens in a new tab)
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Tipping point in how we manage water, say McReynolds, following sewage investigation
Alliance MLA Peter McReynolds says Northern Ireland is at a tipping point in water management after an investigation found high sewage levels in Belfast Lough. He calls on Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd to commission the expert-led review of NI Water's funding and governance that the Audit…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Investigation finds high sewage levels in Belfast Lough Original release: Tipping point in how we manage water, say McReynolds, following sewage investigation (opens in a new tab)
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Incorporating UNCRPD into law is essential to eliminate discrimination, says Donnelly.
Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly urges the public to respond to the consultation on his Private Member's Bill to incorporate the UNCRPD into domestic law, arguing it would help eliminate discrimination against disabled people. He says the Assembly and Executive have not acted since 2009 and calls for a…
Disability and equality Issue: Donnelly Private Member's Bill UNCRPD consultation launch Original release: Incorporating UNCRPD into law is essential to eliminate discrimination, says Donnelly. (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP: Executive dysfunction means freshwater failure
SDLP Opposition calls for Executive Ministers to work together on the crisis at Northern Ireland Water after an investigation found raw sewage in Belfast Lough pushed bacteria beyond legal limits. Mark H Durkan says NI Water's funding model and the status quo need fundamental change, while Patsy…
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: Investigation finds high sewage levels in Belfast Lough Original release: SDLP: Executive dysfunction means freshwater failure (opens in a new tab)
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Brett - Answers needed from Ulster Boxing Council on Protestant Boxer…
North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett calls for an urgent review of Ulster Boxing Council policies and procedures after the body agreed a settlement with boxer Daryl Clarke, who was excluded from the 2022 Commonwealth Games team. He also says he has contacted funders and wants Commonwealth Games NI to…
Disability and equality Community relations and legacy Issue: Daryl Clarke settlement with Ulster Boxing Council over 2022 Commonwealth Games selection Original release: Brett - Answers needed from Ulster Boxing Council on Protestant Boxer… (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance South Down representatives to present petition to Economy Minister opposing Gondola development.
Alliance South Down MLA Andrew McMurray says he and Mournes councillor Jill Truesdale will hand a petition to the Economy Minister opposing the Gondola and visitor centre at Thomas's Quarry, urging him to press Newry Mourne and Down Council to rethink.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Mourne Gateway Gondola petition presented to Economy Minister Original release: Alliance South Down representatives to present petition to Economy Minister opposing Gondola development. (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston exposes Assembly squander on Irish translation
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says over £437,000 has been spent on Irish language interpretation in the Assembly, calling it a waste, and criticises the simultaneous translation system made permanent after a six-month review. His release also cites Assembly Commission answers on the Interpretation and…
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Assembly Commission review of Irish language interpretation service Original release: Gaston exposes Assembly squander on Irish translation (opens in a new tab)
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Givan announces £1.2m Pre-School Support Fund for children with…
Education Minister Paul Givan announces a £1.2million pilot Pre-School Education Inclusion Support Fund for young children with special educational needs. Settings with a child undergoing statutory assessment will receive £750 per month per class, with payments in tranches.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Pre-School Education Inclusion Support Fund pilot announcement Original release: Givan announces £1.2m Pre-School Support Fund for children with… (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong welcomes increased health support for people in receipt of Universal Credit.
Alliance Strangford MLA Kellie Armstrong welcomes plans to extend free sight tests, dental treatment and hospital travel help to Universal Credit claimants in Northern Ireland, saying realignment with the UK should happen within six months, followed by a six-week consultation.
Health Social security and welfare Issue: Universal Credit eyecare and health cost entitlement realignment with UK Original release: Armstrong welcomes increased health support for people in receipt of Universal Credit. (opens in a new tab)
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Other parties' decision to protect polluters shameful, says Blair, following AERA Committee vote.
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair calls the AERA Committee's rejection of tougher penalties for repeat waterway polluters "shameful", blaming Sinn Féin, DUP, UUP and SDLP for blocking the restrictions and demanding they account for their reversal on environmental protection.
Environment and climate Issue: AERA Committee vote on tougher waterway pollution penalties Original release: Other parties' decision to protect polluters shameful, says Blair, following AERA Committee vote. (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin urges Executive to do more to support women and girls
SDLP Opposition MLA Sinéad McLaughlin says the Executive must do more to support frontline services, after Women's Aid's annual report showed almost 11,000 referrals in 2023/24, up 600 on the previous year. She calls for greater investment across all departments.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Women's Aid annual report 2023/24 referrals increase Original release: McLaughlin urges Executive to do more to support women and girls (opens in a new tab)
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‘No Dignity in Lying’: Carla Lockhart
DUP MLA Carla Lockhart argues that the 'dignity' language used by assisted suicide campaigners, such as Dignity in Dying, is a misleading framing. She says legalising assisted suicide would lower the perceived worth of disabled, poor and homeless people, citing a Canadian poll on MAID eligibility.
Disability and equality Health Original release: ‘No Dignity in Lying’: Carla Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Disappointment at lack of details on SEN End to End Review, says Alliance representatives
Education Disability and equality Original release: Disappointment at lack of details on SEN End to End Review, says Alliance representatives (opens in a new tab)
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‘Anyone contaminating waterways must face full extent of the law’ – Kearney
SDLP... no. Sinn Féin South Antrim MLA Declan Kearney says he is deeply concerned that no one will be prosecuted over the 2023 Crumlin River pollution that killed fish, and calls for anyone polluting waterways to face the law fully, plus legislative change and stronger enforcement, urging DAERA to…
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Crumlin River pollution incident 2023 no prosecutions Original release: ‘Anyone contaminating waterways must face full extent of the law’ – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Our parks must be accessible and inclusive for all, says Ashe, welcoming agreement on communication board motion.
Alliance Comber Councillor Rachel Ashe welcomes Ards and North Down Borough Council's agreement to install communication boards in Tier 1 play parks, after the feasibility report on her motion was approved. Ashe says the boards will help children with speech, language or autism-related…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Ards and North Down communication boards in Tier 1 play parks Original release: Our parks must be accessible and inclusive for all, says Ashe, welcoming agreement on communication board motion. (opens in a new tab)
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Environmental governance review is encouraging news for Lough Neagh, says Blair
Alliance environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes the DAERA Minister's launch of an independent panel to review environmental governance, praising its Lough Neagh focus and backing a possible Independent Environmental Protection Agency. He expects the panel's report next summer.
Environment and climate Issue: Minister Andrew Muir review of environmental governance announcement Original release: Environmental governance review is encouraging news for Lough Neagh, says Blair (opens in a new tab)