Latest releases
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2,940 releases
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Every child deserves accessible park facilities, says Kemp, welcoming communication board installations
Alliance Killultagh Councillor Claire Kemp welcomes the installation of communication boards in Lisburn and Castlereagh Council parks, saying the facilities make play spaces accessible for children with speech, language and communication needs and praising the timing during World Autism Acceptance
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Communication boards installed in Lisburn & Castlereagh parks Original release: Every child deserves accessible park facilities, says Kemp, welcoming communication board installations (opens in a new tab)
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Budget underlines Executive’s commitment to health – McGuigan
Sinn Féin health spokesperson Philip McGuigan MLA welcomes the Executive's agreed budget, saying £215 million for 2025/26 will fund cutting waiting lists and investment in elective care. He says it shows the Executive's commitment to health.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Executive agreed 2025/26 budget with £215 million for health Original release: Budget underlines Executive’s commitment to health – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Enough talk on Irish at Grand Central – what’s the DUP action?
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says the DUP has talked about the Infrastructure Minister's unilateral move to impose Irish signage at Grand Central but must act, urging it to sign his petition, have ministers call in the decision or take legal action.
Disability and equality Infrastructure and transport Issue: Irish language signage at Grand Central Station announcement Original release: Enough talk on Irish at Grand Central – what’s the DUP action? (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Underwhelming Budget won’t fix our problems
SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath says the Executive's final 2025/26 budget, signed off at Thursday's meeting, lacks the resources to tackle Northern Ireland's problems and calls for multi-year budgeting. He criticises the Executive for blaming the UK Government.
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Executive agreed 2025/26 budget with £215 million for health Original release: McGrath: Underwhelming Budget won’t fix our problems (opens in a new tab)
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Boylan calls for improved autism services and greater inclusion of people with autism
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan calls for better autism services and wider inclusion of autistic people in daily life as World Autism Month begins. He credits Autism NI and Caleb's Cause for advocacy, and says cross-departmental action is needed, pledging work with the Health, Education and Economy…
Disability and equality Health Original release: Boylan calls for improved autism services and greater inclusion of people with autism (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Link between poverty and suicide crisis can’t be ignored
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan urges the Executive to recognise the link between poverty and rising suicide rates and calls for an effective anti-poverty strategy, following a Samaritans report on inequality and suicidality. He says suicide rates are three times higher in deprived areas and calls…
Health Social security and welfare Issue: Samaritans 'Lost Futures' report on poverty and suicide in Northern Ireland Original release: Durkan: Link between poverty and suicide crisis can’t be ignored (opens in a new tab)
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Assembly unites to reject British government cuts – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew welcomes cross-party Assembly support for a motion calling on the British government to reconsider its cuts to disability benefits, which followed the Chancellor's recent announcement of further welfare and public service cuts.
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: UK Government disability benefit cuts and employability support plans Original release: Assembly unites to reject British government cuts – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Craigavon Hospital redevelopment must be prioritised - Dodds
Upper Bann DUP MLA Diane Dodds calls on the Health Minister to approve and fund the Southern Trust's programme business case for redeveloping Craigavon Area Hospital in the next financial year, citing an outdated estate and a £151 million Phase 1A bid.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Craigavon Area Hospital redevelopment Assembly motion Original release: Craigavon Hospital redevelopment must be prioritised - Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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People with terminal illnesses deserve early access to their state pension – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon welcomes cross-party support for a party motion calling on the British government to allow terminally ill people early access to their state pension, arguing it would provide financial security in their final months.
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: Assembly motion on early state pension access for terminally ill people Original release: People with terminal illnesses deserve early access to their state pension – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Irish signage row distraction from real issues
SDLP Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA says the controversy surrounding Irish‑language signs at Grand Central Station distracts from the Executive’s failure to deliver public services, urges the signs be installed promptly and condemns identity‑politics‑driven obstruction.
Disability and equality Infrastructure and transport Issue: Irish language signage at Grand Central Station announcement Original release: Durkan: Irish signage row distraction from real issues (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan questions Executive parties’ rejection of welfare cuts support
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan questions Executive parties' rejection of a party proposal for a mitigation package against UK welfare cuts, after the motion was defeated, saying the Executive should explore all options to help vulnerable people.
