Latest releases
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11,733 releases
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Sheerin welcomes progress of Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin welcomes the Assembly's second stage passage of the Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill, backing a statutory footing for the Victims of Crime Commissioner. She also backs tighter privacy safeguards for those who report serious sexual offences and extra courtroom…
Justice and policing Issue: Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill second stage vote Original release: Sheerin welcomes progress of Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill (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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British government spending billions on weapons out of touch with reality – Finucane
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane criticises London's plan to add £15 billion to military spending on drones, military technology and a hybrid navy, arguing funds should instead go to healthcare, housing and tackling poverty amid the cost-of-living crisis.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: British government £15 billion extra military spending announcement Original release: British government spending billions on weapons out of touch with reality – Finucane (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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No girl should have to ask permission to wear trousers to school – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason says the School Uniforms Bill’s latest Assembly stage provides an opportunity to guarantee every pupil the automatic right to wear trousers, urging school uniform policy to be brought into the 21st century.
Education Disability and equality Issue: School Uniforms Bill passes Assembly stage Original release: No girl should have to ask permission to wear trousers to school – Mason (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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Donaldson Deal Continues to Damage Northern Ireland as New EU Rules Take Effect
TUV councillor and Newry and Armagh candidate Keith Ratcliffe says the DUP/Donaldson Deal is damaging Northern Ireland, citing new EU rules from 1 July: a €3 customs duty on low-value parcels, new steel movement arrangements and ferry emissions charges. He argues the Irish Sea Border remains in…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: New EU customs duty and ferry emissions charges from 1 July 2026 Original release: Donaldson Deal Continues to Damage Northern Ireland as New EU Rules Take Effect (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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No More Cover-Ups, Release the Files
People Before Profit calls for an immediate, fully independent public inquiry after the conviction of Jeffrey Donaldson, demanding the DUP, PSNI and British intelligence services open their records. It also seeks investigation of the DUP and UUP during Donaldson's tenure and release of…
Justice and policing Issue: Jeffrey Donaldson guilty verdict on historic sex abuse charges Original release: No More Cover-Ups, Release the Files (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 July 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Ennis calls on Assembly Speaker to stand aside
Sinn Féin MLA Sinéad Ennis urges Assembly Speaker Edwin Poots to step back while the DUP fully discloses what it knew about Jeffrey Donaldson's inappropriate conduct before and during his time as leader. The party says the revelations raise serious questions for Poots.
Justice and policing Issue: BBC Spotlight programme on Jeffrey Donaldson allegations Original release: Ennis calls on Assembly Speaker to stand aside (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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McGlone welcomes support for new police powers to tackle scramblers and e-scooters
SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone welcomes Assembly backing for an SDLP-proposed amendment to the Justice Bill giving police powers to seize scramblers and e-scooters causing alarm, distress or annoyance without a prior warning. He says it balances intervention with avoiding criminalising young people.
Justice and policing Issue: Justice Bill amendment on police seizure powers for scramblers and e-scooters Original release: McGlone welcomes support for new police powers to tackle scramblers and e-scooters (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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O’Toole: Donaldson scandal demands review of defamation legislation
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA calls on the Finance and Justice Ministers to review the North's defamation legislation after allegations about Jeffrey Donaldson, arguing the regime may deter people from coming forward. He urges introduction of a serious harm test.
Justice and policing Issue: Allegations about Jeffrey Donaldson and North's defamation legislation review Original release: O’Toole: Donaldson scandal demands review of defamation legislation (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 welcomes stronger recognition for survivors as Redress Bill passes Final Stage
SDLP MLA Sinéad McLaughlin welcomes the final passage of the redress scheme for survivors of Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses. She says she secured an amendment raising the standard payment to £12,000 and backs a wider posthumous eligibility date, while urging…
Community relations and legacy Issue: Redress Scheme Bill final stage passage Original release: McLaughlin welcomes stronger recognition for survivors as Redress Bill passes Final Stage (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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Alliance introduces essential legislation to end cruel so-called conversion practices
Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson MLA introduces the Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill to the Assembly, seeking to ban conversion therapy and coercive conversion behaviour in Northern Ireland with penalties of fines or up to two years in custody.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill introduced to Assembly Original release: Alliance introduces essential legislation to end cruel so-called conversion practices (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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People Before Profit Endorse Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham
People Before Profit endorses Sharon Graham in the Unite general secretary election, citing her record on disputes and workplace organising, while criticising her stance on war, climate and Gaza. It urges members to back her over Simon Dubbins, whom it says would revive Unite's ties with Labour.
