Latest releases
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4,778 releases
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Mason welcomes support to allow girls the right to wear trousers in school
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason welcomes cross-party support on the Education Committee for a proposal giving girls a clear right to wear trousers in school. She says the DUP Education Minister missed a chance to modernise school uniform policy and pledges to work with others to deliver it.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Committee proposal on girls' right to wear trousers in school Original release: Mason welcomes support to allow girls the right to wear trousers in school (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin representatives welcome Health Minister to Dungannon respite facility
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew and Councillor Nuala McLernon welcome the Health Minister's visit to Woodlawn House in Dungannon, which provides adult respite for people with learning disabilities, and call for urgent action on repeated last-minute respite cancellations.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Health Minister visit to Woodlawn House Dungannon respite facility Original release: Sinn Féin representatives welcome Health Minister to Dungannon respite facility (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter: Minister must have ambition to deliver free school meals
SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA says the Education Minister must show ambition on universal free school meals, following the Assembly's passage of her party's motion on Tuesday. She accuses the Minister of deflecting, warns that children are going hungry and says Northern…
Education Social security and welfare Issue: Assembly Opposition Day motion on universal free school meals Original release: Hunter: Minister must have ambition to deliver free school meals (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong Welcomes Cut in Electricity Connection Costs as Boost for Rural Growth and Renewable Energy
UUP economy spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA welcomes the Department's move to limit connection charges to the cables and equipment needed to reach the main grid, arguing it will boost rural businesses, developers and renewable energy projects. She says small initial rises in bills should level…
Economy and employment Environment and climate Issue: Department for the Economy electricity connection cost reduction Original release: Armstrong Welcomes Cut in Electricity Connection Costs as Boost for Rural Growth and Renewable Energy (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance backs decision to take forward legislation to give girls right to wear trousers in school
Alliance MLA Michelle Guy welcomes the Education Committee's decision to take forward a single-issue bill allowing girls to choose trousers as part of school uniform. She says the Education Minister could have made the change through his uniform guidance and urges him to update the guidelines…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Committee proposal on girls' right to wear trousers in school Original release: Alliance backs decision to take forward legislation to give girls right to wear trousers in school (opens in a new tab)
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Hargey condemns south Belfast racist graffiti
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey condemns graffiti on a property near Ravenhill Embankment in south Belfast that she describes as racist. She says the community is diverse and urges anyone with information to contact police.
Disability and equality Issue: Racist graffiti on property near Ravenhill Embankment, south Belfast Original release: Hargey condemns south Belfast racist graffiti (opens in a new tab)
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Costs faced by families in schools must be reduced – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker calls on the Education Minister to move towards free school meals for all children, ahead of an Assembly debate on school meals. He also says he is bringing forward legislation to support families during school holidays.
Education Social security and welfare Issue: Assembly debate on school meals Original release: Costs faced by families in schools must be reduced – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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O'Toole: Do nothing Executive letting Belfast Lough go same way as Lough Neagh
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the Executive lacks any plan to tackle sewage pollution in Belfast Lough, after the Office for Environmental Protection reported spills there are damaging the environment. He calls for the Infrastructure Minister and Executive to bring forward…
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: Office for Environmental Protection investigation into NI Water sewage discharges into Belfast Lough Original release: O'Toole: Do nothing Executive letting Belfast Lough go same way as Lough Neagh (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin secures review into social services after raising concerns with Minister
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin welcomes Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's confirmation that officials will review how social services operate alongside family courts, after she raised parents' cases with him. She says the review must move quickly and questions why concerns did not reach the…
Health Issue: Health Department review of social services and family courts Original release: McLaughlin secures review into social services after raising concerns with Minister (opens in a new tab)
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Belfast Lough investigation must prompt action from Infrastructure Minister, says Alliance representatives
Alliance MLAs Stewart Dickson and Connie Egan call on the Infrastructure Minister to act after an Office for Environmental Protection investigation into NI Water sewage discharges into Belfast Lough. They urge green-lighting Kinnegar Wastewater Treatment Works upgrades and criticise Executive…
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: Office for Environmental Protection investigation into NI Water sewage discharges into Belfast Lough Original release: Belfast Lough investigation must prompt action from Infrastructure Minister, says Alliance representatives (opens in a new tab)
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16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence brings renewed focus to ending violence against women and girls, says Egan
Alliance North Down MLA Connie Egan says gender-based violence has no place in society and highlights this year's 16 Days of Activism theme, 'No Excuse for Online Abuse', amid a rise in deepfake videos of women.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence brings renewed focus to ending violence against women and girls, says Egan (opens in a new tab)
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High number of social work vacancies ‘alarming’ – Ní Chuilín
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín says more than 80 social work posts are vacant in the Belfast Trust, calling the figure alarming and urging the Department of Health to fill the posts urgently so staff are not overstretched and vulnerable people receive care.
