Latest releases
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4,779 releases
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High Court ruling brings clarity to Integrated transformation…
DUP MLA David Brooks says the High Court ruling on two north Down schools' bids to become integrated is significant, clarifying the criteria for transformation. He stresses it concerns the legal definition of integrated education and the 'reasonable numbers' test, not the schools' quality, and…
Education Issue: High Court ruling on north Down schools' integrated transformation applications Original release: High Court ruling brings clarity to Integrated transformation… (opens in a new tab)
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Givan welcomes decisive court ruling upholding lawful decision on…
DUP Education Minister Paul Givan welcomes a High Court judgment dismissing judicial review challenges to his refusals to approve integrated status for Rathmore Primary and Bangor Academy, saying the ruling confirms his decisions were lawful.
Education Issue: High Court ruling on north Down schools' integrated transformation applications Original release: Givan welcomes decisive court ruling upholding lawful decision on… (opens in a new tab)
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Chambers welcomes demonstrable progress on tackling hospital waiting lists
UUP MLA and Health Committee member Alan Chambers welcomes falling hospital waiting lists, citing recent Department of Health figures showing reductions in the longest waits for colonoscopies, hip and knee replacements and tonsillectomies. He credits the Minister's focus on longest waiters and…
Health Issue: Department of Health hospital waiting list figures showing reductions in longest waits Original release: Chambers welcomes demonstrable progress on tackling hospital waiting lists (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance remains committed to planting more trees, says Blair, following announcement of Tree Planting Action Plan
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says the party remains committed to planting more trees, after DAERA Minister Andrew Muir announced a Tree Planting Action Plan at a Woodland Trust event launching a report on Northern Ireland's woods and trees.
Environment and climate Issue: Tree Planting Action Plan announcement at Woodland Trust State of Woods and Trees report launch Original release: Alliance remains committed to planting more trees, says Blair, following announcement of Tree Planting Action Plan (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister not prioritising children’s rights protections, says Guy
Alliance's Michelle Guy MLA calls on the Education Minister to clarify whether the Department is backing away from commitments on restraint and seclusion in schools, after NICCY and the Children's Law Centre withdrew from its Restraint and Seclusion Task and Finish Group. She also calls for repeal…
Education Issue: NICCY and Children's Law Centre withdrawal from restraint and seclusion task and finish group Original release: Education Minister not prioritising children’s rights protections, says Guy (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance express disappointment at ruling on Bangor integrated schools legal bid
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison says he is extremely disappointed that leave was refused for a judicial review of the Department of Education's rejection of Bangor Academy and Rathmore Primary School's bids to become integrated. North Down MLA Connie Egan says the decision will cause shock and…
Education Issue: High Court ruling on north Down schools' integrated transformation applications Original release: Alliance express disappointment at ruling on Bangor integrated schools legal bid (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew welcomes Health Minister’s commitment to visit Dungannon respite facility
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew welcomes the Health Minister's commitment to visit Woodlawn House in Dungannon after an Assembly debate he tabled on respite care. He says families have reported planned respite cancelled at short notice and calls for timely, well-planned services.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Woodlawn House Dungannon respite facility Assembly debate Original release: Gildernew welcomes Health Minister’s commitment to visit Dungannon respite facility (opens in a new tab)
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‘Tackling child poverty must be a priority for all parties’ – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker says parties must work together on child poverty and calls on the DUP Communities Minister to strengthen the draft Anti-Poverty Strategy after its consultation closed. He also promotes his planned legislation placing a legal duty on education bodies to make holiday…
Social security and welfare Education Issue: Assembly motion on child poverty and draft Anti-Poverty Strategy Original release: ‘Tackling child poverty must be a priority for all parties’ – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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Finnegan raises concern over discovery of Asian hornet nest
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan expresses concern after an Asian hornet nest was found, the first confirmed sighting of the species in the north. She welcomes the Environment Agency's response and urges the public to report suspected sightings or nests.
Environment and climate Issue: Asian hornet nest discovery in Northern Ireland Original release: Finnegan raises concern over discovery of Asian hornet nest (opens in a new tab)
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Job of Assembly to grasp opportunities to improve people’s lives – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney welcomes the Executive's 2025–26 Legislation Programme, backing the Racial Equality Bill and the 'Good Jobs' Employment Rights Bill, which he says will protect vulnerable workers and be introduced by Minister Caoimhe Archibald next year.
