Latest releases
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3,440 releases
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Anti-Poverty Strategy ‘weak in ambition and substance’ – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew says the draft Anti-Poverty Strategy, published by the Communities Minister in the Assembly, lacks ambition and substance and omits key recommendations from frontline organisations. He calls on the minister to listen to families with lived experience of poverty.
Social security and welfare Issue: Draft Anti-Poverty Strategy publication in the Assembly Original release: Anti-Poverty Strategy ‘weak in ambition and substance’ – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Guy calls for additional support for school children impacted by racial violence
Alliance education spokesperson Michelle Guy MLA calls on the Department of Education to allocate extra resources to the Education Authority and schools to support children affected by recent racial violence across Northern Ireland. She says newcomer children have been absent from school and asks…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Racial violence impact on school children and newcomer absences Original release: Guy calls for additional support for school children impacted by racial violence (opens in a new tab)
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Draft Anti-Poverty Strategy a mediocre first attempt that lacks ambition, says Mulholland
Alliance Communities spokesperson Sian Mulholland MLA says the draft anti-poverty strategy from the Communities Minister is a weak first attempt lacking targets, an action plan and independent monitoring, and urges consultation responses.
Social security and welfare Issue: Draft Anti-Poverty Strategy publication in the Assembly Original release: Draft Anti-Poverty Strategy a mediocre first attempt that lacks ambition, says Mulholland (opens in a new tab)
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Donnelly condemns continued delays as Minister confirms 28 month wait and millions more needed for maternity unit
Alliance Health spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA raises concerns in the Assembly after the Health Minister said the Belfast Trust Maternity Hospital will not open for at least 28 more months, needing millions in extra safety and infrastructure work. He calls for a decision on the best way forward.
Health Infrastructure and transport Issue: Belfast new maternity hospital further 28-month delay Original release: Donnelly condemns continued delays as Minister confirms 28 month wait and millions more needed for maternity unit (opens in a new tab)
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Independent EPA key to strengthening environmental governance, says Blair, following publication of report
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes the interim report of the Independent Panel on Environmental Governance, backing its recommendation for an independent Environmental Protection Agency. He urges Executive parties to fully support the final recommendations expected this…
Environment and climate Issue: Independent Panel on Environmental Governance interim report publication Original release: Independent EPA key to strengthening environmental governance, says Blair, following publication of report (opens in a new tab)
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O’Dowd ignoring crumbling water infrastructure: O’Toole
SDLP Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole says Finance Minister John O'Dowd refuses to acknowledge a funding crisis at NI Water, despite Fiscal Council warnings, and calls for a funding plan, citing Lough Neagh pollution and social housing targets.
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: NI Water funding crisis and Finance Minister's refusal to acknowledge it Original release: O’Dowd ignoring crumbling water infrastructure: O’Toole (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Executive failing young people with SEN
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says the Executive is letting down young people with special educational needs, arguing the Economy Minister's new post-school support proposals fall well short and calling for joined-up, fully resourced help.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Economy Minister's post-school proposals for pupils with additional needs Original release: Durkan: Executive failing young people with SEN (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew challenges Communities Minister over ‘irresponsible’ social media post
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew questioned Communities Minister Gordon Lyons on actions to secure safe housing for families driven from their Ballymena homes by racist thugs and condemned the minister’s recent Larne Leisure Centre social media post as irresponsible.
Housing Disability and equality Issue: Gordon Lyons social media post on Larne community centre housing Original release: Gildernew challenges Communities Minister over ‘irresponsible’ social media post (opens in a new tab)
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Minister’s statement on SEN protections must be backed up with action…
DUP MLA Phillip Brett, Chair of Stormont's Economy Committee, welcomes the Economy Minister's statement on special educational needs protections as a step forward, but calls for decisive action and legislative safeguards for young people moving into further education, skills and training.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Economy Minister's statement on SEN transition protections Original release: Minister’s statement on SEN protections must be backed up with action… (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin committed to improving support for children with special educational needs – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker welcomes Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald's Assembly proposals to expand post-school options, strengthen further education transitions through new legislation, and fund college accessibility upgrades. He urges Health and Education ministers to commit to the changes.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Economy Minister's post-school proposals for pupils with additional needs Original release: Sinn Féin committed to improving support for children with special educational needs – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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South Belfast racist graffiti ‘deplorable’ – Hargey
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey condemns racist graffiti sprayed on a home in Chadwick Street, south Belfast, calling the behaviour hateful and urging anyone with information to contact the PSNI so those responsible can face justice.
