Latest releases
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1,881 releases
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Geo-Blocking RTÉ News is treating northern citizens with contempt – Hughes
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes calls on RTÉ to immediately reverse its geo-blocking of RTÉ News for northern viewers, which he says treats citizens with contempt. He cites the Gaelic football final and Olympic coverage, and says he will write to the Media Minister and RTÉ's Director General.
Disability and equality Issue: RTÉ News geo-blocking of northern viewers Original release: Geo-Blocking RTÉ News is treating northern citizens with contempt – Hughes (opens in a new tab)
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Bill important first step in securing future of woodlands here, says McReynolds
Alliance MLA Peter McReynolds says his proposed Private Members' Bill on tree protection is an important first step to securing Northern Ireland's woodlands. The Bill would strengthen tree preservation orders, create a 'heritage tree' designation and protect trees from permitted developments.
Environment and climate Issue: Private Members' Bill on tree protection submission Original release: Bill important first step in securing future of woodlands here, says McReynolds (opens in a new tab)
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One year past Environment Improvement Plan deadline despite Minister’s efforts, says Blair
Alliance spokesperson John Blair MLA says the Environment Improvement Plan is more urgent than ever, welcoming the DAERA Minister's efforts to secure Executive approval after the July 2023 deadline was missed. He urges the Executive to act.
Environment and climate Original release: One year past Environment Improvement Plan deadline despite Minister’s efforts, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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New Race Relations legislation must be much higher priority by First and deputy First Minister, says Bradshaw
Alliance Executive Office Spokesperson and South Belfast MLA Paula Bradshaw calls for the First and deputy First Minister to bring forward a new Race Relations Order much more urgently, after they indicated it could not come until 2026. She says racially motivated attacks are too common and urges…
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Race Relations legislation timetable delay until 2026 Original release: New Race Relations legislation must be much higher priority by First and deputy First Minister, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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As Media & Tourism spokesperson, I will stand up for workers and quality services – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD
Dublin South Central TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh welcomes his new Sinn Féin portfolio covering tourism and media, and pledges to press for workers' rights, high-quality public services, and sustainable direct exchequer funding for RTÉ instead of the licence fee. He also calls for an all-Ireland approach…
Economy and employment Housing Issue: Aengus Ó Snodaigh appointed Sinn Féin tourism and media spokesperson Original release: As Media & Tourism spokesperson, I will stand up for workers and quality services – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD (opens in a new tab)
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The Minister for Communities must invest in homelessness prevention services, says Armstrong
Alliance Housing Spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA calls on Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to prioritise homelessness prevention investment, citing 47,312 households on social housing waiting lists, 29,394 of them with homelessness status, and warning of pressure on other services.
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Social housing waiting lists reach 47,312 households Original release: The Minister for Communities must invest in homelessness prevention services, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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UK Government should ditch punitive Tory plans on Personal Independence Payments, says Mulholland
Alliance benefits spokesperson Sian Mulholland MLA calls on the new UK Government to drop the Conservative proposals to reform Personal Independence Payments, after the DWP consultation closed. She says the plans to tie eligibility to a medical diagnosis and replace monthly payments with vouchers…
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: DWP consultation on Personal Independence Payments reform closes Original release: UK Government should ditch punitive Tory plans on Personal Independence Payments, says Mulholland (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Budget cut will worsen housing crisis
SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan warns that cuts to the Housing Executive budget will hit families across the North, after the Executive's body said funding gaps would limit new social housing to 400 homes this year against a 2,000 target. He calls for immediate action from the Executive and a properly…
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Housing Executive budget shortfall and reduced social house building targets Original release: McCrossan: Budget cut will worsen housing crisis (opens in a new tab)
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Kathleen Funchion MEP appointed to key European Parliament Committees
Sinn Féin MEP for Ireland South Kathleen Funchion says she will stand up for workers and families after being appointed to the Regional Development, Employment and FEMM (Women's Rights) committees. She pledges regionally balanced investment and collective bargaining rights.
Economy and employment Disability and equality Issue: Kathleen Funchion MEP appointed to European Parliament committees Original release: Kathleen Funchion MEP appointed to key European Parliament Committees (opens in a new tab)
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Lynn Boylan MEP appointed to key European Parliament Committees
Sinn Féin MEP for Dublin Lynn Boylan says she will champion working people and households in the European Parliament after her appointment to the International Trade and ENVI committees. She pledges to oppose the Mercosur deal and to press for post-Brexit arrangements that honour the Good Friday…
Economy and employment International affairs Issue: Lynn Boylan appointed to European Parliament International Trade and ENVI committees Original release: Lynn Boylan MEP appointed to key European Parliament Committees (opens in a new tab)
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OEP findings "depressing and concerning" - Cllr Smyth
Green Party councillor Brian Smyth, for Lisnasharragh, says the Office for Environmental Protection's findings that water quality laws are not being implemented properly are depressing and concerning. He accuses the Stormont Executive of giving persistent polluters a free pass and says it may have…
Environment and climate Issue: Office for Environmental Protection findings on water quality law implementation Original release: OEP findings "depressing and concerning" - Cllr Smyth (opens in a new tab)
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Let’s use Plastic Free July to shape our attitude towards plastic waste, says Blair.
