Latest releases
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1,463 releases
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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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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)
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More work needed on restraint and seclusion guidance, say Mathison and Nicholl
Alliance MLAs Nick Mathison and Kate Nicholl say more work is needed on the Department of Education's draft statutory guidance on restraint and seclusion in schools, citing concerns over SEND children, teacher training and misalignment with Department of Health guidance.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Department of Education draft restraint and seclusion statutory guidance Original release: More work needed on restraint and seclusion guidance, say Mathison and Nicholl (opens in a new tab)
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Call for action against ‘deep fake’ content influencing elections
DUP MP Gregory Campbell calls for action against AI-generated 'deep fake' video and other offensive content, particularly where it could be used to influence the General Election outcome. He raised the issue with the Minister for Women and Equalities in Parliament and urges continued action and…
Disability and equality Original release: Call for action against ‘deep fake’ content influencing elections (opens in a new tab)
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Tennyson pledges to work on banning cruel conversion practices
Alliance MLA Eóin Tennyson says he will seek the Speaker's permission to introduce a private member's bill banning conversion practices if the Communities Minister does not bring forward legislation. He cites recent research on their continued harm in Northern Ireland, ahead of LGBT Awareness Week.
Disability and equality Original release: Tennyson pledges to work on banning cruel conversion practices (opens in a new tab)
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Egan and Mathison welcome fair employment legislation for teachers coming into operation
Alliance's Connie Egan and Nick Mathison welcome the start of operation of fair employment legislation covering teachers, which ends their exclusion and bars recruitment discrimination on grounds of religion across Northern Ireland.
Disability and equality Education Issue: Fair employment legislation for teachers comes into operation Original release: Egan and Mathison welcome fair employment legislation for teachers coming into operation (opens in a new tab)
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Baker calls on education minister to explore ‘SEN first’ approach
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker urges the education minister to make children with special educational needs a priority in school admissions, proposing a system that incorporates SEN pupils into schools’ planned enrolment figures so they receive support from the start of term.
Education Disability and equality Original release: Baker calls on education minister to explore ‘SEN first’ approach (opens in a new tab)
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Every child deserves access to literature, says Bower, as motion passes on reading materials for refugee children
Alliance Ormiston Councillor Christine Bower says her motion, passed at the People & Communities Committee, asks the Council to examine free native-language reading materials and literacy tools for refugee children. A report on costings and delivery will return to committee for a final vote.
Education Local government Issue: Council motion on free native-language reading materials for refugee children Original release: Every child deserves access to literature, says Bower, as motion passes on reading materials for refugee children (opens in a new tab)
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Autism reviewer must be appointed: Erskine
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine calls for an autism reviewer to be appointed without further delay, arguing the post costs under £40,000 of the Health budget and that the Minister's deferral over funding pressures is unjustified.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Delay in appointing autism reviewer under Autism Act Original release: Autism reviewer must be appointed: Erskine (opens in a new tab)
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More must be done to tackle inequalities facing people with disabilities, following report, says Donnelly
Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly says more must be done at Westminster and Stormont to tackle inequalities facing disabled people after a UN committee report on UK compliance with the UNCRPD. He calls on the Executive Office and Department for Communities to act and urges Assembly action on…
Disability and equality Social security and welfare Issue: UN UNCRPD committee report on rights of persons with disabilities in the UK Original release: More must be done to tackle inequalities facing people with disabilities, following report, says Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
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Sheehan welcomes half of one billion plan for special schools
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan welcomes the education minister's announcement of £500 million to prioritise building special educational needs facilities. He says children with additional needs deserve first-class facilities and calls for every child with special educational needs to have a school…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Minister announces SEN Capital Investment Programme Original release: Sheehan welcomes half of one billion plan for special schools (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister’s support for children with Special Educational…
East Antrim DUP MLA Cheryl Brownlee welcomes Education Minister Paul Givan's announcement of a Special Educational Needs Capital Investment Programme, saying the four‑strand plan on maintenance, equipment, specialist provisions and new schools will create a fairer, more inclusive environment for SEN
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Minister announces SEN Capital Investment Programme Original release: Education Minister’s support for children with Special Educational… (opens in a new tab)
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Investment programme in school facilities will support children with…
Education Minister Paul Givan announces a SEN Capital Programme for special schools, including up to eight new special schools over 10 years, new builds, extensions, specialist classes and £5million a year in maintenance plus £4million in equipment grants.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Minister announces SEN Capital Investment Programme Original release: Investment programme in school facilities will support children with… (opens in a new tab)
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Mason welcomes planning green light for Knockevin Special School
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason welcomes the education minister's announcement that planning for a replacement Knockevin school in Downpatrick will start immediately. She says the project will transform provision for pupils with special educational needs across South Down.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Knockevin Special School planning go-ahead announced by education minister Original release: Mason welcomes planning green light for Knockevin Special School (opens in a new tab)
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Belfast can become more inclusive, says incoming Alliance Lord Mayor
Alliance's South Belfast Councillor Micky Murray, incoming Lord Mayor, says he wants Belfast to become a more inclusive, livable and caring city during his term from 3 June. He pledges to meet people across the city, prioritise supporting vulnerable people and represent the LGBTQ+ community.
Disability and equality Local government Original release: Belfast can become more inclusive, says incoming Alliance Lord Mayor (opens in a new tab)
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Harkin: Reject Far-Right Divisive Abuse Of New Derry Mayor
Derry People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin condemns racist and divisive abuse aimed at Cllr Lilian Seenoi-Barr after her selection as incoming mayor of Derry City and Strabane, and says the party stands in solidarity with black and minoritised communities.
Disability and equality Immigration Issue: Lilian Seenoi-Barr Derry Mayor appointment Original release: Harkin: Reject Far-Right Divisive Abuse Of New Derry Mayor (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP makes history selecting Barr as next Mayor of Derry and Strabane
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood says he is proud the party has chosen Councillor Lilian Barr as its nominee for Mayor of Derry and Strabane, which would make her the first black Mayor in the North. Eastwood praises her community work with migrants and her role in the council.
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Lilian Seenoi-Barr Derry Mayor appointment Original release: SDLP makes history selecting Barr as next Mayor of Derry and Strabane (opens in a new tab)
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SEN children must be placed suitably and on time – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker calls on the Education Minister to ensure pupils with special educational needs are placed in suitable schools on time this September, after the Department warned schools of a shortfall in SEN places.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Department of Education warning on SEN places for September Original release: SEN children must be placed suitably and on time – Baker (opens in a new tab)