Latest releases
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11,733 releases
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Bradshaw’s flags Bill is an assault on unionist culture dressed up as “balance”
TUV's Jonathan Jackson, Strangford candidate, says Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw's flags Bill is a one-sided measure aimed at Unionist culture, warning it would let officials remove Union Flags and Loyalist emblems and that TUV will oppose it at every stage.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Introduction of Assembly flags and emblems Bill by Paula Bradshaw Original release: Bradshaw’s flags Bill is an assault on unionist culture dressed up as “balance” (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Crumbling health estate threat to patients and staff
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the crumbling health estate threatens patients and staff after an Audit Office report found just 40% of buildings in acceptable condition. He calls for a long-term strategy and blames successive Health Ministers and the Executive for…
Health Issue: Comptroller and Auditor General report on Health estate Original release: McGrath: Crumbling health estate threat to patients and staff (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP launches plan for food system transformation
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP launches a policy paper, Seeds of Success, proposing a legal entitlement to food, ring-fenced soft drinks levy revenue, local sourcing targets for public procurement and a healthy food subsidy pilot. It frames food insecurity as a public health and economic issue.
Agriculture and rural affairs Social security and welfare Issue: SDLP Seeds of Success food systems policy paper launch Original release: SDLP launches plan for food system transformation (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood appeals for return of Cenotaph wreaths
SDLP Foyle MP Colum Eastwood appeals for wreaths stolen from Derry's Cenotaph to be returned immediately, after police said they are treating the Wednesday night incident as a sectarian hate crime. He urges young people and parents to avoid sectarian or anti-social disorder over the summer.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Theft of wreaths from Londonderry Cenotaph after Somme remembrance service Original release: Eastwood appeals for return of Cenotaph wreaths (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Funding model is failing rural communities where schools are the glue holding everything together, says Burrows
UUP leader and Education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA warns that the Department of Education's latest school funding announcement risks accelerating the decline of rural schools. He calls for shared education campuses, such as Ballycastle, to be replicated by unlocking dormant capital…
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Department of Education school funding announcement July 2026 Original release: Funding model is failing rural communities where schools are the glue holding everything together, says Burrows (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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DoH must get to grips with ‘shocking’ breast cancer waiting times, says McAllister
Alliance Health Spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA calls on the Department of Health to redouble efforts on breast cancer waiting times after new statistics showed only 8% of urgent suspected-cancer referrals were seen within the 14-day target. She urges the Minister to increase system capacity and…
Health Issue: Breast cancer urgent referral waiting times statistics 2026 Original release: DoH must get to grips with ‘shocking’ breast cancer waiting times, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 5 July 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McMurray welcomes new Strategic Group to protect Mourne Mountains by DAERA Minister
Alliance South Down MLA Andrew McMurray welcomes DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's establishment of a Strategic Group for the Mournes, chaired by the Minister with cross-departmental representatives and a Forever Mournes Partnership observer. He says a coordinated approach is needed to address parking…
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA Strategic Group established for the Mournes Original release: McMurray welcomes new Strategic Group to protect Mourne Mountains by DAERA Minister (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Paramilitary element in racist disorder highlights lack of TEO work on race relations, says Bradshaw
Alliance TEO spokesperson Paula Bradshaw says the Chief Constable's confirmation of loyalist paramilitary direction of recent racist violence exposes a lack of progress from the Stormont leadership on race relations. She criticises the executive's framework for omitting paramilitaries and lacking…
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Chief Constable confirms loyalist paramilitary role in recent race riots Original release: Paramilitary element in racist disorder highlights lack of TEO work on race relations, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Delargy welcomes new ATU measures to support students applying through CAO system
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy welcomes Atlantic Technological University’s new measures that will better support northern students applying through the CAO system, praises ATU’s leadership and urges the Irish government to remove barriers to all‑Ireland mobility.
Education Issue: ATU introduces new CAO support measures for northern students Original release: Delargy welcomes new ATU measures to support students applying through CAO system (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Ireland’s Presidency of the EU comes at defining time for Europe and for Ireland – Mary Lou McDonald TD
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald TD sets out three priorities for Ireland's EU Council Presidency: preparing for Irish unity, standing up for workers and farmers, and defending military neutrality and peace. She urges the Government to open talks with European partners on constitutional change.
