Latest releases
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2,873 releases
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Churlish efforts to discourage use of Irish will not succeed – Ní Chonghaile
Sinn Féin councillor Maighréad Ní Chonghaile welcomes the dismissal of a complaint against her for speaking Irish at an Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council meeting. She calls on the council to adopt a proactive policy protecting Irish speakers' rights.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Complaint against Maighréad Ní Chonghaile for speaking Irish at Antrim and Newtownabbey council dismissed Original release: Churlish efforts to discourage use of Irish will not succeed – Ní Chonghaile (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Anthony Flynn defends Belfast City Hall's LGBTQ window as a vital cultural and historical landmark
Green Party Cllr Anthony Flynn defends the LGBTQ+ window at Belfast City Hall as an iconic landmark, citing its imagery and references to rights campaigns. He accuses the TUV of hypocrisy over a slogan in the design and says the TUV backed the window unanimously.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Belfast City Hall Pride window equality complaint and investigation Original release: Cllr Anthony Flynn defends Belfast City Hall's LGBTQ window as a vital cultural and historical landmark (opens in a new tab)
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Flexibility Isn’t Weakness, It’s Wisdom: Butler Backs Locally-Informed Climate Planning
UUP agriculture spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA welcomes the European Commission's more flexible 2040 climate target and calls for a co-designed Rural Climate and Energy Roadmap for Northern Ireland, with cross-departmental leadership and support for anaerobic digestion.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: European Commission 2040 climate target of 90% emissions reduction Original release: Flexibility Isn’t Weakness, It’s Wisdom: Butler Backs Locally-Informed Climate Planning (opens in a new tab)
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3,000 new wastewater connections unlocked in Derry positive news – Ferguson
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson welcomes Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins's announcement that 3,000 new homes in Derry can connect to the wastewater system, funded by £11 million from the June monitoring round. She says upgrading ageing wastewater infrastructure remains a party priority.
Infrastructure and transport Housing Issue: Derry 3,000 homes wastewater connections announcement by Infrastructure Minister Original release: 3,000 new wastewater connections unlocked in Derry positive news – Ferguson (opens in a new tab)
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TUV Action Prompts Investigation into Offensive City Hall Pride Window
TUV secretary and equality spokesperson Ann McClure says a formal complaint over Belfast City Council's City Hall "Pride" window has prompted an internal equality investigation, and calls for the offensive portion to be covered or removed, retrospective equality screening, consultation with faith…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Belfast City Hall Pride window equality complaint and investigation Original release: TUV Action Prompts Investigation into Offensive City Hall Pride Window (opens in a new tab)
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Stewart welcomes recognition of Portstewart Strand as UK Beach of the Year
Alliance Alderman Richard Stewart, Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Council, welcomes Portstewart Strand being ranked the top beach in the UK and Northern Ireland in a Times and Sunday Times guide, praising its scenery, water quality and community spirit.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Portstewart Strand ranked UK top beach in Times and Sunday Times guide Original release: Stewart welcomes recognition of Portstewart Strand as UK Beach of the Year (opens in a new tab)
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Environment and Nature Restoration Bill Consultation Responses
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says his Private Member's Bill would set binding environmental targets for air, water, soil and biodiversity, and calls for DAERA to set long-term and interim targets that public authorities must meet. He cites high air pollution levels.
Environment and climate Issue: Environment and Nature Restoration Bill public consultation responses Original release: Environment and Nature Restoration Bill Consultation Responses (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole urges Minister Muir to step up on asbestos bonfire
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole questions why Environment Minister Andrew Muir has not intervened at a bonfire site near Meridi Street in south Belfast containing asbestos. He calls on Muir to direct the NIEA to remove the risk before the bonfire is lit this week.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Asbestos at bonfire site near Meridi Street, south Belfast Original release: O’Toole urges Minister Muir to step up on asbestos bonfire (opens in a new tab)
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McAlpine condemns sinister graffiti in Millisle
Alliance Ards Peninsula representative Alderman Lorna McAlpine condemns racist graffiti daubed overnight on a residential property in Millisle, saying it does not reflect local people. She says the incident has been reported to police and urges anyone with information to contact them.
Disability and equality Issue: Millisle racist graffiti on residential property Original release: McAlpine condemns sinister graffiti in Millisle (opens in a new tab)
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O’Dowd calls for redevelopment or relocation of Lurgan police station
Sinn Féin MLA John O'Dowd says he has written to the PSNI Chief Constable asking for redevelopment or relocation of Lurgan town centre police station, which he describes as outdated and a barrier to regeneration. He urges exploring alternative modern sites elsewhere in the town.
