Latest releases
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2,516 releases
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Independent EPA key to strengthening environmental governance, says Blair, following publication of report
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes the interim report of the Independent Panel on Environmental Governance, backing its recommendation for an independent Environmental Protection Agency. He urges Executive parties to fully support the final recommendations expected this…
Environment and climate Issue: Independent Panel on Environmental Governance interim report publication Original release: Independent EPA key to strengthening environmental governance, says Blair, following publication of report (opens in a new tab)
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O’Dowd ignoring crumbling water infrastructure: O’Toole
SDLP Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole says Finance Minister John O'Dowd refuses to acknowledge a funding crisis at NI Water, despite Fiscal Council warnings, and calls for a funding plan, citing Lough Neagh pollution and social housing targets.
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: NI Water funding crisis and Finance Minister's refusal to acknowledge it Original release: O’Dowd ignoring crumbling water infrastructure: O’Toole (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Executive failing young people with SEN
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says the Executive is letting down young people with special educational needs, arguing the Economy Minister's new post-school support proposals fall well short and calling for joined-up, fully resourced help.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Economy Minister's post-school proposals for pupils with additional needs Original release: Durkan: Executive failing young people with SEN (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew challenges Communities Minister over ‘irresponsible’ social media post
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew questioned Communities Minister Gordon Lyons on actions to secure safe housing for families driven from their Ballymena homes by racist thugs and condemned the minister’s recent Larne Leisure Centre social media post as irresponsible.
Housing Disability and equality Issue: Gordon Lyons social media post on Larne community centre housing Original release: Gildernew challenges Communities Minister over ‘irresponsible’ social media post (opens in a new tab)
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Minister’s statement on SEN protections must be backed up with action…
DUP MLA Phillip Brett, Chair of Stormont's Economy Committee, welcomes the Economy Minister's statement on special educational needs protections as a step forward, but calls for decisive action and legislative safeguards for young people moving into further education, skills and training.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Economy Minister's statement on SEN transition protections Original release: Minister’s statement on SEN protections must be backed up with action… (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin committed to improving support for children with special educational needs – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker welcomes Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald's Assembly proposals to expand post-school options, strengthen further education transitions through new legislation, and fund college accessibility upgrades. He urges Health and Education ministers to commit to the changes.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Economy Minister's post-school proposals for pupils with additional needs Original release: Sinn Féin committed to improving support for children with special educational needs – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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South Belfast racist graffiti ‘deplorable’ – Hargey
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey condemns racist graffiti sprayed on a home in Chadwick Street, south Belfast, calling the behaviour hateful and urging anyone with information to contact the PSNI so those responsible can face justice.
Disability and equality Issue: Racist graffiti on a home in Chadwick Street, south Belfast Original release: South Belfast racist graffiti ‘deplorable’ – Hargey (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP opposition to demand action and accountability after race riots
SDLP Opposition Leader Matthew O'Toole MLA demands a coordinated Executive response to the recent riots, including more PSNI resources, updated hate crime laws and timelines for refugee integration and racial equality strategies. The party also calls for clarity on any loyalist paramilitary…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Ballymena and Larne race riots and Executive response Original release: SDLP opposition to demand action and accountability after race riots (opens in a new tab)
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Violence in Portadown deplorable and unacceptable, says Tennyson
Alliance Upper Bann MLA Eóin Tennyson condemns overnight violence in Portadown, in which police were attacked and 22 officers injured, calling it deplorable and unacceptable. He says those responsible do not speak for the town's majority and expresses solidarity with migrant and ethnic minority…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Portadown overnight violence against police and migrant communities Original release: Violence in Portadown deplorable and unacceptable, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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Boyle condemns suspected arson attack in Coleraine
Alliance councillor Yvonne Boyle, an Alderman, condemns an overnight arson attack on a Coleraine home that police are treating as racially motivated, and urges anyone with information to contact the PSNI or Crimestoppers.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Coleraine house arson attack treated as racially motivated Original release: Boyle condemns suspected arson attack in Coleraine (opens in a new tab)
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Egan and Muir condemn racist graffiti in Bangor
Alliance North Down MLAs Connie Egan and Andrew Muir condemn racist graffiti in Bangor, including on a residential property, and say they have asked the PSNI and NI Housing Executive to remove and investigate it urgently. They urge anyone with information to contact police or Crimestoppers.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Racist graffiti in Bangor condemned by Alliance MLAs Original release: Egan and Muir condemn racist graffiti in Bangor (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison Welcomes the British Heart Foundation to Stormont
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison welcomes the British Heart Foundation to Parliament Buildings, where it showcased its Classroom RevivR tool to the Education Committee, and urges local businesses to register defibrillators.
