Latest releases
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1,575 releases
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Alliance committed to safeguarding our natural environment, says Blair, responding to People’s Plan for Nature
Alliance environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says the party has submitted its response to the People's Plan for Nature, a set of 26 calls to action from a citizens' assembly, and points to its Lough Neagh five-point plan and Green New Deal as aligned. He blames the lack of a functioning…
Environment and climate Issue: People's Plan for Nature submission by Alliance Original release: Alliance committed to safeguarding our natural environment, says Blair, responding to People’s Plan for Nature (opens in a new tab)
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Muir sponsors exhibition to mark Holocaust Memorial Day
Alliance Chief Whip Andrew Muir MLA says the Holocaust should warn against allowing antisemitism and prejudice to go unchecked, speaking after an exhibition he sponsored at the Assembly to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. He warns that refugees are increasingly met with hostility and pledges Alliance…
Disability and equality International affairs Issue: Holocaust Memorial Day exhibition at the Assembly sponsored by Andrew Muir Original release: Muir sponsors exhibition to mark Holocaust Memorial Day (opens in a new tab)
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Shift to renewable energy showing clear environmental benefits – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan says the shift to wind energy is showing clear environmental benefits, citing a Wind Energy Ireland report on record renewable output and reduced emissions. He calls for the immediate restoration of the Assembly to meet emissions targets under the Climate Change Act.
Environment and climate Issue: Wind Energy Ireland report on record renewable electricity output Original release: Shift to renewable energy showing clear environmental benefits – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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EA must act to mitigate against disruption for SEN pupils as strikes hit
Alliance Education Spokesperson Nick Mathison MLA calls on the Education Authority to engage urgently with Unite and agree a special derogation so Special Schools keep services running during eight days of planned industrial action by EA staff. He also says the DUP's collapse of the Executive is…
Education Economy and employment Issue: Unite eight days of industrial action at Education Authority Original release: EA must act to mitigate against disruption for SEN pupils as strikes hit (opens in a new tab)
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Climate Commissioner role key to meeting our climate change targets, says Donnelly and Blair
Alliance MLAs Danny Donnelly and John Blair call for the creation of a Northern Ireland Climate Commissioner, a requirement of the Climate Change Act, and urge the restoration of the Executive so the legislation can be brought forward urgently.
Environment and climate Original release: Climate Commissioner role key to meeting our climate change targets, says Donnelly and Blair (opens in a new tab)
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McReynolds welcomes NI Chamber of Commerce paper on reforms to planning system
Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Peter McReynolds MLA welcomes a newly published paper from the Chamber of Commerce with 10 recommendations to improve planning, and calls for legislation for planning reform in a future Executive. He also backs priority for renewable energy projects to help…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Chamber of Commerce report on planning system reform Original release: McReynolds welcomes NI Chamber of Commerce paper on reforms to planning system (opens in a new tab)
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Bold and decisive action needed in 2024 to restore our natural environment, says Blair
Alliance spokesperson John Blair MLA calls for 2024 to bring significant progress on restoring the natural environment, citing an RSPB report on threatened species and pressing DAERA on marine strategies, Lough Neagh and the Waste Management Strategy.
Environment and climate Original release: Bold and decisive action needed in 2024 to restore our natural environment, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Áine Groogan will attempt to overturn SF & DUP carve-up
Green Party Councillor Áine Groogan criticises Sinn Féin and DUP for seeking to overturn a £800,000 Neighbourhood Regeneration Funding award to Sólás, a South Belfast charity for children with special needs. She says she will propose rejecting the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee's…
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Sólás funding cut at south Belfast area working group Original release: Cllr Áine Groogan will attempt to overturn SF & DUP carve-up (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: No rollback on climate change commitments
SDLP South Belfast MP Claire Hanna says the UK Government must not roll back climate commitments, opposing the Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill ahead of its Commons second reading. She backs an amendment to block it and calls for renewables and energy efficiency instead.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill second reading in Commons Original release: Hanna: No rollback on climate change commitments (opens in a new tab)
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Lyons: Sólás funding cut must be reversed
SDLP councillor Dónal Lyons calls for a reversal of a 97% funding cut, over £750,000, to Sólás, a south Belfast group supporting children and young people with disabilities, after DUP and Sinn Féin councillors backed it.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Sólás funding cut at south Belfast area working group Original release: Lyons: Sólás funding cut must be reversed (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Lauren Kendall welcomes launch of Night Safe Charter
Green Party councillor Lauren Kendall welcomes the launch of a night safety charter for venues, backed by Hospitality Ulster and White Ribbon NI, calling it a step toward protecting women and girls. She calls for a working government to fund the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Hospitality Ulster and White Ribbon NI Night Safe Charter launch Original release: Cllr Lauren Kendall welcomes launch of Night Safe Charter (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong sends congratulations to James Martin
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong congratulates actor James Martin on his MBE in the New Year's Honours List, on behalf of the All Party Group on Learning Disability, which she chairs. She highlights his Oscar-winning film An Irish Goodbye and his work with Mencap.
