Latest releases
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1,749 releases
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Elliott explains that the complex interaction between farming and climate change requires addressing
UUP agriculture spokesperson Tom Elliott MLA says farming's role in climate change needs addressing, arguing farmers are partners rather than scapegoats. He points to carbon sequestration, renewable energy on farms and the sector's economic importance, and calls for incentives and collaboration.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Original release: Elliott explains that the complex interaction between farming and climate change requires addressing (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole presses Executive to help Victoria Square apartment owners
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole says he raised Victoria Square apartment owners' plight with Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald after a court ruled them ineligible for compensation. He urges the Executive to introduce legislation extending the time limit for claims.
Housing Issue: Victoria Square apartment owners court ruling on compensation Original release: O’Toole presses Executive to help Victoria Square apartment owners (opens in a new tab)
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School children denied engagement with natural world by Sea Border
TUV councillor Timothy Gaston says the Woodland Trust's Free Trees for Schools and Communities scheme excludes Northern Ireland because of the Protocol, which bans trees from Great Britain entering the region. He argues this shows the Windsor Framework has not removed such bans and accuses the DUP…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Woodland Trust Free Trees scheme unavailable in Northern Ireland Original release: School children denied engagement with natural world by Sea Border (opens in a new tab)
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New recycling and waste management proposals are fantastic news for the environment, says Blair
Alliance MLA John Blair welcomes a 12-week DAERA consultation on recycling and waste, saying its 26 proposals could raise household recycling from 51 to 74 per cent. He urges the public to respond.
Environment and climate Issue: Department 12-week recycling and waste management consultation launch Original release: New recycling and waste management proposals are fantastic news for the environment, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Opposition welcomes Speaker’s ruling on accountability
SDLP MLAs Mark H Durkan and Cara Hunter welcome Speaker Edwin Poots’ ruling that Ministers must answer Assembly questions, and call on Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to stop referring queries to generic email addresses and answer the 78 housing‑related questions he has avoided.
Housing Issue: Speaker’s ruling that Ministers must answer Assembly questions Original release: Opposition welcomes Speaker’s ruling on accountability (opens in a new tab)
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Recycling should be an integral part of our everyday lives, says Muir
Alliance Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir MLA calls for recycling to become an everyday activity in homes, workplaces and public settings, as he launches a 12-week consultation on 26 proposals to improve recycling and waste management.
Environment and climate Issue: Department 12-week recycling and waste management consultation launch Original release: Recycling should be an integral part of our everyday lives, says Muir (opens in a new tab)
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Minister announces raise in value limit for Co-Ownership
The DUP highlights Communities Minister Gordon Lyons raising Co-Ownership's upper property value limit from £190,000 to £195,000, which it says will help more people into home ownership and support construction.
Housing Issue: Co-Ownership upper property value limit increase to £195,000 Original release: Minister announces raise in value limit for Co-Ownership (opens in a new tab)
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Minister announces a further £3million for Supporting People programme
The DUP announces that Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has secured an additional £3million for the Supporting People programme, distributed by the Housing Executive to accredited providers for supported accommodation for vulnerable people, including young people and older adults.
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Additional £3million funding for Supporting People programme Original release: Minister announces a further £3million for Supporting People programme (opens in a new tab)
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‘Community heartbroken at tragic death of Caolán Devlin’ – O’Neill
Sinn Féin Leas-Uachtarán Michelle O'Neill expresses shock and sorrow at the fatal A5 collision that killed Caolán Devlin on Tuesday night, and urges the public to help police with dash cam footage. She also calls for the opponents of the A5 upgrade to drop their objections without further delay.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: A5 road fatal collision Omagh to Ballygawley March 2024 Original release: ‘Community heartbroken at tragic death of Caolán Devlin’ – O’Neill (opens in a new tab)
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A5 road death another ‘absolute tragedy’ – Begley
Sinn Féin MP Órfhlaith Begley offers condolences to the family of a man killed in a crash on the A5 near Omagh, pays tribute to emergency services, and calls for the A5 to be built without further delays.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: A5 road fatal collision Omagh to Ballygawley March 2024 Original release: A5 road death another ‘absolute tragedy’ – Begley (opens in a new tab)
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Dunne presses for clarity on concessionary fares scheme
DUP MLA Stephen Dunne presses the Infrastructure Minister for clarity on the future of the Concessionary Fares Scheme, noting no decision has followed the consultation that closed in August 2023. He welcomes the Minister's stated intention to keep the scheme in its current form and calls for…
Infrastructure and transport Disability and equality Issue: Concessionary Fares Scheme consultation outcome and future of fare concessions Original release: Dunne presses for clarity on concessionary fares scheme (opens in a new tab)
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de Faoite urges Minister to fund nightbus services
SDLP Belfast City Council Group Leader Séamas de Faoite urges Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd to fund weekend nightbus services in Belfast, costing around £150,000 a year, after the Minister said the matter is for Translink. He argues the services would boost the night-time economy and help…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Belfast weekend nightbus funding request to Infrastructure Minister Original release: de Faoite urges Minister to fund nightbus services (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance dog whistle politics avoids the main issue
TUV deputy leader Ron McDowell accuses Alliance leader Naomi Long of using a sectarianism charge to deflect from Casement Park's cost, asking how the £300 million bill would be funded and whether the GAA funding deal bars chanting at the stadium.
