Latest releases
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2,939 releases
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Communities Minister must listen to views of anti-poverty organisations – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew says anti‑poverty groups must be consulted as the draft Anti‑Poverty Strategy is reviewed, urging Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey and Minister Lyons to heed their input to shape an effective plan for low‑income families.
Social security and welfare Issue: Presentation of draft Anti-Poverty Strategy to Executive Original release: Communities Minister must listen to views of anti-poverty organisations – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Doherty: Long-awaited anti-poverty strategy must deliver
SDLP West Belfast councillor Paul Doherty says the draft anti-poverty strategy signed off by the Executive must deliver, warning it is meaningless without funding and measures. He urges the Communities Minister to act on poverty now, not wait for consultation.
Social security and welfare Issue: Presentation of draft Anti-Poverty Strategy to Executive Original release: Doherty: Long-awaited anti-poverty strategy must deliver (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin welcomes progress on childcare support
SDLP Economy Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin welcomes the Education Minister's decision to open the Childcare Subsidy scheme to school-age children, but says it is only a start. She calls for a fully funded childcare strategy, a Department for the Economy support scheme for providers, and UK action…
Education Economy and employment Issue: Executive approval of £55m early learning and childcare package Original release: McLaughlin welcomes progress on childcare support (opens in a new tab)
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Irish medium early years education must be supported – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason says the Department of Education must do more to enhance Irish medium early years education, calling for investment in facilities, training and retention of early years educators. Her remarks follow an Education Committee meeting.
Education Disability and equality Original release: Irish medium early years education must be supported – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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McAllister urges Health Minister to ensure sustainable GP funding as a priority, following rejection of funding contract offer
Alliance health spokesperson and North Belfast MLA Nuala McAllister urges the Health Minister to prioritise reopening talks on sustainable GP funding after 99.6% of BMA GP Committee ballot respondents rejected the 25/26 GMS contract offer. She says the proposed terms would cause a net loss of…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: BMA GP Committee rejection of 25/26 GMS contract offer Original release: McAllister urges Health Minister to ensure sustainable GP funding as a priority, following rejection of funding contract offer (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew launches consultation on homelessness prevention legislation
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew invites public views on his proposed bill to extend Housing Executive support for people at risk of homelessness from 28 days to at least 60 days. He says the consultation will help ensure the legislation meets people's needs.
Housing Social security and welfare Issue: Gildernew homelessness prevention bill public consultation Original release: Gildernew launches consultation on homelessness prevention legislation (opens in a new tab)
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Current cancer waiting times ‘simply not acceptable’ – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan says current cancer waiting times are simply not acceptable, following an Assembly motion on the issue. He welcomes the extra £10 million for Rapid Diagnosis Centres and calls for clear targets, timelines and transparency in the upcoming plans.
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Máire Devine TD to welcome nursing representatives to Leinster House in celebration of International Nurses’ Day
Sinn Féin TD Máire Devine will host nursing representatives at Leinster House on 14 May 2025 to mark International Nurses' Day, citing about 120,000 nurses and midwives and calling for retention measures including pay, conditions and affordable housing.
Health Economy and employment Original release: Máire Devine TD to welcome nursing representatives to Leinster House in celebration of International Nurses’ Day (opens in a new tab)
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Rejection of balanced amendment undermines opportunity to protect rights – Beattie MC MLA
UUP MLA Doug Beattie criticises Alliance, Sinn Féin and the SDLP for voting down his party's amendment to an Assembly motion on discrimination against the LGBTQI+ community, which also sought to protect women's rights. He calls the rejection disappointing and says the amendment struck a fair…
Disability and equality Issue: Assembly motion amendment on LGBTQI+ discrimination and women's rights rejected Original release: Rejection of balanced amendment undermines opportunity to protect rights – Beattie MC MLA (opens in a new tab)
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Every young person deserves same opportunity to thrive, says Donnelly, welcoming passing of Caleb's Causing motion
Alliance Larne Lough Councillor Maeve Donnelly welcomes the council's passing of her motion backing Caleb's Cause and Alma White, which calls for better post-19 SEN provision. It urges the Economy, Health and Education Ministers to consider legislation for post-19 Education Health and Care plans.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Larne Borough Council motion on post-19 SEN provision and Caleb's Cause Original release: Every young person deserves same opportunity to thrive, says Donnelly, welcoming passing of Caleb's Causing motion (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone welcomes Education Minister meeting with Gael Linn
SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone welcomes a meeting between Education Minister Paul Givan and Gael Linn on funding for the Scoil Spreagtha Irish-language scheme, which is set to end in June 2025. He says no firm commitments were given, but the Minister will look again at funding options.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Scoil Spreagtha funding meeting between Education Minister and Gael Linn Original release: McGlone welcomes Education Minister meeting with Gael Linn (opens in a new tab)
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We must redouble our efforts to stamp out homophobia, biphobia and transphobia – Sheerin
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin marks International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, urging political representatives to redouble efforts against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia and warning against toxic discourse becoming mainstream.
