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3,438 releases
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Flawed Energy Rules Undermine Northern Ireland’s Green Goals says Armstrong
UUP economy spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA warns that Department for the Economy rules excluding interconnector-imported renewable power from 2030 targets could classify Scottish wind as fossil fuel, and calls for an urgent review.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Department for the Economy renewable energy accounting rules on interconnector imports Original release: Flawed Energy Rules Undermine Northern Ireland’s Green Goals says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Amanda Grehan officially installed as first female Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council
Alliance Alderman Amanda Grehan has been installed as Lisburn and Castlereagh's inaugural woman mayor, pledging inclusive leadership and naming Action Cancer as her mayoral charity, with an inclusivity-for-disabilities theme for her year.
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Amanda Grehan installed as Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council Original release: Amanda Grehan officially installed as first female Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (opens in a new tab)
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Patient safety has to be at forefront of measures taken in Belfast Trust – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA and Health Committee chair Philip McGuigan says patient safety and staff support must come first in the Health Department's response to Belfast Trust Cardiac Services. He welcomes the Health Minister's Departmental Accountability Team and Level 5 accountability for the Trust, and…
Health Issue: Ministerial Statement on cardiac surgery at Belfast Trust Original release: Patient safety has to be at forefront of measures taken in Belfast Trust – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Buchanan questions PSNI on impact of Supreme Court Ruling on gender
DUP Mid Ulster MLA Keith Buchanan says the PSNI must urgently review its policies and practices, including strip searching and stop and search, following the Supreme Court ruling on sex-based protections. He says it should not wait for Equality Commission advice before acting.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Supreme Court ruling on gender and PSNI policy implications Original release: Buchanan questions PSNI on impact of Supreme Court Ruling on gender (opens in a new tab)
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Intervention into Belfast Trust must be radical and comprehensive:…
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds welcomes the Health Minister's response on cardiac surgery at the Belfast Trust but says it came too late and calls for intervention that is radical and comprehensive. She links the issues to Trust management costs of £63 million and asks what cardiac surgeon…
Health Issue: Ministerial Statement on cardiac surgery at Belfast Trust Original release: Intervention into Belfast Trust must be radical and comprehensive:… (opens in a new tab)
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The Ulster Unionist Party welcomes action on Belfast Health Trust - Chambers
UUP Health Spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA welcomes the Health Minister's decision to raise the performance accountability process for the Belfast Trust to level five and to form an intervention team with senior leadership experts. He also commends Mike Nesbitt for his recent interventions on…
Health Issue: Ministerial Statement on cardiac surgery at Belfast Trust Original release: The Ulster Unionist Party welcomes action on Belfast Health Trust - Chambers (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance Belfast City Councillors propose free leisure activity for residents
Alliance Belfast City Councillors Hedley Abernethy and Micky Murray propose one free leisure activity for Belfast residents at council leisure facilities, aiming to encourage physical activity. The proposal was put to the People and Communities Committee in May 2025 and is part of Alliance's 100…
Local government Health Original release: Alliance Belfast City Councillors propose free leisure activity for residents (opens in a new tab)
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DoH must take more active role in maintaining accountability across Trusts, says McAllister
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA calls for clarity on the Department of Health's role in the Belfast Trust's accountability process, now raised to Level 5, after bullying allegations in cardiac surgery. She asks the Health Minister to answer MLAs' questions in the Assembly.
Health Issue: Ministerial Statement on cardiac surgery at Belfast Trust Original release: DoH must take more active role in maintaining accountability across Trusts, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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Catney welcomes approval for Frederick Douglass commemoration
SDLP Lisburn North councillor Pat Catney welcomes council backing for a commemoration to abolitionist Frederick Douglass, including a £25,000 stained-glass memorial window at Lisburn First Presbyterian Church. The window would also honour two other abolitionists who spoke locally in the mid-1800s…
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Lisburn council approval of Frederick Douglass commemoration window Original release: Catney welcomes approval for Frederick Douglass commemoration (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Bullying endemic within our health service
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says bullying is endemic across the North's health service, after Health Minister Mike Nesbitt announced special measures for the Belfast Trust over Royal Victoria Hospital Cardiac Unit reports. He calls for the Minister to address wider…
Health Issue: Ministerial Statement on cardiac surgery at Belfast Trust Original release: McGrath: Bullying endemic within our health service (opens in a new tab)
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Finn proposes rainbow crossing to celebrate Newry’s LGBT+ community
SDLP Newry councillor Doire Finn calls on Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to add a rainbow crossing to planned repairs at the Sugar Island zebra crossing in Newry city centre, or consider another site, as a show of support for the local LGBT+ community.
