Latest releases
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980 releases
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Butler says better upland farming key to preventing Mourne wildfires
UUP MLA Robbie Butler, Agriculture Spokesperson and AERA Committee Chairman, reacts to Mourne Mountains wildfires with around 95 firefighters deployed, calling for better upland farming and gorse management to reduce fire risk and support grazing.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Mournes wildfires at Slievenaman Road and Bloody Bridge Original release: Butler says better upland farming key to preventing Mourne wildfires (opens in a new tab)
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Banning petroleum exploration and licensing ‘important step forward in protecting both people and the planet’ – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy welcomes the Petroleum Exploration and Licensing Bill in the Assembly, saying it bans petroleum exploration and licensing and credits Fermanagh and Leitrim communities who campaigned against fracking. She argues new fossil fuel exploration would be reckless amid climate…
Environment and climate Issue: Petroleum Exploration and Licensing Bill Assembly debate Original release: Banning petroleum exploration and licensing ‘important step forward in protecting both people and the planet’ – Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Proposed body to help tackle climate change ‘crucial’ – Finnegan
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan backs the proposed Just Transition Commission, put forward by the Environment Minister, saying it would help make climate change actions fair and measured while remaining effective. She says it would give agriculture, energy and infrastructure representation as the…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Proposed Just Transition Commission from the Environment Minister Original release: Proposed body to help tackle climate change ‘crucial’ – Finnegan (opens in a new tab)
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Hazzard praises fire crews tackling Mournes fires and urges public caution
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard thanks emergency services tackling two wildfires overnight in the Mournes at Slievenaman Road and Bloody Bridge, and urges the public to stay away from affected areas and heed the yellow wildfire warning.
Environment and climate Issue: Mournes wildfires at Slievenaman Road and Bloody Bridge Original release: Hazzard praises fire crews tackling Mournes fires and urges public caution (opens in a new tab)
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Mary Lou McDonald Ard Fheis address
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, in her Ard Fheis address, calls for an emergency budget with a substantial fuel excise cut, €400 electricity credits, a €500 disability payment and a permanent USC cut. She accuses Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael of failing working families and says the British…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Original release: Mary Lou McDonald Ard Fheis address (opens in a new tab)
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Lough Neagh fishermen must not become economic casualties of ongoing crisis – Kearney
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, says Lough Neagh fishermen must not become casualties of the ecological crisis after meeting DAERA Minister Andrew Muir ahead of the eel season. He calls for a comprehensive strategy to support fishermen and secure commercial fishing's future on the…
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: Lough Neagh eel fishing season 2026 uncertainty and DAERA engagement Original release: Lough Neagh fishermen must not become economic casualties of ongoing crisis – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Biomethane strategy must be based on treating waste and by-products, not distorting the agricultural system – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy says a biomethane strategy should focus on treating waste and by‑products rather than altering the agricultural system, urging local consultation, strong planning, robust regulation and direct benefits for rural communities.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Original release: Biomethane strategy must be based on treating waste and by-products, not distorting the agricultural system – Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Revise, don’t retreat Butler calls for realism on climate targets
UUP agriculture spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA urges a revision of the 2023-2027 Climate Action Plan targets rather than the DUP's proposed full withdrawal, citing energy and infrastructure failures and Stormont shutdowns. He says farmers must be central to any future plan and previews a UUP…
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: DUP motion calling for withdrawal of draft Climate Action Plan 2023-2027 Original release: Revise, don’t retreat Butler calls for realism on climate targets (opens in a new tab)
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Lyons announces agreement for home heating oil support
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons says the Executive has agreed a £36.4million package giving eligible households a £100 prepaid card for use at heating oil suppliers, targeting over 300,000 households hit by steep oil price rises.
