Latest releases
Searching a long passage? Find similar statements.
- Environment and climate: remove filter
- Community relations and legacy: remove filter
- Disability and equality: remove filter
3,088 releases
-
Gildernew condemns burning of Moygashel racist bonfire
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew condemns the burning of a bonfire in Moygashel that included a racist effigy of refugees in a small boat and other racist displays. He welcomes police treating it as a hate incident and calls for those responsible to be held accountable.
Community relations and legacy Immigration Issue: Moygashel bonfire refugee effigy and 'Stop the Boats' posters Original release: Gildernew condemns burning of Moygashel racist bonfire (opens in a new tab)
-
Bonfire decision
TUV deputy leader Councillor Ron McDowell welcomes the PSNI's decision not to move in against the South Belfast bonfire, but blames Belfast City Council's governance for the process, saying the SP&R committee vote was not based on advice from statutory bodies. He also praises the bonfire builders…
Community relations and legacy Local government Issue: PSNI decision not to intervene against South Belfast bonfire Original release: Bonfire decision (opens in a new tab)
-
Loyalist paramilitaries causing fear and division - Gerry Carroll MLA
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll says the Donegal Road bonfire in south Belfast's Village area shows the threat of loyalist violence and intimidation persists around the Twelfth. He claims loyalist paramilitaries still hold a tight grip on local communities, cites asbestos and safety…
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: Asbestos at bonfire site near Meridi Street, south Belfast Original release: Loyalist paramilitaries causing fear and division - Gerry Carroll MLA (opens in a new tab)
-
Time for action to prevent hazardous bonfire endangering lives, property and public services – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan calls for political and community leaders, including unionists, to act to stop a planned hazardous bonfire in the Village in West Belfast, and urges the PSNI to take immediate action. He warns it threatens hospital power supplies and could release asbestos.
Community relations and legacy Health Issue: Asbestos at bonfire site near Meridi Street, south Belfast Original release: Time for action to prevent hazardous bonfire endangering lives, property and public services – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
-
McDonough-Brown calls for responsible political leadership regarding South Belfast bonfire site
Alliance Botanic Councillor Emmet McDonough-Brown urges everyone to step back and focus on safety after police judged that a bonfire near Donegall Road can proceed more safely than removing it with contractors. He calls for responsible political leadership and strong mitigations to protect public…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: PSNI decision not to intervene against South Belfast bonfire Original release: McDonough-Brown calls for responsible political leadership regarding South Belfast bonfire site (opens in a new tab)
-
Urgent action needed to protect life, property and health services near bonfire – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan describes a bonfire in south Belfast's Village area as extremely concerning, citing nearby asbestos and risks to power supply at City and Royal Victoria Hospitals. He calls for urgent action and says Sinn Féin would support removing bonfire materials if safeguards cannot…
Community relations and legacy Health Issue: Asbestos at bonfire site near Meridi Street, south Belfast Original release: Urgent action needed to protect life, property and health services near bonfire – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
-
‘Vile’ racist effigies and posters must be removed – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew condemns an effigy of refugees in a boat placed atop a bonfire in Moygashel, alongside 'Stop the Boats' posters, and calls for it to be removed immediately and for local political leaders to call for removal.
Immigration Disability and equality Issue: Moygashel bonfire refugee effigy and 'Stop the Boats' posters Original release: ‘Vile’ racist effigies and posters must be removed – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
-
Roofe calls for the immediate removal of racist display on County Tyrone bonfire, describing it as despicable
Alliance Councillor Eddie Roofe calls for the immediate removal of a model refugee boat placed on top of a bonfire in Moygashel, County Tyrone, which he says is racist and must not be excused as cultural celebration.
Community relations and legacy Disability and equality Issue: Moygashel bonfire refugee effigy and 'Stop the Boats' posters Original release: Roofe calls for the immediate removal of racist display on County Tyrone bonfire, describing it as despicable (opens in a new tab)
-
We cannot risk bonfire damaging substation powering nearby hospitals, says Maghie, following new NIE information
Alliance Belfast councillor Jenna Maghie says new Northern Ireland Electricity information shows a bonfire near a South Belfast substation, close to hospitals, must not be allowed to cause damage. She welcomes the passing of an Alliance motion asking the council to explore hiring firms to remove…
Community relations and legacy Local government Issue: South Belfast substation bonfire risk near hospitals Original release: We cannot risk bonfire damaging substation powering nearby hospitals, says Maghie, following new NIE information (opens in a new tab)
-
Hanna: Leadership failure on bonfires letting communities down
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says a lack of leadership on bonfire issues is failing communities, citing a South Belfast bonfire beside asbestos and a substation and an effigy of refugees in Moygashel. She calls for immediate action from authorities and elected leaders.