Disability and equality Original release: We must redouble our efforts to stamp out homophobia, biphobia and transphobia – Sheerin (opens in a new tab)
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Drop the Puberty Blocker Ban
People Before Profit's Gerry Carroll criticises the Alliance Party's tabled Assembly motion for International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, and calls on the Executive to reverse its indefinite ban on puberty blockers for under-18s and publish the clinical evidence behind it.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Assembly motion on International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia Original release: Drop the Puberty Blocker Ban (opens in a new tab)
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Cancer Waiting Times in Northern Ireland ‘a Scandal’ – Dodds
DUP MLA Diane Dodds urges Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to act on cancer waiting times, citing only 37.9% of patients starting treatment within 62 days of GP referral against a 95% target. She also points to nearly 25,000 children awaiting a paediatrician and calls for accountability over the…
Health Issue: Northern Ireland cancer waiting times statistics and Assembly debate Original release: Cancer Waiting Times in Northern Ireland ‘a Scandal’ – Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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No Pride in Betrayal
Green Party NI says the Stormont Executive parties have failed LGBTQ+ people, citing no promised strategy since 2007, no equality ministerial funding since 2005, and an unfinished 2020 hate crime review. It urges Pride not to give them an unearned pass.
Disability and equality Original release: No Pride in Betrayal (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister must bring forward LGBTQI+ Strategy, says Armstrong
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong calls on Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to deliver an LGBTQI+ strategy without delay, noting it was first promised over a decade ago. She also criticises the minister for not yet meeting LGBTQI+ sector representatives, ahead of a motion in the Assembly on Monday.
Disability and equality Issue: Communities Minister LGBTQI+ strategy delay and Assembly motion Original release: Communities Minister must bring forward LGBTQI+ Strategy, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Government must now act on commitments to extend presidential voting rights to citizens in the North – Pearse Doherty TD
Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty TD urges the government to set a timeline and date for a referendum on giving Irish citizens in the North a vote in presidential elections, following a Stormont vote and the Tánaiste's supportive response.
Constitutional affairs Disability and equality Issue: Stormont vote on presidential voting rights for Northern citizens Original release: Government must now act on commitments to extend presidential voting rights to citizens in the North – Pearse Doherty TD (opens in a new tab)
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Free Speech and Scrutiny Vindicated: Gaston Welcomes Standards Commissioner Ruling
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston welcomes the Assembly Commissioner for Standards' decision to dismiss a complaint against him over questions he asked in an October committee session. He argues the ruling protects MLAs' scrutiny role and criticises committee chair Paula Bradshaw's interview remarks.
Disability and equality Issue: Standards Commissioner ruling on Timothy Gaston committee questioning complaint Original release: Free Speech and Scrutiny Vindicated: Gaston Welcomes Standards Commissioner Ruling (opens in a new tab)
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McDaid offers support to Camogie players amid skorts row
SDLP Ballyarnett councillor Catherine McDaid says women should be free to wear what they are comfortable in, backing Kilkenny and Dublin camogie players forced into skorts at a Leinster semi-final and urging GAA members to abolish the rule at the Special Congress.
Disability and equality Issue: Camogie skorts rule row at Leinster Championship semi-final Original release: McDaid offers support to Camogie players amid skorts row (opens in a new tab)
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No place for racism or homophobia in our society – Hargey
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey condemns alleged racist and homophobic abuse directed at bus passengers, calling the behaviour repulsive and reprehensible. She extends solidarity to those targeted and backs police appeals for information about the incident on 4 May.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Alleged racist and homophobic abuse on bus, police appeal for information Original release: No place for racism or homophobia in our society – Hargey (opens in a new tab)