Latest releases
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2,938 releases
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Hanna: Cutting welfare support not the way to balance the books
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says welfare recipients should not bear the brunt of UK Government cuts after Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Spring Statement. She warns disabled people and those with mental health problems face income cuts and urges Executive ministers to act on mitigations.
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: Chancellor's Spring Statement to the House of Commons 2025 Original release: Hanna: Cutting welfare support not the way to balance the books (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston welcomes DUP statement on Grand Central Station Irish signage
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston welcomes DUP’s Deborah Erskine statement on the planned Irish‑language signage at Grand Central station, saying the proposal should be withdrawn and referred to a cross‑community Executive vote, whether via his petition or Unionist ministers.
Disability and equality Infrastructure and transport Issue: Irish language signage at Grand Central Station announcement Original release: Gaston welcomes DUP statement on Grand Central Station Irish signage (opens in a new tab)
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DfI & Translink must answer questions about Grand Central
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine, who chairs the Infrastructure Committee, calls on the infrastructure minister and Translink's chief executive to explain why no equality impact assessment was done before £145,000 was allocated to bilingual signage at Grand Central station. She says she will seek full…
Disability and equality Infrastructure and transport Issue: Irish language signage at Grand Central Station announcement Original release: DfI & Translink must answer questions about Grand Central (opens in a new tab)
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Regulation of non-surgical cosmetic treatments needed to safeguard clients and professionals – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon calls on the Health Minister to introduce regulation of non-surgical cosmetic treatments, including an age limit for procedures like botox and dermal fillers, training standards, and an oversight body such as RQIA.
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‘Irish language organisations deserve fair funding’ – Delargy
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy calls for fair and sustainable funding for Irish language organisations, joining activists protesting at Stormont. He says grassroots groups have led the language's revival and that the north-south implementation bodies deserve proper funding.
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Irish language sector funding protest at Stormont Original release: ‘Irish language organisations deserve fair funding’ – Delargy (opens in a new tab)
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A milestone for compassion - Forsythe
DUP MLA Diane Forsythe welcomes the Finance Minister's move to bring in baby loss certificates in Northern Ireland, saying they formally recognise grief for babies lost before 24 weeks. She also welcomes progress on electronic registration of deaths and stillbirths.
Health Issue: Northern Ireland baby loss certificates introduction announcement Original release: A milestone for compassion - Forsythe (opens in a new tab)
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Women’s voices must be heard and respected – Martin
North Down DUP MLA Peter Martin says the DUP will keep defending women's rights and single-sex spaces after meeting Women's Rights Network Northern Ireland at Stormont. He accuses Sinn Féin, Alliance and the SDLP of dismissing the group's concerns and criticises the First Minister for avoiding…
Disability and equality Original release: Women’s voices must be heard and respected – Martin (opens in a new tab)
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Is spreagadh eile don Ghaeilge é comharthaíocht dhátheangach ag an Mórstáisiún Bhéal Feirste – Reilly
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly welcomes Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins' announcement that Irish will appear on physical signage and ticket machines at Belfast Grand Central Station, calling it another step for the language and equality.
Disability and equality Infrastructure and transport Issue: Irish language signage at Grand Central Station announcement Original release: Is spreagadh eile don Ghaeilge é comharthaíocht dhátheangach ag an Mórstáisiún Bhéal Feirste – Reilly (opens in a new tab)
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Begley slams racist graffiti
Sinn Féin MP Órfhlaith Begley condemns racist graffiti in Omagh, including a swastika and a cross sight, as an attempt to create fear. She says she has contacted the PSNI to have it removed and investigated.
Disability and equality Issue: Racist graffiti in Omagh including swastika Original release: Begley slams racist graffiti (opens in a new tab)
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Tackling cost of division could deliver millions for public services, says Tennyson
Alliance Finance spokesperson and Upper Bann MLA Eóin Tennyson says tackling the cost of division, estimated at over £833 million a year, could fund health, housing and other public services. Alliance's motion in the Assembly on Tuesday calls for an updated assessment and a commitment from all…
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Assembly motion on the cost of division action plan Original release: Tackling cost of division could deliver millions for public services, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna calls on Treasury to remove cap on Tax Free Childcare
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP calls on the UK Treasury to remove the Tax Free Childcare cap, unchanged since 2017 despite rising costs, and says she has written to the Chancellor and Secretary of State requesting meetings.
