Latest releases
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2,922 releases
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McGrath: DfI failure has compromised Cassey Water Bridge
SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath says DfI's failure to act on earlier warnings has compromised the Cassey Water Bridge outside Kilkeel, claiming the department dismissed the risk to the weir beneath it. He calls on the Minister to take inspections more seriously and work with landowners.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Cassey Water Bridge structural damage and DfI weir response Original release: McGrath: DfI failure has compromised Cassey Water Bridge (opens in a new tab)
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Begley welcomes Minister’s decision to appeal A5 ruling
Sinn Féin MP Órfhlaith Begley welcomes Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins's plan to appeal a recent A5 court ruling, saying the appeal is one option for progressing the road scheme. She also backs the minister's pledge to act robustly and says the upgrade would save lives, boost trade and create…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: DfI Minister's appeal against the A5 court ruling Original release: Begley welcomes Minister’s decision to appeal A5 ruling (opens in a new tab)
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TUV demands Infrastructure Minister accepts the writing’s on the wall when it comes to Grand Central – and it’s not in Irish
TUV deputy leader Councillor Ron McDowell calls on the Infrastructure Minister to abandon the Irish-language signage case at Grand Central station, saying the Executive's legal advice shows she lacked authority, and to disclose how much public money has been spent.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Grand Central station Irish-language signage legal advice Original release: TUV demands Infrastructure Minister accepts the writing’s on the wall when it comes to Grand Central – and it’s not in Irish (opens in a new tab)
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Planned roadworks mustn't bring city to a halt: Brett
DUP MLA Phillip Brett calls on the Infrastructure Minister to stop Belfast grinding to a halt during planned M3 Lagan Bridge closures, after weekend gridlock delayed emergency services. He also blames Sinn Féin and the SDLP for stalling the York Street Interchange scheme.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: M3 Lagan Bridge closure gridlock in Belfast Original release: Planned roadworks mustn't bring city to a halt: Brett (opens in a new tab)
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Erskine comments on A5 appeal
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine, Chair of the Assembly Infrastructure Committee, says the DfI Minister's appeal of the A5 ruling is valid but will take time. She questions how it will address climate targets cited by the judge and urges the Minister to pursue interim road safety measures and fair…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: DfI Minister's appeal against the A5 court ruling Original release: Erskine comments on A5 appeal (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston raises concerns with Minister Lyons following “drag queen story time” for children event
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston has written to Communities Minister Gordon Lyons over a drag story time event for children at Holywood Arches Library, asking whether Libraries NI approved it, for a review of criteria for child-targeted library events, and for confirmation that safeguarding checks on…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Holywood Arches Library drag story time event for children Original release: Gaston raises concerns with Minister Lyons following “drag queen story time” for children event (opens in a new tab)
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Jon Burrows signs into Stormont as the new Ulster Unionist MLA for North Antrim
Ulster Unionist MLA Jon Burrows has formally signed into Stormont as the new MLA for North Antrim, pledging to serve all constituents and be visible and accessible. He also welcomed the support of the local UUP councillors and association.
Other Issue: Jon Burrows signs into Stormont as North Antrim MLA Original release: Jon Burrows signs into Stormont as the new Ulster Unionist MLA for North Antrim (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance representatives pay tribute to former Alliance Councillor David Reid
Alliance figures including leader Naomi Long MLA, MEA Group Leader Councillor Lauren Gray and North Antrim MLA Sian Mulholland mourn David Reid, a former Braid councillor in Mid and East Antrim, who has died aged 35 after a cancer battle.
Other Local government Original release: Alliance representatives pay tribute to former Alliance Councillor David Reid (opens in a new tab)
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Criminal Probe Into Asbestos in South Belfast Raises Serious Questions for NIEA and Landowners — Issues Gaston Highlighted in a Letter Last Month
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says a NIEA criminal investigation into asbestos at Meridi Street, off the Donegall Road, is overdue and calls for answers on the site's history. He questions why the land owner's links were given little attention and demands transparency over NIEA action since 2018.