Community relations and legacy Issue: South Belfast substation bonfire risk near hospitals Original release: Hanna: Leadership failure on bonfires letting communities down (opens in a new tab)
-
Durkan: We need to get serious about environmental crime
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says environmental crime is not being taken seriously enough after the PPS decided not to appeal sentences for two men convicted over illegal dumping at Mobuoy near Derry. He calls on the Environment Minister and Justice Minister to urgently review sentencing…
Environment and climate Justice and policing Issue: PPS decision not to appeal Mobuoy illegal dumping sentences Original release: Durkan: We need to get serious about environmental crime (opens in a new tab)
-
Sinn Fein Thumbs Its Nose at IRA Victims Again
TUV chairman Allister Kyle, a Causeway councillor, accuses Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald of showing contempt for IRA victims by praising IRA member Joe McDonnell as a "beacon" on social media. He says McDonnell should be remembered for a failed furniture shop bombing and related convictions.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Mary Lou McDonald social media tribute to Joe McDonnell Original release: Sinn Fein Thumbs Its Nose at IRA Victims Again (opens in a new tab)
-
Churlish efforts to discourage use of Irish will not succeed – Ní Chonghaile
Sinn Féin councillor Maighréad Ní Chonghaile welcomes the dismissal of a complaint against her for speaking Irish at an Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council meeting. She calls on the council to adopt a proactive policy protecting Irish speakers' rights.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Complaint against Maighréad Ní Chonghaile for speaking Irish at Antrim and Newtownabbey council dismissed Original release: Churlish efforts to discourage use of Irish will not succeed – Ní Chonghaile (opens in a new tab)
-
Death of Lord Tebbit
TUV leader Jim Allister KC MP expresses sadness at the death of Lord Tebbit, praising his courage after the 1984 Brighton bombing and his devotion to his wife, and condemning critics who question his opposition to the IRA.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Original release: Death of Lord Tebbit (opens in a new tab)
-
Cllr Anthony Flynn defends Belfast City Hall's LGBTQ window as a vital cultural and historical landmark
Green Party Cllr Anthony Flynn defends the LGBTQ+ window at Belfast City Hall as an iconic landmark, citing its imagery and references to rights campaigns. He accuses the TUV of hypocrisy over a slogan in the design and says the TUV backed the window unanimously.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Belfast City Hall Pride window equality complaint and investigation Original release: Cllr Anthony Flynn defends Belfast City Hall's LGBTQ window as a vital cultural and historical landmark (opens in a new tab)
-
Flexibility Isn’t Weakness, It’s Wisdom: Butler Backs Locally-Informed Climate Planning
UUP agriculture spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA welcomes the European Commission's more flexible 2040 climate target and calls for a co-designed Rural Climate and Energy Roadmap for Northern Ireland, with cross-departmental leadership and support for anaerobic digestion.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: European Commission 2040 climate target of 90% emissions reduction Original release: Flexibility Isn’t Weakness, It’s Wisdom: Butler Backs Locally-Informed Climate Planning (opens in a new tab)
-
TUV Action Prompts Investigation into Offensive City Hall Pride Window
TUV secretary and equality spokesperson Ann McClure says a formal complaint over Belfast City Council's City Hall "Pride" window has prompted an internal equality investigation, and calls for the offensive portion to be covered or removed, retrospective equality screening, consultation with faith…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Belfast City Hall Pride window equality complaint and investigation Original release: TUV Action Prompts Investigation into Offensive City Hall Pride Window (opens in a new tab)
-
Stewart welcomes recognition of Portstewart Strand as UK Beach of the Year
Alliance Alderman Richard Stewart, Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Council, welcomes Portstewart Strand being ranked the top beach in the UK and Northern Ireland in a Times and Sunday Times guide, praising its scenery, water quality and community spirit.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Portstewart Strand ranked UK top beach in Times and Sunday Times guide Original release: Stewart welcomes recognition of Portstewart Strand as UK Beach of the Year (opens in a new tab)
-
Environment and Nature Restoration Bill Consultation Responses
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says his Private Member's Bill would set binding environmental targets for air, water, soil and biodiversity, and calls for DAERA to set long-term and interim targets that public authorities must meet. He cites high air pollution levels.
Environment and climate Issue: Environment and Nature Restoration Bill public consultation responses Original release: Environment and Nature Restoration Bill Consultation Responses (opens in a new tab)
-
O’Toole urges Minister Muir to step up on asbestos bonfire
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole questions why Environment Minister Andrew Muir has not intervened at a bonfire site near Meridi Street in south Belfast containing asbestos. He calls on Muir to direct the NIEA to remove the risk before the bonfire is lit this week.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Asbestos at bonfire site near Meridi Street, south Belfast Original release: O’Toole urges Minister Muir to step up on asbestos bonfire (opens in a new tab)