Latest releases
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3,065 releases
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Education Minister should ensure all schools play their part in providing SEN placements – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker calls on the Education Minister to ensure all schools, including grammar schools, provide special educational needs placements. He says non-selective schools have carried most of the load and calls for a new approach, and has called for a committee inquiry into the issue.
Education Disability and equality Original release: Education Minister should ensure all schools play their part in providing SEN placements – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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EU noose now tightens on farm machinery
TUV leader Jim Allister says the EU, through law 2023/1231, now requires agricultural vehicles and machinery moving from GB to NI to carry EU-prescribed labelling, which he calls a sovereignty grab. He argues this exposes the DUP-backed Donaldson deal as failing to remove the Irish Sea border.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Enforcement of EU requirements on used agricultural machinery from Great Britain Original release: EU noose now tightens on farm machinery (opens in a new tab)
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Crisis response from the Education Minister needed on SEN school placements, say Guy and Mathison
Alliance MLAs Michelle Guy and Nick Mathison say the Education Minister must explore all options to resolve the special educational needs placement crisis, after the Education Authority reported over 160 children still lack confirmed school places for next year.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Authority reports 160+ SEN children awaiting school places Original release: Crisis response from the Education Minister needed on SEN school placements, say Guy and Mathison (opens in a new tab)
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November must be the last Presidential election that excludes citizens in the North and the diaspora – Mary Lou McDonald TD
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald calls for November's presidential election to be the last to exclude Irish citizens in the North and abroad, and urges the government to set a referendum date and timeline. Her Dáil motion seeks presidential voting rights for citizens across the island and the…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Sinn Féin Dáil motion on presidential voting rights for citizens abroad Original release: November must be the last Presidential election that excludes citizens in the North and the diaspora – Mary Lou McDonald TD (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin introduce bill to end RTÉ’s second-class treatment of audiences in north – Hughes
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes welcomes a new Sinn Féin bill, introduced by TDs Aengus Ó Snodaigh and Joanna Byrne, to end RTÉ geo-blocking and the exclusion of northern audiences from its competitions. He says the bill would require broadcasters to make reasonable efforts and would ask Coimisiún na…
Disability and equality Issue: Broadcasting (All Ireland Service) Bill first-stage Dáil introduction Original release: Sinn Féin introduce bill to end RTÉ’s second-class treatment of audiences in north – Hughes (opens in a new tab)
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Secretary of State should listen to Omagh victims’ families – Robinson
DUP Leader Rt Hon Gavin Robinson MP says the Omagh bombing victims’ families, speaking at the public inquiry, demand that Secretary of State Hilary Benn apologise for praising the UK‑Ireland memorandum of understanding, which they deem unsatisfactory.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Secretary of State's remarks on Omagh Memorandum of Understanding at NIAC Original release: Secretary of State should listen to Omagh victims’ families – Robinson (opens in a new tab)
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FSB report confirms dire consequences of Protocol
TUV leader Jim Allister says a Federation of Small Businesses report shows worsening economic harm from the Irish Sea border, citing 58% of GB-to-NI traders reporting frictions and 34% having stopped trading. He calls on the UK government to act under Article 16.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: FSB Windsor Framework Realities report on Irish Sea border trade impacts Original release: FSB report confirms dire consequences of Protocol (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin to introduce bill to end second-class treatment of audiences in North by RTÉ – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD & Joanna Byrne TD
Sinn Féin TDs Aengus Ó Snodaigh and Joanna Byrne say they have been given leave to introduce a first-stage Dáil bill requiring RTÉ to end the exclusion of Six County audiences from its services, including geo-blocking and audience competitions.
