Latest releases
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3,065 releases
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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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Data confirms Protocol damage to GB to NI Trade
TUV leader Jim Allister KC MP says new ONS data shows GB firms trading with Northern Ireland have fallen sharply since 2020, blaming the Protocol, rebranded as the Windsor Framework, for the decline.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: ONS data on GB-NI trade by business sector Original release: Data confirms Protocol damage to GB to NI Trade (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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Border posts to stay, it seems, despite proclaimed deal
TUV leader Jim Allister MP says a parliamentary answer shows no UK-EU deal removing SPS checks exists, so Irish Sea border posts at Northern Ish ports may still be needed, calling the proclaimed deal smoke and mirrors.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: UK-EU Reset Deal announcement Original release: Border posts to stay, it seems, despite proclaimed deal (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: A New Ireland is the only route back to Europe
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says a united Ireland is the only realistic way back into the EU, ahead of an Assembly Opposition motion marking nine years since the Brexit vote and urging other parties to accept it.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Assembly Opposition motion on a New Ireland and EU rejoining Original release: O’Toole: A New Ireland is the only route back to Europe (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin: Political failure denying mothers and babies care they need
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin calls for urgent funding to create Northern Ireland’s first specialist Mother and Baby Unit, saying the continued reliance on general psychiatric wards separates mothers from infants and reflects a broader failure to prioritise women’s health.
Health Disability and equality Original release: McLaughlin: Political failure denying mothers and babies care they need (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood seeks clarity on BBC geoblocking
SDLP MP Colum Eastwood has written to BBC Northern Ireland's director asking for confirmation that the broadcaster will not add geoblocking to its news content, after weekend reports it was considering such a move. He argues restricting cross-border news access would harm audiences and the public…
Constitutional affairs Issue: BBC considering geoblocking of news content for Republic of Ireland audiences Original release: Eastwood seeks clarity on BBC geoblocking (opens in a new tab)
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A new constitutional future in the EU ‘best for island’ – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says the best future for the island is repairing Brexit's damage through deeper EU ties and Irish unity via a referendum. He welcomes EU and UK engagement on a new relationship but wants details on the north. He calls for observer status for northern MEPs and an EU…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Assembly motion on a European future for the north Original release: A new constitutional future in the EU ‘best for island’ – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Green Party NI Slams Delay on Safe Leave for Domestic Abuse Victims
Green Party Councillor for Holywood & Clandeboye Lauren Kendall says the delay in bringing in Safe Leave for domestic abuse victims is unacceptable, noting regulations may not be in place until late 2026. She calls on the Economy Minister to act urgently on the Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Act.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) regulations delay until late 2026 Original release: Green Party NI Slams Delay on Safe Leave for Domestic Abuse Victims (opens in a new tab)
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Ulster Unionist Councillor, Leah Kirkpatrick, becomes first-ever female Antrim and Newtownabbey Mayor
The Ulster Unionist Party announces that councillor Leah Kirkpatrick will become Antrim and Newtownabbey's first woman mayor, succeeding a run of ten men since the 2015 super council was formed. Alderman Mark Cosgrove and South Antrim MLA Steve Aiken praise her record on accessibility and…
Local government Disability and equality Original release: Ulster Unionist Councillor, Leah Kirkpatrick, becomes first-ever female Antrim and Newtownabbey Mayor (opens in a new tab)
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Gillian McCollum and Vicky Moore selected as Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down
Alliance Councillors Gillian McCollum and Vicky Moore say they have been appointed Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down for 2025/26, pledging to promote belonging, support families with learning disabilities, tackle the mental‑health crisis, end violence against women and girls, fightpover
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Appointment of Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down Original release: Gillian McCollum and Vicky Moore selected as Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down (opens in a new tab)
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Richard Stewart announced as Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
Alliance Causeway Councillor Richard Stewart says he will become Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, making him the first openly gay person to take that role in the Council's history. He says he hopes the appointment signals that everyone has a place in public life.
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Richard Stewart appointed Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Original release: Richard Stewart announced as Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council (opens in a new tab)
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UK-EU Reset Deal Is a Sell-Out
TUV North Down chairman Peter Wilson calls the UK-EU Reset Deal a betrayal of the Union, arguing that the Irish Sea border persists through new Larne port border posts and EU customs and SPS rules. He accuses the DUP of repackaging surrender as success.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: UK-EU Reset Deal announcement Original release: UK-EU Reset Deal Is a Sell-Out (opens in a new tab)
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Good Friday Agreement Committee must build on progress from last term – Hughes
Sinn Féin MP for Newry and Armagh Dáire Hughes says the Oireachtas Good Friday Agreement Committee must build on its last-term work on legacy, all-island healthcare and constitutional change. He calls for proactive engagement with northern voices, including unionist and British identity voices.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Joint Oireachtas Good Friday Agreement Committee first meeting of new term Original release: Good Friday Agreement Committee must build on progress from last term – Hughes (opens in a new tab)
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EU-British agreement to reduce trade barriers welcome, but we need to talk about legacy – Kathleen Funchion MEP
Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion welcomes parts of the EU-British agreement announced at the May 19 UK-EU Summit but warns of caution, arguing the British government is using the reset to reinterpret agreements. She says the Legacy Act breaches the ECHR and Article 2 of the Windsor Framework, and…
Community relations and legacy International affairs Issue: UK-EU summit on 19 May 2025 Original release: EU-British agreement to reduce trade barriers welcome, but we need to talk about legacy – Kathleen Funchion MEP (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister cuts first sod at Kilronan Special School
Education Minister Paul Givan cuts the first sod on a £4.9 million School Enhancement Programme at Kilronan Special School, Magherafelt, announcing a single‑storey extension with specialist classrooms and support facilities, and saying the investment will benefit pupils, staff and local families and
Education Disability and equality Issue: Kilronan Special School SEP project start Original release: Education Minister cuts first sod at Kilronan Special School (opens in a new tab)
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Lavery welcomes Pride approval for Lurgan Park
Alliance Lurgan Councillor Peter Lavery welcomes the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council vote, passed 16 to 14, allowing Lurgan Pride to hold its August event in Lurgan Park. He criticises DUP and TUV opposition as shameful and discriminatory.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Lurgan Pride event approval in Lurgan Park by ABC Council Original release: Lavery welcomes Pride approval for Lurgan Park (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister’s painfully slow progress on delivery frustrating, says Armstrong
Alliance's Kellie Armstrong MLA says the Communities Minister's slow progress on social strategies, including anti-poverty, disability and LGBTQI+ plans, is delaying their outcomes. She questions the 'phased approach' used and calls for urgency before the multi-year budget.
Disability and equality Original release: Communities Minister’s painfully slow progress on delivery frustrating, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)