Latest releases
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2,987 releases
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‘No child should be priced out of a school because of the cost of a uniform’ – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker says the School Uniforms Bill offers a chance to modernise uniform policy, and calls for proposals covering affordability, accessibility for children with special educational needs, and allowing girls to wear trousers.
Education Disability and equality Issue: School Uniforms Bill Education Committee sitting Original release: ‘No child should be priced out of a school because of the cost of a uniform’ – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood calls for urgent introduction of Hillsborough Law
Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood urges the UK Government to quickly bring forward a Hillsborough-style Duty of Candour Bill, saying the promised April deadline was missed and warning that any weakened legislation would fail families.
Justice and policing Health Issue: Missed April deadline for Duty of Candour Bill Original release: Eastwood calls for urgent introduction of Hillsborough Law (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney appeals for community calm in Antrim Town and support for local police
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, appeals for calm in Antrim Town after speaking with senior PSNI management about a racist protest near the Holiday Inn Hotel. He asks for assurances that resources are sufficient and calls for united leadership against racism and neo-Nazi paramilitarism.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Racist protest near Holiday Inn Hotel in Antrim Town Original release: Kearney appeals for community calm in Antrim Town and support for local police (opens in a new tab)
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O’Dowd calls for political leadership amid reports of racist protest in Portadown
Sinn Féin MLA John O'Dowd urges politicians, especially those with influence in greater Portadown, to distance themselves from a reported racist protest planned for Thursday evening and publicly back a boycott. He cites a flyer suggesting homes and a hostel could be targeted.
Community relations and legacy Disability and equality Issue: Reported racist protest planned for Portadown on Thursday evening Original release: O’Dowd calls for political leadership amid reports of racist protest in Portadown (opens in a new tab)
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Finucane condemns attacks on homes in north Belfast
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane condemns suspected racist attacks on homes near the Ballysillan area of north Belfast, says the families affected will be contacted for support, and urges anyone with information to contact the PSNI.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Suspected racist attacks on homes near Ballysillan, north Belfast Original release: Finucane condemns attacks on homes in north Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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Comprehensive Spending Review sees increased funds for NI but significant pressures remain - Aiken
UUP Finance Spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken says the Comprehensive Spending Review appears to recognise Northern Ireland's underfunding, with DEL rising by about £1.5bn, but warns of pressures including a £600M health shortfall and £250M for policing. He calls on the Executive to prioritise and asks…
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: UK Government first Spending Review 2025 Original release: Comprehensive Spending Review sees increased funds for NI but significant pressures remain - Aiken (opens in a new tab)
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UK Government continuing to balance books on backs of the most vulnerable, says Eastwood
Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood says the UK Labour Government's first Spending Review confirms a failed austerity model, criticising cuts to disability support, the retention of the two child limit and the refusal to introduce a wealth tax, while welcoming NHS and Casement Park funding.
Public finance and taxation Social security and welfare Issue: UK Government first Spending Review 2025 Original release: UK Government continuing to balance books on backs of the most vulnerable, says Eastwood (opens in a new tab)
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Buchanan urges groups to apply for Ulster-Scots Music & Dance funding
Mid Ulster DUP MLA Keith Buchanan welcomes the Ulster-Scots Agency's new music and dance tuition funding scheme and urges eligible groups to apply, saying it will help pass these traditions on to younger generations.
Disability and equality Issue: Ulster-Scots Agency music and dance tuition funding programme launch Original release: Buchanan urges groups to apply for Ulster-Scots Music & Dance funding (opens in a new tab)
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Government must act now to better protect women and girls - Frew
DUP MLA for North Antrim Paul Frew calls on the Government to act urgently to protect women and girls, citing two recent serious sexual assaults on teenage girls in Ballymena. He urges the PSNI and statutory agencies to address challenges in Houses of Multiple Occupation and illegal immigration.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Ballymena sexual assaults on teenage girls Original release: Government must act now to better protect women and girls - Frew (opens in a new tab)
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Conference on Health and Care in a New Ireland
Sinn Féin held a conference on Health and Care in a New Ireland, where speakers highlighted gaps in mental health, disability and elderly services, long diagnostic waits and underfunded counselling. Delegates voted to support a Citizens Assembly on Health and called for all‑island, free‑at‑point‑of‑
Health Issue: Health and Care in a New Ireland conference Original release: Conference on Health and Care in a New Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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TUV question if Stonewall played a role in NICS attendance at Belfast Pride
TUV Equality Spokeswoman Ann McClure questions whether fear of falling in Stonewall's equality index influenced the Northern Ireland Civil Service's participation in Belfast Pride, and says TUV will table an Assembly question and submit a Freedom of Information request on the decision.