Environment and climate Issue: NIEA criminal investigation into asbestos at Meridi Street, South Belfast Original release: Criminal Probe Into Asbestos in South Belfast Raises Serious Questions for NIEA and Landowners — Issues Gaston Highlighted in a Letter Last Month (opens in a new tab)
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Action needed to eliminate foul odour – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew urges Environment Minister Andrew Muir to hold an urgent meeting on foul odours from the Sawgrass/Northway factory, after the smell forced a local GAA summer camp to move and caused vomiting among children, calling for swift action by the minister and the Environment Ag
Environment and climate Issue: Sawgrass/Northway factory foul odour affecting GAA summer camp Original release: Action needed to eliminate foul odour – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Donnelly condemns racially motivated hate crimes in Larne
Alliance Larne Lough Councillor Maeve Donnelly condemns racially motivated criminal damage to two houses in Larne, where police are investigating graffiti and property damage in Hampton Crescent and Doric Way. She urges anyone with information to contact police immediately.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Larne racially motivated criminal damage to two houses investigation Original release: Donnelly condemns racially motivated hate crimes in Larne (opens in a new tab)
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Finnegan calls for long-term local fishing support
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan welcomes the £3.25m Marine Environment and Fisheries Fund from the environment department but says it must become long-term funding beyond a one-year offer. She also presses the British government to clarify local fisheries support under its May Fishing and Coastal…
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: Marine Environment and Fisheries Fund £3.25m support announcement Original release: Finnegan calls for long-term local fishing support (opens in a new tab)
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TUV Challenges Irish Medium Sector on Lack of Newcomer Intake
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston calls for urgent scrutiny of the Irish medium sector after Assembly answer figures showed just 20 newcomer pupils in Irish medium primary schools and none in post-primary. He says the sector should take its fair share of newcomer children.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Assembly answer on newcomer pupil enrolment in Irish medium schools Original release: TUV Challenges Irish Medium Sector on Lack of Newcomer Intake (opens in a new tab)
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Lockhart Secures High-Level Meeting with Airport Chiefs Over…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says Belfast International Airport senior executives have agreed to meet her and constituents over reports of humiliating security screening experiences involving stoma bags. She also says she has contacted Belfast City Airport about sharing training, and will work with…
Disability and equality Health Issue: Belfast International Airport meeting over stoma bag security screening complaints Original release: Lockhart Secures High-Level Meeting with Airport Chiefs Over… (opens in a new tab)
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Brett: Department must end delays and deliver urgent aviation strategy
DUP Economy Spokesperson Phillip Brett MLA says the Department for the Economy has failed to produce an aviation policy and calls for urgent action, including a funded Route Development Fund and a strategy covering all Northern Ireland airports.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Original release: Brett: Department must end delays and deliver urgent aviation strategy (opens in a new tab)
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Tree Protection Bill
Alliance Party calls for a Tree Protection Bill to strengthen legal protections for single trees, groups of trees and ancient woodland, citing a NIPSO report finding only one of 369 reported tree protection breaches led to enforcement action. The bill would reinforce Tree Preservation Orders…
Environment and climate Issue: Tree Protection Bill consultation and NIPSO tree protection breaches report Original release: Tree Protection Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Banning Conversion Practices
Alliance MLA Eóin Tennyson proposes a Private Members' Bill to ban conversion practices in Northern Ireland, creating two new offences: engaging in conversion practice, and removing a person from Northern Ireland for that purpose.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Private Members' Bill to ban conversion practices in Northern Ireland Original release: Banning Conversion Practices (opens in a new tab)
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United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Obligation on Public Authorities) Bill
Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly is introducing a Bill that would require public authorities in Northern Ireland to give statutory due regard to the rights set out in the UN disability treaty, UNCRPD, when developing and reviewing policies and decisions.
Disability and equality Issue: UNCRPD public authorities due regard Bill introduction Original release: United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Obligation on Public Authorities) Bill (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath expresses concern over future of Tollymore National Outdoor Centre
SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath voices alarm over Tollymore National Outdoor Centre's future after Sport NI announced a strategic review while the centre stays shut. He cites redundancy consultation with some staff and says the SDLP will press the Communities Minister to keep the centre open.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Sport NI Strategic Review of Tollymore National Outdoor Centre closure Original release: McGrath expresses concern over future of Tollymore National Outdoor Centre (opens in a new tab)
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Blair welcomes DAERA Minister’s commitment to key environmental decisions
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's commitment to a series of environmental strategies this Assembly mandate, citing a written answer. He calls for political will across the chamber and reform of the Executive approval process, which he says is…
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's environmental strategies commitment for remainder of mandate Original release: Blair welcomes DAERA Minister’s commitment to key environmental decisions (opens in a new tab)