Latest releases
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1,378 releases
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Robust police action needed to end racist and sectarian intimidation – Kearney
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, calls for robust police operations and prosecutions to end racist and sectarian intimidation in Antrim Town, including targeting of ethnic minority families in Ballycraigy and flags placed across the town centre.
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: Racist and sectarian intimidation in Antrim Town Ballycraigy estate Original release: Robust police action needed to end racist and sectarian intimidation – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Sheerin welcomes publication of Sinn Féin Easy Read Manifesto
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin says the party has published an easy read version of its Westminster election manifesto, making it accessible to people with disabilities and learning difficulties. She says it was produced with disabled people.
Disability and equality Issue: Sinn Féin easy read Westminster election manifesto publication Original release: Sheerin welcomes publication of Sinn Féin Easy Read Manifesto (opens in a new tab)
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TUV challenges Tesco on exclusion of Northern Ireland from Armed Forces Day offer
TUV candidate for Lagan Valley Lorna Smyth, an RAF veteran, writes to Tesco's Chief Executive urging it to reverse its decision to exclude Northern Ireland from its free breakfast offer for armed forces members on Armed Forces Day. She questions the decision and asks Tesco to revisit it.
Disability and equality Issue: Tesco Armed Forces Day free breakfast excludes Northern Ireland Original release: TUV challenges Tesco on exclusion of Northern Ireland from Armed Forces Day offer (opens in a new tab)
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Additional £20 Million for Social Housing welcome but Insufficient - Allen
East Belfast UUP MLA and Housing spokesperson Andy Allen MBE welcomes an extra £20 million for social housing starts in the June monitoring round but says it is far from enough, estimating around 600 homes. He calls on the Executive to make a strong appeal to Westminster for a UK-wide strategy and…
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Monitoring round funding announcement ahead of the 2024 general election Original release: Additional £20 Million for Social Housing welcome but Insufficient - Allen (opens in a new tab)
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People Before Profit Contests Westminster Election
People Before Profit announces three Westminster candidates for the 4 July election: Shaun Harkin in Foyle, Gerry Carroll MLA in West Belfast and Fiona Ferguson in North Belfast. It says Labour would keep most Tory policies and calls for Palestine to be a key election issue.
International affairs Housing Issue: 2024 Westminster election Original release: People Before Profit Contests Westminster Election (opens in a new tab)
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SEN school placements must be suitable and appropriate – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker says many children with special educational needs still lack suitable school places for September and urges the Education Minister to adopt a ‘SEN first’ strategy that embeds SEN pupils in schools’ planned enrolments, giving families assurance and schools clarity.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Shortfall of SEN school places for September 2024 Original release: SEN school placements must be suitable and appropriate – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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Ms Mulholland welcomes introduction of hybrid working for Council groups
Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland welcomes Assembly approval of remote meetings regulations for councils, saying they give councillors with disabilities, caring duties or rural constituencies more flexible participation. She voices concern that each council will set its own hybrid working rules, which…
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Assembly approval of local government remote meetings regulations 2024 Original release: Ms Mulholland welcomes introduction of hybrid working for Council groups (opens in a new tab)
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DUP will continue to champion case of WASPI women – Shannon
DUP Westminster candidate Jim Shannon says a DUP MPs team will keep campaigning for WASPI women seeking redress over state pension age changes, welcoming the Ombudsman's finding of maladministration by the DWP and urging the next government to deliver full compensation. He criticises Labour and…
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman WASPI maladministration report Original release: DUP will continue to champion case of WASPI women – Shannon (opens in a new tab)
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Executive Office must move much faster on race relations, says Bradshaw, marking Refugee Week.
Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw, chair of the Stormont Executive Office Committee, calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to show greater urgency in developing and implementing a new Race Relations Strategy that includes refugee integration, marking Refugee Week.
Immigration International affairs Original release: Executive Office must move much faster on race relations, says Bradshaw, marking Refugee Week. (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Public must be protected from defective building materials
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan MLA says the public must be shielded from defective building materials and tables an amendment to the Defective Premises Bill to boost compensation for victims of mica and pyrite scandals, urging all parties to support it.
Housing Issue: Defective Premises Bill amendment on defective building materials Original release: McCrossan: Public must be protected from defective building materials (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw calls for public's views on gaps in equality legislation
Alliance Executive Office Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA calls for public views via a survey for an Assembly Executive Office Committee inquiry comparing Northern Ireland's equality law with neighbouring jurisdictions, citing gaps after Brexit.
