Latest releases
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2,882 releases
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Education system continues to fail vulnerable young SEN people and their families, say Mathison and Guy
Alliance MLAs Nick Mathison and Michelle Guy say the education system is failing vulnerable SEN children, pointing to poor communication, delayed statements and over 150 pupils still without school places, and call for a radical overhaul and cross‑departmental legislation to secure post‑19 pathways.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Equity in Education event reveals SEN support failures Original release: Education system continues to fail vulnerable young SEN people and their families, say Mathison and Guy (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP condemns ‘appalling and disturbing’ attack on Belfast Islamic Centre
SDLP MPs and MLAs Claire Hanna and Matthew O'Toole condemn an attack on the Belfast Islamic Centre, where a device was thrown through a window during prayers. They call for consistent political leadership against hate and for the Executive to deliver its anti-racism and integration strategies.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Attack on Belfast Islamic Centre while people inside Original release: SDLP condemns ‘appalling and disturbing’ attack on Belfast Islamic Centre (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin welcomes new legislation on spiking but urges further action to protect women
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin welcomes the Justice Minister's move to bring forward a Legislative Consent Motion making drink spiking an offence in its own right, and calls for licensed venues to be required to supply testing kits.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Assembly approval of anti-spiking legislative consent motion Original release: McLaughlin welcomes new legislation on spiking but urges further action to protect women (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP calls for Infrastructure Minister to bring forward emergency legislation to deliver A5
SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan calls on Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to introduce emergency legislation amending the Climate Change Act so it cannot delay A5 Western Transport Corridor measures, after a court ruling against the project, citing more than 50 deaths on the road.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: A5 Western Transport Corridor court ruling Original release: SDLP calls for Infrastructure Minister to bring forward emergency legislation to deliver A5 (opens in a new tab)
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A32 upgrade will be a game changer for Fermanagh and South Tyrone – Dolan
Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan welcomes Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins's approval of the A32 Cornamuck Road Scheme, saying the project will proceed and open the way for work on the upgrade to the Omagh–Enniskillen route.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: A32 Cornamuck Road Scheme approval by Infrastructure Minister Original release: A32 upgrade will be a game changer for Fermanagh and South Tyrone – Dolan (opens in a new tab)
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Green Party leader responds to NI exec's climate action plan
Green Party Leader Mal O'Hara says the Executive's climate action plan is late and lacks ambition, particularly on agriculture and transport, and urges the Minister to act on ICCC recommendations and the All-Island Rail Review.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: DAERA draft Climate Action Plan consultation Original release: Green Party leader responds to NI exec's climate action plan (opens in a new tab)
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Finnegan welcomes publication of draft Climate Action Plan
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan urges the public to respond to the consultation on the draft Climate Action Plan published by the environment department today. She says the party will assess the plan for a fair transition, all-Ireland climate challenges and the needs of rural communities.
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA draft Climate Action Plan consultation Original release: Finnegan welcomes publication of draft Climate Action Plan (opens in a new tab)
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TUV: Civil Service Must Address Concerns of Staff Opposed to Pride Participation
TUV Equality spokesperson Ann McClure says Timothy Gaston's questions to Finance Minister John O'Dowd on Civil Service participation in Belfast Pride received vague answers, and calls on the Civil Service and Minister to directly address concerns about impartiality and objecting staff.
Disability and equality Issue: NICS participation in Belfast Pride 2025 and Stonewall links Original release: TUV: Civil Service Must Address Concerns of Staff Opposed to Pride Participation (opens in a new tab)
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Climate Action Plan proposals show Muir has learned nothing from NAP…
DUP Deputy Leader and Agriculture Spokesperson Michelle McIlveen MLA criticises DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's draft Climate Action Plan consultation, warning of a £1 billion cost to 2027 and of livestock reductions of 81,000 beef and 25,000 dairy cattle, and urges farmers to respond.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: DAERA draft Climate Action Plan consultation Original release: Climate Action Plan proposals show Muir has learned nothing from NAP… (opens in a new tab)
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All-island approach needed to tackle air pollution – Finnegan
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan calls for an all-island approach to tackle air pollution on Clean Air Day, arguing it harms health, worsens health inequalities and contributes to hundreds of deaths each year. She pledges support for the Executive and the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and…
Environment and climate Health Original release: All-island approach needed to tackle air pollution – Finnegan (opens in a new tab)
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Maternity Hospital scandal demands urgent action and accountability –…
DUP MLA Diane Dodds says the revelations about the delayed Royal Maternity Hospital constitute a scandal and demand immediate ministerial action, an overhaul of capital health project oversight and clearer solutions to the cost‑overrun and timeline failures.
