Latest releases
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1,373 releases
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Government must act to end unfair block on northern athletes representing Ireland – Chris Andrews TD and Ruairí Ó Murchú TD
Sinn Féin's Chris Andrews TD and Ruairí Ó Murchú TD urge the Irish government to push for an island-wide derogation from World Athletics' 1934 Political Boundary Rule, which bars Northern athletes from representing Ireland at European and World championships. Andrews calls on Sport Minister Thomas…
Disability and equality Issue: World Athletics 1934 Political Boundary Rule derogation for Ireland Original release: Government must act to end unfair block on northern athletes representing Ireland – Chris Andrews TD and Ruairí Ó Murchú TD (opens in a new tab)
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PSNI must not participate in political activity whilst in uniform
DUP Policing Board representative and South Antrim MLA Trevor Clarke welcomes the PSNI decision to bar uniformed officers from Belfast Pride, saying political events risk damaging public confidence. He calls for equal treatment of officers from unionist backgrounds regarding Loyal Order membership.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: PSNI decision on uniformed officers at Belfast Pride parade Original release: PSNI must not participate in political activity whilst in uniform (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Flynn reacts to PSNI decision to pull out of Belfast Pride
Green Party councillor Flynn says the PSNI should not have taken part in Belfast Pride at all, arguing the event is a political protest and that police pulling support over the "Stand by your Trans" campaign shows their involvement was superficial.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: PSNI decision on uniformed officers at Belfast Pride parade Original release: Cllr Flynn reacts to PSNI decision to pull out of Belfast Pride (opens in a new tab)
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PSNI decision over Belfast Pride has set clock back on relations with LGBTQ+ community, says McAllister
Alliance MLA Nuala McAllister criticises the PSNI decision to bar officers from wearing uniform at the Belfast Pride parade, saying it sets back years of work on relations with the LGBTQ+ community. She urges police to reverse the decision before the parade.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: PSNI decision on uniformed officers at Belfast Pride parade Original release: PSNI decision over Belfast Pride has set clock back on relations with LGBTQ+ community, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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Sheehan requests urgent meeting with EA on school places
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says he has sought an urgent meeting with the Education Authority over continuing uncertainty about school placements for children with special educational needs. He argues the EA must give parents clarity quickly on next steps before pupils return in September.
Education Disability and equality Original release: Sheehan requests urgent meeting with EA on school places (opens in a new tab)
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‘Families need urgent certainty over school places’ – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan calls on the Education Authority to give families urgent certainty over preparations for school places in September for children with special educational needs, citing reports that almost 400 remain without a placement. He also calls for the Executive to be formed now.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Almost 400 SEN children without September school places reports Original release: ‘Families need urgent certainty over school places’ – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Action to end violence against women and girls must be a priority for all — Michelle O’Neill
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill, First Minister Designate, welcomes the release of a draft strategy and action plan on tackling violence against women and girls and urges the public to respond to the consultation.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Draft ending violence against women and girls strategy published for consultation Original release: Action to end violence against women and girls must be a priority for all — Michelle O’Neill (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin: Consultation important step in delivering Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy
SDLP Justice Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin welcomes the launch of a public consultation on the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategic Framework and Action Plan, which runs until 3 October, and urges people and community groups to take part. She says a restored Executive is needed to agree…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Draft ending violence against women and girls strategy published for consultation Original release: McLaughlin: Consultation important step in delivering Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (opens in a new tab)
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Finn urges progress on conversion therapy ban
SDLP councillor Doire Finn urges progress on banning conversion therapy in Northern Ireland, proposing a Newry, Mourne and Down council motion reaffirming opposition and asking Stormont departments to outline preparations for a ban once the Executive returns.
