Latest releases
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1,575 releases
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Councillor Brian Smyth has voiced his concerns over the language used by DAREA Minister
Green Party Councillor for Lisnasharragh Brian Smyth says he is worried DAREA Minister Andrew Muir is shifting responsibility for Lough Neagh by citing possible lack of funds. He calls for stronger action against polluters and an independent environmental protection agency.
Environment and climate Issue: DAREA Minister Andrew Muir's Lough Neagh recovery plan funding remarks Original release: Councillor Brian Smyth has voiced his concerns over the language used by DAREA Minister (opens in a new tab)
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Blair commends disposable vape ban on Earth Day 2024
Alliance's environment spokesperson John Blair MLA backs the DAERA Minister's proposed ban on disposable vapes on Earth Day, arguing they add plastic waste that litters streets and harms oceans and wildlife.
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA proposed ban on disposable vapes in Northern Ireland Original release: Blair commends disposable vape ban on Earth Day 2024 (opens in a new tab)
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Parties need to be clear on “gender-affirming healthcare”
DUP MP Carla Lockhart calls on parties to state their position on gender-affirming healthcare and asks the Health Minister to clarify the Department of Health's approach following the Cass Report. She accuses Alliance and Sinn Féin of silence since its publication.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Cass Report publication on gender-affirming healthcare Original release: Parties need to be clear on “gender-affirming healthcare” (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent action needed to ensure victims and survivors not left behind
Alliance MLA Connie Egan, Executive Office Committee Deputy Chair, says urgent action is needed so victims are not left behind, calling for a trauma-focused Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme process, a backdated payments deadline extension, and a bereavement payment scheme.
Community relations and legacy Disability and equality Original release: Urgent action needed to ensure victims and survivors not left behind (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin’s Commission on the Future of Ireland to host ‘Rights in a New Ireland’ Conference
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Original release: Sinn Féin’s Commission on the Future of Ireland to host ‘Rights in a New Ireland’ Conference (opens in a new tab)
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Muir welcomes opening of opt-in Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme
Alliance Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir welcomes the launch of online sign-up for the Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme, a payment support scheme that encourages beef farms to cut the slaughter age of finished cattle. He urges farmers to engage with his Department.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme online sign-up launch Original release: Muir welcomes opening of opt-in Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Unacceptable crisis management in special educational needs has become the norm, says Mathison
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison, Chair of the Assembly Education Committee, says emergency crisis management in special educational needs placements has become the norm, after officials said almost 7,000 children need new placements and only 80 of 291 schools agreed to specialist provisions.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Committee briefing on SEN placements and specialist provisions in mainstream schools Original release: Unacceptable crisis management in special educational needs has become the norm, says Mathison (opens in a new tab)
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Sheehan urges Education Authority to prioritise children with SEN
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan urges the Education Authority's leadership to listen to parents and prioritise children with special educational needs, ensuring those placed in September are placed on time. He calls for the education department to work with the health minister to overhaul SEN services…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Sheehan urges Education Authority to prioritise children with SEN (opens in a new tab)
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GB and NI face separate carbon tax because of Sea Border
TUV vice chairman Allister Kyle says a Politico report on separate UK and EU carbon taxes shows the Sea Border's consequences, warning Northern Ireland goods could face EU carbon paperwork and costs. He criticises the DUP's silence on the issue.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Politico report on separate UK and EU carbon taxes Original release: GB and NI face separate carbon tax because of Sea Border (opens in a new tab)
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Senator Mal O'Hara welcomes cross-border rail funding
Green Party Senator Mal O'Hara welcomes a €165 million investment in Belfast-Dublin cross-border rail services, linked to the PEACEPLUS programme, and calls on a Northern Ireland Transport Minister to match Dublin's shift of spending towards public transport.
