Latest releases
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2,516 releases
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TUV challenges the Equality Commission on its attitude to Irish language in light of polling evidence
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston writes to the Equality Commission challenging it to produce evidence that Irish language signage is a neutral act, citing LucidTalk and Analogical Research polling on unionist reaction. He asks the Commission to reassess its position, consider a 'chill factor' effect on…
Disability and equality Issue: Irish language signage at Grand Central Station announcement Original release: TUV challenges the Equality Commission on its attitude to Irish language in light of polling evidence (opens in a new tab)
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Delargy welcomes progress towards consultation on student nursing bursaries
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy welcomes confirmation from Health Minister Mike Nesbitt that a public consultation on student nursing and midwifery bursaries will begin in the coming months. He says the review will assess whether current bursary provision suits students now.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Health Minister confirms consultation on student nursing bursaries Original release: Delargy welcomes progress towards consultation on student nursing bursaries (opens in a new tab)
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Marriage Equality was a vote for hope, equality and inclusion – Mary Lou McDonald TD
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald marks the tenth anniversary of the Irish marriage equality referendum, calling it a vote for hope, equality and inclusion, and says transphobia and homophobia must be challenged.
Disability and equality Original release: Marriage Equality was a vote for hope, equality and inclusion – Mary Lou McDonald TD (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister marks construction work on new £38m school for…
The DUP's Education Minister Paul Givan marks the start of construction on a £38 million new school building for Strangford Integrated College in Carrowdore, funded by the Department of Education under the Fresh Start capital programme.
Education Infrastructure and transport Issue: Strangford Integrated College new school building construction start Original release: Education Minister marks construction work on new £38m school for… (opens in a new tab)
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All-island approach needed to address biodiversity crisis – Réada Cronin TD
Sinn Féin spokesperson Réada Cronin TD urges the government to take an island-wide approach to biodiversity loss during Dáil statements, citing poor habitat and bird species figures and calling for stronger Marine Protected Areas legislation.
Environment and climate Constitutional affairs Issue: Dáil statements on biodiversity Original release: All-island approach needed to address biodiversity crisis – Réada Cronin TD (opens in a new tab)
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Use of force to maintain discipline has no place in 2025, says Guy
Alliance education spokesperson Michelle Guy MLA urges the Education Minister to stop delaying and bring forward legislation updating restrictive practices in schools, including repeal of Article 4(1)(c) which allows force for good order. She says the current guidance gap between education and…
Education Issue: Restrictive practices in education legislation after Education Committee evidence session Original release: Use of force to maintain discipline has no place in 2025, says Guy (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister attends Education World Forum in London
The DUP reports that Education Minister Paul Givan attended the Education World Forum in London, where he gave a keynote on Northern Ireland's approach to building an inclusive education system and met counterparts and the City of London Academies Trust.
Education Original release: Education Minister attends Education World Forum in London (opens in a new tab)
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No place for racism or intimidation in our society – Donnelly
Sinn Féin councillor Pádraig Donnelly condemns those behind a suspected racially motivated attack on a home in east Belfast late on Tuesday night. He calls on political and community leaders to challenge such behaviour and urges anyone with information to contact police.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: East Belfast suspected racially motivated attack on home Original release: No place for racism or intimidation in our society – Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
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Home childcare services must be supported in upcoming childcare strategy – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason says the Education Minister must include Approved Home Childcare services in the forthcoming childcare strategy and deliver a comprehensive, affordable plan that supports families and providers of children with physical or additional needs.
