Latest releases
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4,936 releases
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McGlone welcomes appointment of language commissioners
SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone welcomes the confirmation that Irish Language and Ulster Scots Commissioners will soon take up their posts, ending long uncertainty. He criticises the Executive for delays and asks the Executive Office to set out the experience of newly named appointees to the cultural body.
Disability and equality Issue: Pól Deeds appointed Irish Language Commissioner Original release: McGlone welcomes appointment of language commissioners (opens in a new tab)
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Language Commissioners must build trust not division - Butler
UUP Deputy Leader Robbie Butler MLA says the newly appointed Language Commissioners and the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression director must prove they serve the public and build trust. He criticises the Sinn Féin and DUP talks process as sidelining others, and urges value for money and…
Disability and equality Issue: Office of Identity and Cultural Expression appointments announced Original release: Language Commissioners must build trust not division - Butler (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw welcomes appointment of Language Commissioners
Alliance Executive Office Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw welcomes the First and deputy First Minister's sending of letters of offer to Pól Deeds and Lee Reynolds, appointees as Irish Language and Ulster-Scots Commissioners. She says the process took too long and looks forward to them presenting their…
Disability and equality Issue: Identity and Language Act Commissioner appointments delay Original release: Bradshaw welcomes appointment of Language Commissioners (opens in a new tab)
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PSNI must explain reason not to implement Ombudsman’s recommendations in full – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon calls on the PSNI to explain why it did not fully implement the Police Ombudsman's recommendations on four officers' conduct during a December 2022 arrest. She says the findings of misogynistic remarks toward a woman reporting domestic abuse are concerning.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Police Ombudsman report on officers' conduct during December 2022 arrest Original release: PSNI must explain reason not to implement Ombudsman’s recommendations in full – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Connolly win exposes deep sectarianism in the Republic and derails all-Ireland propaganda
TUV leader Jim Allister, MP for North Antrim, says Catherine Connolly's presidential win is a setback for all-Ireland aims, calling her a divisive figure and accusing the campaign of sectarianism and hypocrisy in the Republic.
Constitutional affairs Community relations and legacy Issue: Catherine Connolly wins Irish presidential election Original release: Connolly win exposes deep sectarianism in the Republic and derails all-Ireland propaganda (opens in a new tab)
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Mary Lou McDonald hails election of Catherine Connolly as Uachtarán na hÉireann in historic election victory
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald TD welcomes Catherine Connolly's decisive win in the presidential contest, calling it a historic result and a watershed for Irish politics. She says the combined opposition offered an alternative to Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, and calls on government to prepare…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Catherine Connolly wins Irish presidential election Original release: Mary Lou McDonald hails election of Catherine Connolly as Uachtarán na hÉireann in historic election victory (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP statement on Irish Presidential election
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP congratulates Catherine Connolly on becoming President of Ireland and wishes Heather Humphreys well. She says the presidency can host honest discussion about a New Ireland and urges Connolly to enable voting in presidential elections for Irish citizens in the North.
Constitutional affairs Community relations and legacy Issue: Catherine Connolly wins Irish presidential election Original release: SDLP statement on Irish Presidential election (opens in a new tab)
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Vótáil Catherine Connolly – for a President for the people – Mary Lou McDonald TD
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald urges voters to back Catherine Connolly in the presidential election, with polling stations open until 10pm. She praises the campaign, thanks activists, and argues for a President independent of government who will defend neutrality.
Constitutional affairs Issue: 2025 Irish presidential election polling day Original release: Vótáil Catherine Connolly – for a President for the people – Mary Lou McDonald TD (opens in a new tab)
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Green Councillor Calls for Native Replanting and Community Involvement After Tree Loss in Holywood
Green Party Councillor Lauren Kendall calls on Ards and North Down Council to commit to native-species replanting along King John's Walk in Holywood after several mature trees were felled. She also urges better resident communication and involvement in management plans.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: King John's Walk Holywood tree felling and replanting Original release: Green Councillor Calls for Native Replanting and Community Involvement After Tree Loss in Holywood (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone welcomes £100k funding to save Scoil Spreagtha scheme
SDLP Irish Language Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA welcomes £100,000 in funding to keep the Scoil Spreagtha Irish language lessons scheme running for another year, followed by an evaluation, and says he will keep pressing for future funding.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Scoil Spreagtha scheme £100,000 funding confirmation Original release: McGlone welcomes £100k funding to save Scoil Spreagtha scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Breaking Barriers in Agriculture and Championing Women Farmers
UUP MLA Diana Armstrong urges DAERA to implement the recommendations of the 2022 Breaking the Grass Ceiling report, saying women farmers are vital to NI’s agri‑food economy and the party will lobby for equality.
