Latest releases
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2,516 releases
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Newry, Mourne and Down Council backs Alliance motion calling for Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty
Alliance says Newry, Mourne and Down Council has backed its motion calling for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, making it the first Northern Ireland local authority to do so. Cllr Jill Truesdale and Cllr Cadogan Enright also criticise public subsidies for gas and call for grid investment in…
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Newry, Mourne and Down Council backs Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty motion Original release: Newry, Mourne and Down Council backs Alliance motion calling for Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (opens in a new tab)
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UK Government continuing to balance books on backs of the most vulnerable, says Eastwood
Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood says the UK Labour Government's first Spending Review confirms a failed austerity model, criticising cuts to disability support, the retention of the two child limit and the refusal to introduce a wealth tax, while welcoming NHS and Casement Park funding.
Public finance and taxation Social security and welfare Issue: UK Government first Spending Review 2025 Original release: UK Government continuing to balance books on backs of the most vulnerable, says Eastwood (opens in a new tab)
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‘We will continue to make the case for a just transition’ – McAleer
Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer calls on Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir to heed widespread concerns about the department’s Nutrient Action Programme after the Assembly voted to reject the proposals, urging proper farmer engagement, impact assessments and support for a just transition.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Assembly vote rejecting NAP proposals Original release: ‘We will continue to make the case for a just transition’ – McAleer (opens in a new tab)
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Punitive charges on workers and families not the answer to wastewater problems – Boylan
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan says a new Fiscal Council report on NI Water funding shows the impact of British government austerity, and backs Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins's plan to seek Executive funding, consult on developer contributions and legislate for sustainable drainage. He opposes…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Fiscal Council report on NI Water funding model Original release: Punitive charges on workers and families not the answer to wastewater problems – Boylan (opens in a new tab)
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Buchanan urges groups to apply for Ulster-Scots Music & Dance funding
Mid Ulster DUP MLA Keith Buchanan welcomes the Ulster-Scots Agency's new music and dance tuition funding scheme and urges eligible groups to apply, saying it will help pass these traditions on to younger generations.
Disability and equality Issue: Ulster-Scots Agency music and dance tuition funding programme launch Original release: Buchanan urges groups to apply for Ulster-Scots Music & Dance funding (opens in a new tab)
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DUP leads Assembly call to withdraw NAP consultation
Deputy Leader and DUP Agriculture Spokesperson Michelle McIlveen led an Assembly debate urging the DAERA Minister to pull back the consultation on the Nutrients Action Programme.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: DAERA consultation on Nutrients Action Programme review and 2026-2029 programme Original release: DUP leads Assembly call to withdraw NAP consultation (opens in a new tab)
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Report shows children and young people still facing 'widespread' sectarian bullying, says Guy
Alliance Education Spokesperson Michelle Guy MLA says new Anti-Bullying Alliance and Stranmillis University research shows sectarian bullying remains widespread among children and young people. She calls for the Executive to adopt a broader cross-community approach, including school-community…
Education Community relations and legacy Issue: Anti-Bullying Alliance and Stranmillis sectarian bullying research Original release: Report shows children and young people still facing 'widespread' sectarian bullying, says Guy (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Executive parties cynically abandoning commitment to Lough Neagh
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA accuses Sinn Féin, the DUP and the UUP of dropping their pledges to protect Lough Neagh after backing a motion to halt consultation on the AERA Minister's Nutrients Action Programme. He calls their earlier promises empty rhetoric and urges the…
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Assembly motion to halt consultation on Nutrients Action Programme Original release: O’Toole: Executive parties cynically abandoning commitment to Lough Neagh (opens in a new tab)
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Independent Environmental Protection Agency needed to prevent another Mobuoy-scale disaster - Gerry Carroll MLA
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll welcomes the launch of the public consultation on remediating the Mobuoy dump and calls for a public inquiry and an independent Environmental Protection Agency. Councillor Shaun Harkin says illegal dumping and pollution are going unchecked across the North.
Environment and climate Issue: Mobuoy dump remediation public consultation launch Original release: Independent Environmental Protection Agency needed to prevent another Mobuoy-scale disaster - Gerry Carroll MLA (opens in a new tab)
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Government must act now to better protect women and girls - Frew
DUP MLA for North Antrim Paul Frew calls on the Government to act urgently to protect women and girls, citing two recent serious sexual assaults on teenage girls in Ballymena. He urges the PSNI and statutory agencies to address challenges in Houses of Multiple Occupation and illegal immigration.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Ballymena sexual assaults on teenage girls Original release: Government must act now to better protect women and girls - Frew (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Punishment doesn’t fit crime at Mobuoy Dump
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says the sentences for two men convicted of illegal dumping at Mobuoy dump near Derry are too lenient, given the £40 m profit, water‑supply risk, A6 delay and up to £700 m cleanup cost, and calls for a full public inquiry and investment to make the site safe.