Disability and equality Issue: NICS participation in Belfast Pride 2025 and Stonewall links Original release: TUV question if Stonewall played a role in NICS attendance at Belfast Pride (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin announces Cathal Mallaghan as new Cúige Chair
Sinn Féin names Cathal Mallaghan, MP for Mid Ulster, as its new head of the Cúige structure in the north. Mallaghan says he will build on existing work, pays tribute to Gerry Kelly's long service, and pledges to strengthen the party with activists and representatives.
Other Issue: Cathal Mallaghan appointed Sinn Féin Cúige Chair Original release: Sinn Féin announces Cathal Mallaghan as new Cúige Chair (opens in a new tab)
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Amanda Grehan officially installed as first female Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council
Alliance Alderman Amanda Grehan has been installed as Lisburn and Castlereagh's inaugural woman mayor, pledging inclusive leadership and naming Action Cancer as her mayoral charity, with an inclusivity-for-disabilities theme for her year.
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Amanda Grehan installed as Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council Original release: Amanda Grehan officially installed as first female Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (opens in a new tab)
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Patient safety has to be at forefront of measures taken in Belfast Trust – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA and Health Committee chair Philip McGuigan says patient safety and staff support must come first in the Health Department's response to Belfast Trust Cardiac Services. He welcomes the Health Minister's Departmental Accountability Team and Level 5 accountability for the Trust, and…
Health Issue: Ministerial Statement on cardiac surgery at Belfast Trust Original release: Patient safety has to be at forefront of measures taken in Belfast Trust – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Buchanan questions PSNI on impact of Supreme Court Ruling on gender
DUP Mid Ulster MLA Keith Buchanan says the PSNI must urgently review its policies and practices, including strip searching and stop and search, following the Supreme Court ruling on sex-based protections. He says it should not wait for Equality Commission advice before acting.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Supreme Court ruling on gender and PSNI policy implications Original release: Buchanan questions PSNI on impact of Supreme Court Ruling on gender (opens in a new tab)
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Intervention into Belfast Trust must be radical and comprehensive:…
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds welcomes the Health Minister's response on cardiac surgery at the Belfast Trust but says it came too late and calls for intervention that is radical and comprehensive. She links the issues to Trust management costs of £63 million and asks what cardiac surgeon…
Health Issue: Ministerial Statement on cardiac surgery at Belfast Trust Original release: Intervention into Belfast Trust must be radical and comprehensive:… (opens in a new tab)
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The Ulster Unionist Party welcomes action on Belfast Health Trust - Chambers
UUP Health Spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA welcomes the Health Minister's decision to raise the performance accountability process for the Belfast Trust to level five and to form an intervention team with senior leadership experts. He also commends Mike Nesbitt for his recent interventions on…
Health Issue: Ministerial Statement on cardiac surgery at Belfast Trust Original release: The Ulster Unionist Party welcomes action on Belfast Health Trust - Chambers (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance Belfast City Councillors propose free leisure activity for residents
Alliance Belfast City Councillors Hedley Abernethy and Micky Murray propose one free leisure activity for Belfast residents at council leisure facilities, aiming to encourage physical activity. The proposal was put to the People and Communities Committee in May 2025 and is part of Alliance's 100…
Local government Health Original release: Alliance Belfast City Councillors propose free leisure activity for residents (opens in a new tab)
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DoH must take more active role in maintaining accountability across Trusts, says McAllister
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA calls for clarity on the Department of Health's role in the Belfast Trust's accountability process, now raised to Level 5, after bullying allegations in cardiac surgery. She asks the Health Minister to answer MLAs' questions in the Assembly.
Health Issue: Ministerial Statement on cardiac surgery at Belfast Trust Original release: DoH must take more active role in maintaining accountability across Trusts, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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Catney welcomes approval for Frederick Douglass commemoration
SDLP Lisburn North councillor Pat Catney welcomes council backing for a commemoration to abolitionist Frederick Douglass, including a £25,000 stained-glass memorial window at Lisburn First Presbyterian Church. The window would also honour two other abolitionists who spoke locally in the mid-1800s…
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Lisburn council approval of Frederick Douglass commemoration window Original release: Catney welcomes approval for Frederick Douglass commemoration (opens in a new tab)