Disability and equality Issue: Broadcasting (All Ireland Service) Bill first-stage Dáil introduction Original release: Sinn Féin to introduce bill to end second-class treatment of audiences in North by RTÉ – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD & Joanna Byrne TD (opens in a new tab)
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£200 million over next five years will be welcome boost for PSNI – Chambers
UUP Policing Board member Alan Chambers MLA welcomes the £200m over five years for the PSNI but says it is a stopgap, arguing the Patton Report's 7,500 officer target remains unmet after years of under-funding. He questions the £7m figure and whether the Executive has approved the funding, and…
Justice and policing Public finance and taxation Issue: £200m five-year PSNI funding announcement Original release: £200 million over next five years will be welcome boost for PSNI – Chambers (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP stands against Welfare Bill
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP backs two reasoned amendments, signed with Colum Eastwood, to block the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill at its Commons Second Reading. She warns the welfare reforms will push hundreds of thousands into poverty, hitting Northern Ireland hardest…
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill Commons Second Reading Original release: SDLP stands against Welfare Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Allister tables motion on 9th anniversary of Brexit referendum
TUV leader Jim Allister, MP for North Antrim, has tabled a Commons motion marking the ninth anniversary of the Brexit referendum. It says Brexit has not been delivered for Northern Ireland and calls on the UK government to restore control over the whole UK and manage the EU border through mutual…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Commons motion on ninth anniversary of Brexit referendum Original release: Allister tables motion on 9th anniversary of Brexit referendum (opens in a new tab)
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Education system continues to fail vulnerable young SEN people and their families, say Mathison and Guy
Alliance MLAs Nick Mathison and Michelle Guy say the education system is failing vulnerable SEN children, pointing to poor communication, delayed statements and over 150 pupils still without school places, and call for a radical overhaul and cross‑departmental legislation to secure post‑19 pathways.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Equity in Education event reveals SEN support failures Original release: Education system continues to fail vulnerable young SEN people and their families, say Mathison and Guy (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP condemns ‘appalling and disturbing’ attack on Belfast Islamic Centre
SDLP MPs and MLAs Claire Hanna and Matthew O'Toole condemn an attack on the Belfast Islamic Centre, where a device was thrown through a window during prayers. They call for consistent political leadership against hate and for the Executive to deliver its anti-racism and integration strategies.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Attack on Belfast Islamic Centre while people inside Original release: SDLP condemns ‘appalling and disturbing’ attack on Belfast Islamic Centre (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin welcomes new legislation on spiking but urges further action to protect women
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin welcomes the Justice Minister's move to bring forward a Legislative Consent Motion making drink spiking an offence in its own right, and calls for licensed venues to be required to supply testing kits.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Assembly approval of anti-spiking legislative consent motion Original release: McLaughlin welcomes new legislation on spiking but urges further action to protect women (opens in a new tab)
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Michelle O’Neill addresses Sinn Féin’s annual Wolfe Tone Commemoration at Bodenstown
Michelle O’Neill, Sinn Féin Leas Uachtarán, says the gathering at Bodenstown honors Wolfe Tone and urges accelerated work toward a united, sovereign Irish Republic, calling for a Citizens’ Assembly, unity referendums this decade and broader European lobbying.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Wolfe Tone Commemoration at Bodenstown Original release: Michelle O’Neill addresses Sinn Féin’s annual Wolfe Tone Commemoration at Bodenstown (opens in a new tab)
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Mary Lou McDonald in Malta for discussions on role of neutral states as voices for peace and justice
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald says she held meetings in Valletta with Maltese government ministers, Malta Labour Party leadership and trade union leaders on co-operation among neutral states for peace and international law. She also says the visit covered Irish reunification referenda and…
International affairs Constitutional affairs Original release: Mary Lou McDonald in Malta for discussions on role of neutral states as voices for peace and justice (opens in a new tab)
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TUV: Civil Service Must Address Concerns of Staff Opposed to Pride Participation
TUV Equality spokesperson Ann McClure says Timothy Gaston's questions to Finance Minister John O'Dowd on Civil Service participation in Belfast Pride received vague answers, and calls on the Civil Service and Minister to directly address concerns about impartiality and objecting staff.
Disability and equality Issue: NICS participation in Belfast Pride 2025 and Stonewall links Original release: TUV: Civil Service Must Address Concerns of Staff Opposed to Pride Participation (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney welcomes veterinary medicines agreement
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney welcomes a new EU–UK agreement that resolves Brexit-related difficulties in getting animal medicines to Northern Ireland, noting two new schemes will be set up to support it. He says the EU and British governments should build on their recent improved relations.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU-UK veterinary medicines agreement for Northern Ireland Original release: Kearney welcomes veterinary medicines agreement (opens in a new tab)
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Government still letting NI down on veterinary medicines
TUV leader Jim Allister says the government has failed to stand up to the EU over veterinary medicines supply to Northern Ireland, claiming ministers are steering supplies from the EU instead of GB. He disputes the government's figure of a 10-15% supply shortfall and says past internal market…
Agriculture and rural affairs International affairs Issue: Secretary of State statement on veterinary medicines supply Original release: Government still letting NI down on veterinary medicines (opens in a new tab)
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International cooperation key to addressing major global Issues – Hughes
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes says international cooperation is essential to tackling global challenges facing workers and families, after addressing the inaugural gathering of the European Left Alliance in Porto. He calls on the Irish government to begin planning for Irish reunification.
International affairs Constitutional affairs Issue: European Left Alliance inaugural congress in Porto Original release: International cooperation key to addressing major global Issues – Hughes (opens in a new tab)