Social security and welfare Economy and employment Issue: Executive £36.4million home heating oil support package Original release: Lyons announces agreement for home heating oil support (opens in a new tab)
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Hazzard welcomes Council support for Strangford Lough Bridge Study
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard welcomes a unanimous vote by Newry, Mourne and Down Council backing a feasibility study for a fixed link bridge across Strangford Lough. He has contacted Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins about commissioning a full study of a Portaferry-to-Strangford crossing, citing…
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Newry, Mourne and Down Council motion on Strangford Lough bridge study Original release: Hazzard welcomes Council support for Strangford Lough Bridge Study (opens in a new tab)
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Allen comments on announced household support announcement
UUP MLA and Communities Spokesperson Andy Allen MBE welcomes the Executive's £19 million for oil-heating households, a £100 payment for around 340,000 households earning about £30,000 or less. He calls for prompt, accessible delivery avoiding Spend Local card problems, support for households just…
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: Executive £36.4million home heating oil support package Original release: Allen comments on announced household support announcement (opens in a new tab)
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Fuel Protests In The North
People Before Profit says today's fuel protests across the North have a right core demand for urgent action on fuel prices, blaming the Executive for years of rising costs and calling for price caps, windfall taxes on energy firms and a £500 energy credit for households.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: Fuel protests and energy price caps across Ireland Original release: Fuel Protests In The North (opens in a new tab)
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Doherty: Holiday hunger legislation must be fully funded
SDLP West Belfast Councillor Paul Doherty says holiday hunger legislation, due for Second Stage in the Assembly on Monday, must be fully funded to restore payments removed during the collapse of Stormont. He urges the Sinn Féin Finance Minister to work with the Education Minister and calls on the…
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: Holiday hunger legislation Second Stage in the Assembly Original release: Doherty: Holiday hunger legislation must be fully funded (opens in a new tab)
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Net Zero targets must be met to protect our environment – Kearney
SDLP... no, Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says Net Zero targets must be met during a Stormont debate, pointing to Lough Neagh's ecological decline, threats to eel fishing livelihoods and calls for investment in green energy such as offshore wind.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Original release: Net Zero targets must be met to protect our environment – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Parties Refuse to Face Cost of Net Zero – McIlveen
DUP Deputy Leader Michelle McIlveen MLA criticises other Assembly parties for voting down a DUP motion requiring departments to assess the costs and benefits of climate policies, arguing the Climate Action Plan's proposals remain unquantified and risk delaying the A5 and A1 road projects.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Assembly vote on DUP motion to cost net zero policies Original release: Parties Refuse to Face Cost of Net Zero – McIlveen (opens in a new tab)
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Baker welcomes Holiday Hunger Bill progressing to next stage
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker welcomes the Holiday Hunger Bill clearing second stage in the Assembly and moving to committee, saying it will help 90,000 disadvantaged children and families during holidays. He criticises the Education Minister for not backing the bill and pledges cross-party work to…
Social security and welfare Issue: Holiday Hunger Bill passes second stage in Assembly Original release: Baker welcomes Holiday Hunger Bill progressing to next stage (opens in a new tab)
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McAleer welcomes reconvening of Curraghinalt Goldmine Public Inquiry
West Tyrone MLA Declan McAleer welcomes the resumption of the Curraghinalt goldmine inquiry in Omagh next Monday after a 15-month break, saying it offers local people a chance to be heard. He calls for the process to move forward without further delay toward a timely conclusion.
Environment and climate Issue: Curraghinalt goldmine public inquiry resumption in Omagh Original release: McAleer welcomes reconvening of Curraghinalt Goldmine Public Inquiry (opens in a new tab)
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Carroll: Working Class Communities Paying Price for New Era of Austerity
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll condemns what he calls calculated austerity, saying Westminster's 64% cut to community support funding will cost around 400 sector jobs and 11,000 people employment support. He calls on the Executive to find £15.8 million to keep services running.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: £15.8 million cut to Community and Voluntary Sector funding Original release: Carroll: Working Class Communities Paying Price for New Era of Austerity (opens in a new tab)
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Wildfires Plan will protect communities, nature and the Mournes, says McMurray
Alliance MLA Andrew McMurray calls the Wildfires Action Plan to 2030, published by DAERA Minister Andrew Muir, a timely intervention for the countryside after around 200 wildfires. He highlights rewetting peatlands and the Wildfire Recovery Project led by the Pau Costa Foundation in at-risk areas…
Environment and climate Issue: Wildfires Action Plan to 2030 publication by DAERA Original release: Wildfires Plan will protect communities, nature and the Mournes, says McMurray (opens in a new tab)
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People Before Profit Statement on the Murder of Amy Doherty and the Prevalence of Gender Based Violence
People Before Profit representative Maeve O'Neill expresses sympathy over the murder of Amy Doherty and calls for structural change to tackle gender-based violence, including Safe Leave Act implementation, RSE in schools, anti-poverty and housing action, and better funding for women's shelters…
Justice and policing Economy and employment Issue: Derry-Londonderry woman's death in Summer Meadows Mews murder arrest Original release: People Before Profit Statement on the Murder of Amy Doherty and the Prevalence of Gender Based Violence (opens in a new tab)