Education Disability and equality Issue: NICMA report on childcare for children with additional needs Original release: Home childcare services must be supported in upcoming childcare strategy – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Allister welcomes Wrightbus to Westminster
TUV MP Jim Allister welcomes Wrightbus's hydrogen bus display at Parliament as North Antrim MP, calls for government to prioritise UK manufacturing in zero emission bus rollout and support diesel bus conversions, and hopes Wrightbus expands into hydrogen coaches at Galgorm.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Wrightbus hydrogen bus display at Parliament Original release: Allister welcomes Wrightbus to Westminster (opens in a new tab)
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New Nutrients Action Programme Proposals Will Devastate Family Farms Without Delivering Real Environmental Gains
TUV vice chairman Causeway Councillor Allister Kyle says proposed Nutrients Action Programme measures for 2026–2029 would harm small and medium farms, citing slurry spreading limits, a 3-metre buffer strip and low emission equipment rules. He calls on the Department to redraft the programme and…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: DAERA consultation on Nutrients Action Programme review and 2026-2029 programme Original release: New Nutrients Action Programme Proposals Will Devastate Family Farms Without Delivering Real Environmental Gains (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter welcomes Economy Minister climb down on tuition fees
SDLP MLA Cara Hunter welcomes the Economy Minister's reversal on raising university tuition fees, saying it vindicates young people's voices. She credits student activists and SDLP pressure, and calls for fair university funding and firmer Executive leadership.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Economy Minister's decision not to raise university tuition fees Original release: Hunter welcomes Economy Minister climb down on tuition fees (opens in a new tab)
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Last-minute funding request doesn’t provde long-term solution for…
DUP Economy spokesperson Phillip Brett, North Belfast MLA, says the Economy Minister's last-minute request for extra university funding is stopgap money that offers no long-term solution. He calls for proper dialogue with Ministers and universities and a strategic approach to higher education…
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Economy Minister's request for additional university funding Original release: Last-minute funding request doesn’t provde long-term solution for… (opens in a new tab)
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Minister Archibald to seek additional funding for universities from Executive
Sinn Féin's Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald says she has asked Executive colleagues to prioritise Higher Education in the June Monitoring Round, and will not support student fee rises beyond the usual level of inflation.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Economy Minister's request for additional university funding Original release: Minister Archibald to seek additional funding for universities from Executive (opens in a new tab)
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Court challenge an attempt to undermine school ethos: Lockhart
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says a forthcoming Supreme Court case on religious instruction and worship in state schools is an attempt to remove them from schools with a Christian ethos. She stresses that parents can withdraw children and hopes the court protects the opt-out and school ethos.
Education Issue: Supreme Court hearing on religious education and collective worship opt-out Original release: Court challenge an attempt to undermine school ethos: Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Sheerin welcomes pay deal for FE lecturers
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin welcomes the pay deal for further education lecturers, confirmed by Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald after unions accepted an offer covering 2024/25 and 2025/26. She says it recognises lecturers' work and pledges to keep working with unions and employers.
Economy and employment Education Issue: Further education lecturers pay deal agreed with unions Original release: Sheerin welcomes pay deal for FE lecturers (opens in a new tab)
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Whyte condemns racist graffiti
SDLP North Belfast councillor Carl Whyte condemns racist 'Muslims out' graffiti, featuring a firearm's cross hairs, in North Belfast, saying it has been removed after he reported it to the council and urging anyone with information to contact police.
Disability and equality Issue: North Belfast 'Muslims out' racist graffiti removal Original release: Whyte condemns racist graffiti (opens in a new tab)
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TUV Chair Warns of Trans Lobby Influence in Local Government
TUV chairman Councillor Keith Ratcliffe says he has asked Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council to seek assurances on single-sex toilet use at the August Lurgan Pride event in Lurgan Park. He also calls for the council's staff guidance on transgender access to be brought into line with the…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Supreme Court ruling on legal definition of a woman council facilities Original release: TUV Chair Warns of Trans Lobby Influence in Local Government (opens in a new tab)
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Allister: Assisted Dying Bill is a Dangerous Charter for Death
TUV leader Jim Allister MP criticises the Assisted Dying Bill as a danger to vulnerable people, arguing it lacks safeguards, including on mental capacity and minors, and urges MPs to reject it.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Assisted Dying Bill Committee Stage amendments and vote Original release: Allister: Assisted Dying Bill is a Dangerous Charter for Death (opens in a new tab)
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Hargey appeals for information following ‘despicable’ racist attack
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey describes a racially motivated assault on a man near the City Hospital in south Belfast, reportedly carried out by up to 15 teenagers who stole his bike. She appeals for anyone with information to contact the PSNI and says those involved must be brought to justice.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: South Belfast racially motivated assault near City Hospital bike theft Original release: Hargey appeals for information following ‘despicable’ racist attack (opens in a new tab)