Latest releases
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2,025 releases
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Repeal of ban on languages other than English in courts needs follow-up action from First and deputy First Minister, says Bradshaw
Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Paula Bradshaw welcomes the Secretary of State’s decision to start the fourth section of the Identity and Language (NI) Act 2022, which clarifies the repeal of the ban on non‑English languages in courts, and urges the First and deputy First Minister to promptly
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Commencement of Section 4 of the Identity and Language Act Original release: Repeal of ban on languages other than English in courts needs follow-up action from First and deputy First Minister, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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“We have lost a great patriot who lived his life for the freedom and unity of Ireland”
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald sends condolences after the death of Bik McFarlane, describing him as a lifelong republican and a key figure in the H-Blocks and the peace process. She pays tribute to his music and extends sympathy to his family.
Other Constitutional affairs Original release: “We have lost a great patriot who lived his life for the freedom and unity of Ireland” (opens in a new tab)
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Statement from Gerry Kelly on death of Brendan ‘Bik’ McFarlane
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly offers condolences on the death of Brendan 'Bik' McFarlane, a long-standing republican he describes as a friend and comrade who died after a brief illness. Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.
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Children with special educational needs in Irish-medium schools must not be left behind – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason urges the Health and Education departments to act urgently on support for children with special educational needs in Irish-medium schools, after a joint committee meeting. She says there is no clear picture of allied health professionals in the sector and calls for…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Joint Health and Education Committees meeting on SEN support in Irish-medium schools Original release: Children with special educational needs in Irish-medium schools must not be left behind – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Immediate action needed to address gaps in community SEN services – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon urges health and justice officials to coordinate so young people and adults with complex needs are not held in the justice system. She cites a teenage girl remanded in custody despite being bail-eligible, citing gaps in respite and residential provision.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Remand of teenage girl with complex needs due to lack of support services Original release: Immediate action needed to address gaps in community SEN services – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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‘On-site nurse must be restored to Knockevin Special School’ – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason calls on the Departments of Education and Health to work with the South Eastern Trust to quickly reinstate the on-site nurse at Knockevin Special School, after the Trust withdrew that support. She says the school was not consulted.
Health Education Issue: Knockevin Special School on-site nurse withdrawal by South Eastern Trust Original release: ‘On-site nurse must be restored to Knockevin Special School’ – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna pays tribute to Bríd Rodgers on 90th birthday
SDLP leader Claire Hanna MP marks 90th birthday of party president Bríd Rodgers, praising her as an inspiration and recognising her role in the civil rights movement, the Good Friday Agreement and early Stormont Executive. A birthday event in her honour is due in Derry.
Other Disability and equality Original release: Hanna pays tribute to Bríd Rodgers on 90th birthday (opens in a new tab)
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Sign Language Bill will deliver positive change for deaf community – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew welcomes the Assembly's vote to move the Sign Language Bill to the next stage of scrutiny, saying it will recognise Irish and British Sign Language and improve deaf people's access to education, health and justice services.
Disability and equality Issue: Sign Language Bill second stage Assembly vote Original release: Sign Language Bill will deliver positive change for deaf community – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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McAteer names Eastside Greenways one of High Sheriff charities
Alliance Councillor Fiona McAteer, now High Sheriff of Belfast, says she will support Eastside Greenways during her term, praising its work on the Connswater Community Greenway in east Belfast.
Environment and climate Local government Original release: McAteer names Eastside Greenways one of High Sheriff charities (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath welcomes Minister’s commitment to explore access to muscular dystrophy drugs
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA welcomes Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's pledge to engage the Belfast Trust on getting Givinostat, a drug for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, to young patients such as 12-year-old Alfie Pentony from Newry.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Givinostat access for Duchenne patients raised in Assembly topical question Original release: McGrath welcomes Minister’s commitment to explore access to muscular dystrophy drugs (opens in a new tab)
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Protecting Women and Girls' Spaces.
DUP MLA Peter Martin praises the Northern Ireland Women's Rights Network for its evidence to the Executive Office Committee and says the party will continue to protect women and girls' spaces, criticising other Assembly parties' stance.
