Latest releases
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5,209 releases
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We need a rules-based International Protection system where applications are processed in a timely manner – Matt Carthy TD
Sinn Féin's Matt Carthy TD calls for a rules-based International Protection system with timely processing of applications, condemning racist attacks while criticising government handling of asylum decisions, appeals, deportations and IPAS accommodation during Dáil statements. He also opposes the…
Immigration Housing Issue: Dáil statements on International Protection processing and enforcement Original release: We need a rules-based International Protection system where applications are processed in a timely manner – Matt Carthy TD (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds welcomes pay parity approval for health staff
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA welcomes the Executive's approval of pay parity across the health service as overdue recognition of healthcare workers. She says the Health Minister should have prioritised departmental budget resources for staff pay and calls for a long-term workforce plan.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Executive approval of health service pay parity Original release: Dodds welcomes pay parity approval for health staff (opens in a new tab)
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Finucane welcomes ‘positive’ £100m Belfast Harbour investment
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane welcomes a Belfast Harbour investment of over £100 million that will see two offshore wind farms developed, which he says could create up to 300 jobs by 2028. He describes it as positive for Belfast's emissions and economic goals.
Economy and employment Environment and climate Issue: Belfast Harbour £100m offshore wind farm investment Original release: Finucane welcomes ‘positive’ £100m Belfast Harbour investment (opens in a new tab)
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Timothy Gaston granted leave to intervene in legal challenge against DFI minister’s imposition of Irish signage at Grand Central Station
TUV welcomes a court decision granting MLA Timothy Gaston leave to intervene in the legal challenge to the infrastructure minister's imposition of Irish-language signage at Grand Central Station. The party says it looks forward to joining the case through his counsel, Emma McIlveen BL.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Grand Central Station Irish signage legal challenge leave to intervene Original release: Timothy Gaston granted leave to intervene in legal challenge against DFI minister’s imposition of Irish signage at Grand Central Station (opens in a new tab)
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Irish government must now begin planning and preparations for Irish unity – Hughes
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes calls for the Irish government to start planning for a referendum on Irish unity after a Sinn Féin motion passed in the Dáil. He also urges Westminster to set out the conditions under which a border poll would be triggered.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Dáil Éireann motion on planning for Irish unity referendum Original release: Irish government must now begin planning and preparations for Irish unity – Hughes (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath presses Chief Constable on violence against women cases
SDLP Policing Board member and South Down MLA Colin McGrath presses Chief Constable Jon Boutcher on PSNI handling of violence against women and girls, criticising the decision that only one of four officers under Police Ombudsman investigation faces a full misconduct hearing. He calls for…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Police Ombudsman report on officers' conduct during December 2022 arrest Original release: McGrath presses Chief Constable on violence against women cases (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath welcomes long overdue pay parity for health staff
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA welcomes confirmation of pay parity for health staff, but asks why the Executive and Health Minister took so long to reach it. He says staff should not have had to keep pressing the department, and he wants the Minister to honour his pledge to…
Health Economy and employment Issue: Executive approval of health service pay parity Original release: McGrath welcomes long overdue pay parity for health staff (opens in a new tab)
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Chambers Welcomes Agreement To Deliver Full Pay Award For Health Workers
UUP Health Spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA welcomes the Health Minister's agreement with the Executive to deliver this year's pay award for health workers, backdated in full to 1 April 2025. He says the decision is essential for morale, retention and the health service's sustainability.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Health Minister confirms backdated 2025 healthcare pay award Original release: Chambers Welcomes Agreement To Deliver Full Pay Award For Health Workers (opens in a new tab)
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Honeyford welcomes £100m Belfast Harbour offshore wind farm investment
Environment and climate Economy and employment Original release: Honeyford welcomes £100m Belfast Harbour offshore wind farm investment (opens in a new tab)
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Confirmation of pay awards welcome despite delay, says McAllister
Alliance MLA Nuala McAllister welcomes the Health Minister's confirmation that healthcare workers will receive this year's pay award, backdated to 1 April 2025, and praises his commitment to budgeting for pay awards early. She says the months of delay have again undermined staff confidence.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Health Minister confirms backdated 2025 healthcare pay award Original release: Confirmation of pay awards welcome despite delay, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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Excuse for removing tri-lingual letterheads ‘bogus’ – McHugh
Sinn Féin MLA Maolíosa McHugh calls the Communities Minister's reason for dropping tri-lingual letterheads 'bogus', saying a written answer showed no savings could be quantified. He accuses the minister of failing to publish an Irish Language Strategy.