Health Education Original release: Mathison Welcomes the British Heart Foundation to Stormont (opens in a new tab)
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Brooks welcomes progress on proposals for new South Belfast greenway
Alliance Balmoral Councillor Tara Brooks says she is pleased a feasibility study has been commissioned for a proposed greenway in Belfast's Blackstaff area, which followed a 2023 Alliance council motion. The study will consider links to Adelaide Train Station and alternatives such as a walking…
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Blackstaff area South Belfast greenway feasibility study commissioned Original release: Brooks welcomes progress on proposals for new South Belfast greenway (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister cuts first sod on new £45m school for Abbey…
DUP Education Minister Paul Givan marks the start of a £45m Department of Education project to build a new school at Abbey Community College on the Three Mile Water site, due for completion in November 2027.
Education Infrastructure and transport Issue: Abbey Community College new school construction start Original release: Education Minister cuts first sod on new £45m school for Abbey… (opens in a new tab)
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‘No child should be priced out of a school because of the cost of a uniform’ – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker says the School Uniforms Bill offers a chance to modernise uniform policy, and calls for proposals covering affordability, accessibility for children with special educational needs, and allowing girls to wear trousers.
Education Disability and equality Issue: School Uniforms Bill Education Committee sitting Original release: ‘No child should be priced out of a school because of the cost of a uniform’ – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister continuing to delay publishing school uniform guidance, says Alliance
Alliance MLAs Nick Mathison and Michelle Guy say the Education Minister has still not shared draft statutory guidance on school uniforms during the Committee's scrutiny of the School Uniform Bill, and call on him to end the delay. They say the Department has no timeline for finalising the guidance.
Education Issue: Education Minister delay in publishing school uniform guidance Original release: Education Minister continuing to delay publishing school uniform guidance, says Alliance (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney appeals for community calm in Antrim Town and support for local police
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, appeals for calm in Antrim Town after speaking with senior PSNI management about a racist protest near the Holiday Inn Hotel. He asks for assurances that resources are sufficient and calls for united leadership against racism and neo-Nazi paramilitarism.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Racist protest near Holiday Inn Hotel in Antrim Town Original release: Kearney appeals for community calm in Antrim Town and support for local police (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin is committed to making school uniforms more affordable – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says his party will push to make school uniforms more affordable, calling for an end to single-supplier contracts, more flexibility to buy cheaper items, fewer branded items and enforceable guidance. He says the minister's proposed legislation needs strengthening through…
Education Issue: Post-committee proposals on school uniform affordability and legislation Original release: Sinn Féin is committed to making school uniforms more affordable – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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O’Dowd calls for political leadership amid reports of racist protest in Portadown
Sinn Féin MLA John O'Dowd urges politicians, especially those with influence in greater Portadown, to distance themselves from a reported racist protest planned for Thursday evening and publicly back a boycott. He cites a flyer suggesting homes and a hostel could be targeted.
Community relations and legacy Disability and equality Issue: Reported racist protest planned for Portadown on Thursday evening Original release: O’Dowd calls for political leadership amid reports of racist protest in Portadown (opens in a new tab)
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Finucane condemns attacks on homes in north Belfast
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane condemns suspected racist attacks on homes near the Ballysillan area of north Belfast, says the families affected will be contacted for support, and urges anyone with information to contact the PSNI.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Suspected racist attacks on homes near Ballysillan, north Belfast Original release: Finucane condemns attacks on homes in north Belfast (opens in a new tab)