Disability and equality Issue: Northern Ireland Women's Rights Network evidence to Executive Office Committee Original release: Protecting Women and Girls' Spaces. (opens in a new tab)
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Gabhann Reilly comhghairdeas le Kneecap
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly congratulates the rap group Kneecap on their success in film, after their IFTA and BAFTA wins, and praises their work promoting the Irish language on the global stage. She also links their success to awareness of political and social causes, including Palestine.
Disability and equality Original release: Gabhann Reilly comhghairdeas le Kneecap (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP has a problem with common sense – Brooks
East Belfast DUP MLA David Brooks says the SDLP's reaction to DUP Leader Gavin Robinson's comments on diversity quotas shows it puts ideology ahead of common sense, and accuses the party of intolerance towards differing views.
Disability and equality Issue: DUP Leader Gavin Robinson comments on woke diversity quotas Original release: SDLP has a problem with common sense – Brooks (opens in a new tab)
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Congratulations to Andy Allen at the Invictus Games
UUP Leader Mike Nesbitt MLA congratulates Andy Allen, his colleague, on winning four medals at the Invictus Games in Whistler, and says he has asked the Speaker to host a welcome home event for him.
Other Disability and equality Issue: Andy Allen Invictus Games medals in Whistler Original release: Congratulations to Andy Allen at the Invictus Games (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Representative police service not about ‘woke quotas’
SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan says a representative police service is not about 'woke quotas', responding to DUP Leader Gavin Robinson's email to members. He says the PSNI falls far short of reflecting the community and calls for more recruitment from nationalist backgrounds, women and minority groups…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: DUP Leader Gavin Robinson comments on woke diversity quotas Original release: Durkan: Representative police service not about ‘woke quotas’ (opens in a new tab)
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Lack of access to respite care absolutely unacceptable, says Mathison.
Alliance Strangford MLA Nick Mathison says it is unacceptable that only 13 of 85 eligible people in the South Eastern Trust receive residential respite, and presses the Health Minister for clarity on how a £13 million short-break investment is being spent and how many young people await a social…
Health Disability and equality Issue: South Eastern Trust residential short breaks access figures Original release: Lack of access to respite care absolutely unacceptable, says Mathison. (opens in a new tab)
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Weir marks Holocaust Memorial Day
DUP Peer Lord Weir, speaking in the House of Lords on Holocaust Memorial Day, marks the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz-Birkenau's liberation and warns that genocide and antisemitism remain relevant today, including in Northern Ireland. He highlights Millisle's refuge and Millisle Primary's memorial…
Disability and equality International affairs Original release: Weir marks Holocaust Memorial Day (opens in a new tab)
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Foyle Pride highlight incompatibility of public bodies participating…
Foyle DUP MLA Gary Middleton says a Foyle Pride statement backs up the DUP's long-standing view that police, the BBC and other public bodies are incompatible with taking part in the Pride Parade, which he calls a protest. He also calls for health services to focus on helping young people harmed by…
Disability and equality Health Issue: Foyle Pride statement on public sector involvement in Pride Parade Original release: Foyle Pride highlight incompatibility of public bodies participating… (opens in a new tab)
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Brogan welcomes the return of ancestral human remains to Hawaii
Sinn Féin Culture, Arts and Sport spokesperson Nicola Brogan MLA welcomes the Ulster Museum's decision to repatriate ancestral human remains and sacred objects to Hawaii, praising the leadership shown and urging other museums, such as the British Museum, to follow suit.
Other Issue: Ulster Museum repatriation of Hawaiian ancestral remains Original release: Brogan welcomes the return of ancestral human remains to Hawaii (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter questions Minister’s top marks on Irish language
SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA questions Education Minister Paul Givan's self-assessed 'A' grade on Irish language education, citing mobile classrooms, unimplemented 2008 review recommendations, Foras na Gaelige funding cuts and a lack of Irish language representation on a…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Minister Givan's Irish language education performance grade in Assembly Original release: Hunter questions Minister’s top marks on Irish language (opens in a new tab)