Latest releases
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2,025 releases
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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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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)
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Assembly must unite to reject draconian welfare cuts, says Mulholland ahead of motion
Alliance Communities spokesperson Sian Mulholland MLA urges the Assembly to unite against UK Government disability benefit cuts and to back a motion calling for a UK-wide commission on employment barriers for disabled people. She says the cuts would hit Northern Ireland hard and calls for the…
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: UK Government disability benefit cuts and employability support plans Original release: Assembly must unite to reject draconian welfare cuts, says Mulholland ahead of motion (opens in a new tab)
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Leas-Cheannaire Aontú Gemma Uí Bhrollaigh ag Tacú leis na hAgóidí ag Éileamh Cothrom na Féinne don Ghaeilge
Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly backs this week's Irish-language protests at Stormont and Leinster House over cuts of more than £800,000 to Foras na Gaeilge funding. She calls for fairness and equality, and says Aontú will keep using every platform to press for it.
Disability and equality Education Issue: Foras na Gaeilge funding cuts protests Original release: Leas-Cheannaire Aontú Gemma Uí Bhrollaigh ag Tacú leis na hAgóidí ag Éileamh Cothrom na Féinne don Ghaeilge (opens in a new tab)
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Sheehan condemns racist attack in west Belfast
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan condemns a racially motivated assault in west Belfast’s Divis Street district, calling it disgraceful and saying it has no place in society. He urges anyone with information to contact the PSNI and stresses the community’s commitment to diversity and opposition to racism.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Racist assault on Divis Street, west Belfast Original release: Sheehan condemns racist attack in west Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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McDaid welcomes council’s rejection of racism
SDLP councillor Catherine McDaid welcomes unanimous council backing for her motion condemning a rise in racism across Derry, Strabane and Northern Ireland. The council will urge the Executive to introduce stand-alone hate crime legislation, following online abuse aimed at Mayor Lilian Seenoi-Barr.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Derry and Strabane council motion condemning rise in racism Original release: McDaid welcomes council’s rejection of racism (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison calls for investment in a dedicated care pathway for Facial Palsy patients
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison urges the Health Minister to set up a dedicated facial palsy care pathway, saying Northern Ireland lacks a multi-disciplinary team and patients face long waits and costly travel. He says the Department's pathway work has been slow and the promised 2019 interim service is…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Facial palsy care pathway call at Stormont event hosted by Facial Palsy UK Original release: Mathison calls for investment in a dedicated care pathway for Facial Palsy patients (opens in a new tab)
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Hargey welcomes completion of Belfast flood defence scheme
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey welcomes completion of the £33 million Belfast Tidal Flood Alleviation Scheme by the Department for Infrastructure, which installs defences along the River Lagan to protect over 3,000 homes and businesses. She calls for fairer Executive funding from the British…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Belfast Tidal Flood Alleviation Scheme completion Original release: Hargey welcomes completion of Belfast flood defence scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston writes to Unionist members of the Executive calling for action to prevent Sinn Fein solo run on Irish signage
TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston says he has written to unionist Executive Ministers asking them to stop the Infrastructure Minister imposing Irish language signage at Belfast Grand Central Station, arguing the decision is significant and controversial and lacks cross-community approval under…
Disability and equality Infrastructure and transport Issue: Irish language signage at Grand Central Station announcement Original release: Gaston writes to Unionist members of the Executive calling for action to prevent Sinn Fein solo run on Irish signage (opens in a new tab)
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McAteer honoured to host Inspire Awards 2025
Alliance's Fiona McAteer, High Sheriff of Belfast, says she is honoured to host the Inspire Awards at Belfast City Hall, recognising young people from East Belfast, and thanks youth workers and community groups for their support.
Other Local government Original release: McAteer honoured to host Inspire Awards 2025 (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: Cutting welfare support not the way to balance the books
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says welfare recipients should not bear the brunt of UK Government cuts after Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Spring Statement. She warns disabled people and those with mental health problems face income cuts and urges Executive ministers to act on mitigations.
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: Chancellor's Spring Statement to the House of Commons 2025 Original release: Hanna: Cutting welfare support not the way to balance the books (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston welcomes DUP statement on Grand Central Station Irish signage
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston welcomes DUP’s Deborah Erskine statement on the planned Irish‑language signage at Grand Central station, saying the proposal should be withdrawn and referred to a cross‑community Executive vote, whether via his petition or Unionist ministers.
Disability and equality Infrastructure and transport Issue: Irish language signage at Grand Central Station announcement Original release: Gaston welcomes DUP statement on Grand Central Station Irish signage (opens in a new tab)
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DfI & Translink must answer questions about Grand Central
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine, who chairs the Infrastructure Committee, calls on the infrastructure minister and Translink's chief executive to explain why no equality impact assessment was done before £145,000 was allocated to bilingual signage at Grand Central station. She says she will seek full…
Disability and equality Infrastructure and transport Issue: Irish language signage at Grand Central Station announcement Original release: DfI & Translink must answer questions about Grand Central (opens in a new tab)