Disability and equality Issue: Racist graffiti on a home in Chadwick Street, south Belfast Original release: South Belfast racist graffiti ‘deplorable’ – Hargey (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP opposition to demand action and accountability after race riots
SDLP Opposition Leader Matthew O'Toole MLA demands a coordinated Executive response to the recent riots, including more PSNI resources, updated hate crime laws and timelines for refugee integration and racial equality strategies. The party also calls for clarity on any loyalist paramilitary…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Ballymena and Larne race riots and Executive response Original release: SDLP opposition to demand action and accountability after race riots (opens in a new tab)
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Violence in Portadown deplorable and unacceptable, says Tennyson
Alliance Upper Bann MLA Eóin Tennyson condemns overnight violence in Portadown, in which police were attacked and 22 officers injured, calling it deplorable and unacceptable. He says those responsible do not speak for the town's majority and expresses solidarity with migrant and ethnic minority…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Portadown overnight violence against police and migrant communities Original release: Violence in Portadown deplorable and unacceptable, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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Boyle condemns suspected arson attack in Coleraine
Alliance councillor Yvonne Boyle, an Alderman, condemns an overnight arson attack on a Coleraine home that police are treating as racially motivated, and urges anyone with information to contact the PSNI or Crimestoppers.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Coleraine house arson attack treated as racially motivated Original release: Boyle condemns suspected arson attack in Coleraine (opens in a new tab)
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Egan and Muir condemn racist graffiti in Bangor
Alliance North Down MLAs Connie Egan and Andrew Muir condemn racist graffiti in Bangor, including on a residential property, and say they have asked the PSNI and NI Housing Executive to remove and investigate it urgently. They urge anyone with information to contact police or Crimestoppers.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Racist graffiti in Bangor condemned by Alliance MLAs Original release: Egan and Muir condemn racist graffiti in Bangor (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison Welcomes the British Heart Foundation to Stormont
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison welcomes the British Heart Foundation to Parliament Buildings, where it showcased its Classroom RevivR tool to the Education Committee, and urges local businesses to register defibrillators.
Health Education Original release: Mathison Welcomes the British Heart Foundation to Stormont (opens in a new tab)
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Brooks welcomes progress on proposals for new South Belfast greenway
Alliance Balmoral Councillor Tara Brooks says she is pleased a feasibility study has been commissioned for a proposed greenway in Belfast's Blackstaff area, which followed a 2023 Alliance council motion. The study will consider links to Adelaide Train Station and alternatives such as a walking…
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Blackstaff area South Belfast greenway feasibility study commissioned Original release: Brooks welcomes progress on proposals for new South Belfast greenway (opens in a new tab)
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‘No child should be priced out of a school because of the cost of a uniform’ – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker says the School Uniforms Bill offers a chance to modernise uniform policy, and calls for proposals covering affordability, accessibility for children with special educational needs, and allowing girls to wear trousers.
Education Disability and equality Issue: School Uniforms Bill Education Committee sitting Original release: ‘No child should be priced out of a school because of the cost of a uniform’ – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood calls for urgent introduction of Hillsborough Law
Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood urges the UK Government to quickly bring forward a Hillsborough-style Duty of Candour Bill, saying the promised April deadline was missed and warning that any weakened legislation would fail families.
Justice and policing Health Issue: Missed April deadline for Duty of Candour Bill Original release: Eastwood calls for urgent introduction of Hillsborough Law (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney appeals for community calm in Antrim Town and support for local police
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, appeals for calm in Antrim Town after speaking with senior PSNI management about a racist protest near the Holiday Inn Hotel. He asks for assurances that resources are sufficient and calls for united leadership against racism and neo-Nazi paramilitarism.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Racist protest near Holiday Inn Hotel in Antrim Town Original release: Kearney appeals for community calm in Antrim Town and support for local police (opens in a new tab)