Latest releases
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3,914 releases
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Chancellor’s Tax Hikes Must Deliver for Health and Policing
UUP finance spokesperson Steve Aiken OBE MLA warns that the Chancellor's Whitehall statement signalling significant tax rises and debt reduction will backfire if not followed through. He calls for any extra UK funding from the Barnett formula to go to health worker pay and to the PSNI.
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Chancellor's Whitehall statement on tax rises and national debt Original release: Chancellor’s Tax Hikes Must Deliver for Health and Policing (opens in a new tab)
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Butler Calls for Crackdown on Fireworks Following Growing Community Distress
UUP Deputy Leader Robbie Butler MLA calls for a full review of fireworks legislation after Halloween disruption, citing a family whose dog died following severe anxiety and distress to veterans and people with trauma. He argues the 2002 Explosives (Fireworks) Regulations no longer meet current…
Justice and policing Health Issue: Halloween fireworks misuse and Explosives (Fireworks) Regulations 2002 review call Original release: Butler Calls for Crackdown on Fireworks Following Growing Community Distress (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong calls for a NI Fuel Poverty Strategy now
Alliance's Kellie Armstrong MLA urges the Communities Minister to publish a targeted fuel poverty strategy before the upcoming Budget, citing National Energy Action NI findings that many households went without heating and that fuel poverty worsens health and mental wellbeing.
Social security and welfare Housing Issue: National Energy Action NI fuel poverty briefing Original release: Armstrong calls for a NI Fuel Poverty Strategy now (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood welcomes Hillsborough Law second reading
Alliance Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood welcomes the second reading of the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, known as Hillsborough Law, while warning that families must not face delays or weakened provisions. She points to Northern Ireland cases including the Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac…
Justice and policing Health Issue: Public Office (Accountability) Bill second reading in Parliament Original release: Eastwood welcomes Hillsborough Law second reading (opens in a new tab)
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We need more EV charging infrastructure in Belfast, says Long, welcoming progress
Alliance Belfast City Council Group Leader Councillor Michael Long welcomes council's agreement to begin tendering for the operating model of 42 EV charging stations on council land, after a Sinn Féin deferral. He calls for more charging infrastructure across Belfast to encourage electric vehicle…
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Belfast City Council EV charging stations tender decision Original release: We need more EV charging infrastructure in Belfast, says Long, welcoming progress (opens in a new tab)
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Suicide Prevention Training Bill will help equip frontline workers with skills that can save lives – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn welcomes strong support for her proposed Suicide Prevention Training Bill after a consultation closed. It would require public-sector employers to train frontline staff in health, education and social care on preventing suicide.
Health Issue: Suicide Prevention Training Bill consultation outcome Original release: Suicide Prevention Training Bill will help equip frontline workers with skills that can save lives – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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Rate of progress investigating cervical screening scandal not fast enough, says Guy, ahead of Assembly motion
Alliance Lagan Valley MLA Michelle Guy says progress investigating the Southern Trust cervical screening scandal is too slow, ahead of an Assembly motion urging the Health Minister to set up a statutory public inquiry into the matter.