Agriculture and rural affairs Disability and equality Issue: Breaking the Grass Ceiling report recommendations Original release: Breaking Barriers in Agriculture and Championing Women Farmers (opens in a new tab)
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Northern Ireland Cannot Be Broken by Unachievable Climate Targets
UUP Deputy Leader Robbie Butler MLA says a Audit Office report confirms concerns that the Department for Economy's energy strategy is falling short, and calls for a revision of Northern Ireland's 2030 climate targets, citing grid connection delays, planning delays and the lack of a storage strategy.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Audit Office report on Department for the Economy green energy strategy Original release: Northern Ireland Cannot Be Broken by Unachievable Climate Targets (opens in a new tab)
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Confidence in the Belfast Trust must be restored urgently, says McAllister
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA says the Belfast Trust must urgently rebuild staff confidence after a Health Committee session on a report into culture and oversight in its Cardiac Unit. She calls for whistleblowing reform and a statutory candour duty, and welcomes the new Trust…
Health Issue: Belfast Trust performance accountability report publication Original release: Confidence in the Belfast Trust must be restored urgently, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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Catherine Connolly will be a voice for peace and diplomacy – O’Neill
Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill says she campaigned with presidential candidate Catherine Connolly in Monaghan and urges voters to elect her ahead of Friday's poll, describing her as a strong, independent voice for neutrality, peace and diplomacy.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Catherine Connolly presidential election campaign Monaghan Original release: Catherine Connolly will be a voice for peace and diplomacy – O’Neill (opens in a new tab)
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McGuigan comments on Belfast Trust report
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan welcomes publication of a report on the Belfast Trust, commissioned after the trust's performance accountability process was raised to Level 5. He says serious issues remain unresolved in the cardiac surgery unit and will scrutinise the recommendations in full.
Health Issue: Belfast Trust performance accountability report publication Original release: McGuigan comments on Belfast Trust report (opens in a new tab)
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Independent environmental regulator crucial in helping us tackle pollution – Finnegan
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan welcomes Environment Minister Andrew Muir's intention to create an independent environmental regulator, following an independent report on environmental governance, and says it would help tackle pollution in air, water and Lough Neagh.
Environment and climate Issue: Expert panel report recommending independent Environmental Protection Agency for Northern Ireland Original release: Independent environmental regulator crucial in helping us tackle pollution – Finnegan (opens in a new tab)
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Aontú Motion on Presidential Reforms to be Debated in the Dáil Today
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD says a Dáil motion calls for reform of the presidential nomination threshold, voting rights for Irish citizens in Northern Ireland, and Freedom of Information coverage of Áras an Uachtaráin. It asks the government to legislate for an annual Áras cost report.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Aontú Dáil motion on presidential election reforms Original release: Aontú Motion on Presidential Reforms to be Debated in the Dáil Today (opens in a new tab)
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Tá sé soiléir domsa go mbeidh reifreann againn sa todhchaí ar Éire Aontaithe – Kathleen Funchion MEP
Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion says it is clear a referendum on Irish unity will be held in the future, and that a united Ireland would remain inside the EU. She calls on the EU to state what support will be available as the island moves from a border island to a united Ireland.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Tá sé soiléir domsa go mbeidh reifreann againn sa todhchaí ar Éire Aontaithe – Kathleen Funchion MEP (opens in a new tab)
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Immense potential for development of All Island Healthcare discussed at Good Friday Agreement Committee – Pat Cullen MP
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen says an all-island, centrally funded healthcare model is a party priority, after a Good Friday Agreement Committee session on all-island healthcare with academic witnesses. She backs a call for data-led research to integrate services across both jurisdictions.
Health Issue: Oireachtas Good Friday Agreement Committee session on all-island healthcare Original release: Immense potential for development of All Island Healthcare discussed at Good Friday Agreement Committee – Pat Cullen MP (opens in a new tab)
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Oireachtas na Samhna opportunity to showcase Irish as vibrant and flourishing language – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says Belfast's hosting of Oireachtas na Samhna, running 29 October to 2 November, shows Irish is vibrant and flourishing, citing the city's new Irish language policy and upcoming Gaeltacht and Fleadh hosting.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Oireachtas na Samhna festival hosted in Belfast 2025 Original release: Oireachtas na Samhna opportunity to showcase Irish as vibrant and flourishing language – Kearney (opens in a new tab)