Social security and welfare Economy and employment Issue: Tax Free Childcare cap reports of falling childcare costs in England Original release: Hanna calls on Treasury to remove cap on Tax Free Childcare (opens in a new tab)
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Minister Lyons celebrates sport with local primary schools
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons says the Celebration of Sport days, launched at the Amphitheatre Wellness Centre for around 700 Carrickfergus and Larne pupils, encourage young people to try a range of sports, including disabled sports. A second session for Bangor and Ards pupils takes place at…
Health Issue: Celebration of Sport primary school days Carrickfergus and Newtownards Original release: Minister Lyons celebrates sport with local primary schools (opens in a new tab)
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Sun 23/3 1pm: UNITED AGAINST RACISM MARCH - Our Belfast Free From Racism
People Before Profit calls members to join the United Against Racism march in Belfast this Sunday, 23 March at 1pm, saying more than 100 community organisations and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions back the Our Belfast gathering against racism and fascism.
Disability and equality Issue: United Against Racism march Belfast 23 March 2025 Original release: Sun 23/3 1pm: UNITED AGAINST RACISM MARCH - Our Belfast Free From Racism (opens in a new tab)
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NHS should always protect life – Lockhart
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart says the proposal to alter NHS foundation legislation within the draft assisted‑dying bill represents a risky change in healthcare and must be rejected, urging protection of life and warning of pressure on clinicians.
Health Issue: Proposed amendment to NHS foundation legislation for assisted dying Original release: NHS should always protect life – Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin will always be strong allies of the LGBTQIA+ community – Ní Chuilín
Sinn Féin equality spokesperson Carál Ní Chuilín MLA says the party will remain allies of LGBTQIA+ people after Belfast Pride excluded all Executive parties from this year's parade, calling it a backwards step and a missed opportunity.
Disability and equality Issue: Belfast Pride exclusion of Executive parties from 2025 parade Original release: Sinn Féin will always be strong allies of the LGBTQIA+ community – Ní Chuilín (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance firmly committed to LGBTQIA+ equality, says Tennyson
Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson reaffirms his party's commitment to LGBTQIA+ rights after Belfast Pride chose to bar Executive parties from taking part this year.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Belfast Pride exclusion of Executive parties from 2025 parade Original release: Alliance firmly committed to LGBTQIA+ equality, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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Executive Office must start acting on their commitments to Ethnic Equality Monitoring, says Alliance Representatives
Alliance MLAs Paula Bradshaw and Stewart Dickson urge the First and deputy First Minister to move from pledges to legislation on Ethnic Equality Monitoring, pointing to a delayed Race Relations Order update that has yet to show any detail.
Disability and equality Issue: Ethnic Equality Monitoring legislation delay and Race Relations Order update Original release: Executive Office must start acting on their commitments to Ethnic Equality Monitoring, says Alliance Representatives (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: Flawed welfare cuts should not proceed
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP calls on the UK Government not to proceed with planned welfare support cuts announced by Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, arguing reforms should be planned and targeted rather than front-loaded for savings. She also urges the Executive to show leadership and…
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: Proposed UK welfare cuts including Personal Independence Payment eligibility changes Original release: Hanna: Flawed welfare cuts should not proceed (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister must bring forward Irish Language Strategy – Brogan
Sinn Féin MLA Nicola Brogan urges Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to publish the long-delayed Irish Language Strategy, which she says he is legally required to produce. She cites a party motion debated in the Assembly and says he has also refused to meet Conradh na Gaeilge.
Disability and equality Issue: Irish Language Strategy delay and Assembly motion Original release: Communities Minister must bring forward Irish Language Strategy – Brogan (opens in a new tab)
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Anti Fascist Rally in Belfast Thursday
People Before Profit says death threats scrawled on a West Belfast wall against MLA Gerry Carroll will not be tolerated, linking them to far-right activity and anti-migrant protests, and urges people to join an anti-fascism rally at Casement Park on Thursday at 7pm.
Disability and equality Immigration Issue: Death threats and graffiti against Gerry Carroll in Andersonstown Original release: Anti Fascist Rally in Belfast Thursday (opens in a new tab)