Latest releases
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3,454 releases
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Other parties must step up and support Minister on tackling Lough Neagh crisis, says Blair following suspension of eel fishing
Alliance AERA spokesperson John Blair MLA says other parties must step up and support the Minister in tackling the Lough Neagh crisis, following the Lough Neagh Fishermen's Co-Operative Society's decision to suspend commercial eel fishing for the 2025 season.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Lough Neagh commercial eel fishing suspended for remainder of 2025 season Original release: Other parties must step up and support Minister on tackling Lough Neagh crisis, says Blair following suspension of eel fishing (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone urges support after eel fishing suspended
SDLP AERA spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA asks Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir for an immediate support package for businesses and seasonal workers hit by the suspension of eel fishing on Lough Neagh, which he blames on years of pollution and political inaction.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Lough Neagh commercial eel fishing suspended for remainder of 2025 season Original release: McGlone urges support after eel fishing suspended (opens in a new tab)
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Minister must urgently establish financial support scheme for commercial fishermen – Kearney
SDLP... no, Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney urges the Agriculture Minister to set up a crisis support fund for eel fishermen after commercial eel fishing on Lough Neagh was suspended for the rest of the 2025 season. He also says the Irish government must engage directly, including meeting local…
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: Lough Neagh commercial eel fishing suspended for remainder of 2025 season Original release: Minister must urgently establish financial support scheme for commercial fishermen – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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British government must ensure 16 and 17 year olds can vote in 2027 elections – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker welcomes the British government's plan to extend the vote to 16 and 17-year-olds and calls for the legislation to be in place in time for the 2027 Assembly and Council elections in the north. The party says it will press London on this.
Constitutional affairs Issue: British government extension of voting age to 16 and 17-year-olds Original release: British government must ensure 16 and 17 year olds can vote in 2027 elections – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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Votes at 16 welcome, but it must be accompanied by changes to education curriculum - Butler
UUP MLA Robbie Butler, young people's spokesperson, welcomes votes at 16 but says it must be accompanied by changes to the education curriculum adding political education on how the Northern Ireland and UK voting systems work. He hopes this will encourage wider youth turnout.
Constitutional affairs Education Original release: Votes at 16 welcome, but it must be accompanied by changes to education curriculum - Butler (opens in a new tab)
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Votes at 16 must be implemented in time for next NI Assembly election, says Mulholland, welcoming plans
Constitutional affairs Original release: Votes at 16 must be implemented in time for next NI Assembly election, says Mulholland, welcoming plans (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna welcomes lowering of voting age
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP welcomes UK Government confirmation that voting at General Elections will be extended to 16 and 17-year-olds, and calls for the same rights to apply to Assembly and council elections.
Constitutional affairs Issue: UK Government confirmation of votes at 16 for General Elections Original release: Hanna welcomes lowering of voting age (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Less than three weeks to Save the A5
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan urges the Minister for Infrastructure to confirm the department is fully prepared to challenge the High Court’s A5 Western Transport Corridor ruling, noting the six‑week appeal deadline and demanding urgent, decisive action.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: High Court overturns A5 planning decision and budget uncertainty Original release: McCrossan: Less than three weeks to Save the A5 (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson tells Belfast Twelfth "When unionism is split, unionism…
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP tells the Belfast Twelfth field that unionism must unite and says a split vote cost Lagan Valley, calling for talks on strategy and electoral understanding ahead of the Assembly and Council elections. He also criticises the Windsor Framework.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Robinson tells Belfast Twelfth "When unionism is split, unionism… (opens in a new tab)
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Minister must urgently confirm funding for the Birch Hill Complex – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney calls on the Health Minister to urgently confirm a date for funding the new Birch Hill mental health complex in Antrim, after visiting Holywell Hospital and describing its deteriorating buildings as unfit for purpose.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Holywell Hospital visit and Birch Hill mental health funding delay Original release: Minister must urgently confirm funding for the Birch Hill Complex – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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NOT ON OUR WATCH –THE GPO WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO BE DESTROYED
Aontú, speaking at a public protest against Government-backed plans to redevelop the GPO for mixed use, says the building must not be destroyed. Speakers including TD Brian Stanley and Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín call for a united effort to stop the proposals.
Infrastructure and transport Constitutional affairs Issue: Government backing for GPO redevelopment plans Original release: NOT ON OUR WATCH –THE GPO WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO BE DESTROYED (opens in a new tab)
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We cannot risk bonfire damaging substation powering nearby hospitals, says Maghie, following new NIE information
Alliance Belfast councillor Jenna Maghie says new Northern Ireland Electricity information shows a bonfire near a South Belfast substation, close to hospitals, must not be allowed to cause damage. She welcomes the passing of an Alliance motion asking the council to explore hiring firms to remove…
Community relations and legacy Local government Issue: South Belfast substation bonfire risk near hospitals Original release: We cannot risk bonfire damaging substation powering nearby hospitals, says Maghie, following new NIE information (opens in a new tab)
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Needless road deaths a tragedy, say Armstrong and Egan, following deadly collisions in Ards and North Down
Alliance MLAs Kellie Armstrong and Connie Egan describe the overnight deaths of two young pedestrians, aged 12 and 16, in Portaferry and Bangor as senseless tragedies. Armstrong says she will keep engaging with police and urges witnesses to come forward.
Infrastructure and transport Justice and policing Issue: Overnight fatal pedestrian collisions in Portaferry and Bangor Original release: Needless road deaths a tragedy, say Armstrong and Egan, following deadly collisions in Ards and North Down (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: We need to get serious about environmental crime
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says environmental crime is not being taken seriously enough after the PPS decided not to appeal sentences for two men convicted over illegal dumping at Mobuoy near Derry. He calls on the Environment Minister and Justice Minister to urgently review sentencing…
Environment and climate Justice and policing Issue: PPS decision not to appeal Mobuoy illegal dumping sentences Original release: Durkan: We need to get serious about environmental crime (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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Civic Forum can be a vital tool to engage society and shape policy, says Dickson
Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA welcomes the First and deputy First Ministers' announcement to reconstitute the Civic Forum, but says it should have happened long ago. He questions whether it can be established by the end of this mandate and says Alliance will keep…
Constitutional affairs Issue: First and deputy First Ministers announce reconstitution of the Civic Forum Original release: Civic Forum can be a vital tool to engage society and shape policy, says Dickson (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)