Economy and employment Disability and equality Issue: Executive 2025–26 Legislation Programme and 'Good Jobs' Employment Rights Bill Original release: Job of Assembly to grasp opportunities to improve people’s lives – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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O'Toole: Absence of Executive Investment Strategy makes NI look "tinpot"
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the Executive's failure to publish an Investment Strategy makes Northern Ireland look unattractive to investors. He calls for immediate publication of a credible strategy with timelines, delivery milestones and accountability.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Original release: O'Toole: Absence of Executive Investment Strategy makes NI look "tinpot" (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone: DUP motion on Irish Language signage "deeply cynical and divisive"
SDLP Irish Language Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA says the DUP’s motion to scrap Belfast City Council’s bilingual street‑sign policy is a deeply cynical, divisive attempt to use the Irish language as a political football and stir up community tensions.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Conradh na Gaeilge survey on Belfast bilingual street signage Original release: McGlone: DUP motion on Irish Language signage "deeply cynical and divisive" (opens in a new tab)
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O'Toole: Sinn Féin "missing in action" on infrastructure delivery
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says Sinn Féin's abstention on an SDLP motion calling for an Executive Investment Strategy, with timelines and delivery milestones, shows a lack of leadership on the economy. He criticises the DUP and Sinn Féin over stalled projects including the…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: SDLP motion calling for Executive Investment Strategy publication Original release: O'Toole: Sinn Féin "missing in action" on infrastructure delivery (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan demands action from Executive to protect mental health services
SDLP MLA and Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan says the closure of the Extern crisis service in Foyle, which supported people in mental health distress out of hours, reflects Executive failings. He calls for cross-departmental legislation and a new budgeting approach ahead of the…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Closure of Extern crisis intervention service in Foyle Original release: Durkan demands action from Executive to protect mental health services (opens in a new tab)
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‘We must continue working to deliver on the rights of Gaeilgeoirí’ – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says Belfast City Council's dual-language street sign policy protects minority languages and follows international best practice, after a DUP Assembly motion seeking its replacement was defeated. He cites new Conradh na Gaeilge figures showing broad public support.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Conradh na Gaeilge survey on Belfast bilingual street signage Original release: ‘We must continue working to deliver on the rights of Gaeilgeoirí’ – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Givan welcomes final stage of School Uniforms Bill
Education Minister Paul Givan welcomes the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill passing its Final Stage, saying it will take effect for the 2026/2027 school year. He says schools must now follow Departmental guidelines and the Department can enforce them.
Education Issue: School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill passes Final Stage Original release: Givan welcomes final stage of School Uniforms Bill (opens in a new tab)
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New figures prove Belfast’s bilingual signage policy enjoys widespread support – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan welcomes Conradh na Gaeilge survey data finding that only 2.9% of residents on 536 approved streets opposed bilingual signage in Belfast. He points to the DUP's Assembly motion seeking to condemn the policy.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Conradh na Gaeilge survey on Belfast bilingual street signage Original release: New figures prove Belfast’s bilingual signage policy enjoys widespread support – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance calls on DUP and Sinn Féin to reflect on their approach to Irish language
Alliance MLA Nuala McAllister questions why the DUP brought a Belfast City Council Irish language signage motion to the Assembly, which Alliance opposed. She says Stormont should focus on health and education, and calls on the DUP and Sinn Féin to reflect on their approaches.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Conradh na Gaeilge survey on Belfast bilingual street signage Original release: Alliance calls on DUP and Sinn Féin to reflect on their approach to Irish language (opens in a new tab)
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World Mental Health Day brings to light the dire need for better mental health services across the North – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn calls on the Health Minister to clarify plans for tackling the mental health crisis, saying progress on the 2021 Mental Health Strategy is falling far short. She urges a regional mental health crisis centre and cites her Suicide Prevention Bill requiring training for…
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McGrath: Executive must get serious about mental health
SDLP's McGrath says the Executive needs to take mental health far more seriously, though the release gives no specific policy, figure or decision behind the call.
Health Public finance and taxation Original release: McGrath: Executive must get serious about mental health (opens in a new tab)