Latest releases
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2,851 releases
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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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Renters continue to have their security eroded, says Armstrong
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA says private renters' security is being eroded by rent rises, no-fault evictions and short-term lets, and calls on the Communities Minister to act on Alliance's 'A New Deal for Renters' proposals following a Belfast anti-eviction rally.
Housing Issue: Belfast anti-eviction march announced for 10 May Original release: Renters continue to have their security eroded, 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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Time to ban unjust letting fees – Ferguson
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson urges the public to comment on a proposed bill that would ban unfair letting fees and require the Department for Communities to issue guidance on prohibited charges, before the consultation ends on 12 May 2025.
Housing Issue: Consultation on proposed letting fees ban Original release: Time to ban unjust letting fees – Ferguson (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)
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McGuigan welcomes plan to tackle health waiting lists
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan welcomes Health Minister Nesbitt's investment plan to cut waiting lists in the north, following Finance Minister John O'Dowd's allocations. He urges urgent action to bring cancer red flag referral figures back under target and welcomes the Cross Border Directive…
Health Issue: Health Minister's investment plan to cut waiting lists Original release: McGuigan welcomes plan to tackle health waiting lists (opens in a new tab)
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An all-island health service makes sense – Sinn Féin to hold major health conference in Belfast
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen announces the Commission on the Future of Ireland will hold a ‘Health and Care in a New Ireland’ conference in Belfast on 6 June, chaired by an independent and featuring an expert panel, calling for all‑island cooperation to improve health services.
Health Constitutional affairs Issue: Health and Care in a New Ireland conference in Belfast Original release: An all-island health service makes sense – Sinn Féin to hold major health conference in Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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Belfast to March on 10 May: Ban Evictions Now
People Before Profit announces an anti-eviction march from Dunville South to Belfast City Hall on Saturday 10 May, calling for an eviction ban, rent caps and an end to Housing Executive succession evictions.
Housing Issue: Belfast anti-eviction march announced for 10 May Original release: Belfast to March on 10 May: Ban Evictions Now (opens in a new tab)
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Chambers welcomes departmental investment plan to tackle hospital waiting lists
UUP health spokesperson Alan Chambers welcomes Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's Assembly statement on a funding plan to reduce hospital waiting times, and backs a £10m reimbursement scheme for treatment abroad starting in June.
Health Issue: Health Minister's investment plan to cut waiting lists Original release: Chambers welcomes departmental investment plan to tackle hospital waiting lists (opens in a new tab)
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Lack of reference to mental health waiting lists greatly concerning, says Donnelly, following Health Minister statement
Alliance Health spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA welcomes the Health Minister's announcement on how funds will be used to tackle waiting lists, but says the lack of reference to people on mental health waiting lists is a great concern.
Health Issue: Health Minister's investment plan to cut waiting lists Original release: Lack of reference to mental health waiting lists greatly concerning, says Donnelly, following Health Minister statement (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Waiting lists plan must show results
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA welcomes the Health Minister's commitment to publish monthly reports on his £50m plan to tackle waiting lists, but says results must be shown. He raises concerns about reliance on outside providers, repurposing staff, upfront payment for…
Health Issue: Health Minister's investment plan to cut waiting lists Original release: McGrath: Waiting lists plan must show results (opens in a new tab)
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TUV expose Stormont’s extreme trans policy on female only spaces, names and pronouns
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says the Assembly's Transgender Policy lets biological males use female facilities and allows visitor records to reflect self-declared names and gender, and calls for answers on who approved it and for the guidance to be withdrawn.
Disability and equality Issue: Stormont Assembly Transgender Policy on facilities and visitor records Original release: TUV expose Stormont’s extreme trans policy on female only spaces, names and pronouns (opens in a new tab)
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Serious questions arise from planned Stormont event
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says the Rainbow Project's planned 12 May event at Stormont, which imposes an Events Code of Conduct on pronouns and toilet access, raises serious issues and has tabled questions to the Assembly Commission.
Disability and equality Issue: Rainbow Project Stormont event code of conduct on 12 May Original release: Serious questions arise from planned Stormont event (opens in a new tab)