Disability and equality Issue: Removal of tri-lingual letterheads from Department for Communities Original release: Excuse for removing tri-lingual letterheads ‘bogus’ – McHugh (opens in a new tab)
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Brownlee welcomes progress on Sensory Room proposals for children’s…
East Antrim MLA Cheryl Brownlee welcomes the Health Minister's update on a sensory room for the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, following a DUP adjournment debate. She says the Minister asked officials to work with the Belfast Trust on the proposed facility.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Sensory room proposal at Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children Original release: Brownlee welcomes progress on Sensory Room proposals for children’s… (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister is failing women - Dodds
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA says the Health Minister is failing women affected by the Southern Trust cervical screening scandal after his statement on three further reports. She calls for accountability for those responsible, including in the PHA and the Department, and full…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Southern Trust cervical screening reports statement by Health Minister Original release: Health Minister is failing women - Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Dillon responds to cervical screening reports
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon calls on the Health Minister to detail the outcomes of the three reports on cervical smear failings in the Southern Trust, demanding accountability, clear communication, a meeting with the Trust and PHA, and proper resourcing of the new Belfast Trust testing service.
Health Issue: Southern Trust cervical screening reports statement by Health Minister Original release: Dillon responds to cervical screening reports (opens in a new tab)
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Concerns about a further environmental protection agency need…
DUP Deputy Leader Michelle McIlveen calls on the Agriculture and Environment Minister to explain how his proposed environmental watchdog would be funded and work alongside NIEA and the OEP, warning against duplication and mission creep.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Expert panel report recommending independent Environmental Protection Agency for Northern Ireland Original release: Concerns about a further environmental protection agency need… (opens in a new tab)
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Smoke and mirrors of Dud DUP/Donaldson Deal delivers the intended deception
TUV leader Jim Allister KC says the Government is deceptively describing Irish Sea border goods movements as internal market movements after the Independent Monitoring Committee report, and calls for Mutual Enforcement to replace the current arrangement.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Independent Monitoring Committee report on Irish Sea border, January to June 2025 Original release: Smoke and mirrors of Dud DUP/Donaldson Deal delivers the intended deception (opens in a new tab)
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Young people are pivotal to building a new inclusive United Ireland – Rose Conway-Walsh TD & Dáire Hughes MP
Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh and MP Dáire Hughes praise young people from Cooperation Ireland projects who addressed the Good Friday Agreement Committee, and Conway-Walsh calls on the Irish government to legislate for votes at 16 following British proposals. Hughes says findings on disabled…
Constitutional affairs Education Original release: Young people are pivotal to building a new inclusive United Ireland – Rose Conway-Walsh TD & Dáire Hughes MP (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter: Executive must address impact of holiday homes and short-term lets
SDLP MLA Cara Hunter says the Executive must urgently intervene on holiday homes and short-term lets, which she claims are driving up house prices and rents in rural and coastal areas. She welcomes Assembly backing for a motion she tabled and calls for regulation of the sector.
Housing Economy and employment Issue: Assembly motion on short-term holiday let regulation Original release: Hunter: Executive must address impact of holiday homes and short-term lets (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Another cervical screening review only delays justice
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says another cervical screening review will delay justice and calls for a full public inquiry into failings in the Southern Health Trust's cytology service, asking what is holding back Health Minister Mike Nesbitt.
Health Issue: Southern Trust cervical screening reports statement by Health Minister Original release: McGrath: Another cervical screening review only delays justice (opens in a new tab)
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Poppy Appeal no longer asked to follow EU rules following Swann’s intervention
UUP MP Robin Swann welcomes confirmation from the Northern Ireland Secretary that Royal British Legion poppies and merchandise fall outside EU product rules, with guidance to be updated so Poppy Appeal organisers no longer need an EU compliance contact.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Poppy Appeal EU GPSR regulation guidance update Original release: Poppy Appeal no longer asked to follow EU rules following Swann’s intervention (opens in a new tab)