Disability and equality Issue: New Year Honours list 2023 Northern Ireland recipients Original release: Armstrong sends congratulations to James Martin (opens in a new tab)
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John Blair MLA reiterates the need to do better for nature’s recovery
Alliance Agriculture and Environment Spokesperson John Blair MLA says the natural environment is depleting rapidly, citing Lough Neagh, and urges urgent action after meeting Ulster Wildlife, hoping a restored Assembly will make nature‑proofing central to government policy.
Environment and climate Issue: Meeting with Ulster Wildlife on nature recovery Original release: John Blair MLA reiterates the need to do better for nature’s recovery (opens in a new tab)
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Increasing ‘safe access zones’ boundaries will serve little purpose – Brolly
Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly says expanding the safe access zone around Causeway Hospital by 250 metres, which the Northern Trust is considering, will have no effect and further erodes the right to protest. She also criticises abortion providers promoting their work on social media.
Disability and equality Issue: Northern Trust considering extending Causeway Hospital safe access zone by 250 metres Original release: Increasing ‘safe access zones’ boundaries will serve little purpose – Brolly (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone: Lough Neagh must be high priority for any new Executive
SDLP MLA for Mid Ulster Patsy McGlone calls for the Lough Neagh crisis to be a high priority for any new Executive, after a meeting with DAERA on its steering group response to blue-green algae blooms. He says a report with 113 recommendations is due in February 2024 and urges prompt action.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: DAERA Lough Neagh steering group response and recommendations report Original release: McGlone: Lough Neagh must be high priority for any new Executive (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: COP28 agreement on fossil fuels lacks substance
SDLP Climate Change Spokesperson Mark H Durkan says the COP28 agreement to transition away from fossil fuels lacks ambition and is weak without quantified targets. He calls for a watertight just transition plan and a corporate green levy on large companies.
Environment and climate International affairs Issue: COP28 agreement on transitioning away from fossil fuels Original release: Durkan: COP28 agreement on fossil fuels lacks substance (opens in a new tab)
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Allen Congratulates Wheelchair Users on Awards
UUP Communities spokesperson Andy Allen MBE MLA, a wheelchair user, congratulates this year's recipients of the fifth annual Jackie Magee memorial awards in Belfast. He praises the Northern Ireland Regional Wheelchair Service and says peer support and co-design are vital for inclusive services.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Jacqueline Magee Memorial Awards 2023 for wheelchair service recipients Original release: Allen Congratulates Wheelchair Users on Awards (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison welcomes education report but says change only possible if Minister in post
Alliance Education spokesperson Nick Mathison MLA welcomes the independent review of education and its emphasis on investment, integrated schooling, SEN support and transfer reform, but says change needs an Education Minister in post and blames the DUP for the delay.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Independent Review of Education report launch Original release: Mathison welcomes education report but says change only possible if Minister in post (opens in a new tab)
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Fall in renewable energy rates in NI extremely disappointing, says Donnelly, following DfE report
Alliance's Danny Donnelly MLA says it is extremely disappointing that renewable energy's share of electricity fell in the last year, citing a Department for the Economy report showing 47.4% renewable consumption. He calls for a functioning Executive and possible reform of Stormont's institutions…
Environment and climate Issue: Department for the Economy report on NI renewable electricity consumption 2023 Original release: Fall in renewable energy rates in NI extremely disappointing, says Donnelly, following DfE report (opens in a new tab)
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Kimmins expresses concern at adults with learning disabilities being overcharged in Trust
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins says it is deeply concerning that Southern Health and Social Care Trust overcharged adults with learning disabilities for their utility bills and will write to the Department of Health to investigate and ensure reimbursements are promptly made.
Health Disability and equality Original release: Kimmins expresses concern at adults with learning disabilities being overcharged in Trust (opens in a new tab)