Justice and policing Infrastructure and transport Original release: O’Dowd calls for redevelopment or relocation of Lurgan police station (opens in a new tab)
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European Parliament recognises that Irish environment knows no borders
Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan welcomes the European Parliament's Environment Committee adopting her amendment recognising the island of Ireland as a single ecological unit. The amendment, part of an opinion on the post-Brexit EU-UK trade agreement, also calls for more cooperation through Good Friday…
Environment and climate International affairs Issue: European Parliament Environment Committee adopts Boylan amendment on Ireland's ecology Original release: European Parliament recognises that Irish environment knows no borders (opens in a new tab)
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‘Time for decisive action to end foul odour at Warrenpoint Port’ – Ennis
Sinn Féin South Down MLA Sinéad Ennis says the party is resigning from the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority board over the foul odour from Refuse Derived Fuel storage and handling at Warrenpoint Port. She says concerns raised on the board were ignored and calls for a complete, permanent end to RDF…
Environment and climate Health Issue: Sinn Féin resignation from Warrenpoint Harbour Authority board over RDF odour Original release: ‘Time for decisive action to end foul odour at Warrenpoint Port’ – Ennis (opens in a new tab)
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Hughes welcomes boost for Newry
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes welcomes plans to connect 400 new Newry properties to the wastewater network, which he says will open the city to investment for a decade. He credits Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins and NI Water, and points to the minister's three-pronged approach to drainage and…
Infrastructure and transport Housing Issue: Newry wastewater connection for 400 new properties Original release: Hughes welcomes boost for Newry (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister must bring forward Irish language strategy – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew criticises the Communities Minister for not committing to a timeline for an Irish language strategy, following questioning in committee and a judicial review lodged by Conradh na Gaeilge.
Disability and equality Issue: Communities Minister Irish language strategy timeline delay Original release: Communities Minister must bring forward Irish language strategy – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Erskine calls for publication of NIW forensic accounting report
DUP Infrastructure Spokesperson Deborah Erskine calls on the Infrastructure Minister to publish the forensic accounting report into Northern Ireland Water now, after delays past its scheduled June submission and past the minister's promised publication date.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Northern Ireland Water forensic accounting report publication delay Original release: Erskine calls for publication of NIW forensic accounting report (opens in a new tab)
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Infrastructure Minister driving forward progress for planning system – Boylan
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan welcomes NISRA and Department for Infrastructure figures showing faster planning processing times for local and major applications from April 2024 to March 2025, including major applications' lowest annual processing time since 2015 devolution. He credits Infrastructure…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: NISRA planning statistics showing faster processing times April 2024 to March 2025 Original release: Infrastructure Minister driving forward progress for planning system – Boylan (opens in a new tab)
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“The Days of Dumping and Disappearing Must End” – Butler Demands Urgent Action on Waste Crime Crisis
UUP MLA Robbie Butler calls for immediate action after a Northern Ireland Audit Office report on waste crime, citing about £34 million in annual costs and only £1 million in court fines since 2019. He urges tougher penalties, asset seizure, cross-border enforcement and a Ministerial Statement from…
Environment and climate Justice and policing Issue: Northern Ireland Audit Office report on waste crime Original release: “The Days of Dumping and Disappearing Must End” – Butler Demands Urgent Action on Waste Crime Crisis (opens in a new tab)
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Westminster will never serve the interests of workers and families in Ireland – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew says Westminster will never serve workers and families on the island, criticising the chaos over proposed welfare cuts. He calls for continued opposition to cuts and proper investment in welfare and public services, and argues a united Ireland is the best option.
Social security and welfare Constitutional affairs Issue: Westminster welfare cuts proposals and parliamentary chaos Original release: Westminster will never serve the interests of workers and families in Ireland – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Targeted intimidation will not silence Ballymena Pride
SDLP Councillor Séamas de Faoite condemns what he calls a targeted intimidation act after slurry was laid along the route of Ballymena's first Pride parade. He praises organisers and volunteers for continuing the event and welcomes two arrests linked to the incident.
Disability and equality Issue: Slurry spread ahead of Ballymena Pride parade Original release: Targeted intimidation will not silence Ballymena Pride (opens in a new tab)
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Cara Hunter MLA: No child should lose their mother to violence
SDLP MLA Cara Hunter calls for urgent support for the children of a woman killed in Donaghadee and for a coordinated government response to violence against women and girls. She says the strategy's funding is at risk and calls for the Executive to work with the UK Government on online…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Donaghadee woman killing and violence against women strategy Original release: Cara Hunter MLA: No child should lose their mother to violence (opens in a new tab)