Disability and equality Local government Original release: Finn urges progress on conversion therapy ban (opens in a new tab)
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Backwards move to bring abortion into classrooms – Lockhart
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says the Westminster vote on NIO proposals to bring abortion-promoting relationships and sex education into schools is a backward step for Northern Ireland. She argues the region's abortion laws should not be taught to children and calls for more life-affirming laws.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Westminster vote on NIO proposals for RSE in schools Original release: Backwards move to bring abortion into classrooms – Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds meets EA about annual SEN chaos
DUP Education spokesperson Diane Dodds, Upper Bann MLA, says a meeting with the Education Authority exposed the yearly chaos in Special Educational Needs placements, blaming education cuts and under‑funding and urging Treasury funding, transformational reform and immediate placement of vulnerable p‑
Education Disability and equality Issue: Annual chaos in Special Educational Needs allocations Original release: Dodds meets EA about annual SEN chaos (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson welcomes Prince William’s ambition to tackle homelessness in…
DUP MP Gavin Robinson welcomes the Prince of Wales to East Belfast to launch Homewards, a five-year project to end homelessness, with Hosford House in Belfast selected as one of six UK locations.
Housing Issue: Homewards homelessness project launch in East Belfast Original release: Robinson welcomes Prince William’s ambition to tackle homelessness in… (opens in a new tab)
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Robbie Butler Urges Secretary of State to Act Now to Address Underinvestment in Special Education Needs
UUP education spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA urges the Secretary of State to act now on underinvestment in Special Educational Needs provision, saying shortfalls in SEN places in special and mainstream schools are failing children and families, with no Executive or Assembly in place.
Education Disability and equality Original release: Robbie Butler Urges Secretary of State to Act Now to Address Underinvestment in Special Education Needs (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong encourages homeowners and private landlords to prepare to move to net zero
Alliance's Kellie Armstrong MLA urges homeowners and private landlords to play their part in reaching net zero by 2050, citing the Future Homes in Northern Ireland report from Electrical Safety First on electrical safety risks in older housing stock.
Environment and climate Housing Issue: Future Homes in Northern Ireland report launch by Electrical Safety First Original release: Armstrong encourages homeowners and private landlords to prepare to move to net zero (opens in a new tab)
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Work to build homes must not be jeopardised by Tory cuts – Ní Chuilín
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín says work to build homes in high-need areas such as Derry, West Belfast and North Belfast should not be hit by Tory cuts. After meeting the Department for Communities, the party also raised waiting lists, homelessness, cuts to community services, disability benefit…
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The Alliance Party and transgenderism
TUV's North Down branch president Patrick J. Roche accuses the Alliance Party of full commitment to transgenderism, citing Naomi Long's handling of a 'what is a woman?' question and a drag story reading, and MLA Connie Eagan's planned bill on relationship and sex education. He also attacks deputy…
Disability and equality Education Issue: Alliance Party stance on transgender issues and Gender Recognition Reform Bill Original release: The Alliance Party and transgenderism (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Rachel Woods slams changes to Affordable Warmth Scheme
Green Party NI councillor Rachel Woods, for Holywood and Clandeboye, criticises the decision to cut the Affordable Warmth Scheme without replacements and the removal of councils' eligibility assessment role from September. She calls for a fuel poverty strategy and tighter building regulations.
Housing Local government Issue: Affordable Warmth Scheme changes and removal of council eligibility role Original release: Cllr Rachel Woods slams changes to Affordable Warmth Scheme (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Education Authority must find places for SEN children
SDLP Education Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan calls on the Education Authority to find school places for over 800 children with special educational needs still awaiting confirmation of a place for next year. He says families need immediate clarity and urges investment in resourcing schools and…
Education Disability and equality Original release: McCrossan: Education Authority must find places for SEN children (opens in a new tab)
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Confirmation Arvalee Special School will continue to have full-time ‘relief for parents and children’ – Brogan
Sinn Féin MLA Nicola Brogan welcomes confirmation that Arvalee Special School in Omagh will keep full-time hours for nursery pupils after an Education Authority cut to two and a half hours was reversed. She says discussions between the EA and the school must continue and blames Tory cuts and the…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Authority cuts nursery hours at Arvalee Special School Original release: Confirmation Arvalee Special School will continue to have full-time ‘relief for parents and children’ – Brogan (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to support vulnerable children and young people – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker says it is unacceptable that families of children with additional needs are anxiously waiting to learn whether they will secure a nursery place. He calls for an end to the DUP's boycott of the Executive so parties can work together to support vulnerable children and young…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Special educational needs nursery placement uncertainty and Executive impasse Original release: Executive needed to support vulnerable children and young people – Baker (opens in a new tab)