International affairs Constitutional affairs Issue: Ireland's EU Council Presidency commencement ceremony in Dublin Castle Original release: Ireland’s Presidency of the EU comes at defining time for Europe and for Ireland – Mary Lou McDonald TD (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Donna McGettigan TD welcomes changes to ATU’s admissions process to improve access for students from the North
Sinn Féin further and higher education spokesperson Donna McGettigan TD welcomes Atlantic Technological University’s new admissions scoring system that recognises mixed A‑level and alternative qualifications, saying it improves access for students from the North. She also welcomes the Dundalk IT‑QUB
Education Issue: Atlantic Technological University admissions policy changes Original release: Donna McGettigan TD welcomes changes to ATU’s admissions process to improve access for students from the North (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: Northern Ireland must not be forgotten during EU Council Presidency
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP urges that Northern Ireland's place in Europe be considered during Ireland's EU Council Presidency, which began on Wednesday. She calls for outstanding Brexit issues to be addressed, European funding secured, and UK-Irish cooperation improved.
International affairs Constitutional affairs Issue: Ireland's EU Council Presidency commencement ceremony in Dublin Castle Original release: Hanna: Northern Ireland must not be forgotten during EU Council Presidency (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Families and children let down by Executive inaction
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA accuses the Executive of failing to establish a Regional Children and Families Authority, recommended by the 2023 children's social care review. He criticises the Health and Justice Ministers for shelving it and for announcing the decision…
Health Issue: Regional Children and Families Authority decision announced by Health and Justice Ministers Original release: McGrath: Families and children let down by Executive inaction (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin: Invest NI figures expose continuing East-West economic divide
SDLP Opposition Economy Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin MLA says Invest NI's 2025-26 figures show economic success concentrated in the East, with Belfast receiving almost 58% of jobs promoted and Derry City and Strabane just 6.5%. She calls for regional balance in investment decisions.
Economy and employment Issue: Invest NI 2025-26 annual performance figures regional jobs split Original release: McLaughlin: Invest NI figures expose continuing East-West economic divide (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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New PSNI search guidance is confusion dressed up as compassion
UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA criticises the Justice Minister's interim guidance on searching detainees, which asks the PSNI to first seek a female officer to search people who identify as women, calling it confusing and a dereliction of duty. He says officers need firm rules and that no female…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: PSNI interim guidance on searching transgender detainees Original release: New PSNI search guidance is confusion dressed up as compassion (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 July 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Blair honoured to receive Lord Houghton Award for services to animal welfare
Alliance MLA John Blair says he is honoured to receive the League Against Cruel Sports' Lord Houghton Award for Services to Animal Welfare and calls for Northern Ireland to ban hunting wild mammals with dogs, which he says it is the only part of the UK without.
Other Original release: Blair honoured to receive Lord Houghton Award for services to animal welfare (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Bill a step forward in improving experience of victims and witnesses in criminal justice system, says Long
Alliance Justice Minister Naomi Long pays tribute to victims and witnesses of crime after the Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill reached its second stage in the Assembly. She says the Bill's provisions are informed by their lived experiences and represent a step forward.
Justice and policing Issue: Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill second stage vote Original release: Bill a step forward in improving experience of victims and witnesses in criminal justice system, says Long (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 15 July 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Cuts to skills programmes undermines economic potential and could have devastating effects, says Nicholl
Alliance economy spokesperson and All-Party Group on Skills chair Kate Nicholl MLA says she is disappointed and concerned for the economy after the Department for the Economy announced major cuts to skills development programmes.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Department for the Economy skills development programme cuts Original release: Cuts to skills programmes undermines economic potential and could have devastating effects, says Nicholl (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Maghie welcomes u-turn to deliver Belfast Stories’ creative space
Alliance Ormiston Councillor Jenna Maghie welcomes Belfast City Council's vote backing her party's proposal to take the BBC on as a core user of Belfast Stories, which she says secures £10 million for an enhanced film and TV studio. She also welcomes the SDLP's change of position and accuses Sinn…
Local government Economy and employment Issue: Belfast City Council vote on BBC core user of Belfast Stories Original release: Maghie welcomes u-turn to deliver Belfast Stories’ creative space (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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DUP blocking Good jobs bill is denying workers rights – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney accuses the DUP of blocking the Good Jobs Bill from reaching the Assembly floor before the summer recess, saying the delay denies workers their rights. He dismisses the DUP's call for further scrutiny as a smokescreen and says Sinn Féin will keep pressing the…
Economy and employment Issue: DUP blocking Good Jobs Bill progress before summer recess Original release: DUP blocking Good jobs bill is denying workers rights – Kearney (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)