Health Issue: Belfast Trust social work vacancies Original release: High number of social work vacancies ‘alarming’ – Ní Chuilín (opens in a new tab)
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CAMPBELL WELCOMES LATEST OFCOM REPORT
DUP MP Gregory Campbell welcomes a new Ofcom report showing Northern Ireland leads the UK on full-fibre broadband, with around 95% of premises able to access it. He credits DUP-backed public investment and says around 1,800 premises still lack a decent service and must be reached.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Ofcom report on full-fibre broadband availability in Northern Ireland Original release: CAMPBELL WELCOMES LATEST OFCOM REPORT (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath expresses concern about health service funding
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says he is concerned about future health service funding, pressing Health Minister Mike Nesbitt in the Assembly over a projected £200m overspend this year and its effect on next year's budget.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health department projected £200m overspend and future funding concerns Original release: McGrath expresses concern about health service funding (opens in a new tab)
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Significant Reduction in Endoscopy Waiting Lists
UUP Health Minister Mike Nesbitt welcomes a 62% fall in endoscopy waiting lists to their lowest level since before COVID-19, citing regional endoscopy centres at Lagan Valley and Omagh hospitals and independent-sector insourcing. The release says recurrent funding is being sought to bring this…
Health Issue: Endoscopy waiting list reduction figures October 2025 Original release: Significant Reduction in Endoscopy Waiting Lists (opens in a new tab)
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Infrastructure Minister committed to tackling road deaths – Boylan
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan praises Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins for launching a new anti-drug-driving campaign during Road Safety Week, saying dangerous driving devastates families and that more must be done to save lives.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Anti-drug-driving campaign launch during Road Safety Week Original release: Infrastructure Minister committed to tackling road deaths – Boylan (opens in a new tab)
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Minister must expedite approval of funding for the Birch Hill Centre for Mental Health – Kearney
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, calls on the Health Minister to expedite approval of funding for the Birch Hill Centre for Mental Health and confirm a clear timeframe, citing unsustainable conditions at Holywell Hospital in Antrim.
Health Issue: Birch Hill Centre for Mental Health funding approval Original release: Minister must expedite approval of funding for the Birch Hill Centre for Mental Health – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Kathleen Funchion MEP to host major conference on gender-based violence
Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion says she will host a conference in Limerick tomorrow on gender-based violence, bringing together frontline practitioners, policymakers and survivors to share best practice and strengthen cross-sector cooperation on ending violence against women and girls.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: Kathleen Funchion MEP to host major conference on gender-based violence (opens in a new tab)
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Statement from the Democratic Unionist Party
The DUP welcomes the publication of the latest UK Covid Inquiry report, expressing sympathy for those bereaved and saying its Ministers prioritised what they believed were Northern Ireland's best interests. It says the party cooperated fully with the Inquiry and commits to acting on lessons for…
Health Issue: Covid Inquiry second report findings Original release: Statement from the Democratic Unionist Party (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Covid Inquiry findings highlight lack of political leadership
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole says the Covid-19 Inquiry findings show a lack of political leadership at Stormont and calls for a serious programme of institutional reform. He accuses Sinn Féin and the DUP of prioritising partisan interests over public safety during the pandemic.
Health Issue: Covid Inquiry second report findings Original release: O’Toole: Covid Inquiry findings highlight lack of political leadership (opens in a new tab)