Health Issue: Southern Trust cervical screening scandal Assembly motion on statutory inquiry Original release: Rate of progress investigating cervical screening scandal not fast enough, says Guy, ahead of Assembly motion (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin condemns west Belfast racially motivated hate incident
Sinn Féin councillor Ronan McLaughlin condemns a racially‑motivated hate attack in west Belfast’s Glen Road, offers sympathy to the affected family, says there is no place for racism, praises the community’s hospitality, pledges to support the family and urges anyone with details to contact the PSNI
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Racist hate incident in Glen Road, west Belfast Original release: McLaughlin condemns west Belfast racially motivated hate incident (opens in a new tab)
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Protecting health and protecting rights must go hand in hand - Dodds
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA welcomes the Health Minister's decision to drop the Public Health Bill, saying the draft proposals amounted to an overreach that risked giving the Department of Health sweeping powers without democratic oversight. She says any future framework should be…
Health Issue: Health Minister drops Public Health Bill plans Original release: Protecting health and protecting rights must go hand in hand - Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Forsythe: NI Health Funds Should Benefit NI Patients
South Down DUP MLA Diane Forsythe questions the Department of Health's oversight of over £125 million in university fees for medical and health degrees over three years. She says that graduates face no obligation to work in Northern Ireland and calls on the Health Minister to require funded…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Department of Health spending on medical student university fees Original release: Forsythe: NI Health Funds Should Benefit NI Patients (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Flynn calls for Fireworks Law Review after tragic animal death
Green Party Cllr Anthony Flynn calls for the Department of Justice and Justice Minister to commission a full review of fireworks laws after footage showed a family dog suffering a stroke and being put to sleep. He says the 2002 regulations are outdated and urges limits on private use, stricter…
Justice and policing Health Issue: Fireworks law review call after family dog's death Original release: Cllr Flynn calls for Fireworks Law Review after tragic animal death (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong expresses concern over fare increases for Strangford Ferry
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong criticises the Infrastructure Minister's decision to raise Strangford Ferry fares for a second consecutive year, warning of harm to commuters, students and outpatients attending Downe Hospital, and asks for the calculation and internal efficiencies behind the rise.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Strangford Ferry fare increase consultation 2025 Original release: Armstrong expresses concern over fare increases for Strangford Ferry (opens in a new tab)
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DUP must act to prevent their Irish language commissioner interfering in Grand Central case
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says Conradh na Gaeilge's statement on the newly appointed Irish Language Commissioner is a manifesto for cultural conquest and calls on the DUP to use its claimed Executive veto to block any Commissioner interference in the Grand Central controversy.
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Issue: Pól Deeds appointed Irish Language Commissioner Original release: DUP must act to prevent their Irish language commissioner interfering in Grand Central case (opens in a new tab)
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‘Céim mhór chun cinn’ do Ghaeilgeoirí – Kearney
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, National Chairperson, welcomes the appointment of Pól Deeds as Irish Language Commissioner, which the Executive Office has announced, saying it marks a major advance for Irish speakers in the north. He says the commissioner will lead efforts to strengthen the language…
Disability and equality Issue: Pól Deeds appointed Irish Language Commissioner Original release: ‘Céim mhór chun cinn’ do Ghaeilgeoirí – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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TUV blasts appointment of Irish Language Commissioner
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says the appointment of Pol Deeds as Irish Language Commissioner is deeply troubling, citing his past declared Sinn Féin affiliation and advocacy for expanded Irish language legislation, and claims the DUP signed off on it.
Disability and equality Issue: Pól Deeds appointed Irish Language Commissioner Original release: TUV blasts appointment of Irish Language Commissioner (opens in a new tab)
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Mary Lou McDonald to speak in Westville Hotel at rural healthcare in a new Ireland event
Health Constitutional affairs Original release: Mary Lou McDonald to speak in Westville Hotel at rural healthcare in a new Ireland event (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter urges Department to deliver swift resolution to Kilrea bridge closure
SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter welcomes the Department for Infrastructure taking steps on structural work for the River Bann bridge in Kilrea, closed since September, but calls for dates and deadlines and warns against further delays to reopening.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Kilrea River Bann bridge closure Original release: Hunter urges Department to deliver swift resolution to Kilrea bridge closure (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone welcomes appointment of language commissioners
SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone welcomes the confirmation that Irish Language and Ulster Scots Commissioners will soon take up their posts, ending long uncertainty. He criticises the Executive for delays and asks the Executive Office to set out the experience of newly named appointees to the cultural body.
Disability and equality Issue: Pól Deeds appointed Irish Language Commissioner Original release: McGlone welcomes appointment of language commissioners (opens in a new tab)
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Language Commissioners must build trust not division - Butler
UUP Deputy Leader Robbie Butler MLA says the newly appointed Language Commissioners and the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression director must prove they serve the public and build trust. He criticises the Sinn Féin and DUP talks process as sidelining others, and urges value for money and…
Disability and equality Issue: Office of Identity and Cultural Expression appointments announced Original release: Language Commissioners must build trust not division - Butler (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw welcomes appointment of Language Commissioners
Alliance Executive Office Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw welcomes the First and deputy First Minister's sending of letters of offer to Pól Deeds and Lee Reynolds, appointees as Irish Language and Ulster-Scots Commissioners. She says the process took too long and looks forward to them presenting their…
Disability and equality Issue: Identity and Language Act Commissioner appointments delay Original release: Bradshaw welcomes appointment of Language Commissioners (opens in a new tab)