Community relations and legacy Public finance and taxation Issue: Casement Park redevelopment funding and sectarianism accusation Original release: Alliance dog whistle politics avoids the main issue (opens in a new tab)
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Erskine raises concerns about latest cracks found in MOT centre lifts
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine, Chair of the Infrastructure Committee, raises serious concerns after 14 MOT lifts were found to have hairline cracks, asking the Minister to outline steps to address the situation. She says lessons from 2019 should have been learnt and will press DVA for updates at…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Hairline cracks found in MaHa MOT testing lifts Original release: Erskine raises concerns about latest cracks found in MOT centre lifts (opens in a new tab)
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Mary Lou McDonald TD delivers keynote address to Irish Unity Summit in New York
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD delivers a keynote at an Irish Unity Summit in New York, dedicating her words to the late Rita O'Hare and calling on US friends to walk with Ireland toward reunification.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Mary Lou McDonald TD delivers keynote address to Irish Unity Summit in New York (opens in a new tab)
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Rivers Trust report on state of NI waters disappointing but not surprising, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says newly published Rivers Trust data showing no Northern Ireland river stretches at good overall status is disappointing but not surprising. He links the decline to agricultural run-off, sewage, invasive species and underinvestment, and calls for…
Environment and climate Issue: Rivers Trust State of Our Rivers 2024 report on Northern Ireland waters Original release: Rivers Trust report on state of NI waters disappointing but not surprising, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Erskine - Audit Office Lessons for Infrastructure
Fermanagh and South Tyrone DUP MLA Deborah Erskine calls for an honest review of how major infrastructure is planned and delivered, following a Northern Ireland Audit Office report. She cites the A5, York Street Interchange and planning delays, and says funding must be found to implement the…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Northern Ireland Audit Office report on major infrastructure delivery Original release: Erskine - Audit Office Lessons for Infrastructure (opens in a new tab)
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Stewart expresses concerns on the impact of projected sea level rises on rail infrastructure
UUP infrastructure spokesperson John Stewart MLA expresses concern over a Translink-commissioned report on projected sea level rise threatening rail locations, saying 7 are at high risk by 2040. He calls for urgent consultation with the Department for Infrastructure on moving and re-routing the…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Translink report on sea level rise impacts to rail infrastructure Original release: Stewart expresses concerns on the impact of projected sea level rises on rail infrastructure (opens in a new tab)
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Assembly backs SDLP Opposition’s rail plan
SDLP Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan welcomes Assembly backing for a motion urging a fully costed plan to implement the All Island Strategic Rail Review by the end of 2024. He urges the Executive and Infrastructure Minister O'Dowd to work with Irish and British governments, and wants…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Assembly motion on All Island Strategic Rail Review implementation plan Original release: Assembly backs SDLP Opposition’s rail plan (opens in a new tab)
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GAA being unreasonable on Casement
TUV deputy leader Ron McDowell says it is unreasonable for the GAA to refuse further contributions to the cost of Casement Park, which he says has risen while the GAA's share stayed static. He calls for the GAA to increase its contribution and for further government funding to be conditional on…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: GAA refusal to increase contribution to Casement Park costs Original release: GAA being unreasonable on Casement (opens in a new tab)