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Dublin to Belfast rail services £140 million investment Original release: Senator Mal O'Hara welcomes cross-border rail funding (opens in a new tab)
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Almost 15,000 waiting for autism assessment
DUP MLA Diane Dodds, Upper Bann, says a Health Minister response shows almost 15,000 people are awaiting autism assessment, including over 11,000 children with waits up to four and a half years. She calls the waits unacceptable and urges the appointment of a Lead for Adult Autism and…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Health Minister response on autism assessment waiting lists Original release: Almost 15,000 waiting for autism assessment (opens in a new tab)
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Hargey condemns ‘sickening’ racist graffiti
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey condemns racist graffiti daubed on a home in Finaghy, South Belfast, calling it a despicable attempt to intimidate and stir up hate. She urges political representatives to stand together against it and asks anyone with information to come forward as PSNI investigates…
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Finaghy graffiti on South Belfast home threatening resident who spoke out Original release: Hargey condemns ‘sickening’ racist graffiti (opens in a new tab)
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Nicholl condemns those behind 'sinister' graffiti which appeared on South Belfast home
Alliance South Belfast MLA Kate Nicholl condemns the 'sinister' graffiti on a home in Finaghy, calling it a threat to a local person who spoke out. She reports the graffiti to the PSNI, urges anyone with information to contact them, and calls on all parties to condemn racism together.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Finaghy graffiti on South Belfast home threatening resident who spoke out Original release: Nicholl condemns those behind 'sinister' graffiti which appeared on South Belfast home (opens in a new tab)
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Commissioning adult ADHD services in NI of vital important, says McReynolds, after launching petition
Alliance East Belfast MLA Peter McReynolds calls on the Department of Health to commission adult ADHD services in Northern Ireland and to develop a comprehensive ADHD strategy, after launching a public petition to be presented to the Assembly’s Speaker.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Petition to commission adult ADHD services in NI Original release: Commissioning adult ADHD services in NI of vital important, says McReynolds, after launching petition (opens in a new tab)
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No Congestion Charges – Free Public Transport
People Before Profit opposes congestion charges, which it says would create class barriers to city centres, and calls for free, frequent public transport in urban centres instead. It responds to a proposal by Green Party leader Eamon Ryan that councils prepare traffic plans by 2026 and consider…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Eamon Ryan congestion charges proposal Original release: No Congestion Charges – Free Public Transport (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent action needed to improve water quality – Brogan
Sinn Féin MLA Nicola Brogan calls for an urgent review of how water quality is addressed across the north, following an Audit Office report finding no improvement in water quality over almost a decade. She urges full implementation of the report's recommendations by the Department of Agriculture…
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: Northern Ireland Audit Office report on water quality in rivers and lakes Original release: Urgent action needed to improve water quality – Brogan (opens in a new tab)
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Mal O’Hara is likely to be successfully elected to the Seanad
The Green Party welcomes news that party leader Mal O'Hara is likely to be elected unopposed to the Seanad, making him its fifth sitting Senator. O'Hara says a Northern Ireland voice must remain in the Seanad and pledges to amplify voices from across the north.
Other Environment and climate Issue: Mal O'Hara likely unopposed Seanad by-election win Original release: Mal O’Hara is likely to be successfully elected to the Seanad (opens in a new tab)
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Consequences of failing to act to protect our environment are evident, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA responds to the Northern Ireland Audit Office report on water quality in rivers and lakes, saying Northern Ireland trails the Republic on ecological status. He calls for cross-departmental action and welcomes the DAERA minister's planned…
Environment and climate Issue: Northern Ireland Audit Office report on water quality in rivers and lakes Original release: Consequences of failing to act to protect our environment are evident, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Greens in Ards and North Down reiterate support for a Moratorium against petroleum exploration and production
Green Party councillors in Ards and North Down say the council backed Cllr Kendall's proposal that its response to a Department consultation on onshore petroleum should back a moratorium and legislative ban. Cllr Kendall says the Executive has not acted on the ban despite the previous mandate's…
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Ards and North Down Council backs onshore petroleum moratorium and ban Original release: Greens in Ards and North Down reiterate support for a Moratorium against petroleum exploration and production (opens in a new tab)
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Brown raises concerns about flood management cuts and business grant delivery
Alliance South Down MLA Patrick Brown raises alarm over a reported cut of more than 60% to flood management funding in 2023/24 and questions why it was cut so deeply. He also queries how a £100k flood recovery grant scheme for businesses will be rolled out.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: DfI flood management funding cut figures for 2023/24 Original release: Brown raises concerns about flood management cuts and business grant delivery (opens in a new tab)