Health Infrastructure and transport Issue: Belfast new maternity hospital further 28-month delay Original release: Maternity Hospital scandal demands urgent action and accountability –… (opens in a new tab)
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Executive’s lack of ambition won’t tackle poverty
SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan criticises the Communities Minister's handling of the Anti-Poverty Strategy, saying the final document lacks co-design with academics, charities and people with lived experience. He says the strategy falls far short and that the whole Executive must take responsibility if it…
Social security and welfare Issue: Anti-Poverty Strategy final document published without co-design Original release: Executive’s lack of ambition won’t tackle poverty (opens in a new tab)
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Further delay to maternity hospital ‘deeply disappointing’ – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan says he is alarmed that the Health Minister has confirmed a further 28-month delay to the new Belfast maternity hospital, a project already years behind and costing almost £100 million. He urges the minister to act urgently to resolve the problems.
Health Infrastructure and transport Issue: Belfast new maternity hospital further 28-month delay Original release: Further delay to maternity hospital ‘deeply disappointing’ – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Anti-Poverty Strategy ‘weak in ambition and substance’ – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew says the draft Anti-Poverty Strategy, published by the Communities Minister in the Assembly, lacks ambition and substance and omits key recommendations from frontline organisations. He calls on the minister to listen to families with lived experience of poverty.
Social security and welfare Issue: Draft Anti-Poverty Strategy publication in the Assembly Original release: Anti-Poverty Strategy ‘weak in ambition and substance’ – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Guy calls for additional support for school children impacted by racial violence
Alliance education spokesperson Michelle Guy MLA calls on the Department of Education to allocate extra resources to the Education Authority and schools to support children affected by recent racial violence across Northern Ireland. She says newcomer children have been absent from school and asks…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Racial violence impact on school children and newcomer absences Original release: Guy calls for additional support for school children impacted by racial violence (opens in a new tab)
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Draft Anti-Poverty Strategy a mediocre first attempt that lacks ambition, says Mulholland
Alliance Communities spokesperson Sian Mulholland MLA says the draft anti-poverty strategy from the Communities Minister is a weak first attempt lacking targets, an action plan and independent monitoring, and urges consultation responses.
Social security and welfare Issue: Draft Anti-Poverty Strategy publication in the Assembly Original release: Draft Anti-Poverty Strategy a mediocre first attempt that lacks ambition, says Mulholland (opens in a new tab)
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Donnelly condemns continued delays as Minister confirms 28 month wait and millions more needed for maternity unit
Alliance Health spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA raises concerns in the Assembly after the Health Minister said the Belfast Trust Maternity Hospital will not open for at least 28 more months, needing millions in extra safety and infrastructure work. He calls for a decision on the best way forward.
Health Infrastructure and transport Issue: Belfast new maternity hospital further 28-month delay Original release: Donnelly condemns continued delays as Minister confirms 28 month wait and millions more needed for maternity unit (opens in a new tab)
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Independent EPA key to strengthening environmental governance, says Blair, following publication of report
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes the interim report of the Independent Panel on Environmental Governance, backing its recommendation for an independent Environmental Protection Agency. He urges Executive parties to fully support the final recommendations expected this…
Environment and climate Issue: Independent Panel on Environmental Governance interim report publication Original release: Independent EPA key to strengthening environmental governance, says Blair, following publication of report (opens in a new tab)
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Recent homelessness figures highlight growing crisis, says Armstrong
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA says the latest Department for Communities homelessness figures show prevention strategies are failing, with 5,200 households in temporary accommodation. She calls for a joined-up action plan alongside the Housing Supply Strategy to cut…
Housing Infrastructure and transport Issue: Department for Communities homelessness figures June 2025 Original release: Recent homelessness figures highlight growing crisis, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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O’Dowd ignoring crumbling water infrastructure: O’Toole
SDLP Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole says Finance Minister John O'Dowd refuses to acknowledge a funding crisis at NI Water, despite Fiscal Council warnings, and calls for a funding plan, citing Lough Neagh pollution and social housing targets.
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: NI Water funding crisis and Finance Minister's refusal to acknowledge it Original release: O’Dowd ignoring crumbling water infrastructure: O’Toole (opens in a new tab)