Environment and climate Justice and policing Issue: Sentencing of two men for Mobuoy dump illegal dumping Original release: Durkan: Punishment doesn’t fit crime at Mobuoy Dump (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance express serious concerns that Givan's Uniform Bill won't deliver for families
Alliance education spokespeople say the School Uniform Bill may fail families, citing unpublished Department guidance on branded items and affordability and officials' absence from committee. They call on the Education Minister to clarify branded PE kits, branded item limits and mandated equality…
Education Issue: School Uniform Bill committee stage and missing departmental guidance Original release: Alliance express serious concerns that Givan's Uniform Bill won't deliver for families (opens in a new tab)
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TUV question if Stonewall played a role in NICS attendance at Belfast Pride
TUV Equality Spokeswoman Ann McClure questions whether fear of falling in Stonewall's equality index influenced the Northern Ireland Civil Service's participation in Belfast Pride, and says TUV will table an Assembly question and submit a Freedom of Information request on the decision.
Disability and equality Issue: NICS participation in Belfast Pride 2025 and Stonewall links Original release: TUV question if Stonewall played a role in NICS attendance at Belfast Pride (opens in a new tab)
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Flawed Energy Rules Undermine Northern Ireland’s Green Goals says Armstrong
UUP economy spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA warns that Department for the Economy rules excluding interconnector-imported renewable power from 2030 targets could classify Scottish wind as fossil fuel, and calls for an urgent review.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Department for the Economy renewable energy accounting rules on interconnector imports Original release: Flawed Energy Rules Undermine Northern Ireland’s Green Goals says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Hargey welcomes move by Queen’s University to cut ties with Israel
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey welcomes Queen's University Belfast's decision to end all financial and academic links with Israel. She calls for sustained boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel and urges international leaders to halt what she describes as Israel's campaign in Gaza.
International affairs Education Issue: Queen's University Belfast cuts financial and academic ties with Israel Original release: Hargey welcomes move by Queen’s University to cut ties with Israel (opens in a new tab)
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Amanda Grehan officially installed as first female Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council
Alliance Alderman Amanda Grehan has been installed as Lisburn and Castlereagh's inaugural woman mayor, pledging inclusive leadership and naming Action Cancer as her mayoral charity, with an inclusivity-for-disabilities theme for her year.
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Amanda Grehan installed as Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council Original release: Amanda Grehan officially installed as first female Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (opens in a new tab)
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Buchanan questions PSNI on impact of Supreme Court Ruling on gender
DUP Mid Ulster MLA Keith Buchanan says the PSNI must urgently review its policies and practices, including strip searching and stop and search, following the Supreme Court ruling on sex-based protections. He says it should not wait for Equality Commission advice before acting.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Supreme Court ruling on gender and PSNI policy implications Original release: Buchanan questions PSNI on impact of Supreme Court Ruling on gender (opens in a new tab)
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Catney welcomes approval for Frederick Douglass commemoration
SDLP Lisburn North councillor Pat Catney welcomes council backing for a commemoration to abolitionist Frederick Douglass, including a £25,000 stained-glass memorial window at Lisburn First Presbyterian Church. The window would also honour two other abolitionists who spoke locally in the mid-1800s…
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Lisburn council approval of Frederick Douglass commemoration window Original release: Catney welcomes approval for Frederick Douglass commemoration (opens in a new tab)
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Finn proposes rainbow crossing to celebrate Newry’s LGBT+ community
SDLP Newry councillor Doire Finn calls on Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to add a rainbow crossing to planned repairs at the Sugar Island zebra crossing in Newry city centre, or consider another site, as a show of support for the local LGBT+ community.
Disability and equality Local government Original release: Finn proposes rainbow crossing to celebrate Newry’s LGBT+ community (opens in a new tab)
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Givan welcomes independent review of Northern Ireland Curriculum
Education Minister Paul Givan welcomes the findings of an independent review of the Northern Ireland curriculum, saying it exposes weaknesses and recommends a new knowledge‑rich framework and the creation of a Curriculum Taskforce, to be chaired by Christine Counsell.
Education Issue: Publication of independent Northern Ireland curriculum review Original release: Givan welcomes independent review of Northern Ireland Curriculum (opens in a new tab)