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA urges people to use Plastic Free July to change how they use and dispose of plastic, citing harm to wildlife, waterways and marine life, and UN and BBC figures on global plastic waste.
Environment and climate Original release: Let’s use Plastic Free July to shape our attitude towards plastic waste, says Blair. (opens in a new tab)
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Brogan welcomes agreement on tackling Lough Neagh issues
Sinn Féin MLA Nicola Brogan welcomes the Executive's agreement on an action plan to address problems at Lough Neagh, pointing to recent increases in blue-green algae blooms and calling for urgent work to start.
Environment and climate Issue: Executive agreement on Lough Neagh action plan Original release: Brogan welcomes agreement on tackling Lough Neagh issues (opens in a new tab)
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Muir welcomes Executive approval for Lough Neagh Report and Action Plan
Alliance DAERA Minister Andrew Muir welcomes the Executive's approval of the 37-action Lough Neagh plan, calling it a first step towards long-term water quality recovery. He says there are no quick fixes and that progress will depend partly on available funding.
Environment and climate Issue: Executive agreement on Lough Neagh action plan Original release: Muir welcomes Executive approval for Lough Neagh Report and Action Plan (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone calls for publication of Lough Neagh Action Plan
SDLP AERA spokesperson Patsy McGlone calls for the Executive to publish its Lough Neagh action plan, after reports it was agreed, and asks for details, timeframes and funding to be made public.
Environment and climate Issue: Executive agreement on Lough Neagh action plan Original release: McGlone calls for publication of Lough Neagh Action Plan (opens in a new tab)
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Labour's first King's speech lacks ambition to be bold - Senator O'Hara
Green Party NI leader Senator Mal O'Hara says the King's speech lacks the bold action needed on the NHS, public services, and the climate and nature emergencies. He welcomes the planned scrapping of the Legacy Act but says there is no commitment on votes at 16, AI regulation, or banning extraction.
Environment and climate Issue: King's Speech state opening of the new Parliament 2024 Original release: Labour's first King's speech lacks ambition to be bold - Senator O'Hara (opens in a new tab)
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Unacceptable 120 pupils with SEN have no confirmed place for new school year, says Nicholl
Alliance spokesperson Kate Nicholl MLA says it is unacceptable that 120 children with SEN statements lack a confirmed September school place, after an EA briefing could not guarantee placements. She calls on the Education Minister to prioritise SEN reform and investment.
Education Disability and equality Issue: EA briefing on unplaced SEN pupils for September 2024 Original release: Unacceptable 120 pupils with SEN have no confirmed place for new school year, says Nicholl (opens in a new tab)
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Finucane urges department to protect local waterways
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane says he has written to DAERA Minister Andrew Muir seeking an urgent on-site meeting and an action plan over blue-green algae found in Wolfhill Dam, Ligoneil, and urges swift action to stop its spread to nearby waterways.
Environment and climate Issue: Blue-green algae discovery in Wolfhill Dam, Ligoneil Original release: Finucane urges department to protect local waterways (opens in a new tab)
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McMurray welcomes proposed actions by Minister Muir to address odour concerns in Warrenpoint
Alliance South Down MLA Andrew McMurray welcomes proposed actions by DAERA Minister Andrew Muir to tackle odour concerns in Warrenpoint, including expanded water quality testing and a multi-agency response led by DAERA. He also asks residents to document issues and send them to a designated address.
Environment and climate Issue: Warrenpoint odour concerns meeting with DAERA Minister Andrew Muir Original release: McMurray welcomes proposed actions by Minister Muir to address odour concerns in Warrenpoint (opens in a new tab)
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McConville-Walker welcomes decision to overturn Maghery landfill extension plans
Sinn Féin councillor Clare McConville-Walker welcomes the reversal of a planning approval for a landfill extension at Maghery, saying key details were missing from the application. She says the community and Lough Neagh will continue to be defended.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Maghery landfill extension planning decision overturned Original release: McConville-Walker welcomes decision to overturn Maghery landfill extension plans (opens in a new tab)