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: SDLP motion on mitigation package for UK welfare cuts defeated Original release: Durkan questions Executive parties’ rejection of welfare cuts support (opens in a new tab)
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Craigavon Area Hospital redevelopment must be progressed - Dodds
DUP MLA Diane Dodds has tabled an Assembly motion highlighting the need to redevelop Craigavon Area Hospital, saying its main building has had no major capital investment in over fifty years. She urges Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to back and finance the trust's programme business case.
Health Issue: Craigavon Area Hospital redevelopment Assembly motion Original release: Craigavon Area Hospital redevelopment must be progressed - Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Assembly must unite to reject draconian welfare cuts, says Mulholland ahead of motion
Alliance Communities spokesperson Sian Mulholland MLA urges the Assembly to unite against UK Government disability benefit cuts and to back a motion calling for a UK-wide commission on employment barriers for disabled people. She says the cuts would hit Northern Ireland hard and calls for the…
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: UK Government disability benefit cuts and employability support plans Original release: Assembly must unite to reject draconian welfare cuts, says Mulholland ahead of motion (opens in a new tab)
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Leas-Cheannaire Aontú Gemma Uí Bhrollaigh ag Tacú leis na hAgóidí ag Éileamh Cothrom na Féinne don Ghaeilge
Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly backs this week's Irish-language protests at Stormont and Leinster House over cuts of more than £800,000 to Foras na Gaeilge funding. She calls for fairness and equality, and says Aontú will keep using every platform to press for it.
Disability and equality Education Issue: Foras na Gaeilge funding cuts protests Original release: Leas-Cheannaire Aontú Gemma Uí Bhrollaigh ag Tacú leis na hAgóidí ag Éileamh Cothrom na Féinne don Ghaeilge (opens in a new tab)
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Sheehan condemns racist attack in west Belfast
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan condemns a racially motivated assault in west Belfast’s Divis Street district, calling it disgraceful and saying it has no place in society. He urges anyone with information to contact the PSNI and stresses the community’s commitment to diversity and opposition to racism.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Racist assault on Divis Street, west Belfast Original release: Sheehan condemns racist attack in west Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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Independent report lays bare the damage of stop-start government in Northern Ireland, says Bradshaw
Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA says a UCL report on Assembly collapses shows stop-start government is damaging public services and blocking reform. She calls for removing Executive veto powers and for institutional reform talks before the next Assembly election.
Constitutional affairs Health Issue: UCL report on Stormont power-sharing reform and Assembly collapses Original release: Independent report lays bare the damage of stop-start government in Northern Ireland, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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McDaid welcomes council’s rejection of racism
SDLP councillor Catherine McDaid welcomes unanimous council backing for her motion condemning a rise in racism across Derry, Strabane and Northern Ireland. The council will urge the Executive to introduce stand-alone hate crime legislation, following online abuse aimed at Mayor Lilian Seenoi-Barr.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Derry and Strabane council motion condemning rise in racism Original release: McDaid welcomes council’s rejection of racism (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew slams latest round of British government austerity cuts
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew criticises the British government's latest austerity cuts, claiming billions are being found for militarisation while welfare payments, international aid and public services are cut following the Chancellor's Spring Statement.
Public finance and taxation Social security and welfare Issue: Chancellor's Spring Statement to the House of Commons 2025 Original release: Gildernew slams latest round of British government austerity cuts (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison calls for investment in a dedicated care pathway for Facial Palsy patients
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison urges the Health Minister to set up a dedicated facial palsy care pathway, saying Northern Ireland lacks a multi-disciplinary team and patients face long waits and costly travel. He says the Department's pathway work has been slow and the promised 2019 interim service is…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Facial palsy care pathway call at Stormont event hosted by Facial Palsy UK Original release: Mathison calls for investment in a dedicated care pathway for Facial Palsy patients (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston writes to Unionist members of the Executive calling for action to prevent Sinn Fein solo run on Irish signage
TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston says he has written to unionist Executive Ministers asking them to stop the Infrastructure Minister imposing Irish language signage at Belfast Grand Central Station, arguing the decision is significant and controversial and lacks cross-community approval under…
Disability and equality Infrastructure and transport Issue: Irish language signage at Grand Central Station announcement Original release: Gaston writes to Unionist members of the Executive calling for action to prevent Sinn Fein solo run on Irish signage (opens in a new tab)