Disability and equality Issue: Assembly Executive Office Committee equality legislation inquiry survey Original release: Bradshaw calls for public's views on gaps in equality legislation (opens in a new tab)
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Kurtis Dickson installed as new Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council
Alliance Downshire East Councillor Kurtis Dickson was sworn in as Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, becoming the council’s youngest and first openly LGBTQIA+ mayor. He says he will boost youth involvement, promote mental‑well‑being and champion environmental issues.
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Kurtis Dickson installed as Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh Original release: Kurtis Dickson installed as new Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council (opens in a new tab)
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Minister to launch budget consultation
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons launches a consultation on his initial decisions for the Department for Communities 2024-25 budget, running from 11 June to 3 September 2024, citing a £115.8m resource and £167.3m capital shortfall. Decisions include a £1.45m increase for the voluntary and…
Public finance and taxation Housing Issue: Department for Communities 2024-25 budget consultation Original release: Minister to launch budget consultation (opens in a new tab)
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New requirements for smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms in…
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announces new regulations setting minimum standards for alarms in private rental homes, including smoke alarms in main living rooms and circulation areas, heat alarms in kitchens and carbon monoxide alarms near fixed appliances. Compliance deadlines for existing…
Housing Issue: Section 8 regulations on alarms in private rental properties Original release: New requirements for smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms in… (opens in a new tab)
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Lee-Surginor becomes Deputy Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, and first civic dignitary from a Chinese ethnic background
Alliance Councillor David Lee-Surginor says he is honoured to be installed as Deputy Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, and pledges to prioritise tourism, support flood-affected businesses and voluntary groups facing funding cuts, and promote equality.
Local government Disability and equality Issue: David Lee-Surginor installed as Deputy Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down Council Original release: Lee-Surginor becomes Deputy Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, and first civic dignitary from a Chinese ethnic background (opens in a new tab)
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TUV calls for clarity from local parties following belated Tory announcement on legal definition of sex
TUV Lagan Valley candidate Lorna Smyth calls on local parties to set out their own position on a legal definition of sex, after the Conservatives announced a clarification in law. She says the Tories have been in power for over a decade and questions whether they are serious about it.
Disability and equality Issue: Conservative announcement on legal definition of sex Original release: TUV calls for clarity from local parties following belated Tory announcement on legal definition of sex (opens in a new tab)
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Micky Murray officially installed as Belfast Lord Mayor
Alliance Balmoral Councillor Micky Murray says he has been installed as Lord Mayor of Belfast, the eighth Alliance councillor to hold the office, and thanks outgoing Lord Mayor Ryan for his term. He pledges to connect with homelessness workers, community groups, sports clubs and artists.
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Micky Murray installed as Lord Mayor of Belfast Original release: Micky Murray officially installed as Belfast Lord Mayor (opens in a new tab)
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Molloy condemns disgraceful racist vandalism in Cookstown
Sinn Féin MP Francie Molloy condemns racist vandalism in Cookstown over the weekend, including swastika displays and derogatory graffiti, saying such behaviour has no place in the community and hoping those responsible are found.
Community relations and legacy Disability and equality Issue: Cookstown racist vandalism including swastikas and graffiti Original release: Molloy condemns disgraceful racist vandalism in Cookstown (opens in a new tab)
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Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael blocking development in the Midlands North West – MacManus
Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus accuses successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael governments of failing to invest properly in the Midlands North West, citing housing and transport deficiencies. He says Sinn Féin is committed to reopening the Western Rail Corridor and delivering large-scale social and…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Original release: Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael blocking development in the Midlands North West – MacManus (opens in a new tab)
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Rise in race hate crimes reinforces need for new Race Relations Strategy, says Alliance TEO representatives
Alliance MLAs Paula Bradshaw and Connie Egan say a reported rise in race hate incidents in 2023/24, shown in PSNI and NISRA figures, makes the case for publishing and implementing a revised race relations framework and modernised laws, and urge the First and deputy First Minister to act.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: PSNI and NISRA race hate incident figures for 2023/24 Original release: Rise in race hate crimes reinforces need for new Race Relations Strategy, says Alliance TEO representatives (opens in a new tab)