Economy and employment International affairs Issue: Unite general secretary election ballot Original release: People Before Profit Endorse Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 July 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Middleton: Royal Navy Deserves a Warm Welcome in Londonderry
DUP Foyle MLA Julie Middleton praises this year's Maritime Festival for drawing thousands of visitors and backing local businesses, and condemns a small group who protested a Royal Navy vessel's visit to Londonderry. She says the navy has every right to visit and deserves a warm welcome, pointing…
Community relations and legacy Issue: Royal Navy vessel visit to Londonderry Maritime Festival protest Original release: Middleton: Royal Navy Deserves a Warm Welcome in Londonderry (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 1 July 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Executive managing collapse of health service
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the Executive is simply managing decline in health services, pointing to resident doctors' industrial action, high waiting lists and difficulty recruiting and keeping staff, and calls on the Executive and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to…
Health Issue: Resident doctors' industrial action and Health questions in the Assembly Original release: McGrath: Executive managing collapse of health service (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 calls on Finance Minister to reverse Civil Service withdrawal from Belfast Pride
SDLP MLA Sinéad McLaughlin urges the Finance Minister to overturn the Civil Service's decision to pull out of this year's Belfast Pride, arguing the legal basis cited, an English High Court judgment, does not apply in Northern Ireland.
Disability and equality Issue: Civil Service withdrawal from Pride march Original release: McLaughlin calls on Finance Minister to reverse Civil Service withdrawal from Belfast Pride (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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Farmers were right on NAP, the hard work of delivery now falls to Muir
UUP agriculture spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA cautiously welcomes the revised Nutrients Action Programme published for consultation, but says delivery now rests with Minister Muir. He calls for the economic impact assessment to be published in full and says Northern Ireland Water, wastewater and…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Revised Nutrients Action Programme published for consultation Original release: Farmers were right on NAP, the hard work of delivery now falls to Muir (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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‘The Light of a New Republic’ – Mary Lou McDonald addresses Sinn Féin’s annual Wolfe Tone Commemoration at Bodenstown
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald calls for a united 32‑County Republic and an end to British rule, urging investment in housing, health, equality and community support, in her address at the annual Wolfe Tone commemoration at Bodenstown.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Wolfe Tone commemoration at Bodenstown Original release: ‘The Light of a New Republic’ – Mary Lou McDonald addresses Sinn Féin’s annual Wolfe Tone Commemoration at Bodenstown (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: Donaldson verdict must be a watershed moment
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says revelations after Jeffrey Donaldson's conviction should mark a watershed moment, questioning senior DUP figures' past vetoes on rights and education and their handling of Donaldson's private life. She calls for accountability and reforms including healthy…
Justice and policing Constitutional affairs Issue: BBC Spotlight programme on Jeffrey Donaldson allegations Original release: Hanna: Donaldson verdict must be a watershed moment (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 saddened by fire at former Downpatrick convent
SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath expresses sadness at a large blaze at the derelict former convent in Downpatrick, which he says many locals remember well. He pays tribute to firefighters and emergency services for their rapid response.
Other Issue: Downpatrick former convent fire Original release: McGrath saddened by fire at former Downpatrick convent (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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Transparency needed from DUP on further Donaldson allegations, says Long, calling for fully independent investigation
Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA calls for a fully independent, external review into what DUP leadership knew about alleged victims of Jeffrey Donaldson, after BBC Spotlight revelations, and urges Edwin Poots to give a full account of his knowledge.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: BBC Spotlight programme on Jeffrey Donaldson allegations Original release: Transparency needed from DUP on further Donaldson allegations, says Long, calling for fully independent investigation (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 28 June 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Flynn expresses shock and sadness on death of individual in Dunmurry
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn says she is distressed by the death of a person in Dunmurry, which police have said occurred in suspicious circumstances. She offers condolences to the family and urges anyone with information to contact the PSNI.
Justice and policing Issue: Death in suspicious circumstances in Dunmurry Original release: Flynn expresses shock and sadness on death of individual in Dunmurry (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)