Disability and equality Local government Original release: Finn proposes rainbow crossing to celebrate Newry’s LGBT+ community (opens in a new tab)
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Clarity needed on Labour’s winter fuel U-turn – Shannon
DUP MP for Strangford Jim Shannon welcomes the Government's U-turn reinstating winter fuel payments for some pensioners this winter, and calls on it to spell out who will qualify and when. He says the Government has not explained how eligibility will be decided.
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: Starmer announcement widening Winter Fuel Payment eligibility Original release: Clarity needed on Labour’s winter fuel U-turn – Shannon (opens in a new tab)
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Doherty: Rise in child poverty demands urgent Executive response
SDLP Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Paul Doherty says rising child poverty across the North demands an urgent Executive response after new data showed rates worse than a decade ago, with 32.9% of children in West Belfast living in poverty. He blames the Executive for not tackling it…
Social security and welfare Issue: New child poverty data showing rise across the North Original release: Doherty: Rise in child poverty demands urgent Executive response (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin: Political failure denying mothers and babies care they need
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin calls for urgent funding to create Northern Ireland’s first specialist Mother and Baby Unit, saying the continued reliance on general psychiatric wards separates mothers from infants and reflects a broader failure to prioritise women’s health.
Health Disability and equality Original release: McLaughlin: Political failure denying mothers and babies care they need (opens in a new tab)
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Green Party NI Slams Delay on Safe Leave for Domestic Abuse Victims
Green Party Councillor for Holywood & Clandeboye Lauren Kendall says the delay in bringing in Safe Leave for domestic abuse victims is unacceptable, noting regulations may not be in place until late 2026. She calls on the Economy Minister to act urgently on the Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Act.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) regulations delay until late 2026 Original release: Green Party NI Slams Delay on Safe Leave for Domestic Abuse Victims (opens in a new tab)
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Ulster Unionist Councillor, Leah Kirkpatrick, becomes first-ever female Antrim and Newtownabbey Mayor
The Ulster Unionist Party announces that councillor Leah Kirkpatrick will become Antrim and Newtownabbey's first woman mayor, succeeding a run of ten men since the 2015 super council was formed. Alderman Mark Cosgrove and South Antrim MLA Steve Aiken praise her record on accessibility and…
Local government Disability and equality Original release: Ulster Unionist Councillor, Leah Kirkpatrick, becomes first-ever female Antrim and Newtownabbey Mayor (opens in a new tab)
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Gillian McCollum and Vicky Moore selected as Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down
Alliance Councillors Gillian McCollum and Vicky Moore say they have been appointed Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down for 2025/26, pledging to promote belonging, support families with learning disabilities, tackle the mental‑health crisis, end violence against women and girls, fightpover
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Appointment of Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down Original release: Gillian McCollum and Vicky Moore selected as Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down (opens in a new tab)
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Richard Stewart announced as Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
Alliance Causeway Councillor Richard Stewart says he will become Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, making him the first openly gay person to take that role in the Council's history. He says he hopes the appointment signals that everyone has a place in public life.
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Richard Stewart appointed Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Original release: Richard Stewart announced as Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council (opens in a new tab)
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Jessica Johnston officially installed as Deputy Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council
Alliance councillor Jessica Johnston has been installed as Deputy Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, the first Alliance representative to hold the role. She says she will promote youth political engagement, sport and exercise, and the Macmillan Move More Programme for…
Local government Health Original release: Jessica Johnston officially installed as Deputy Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council (opens in a new tab)
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RVH report reinforces need to protect healthcare staff: Frew
DUP MLA for North Antrim Paul Frew says a recent inspection report into the Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac unit is shocking but not surprising, claiming healthcare staff widely fear speaking out and lack trust in whistleblowing protections. He backs his own proposed individual duty of candour…
Health Issue: Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac unit external review publication Original release: RVH report reinforces need to protect healthcare staff: Frew (opens in a new tab)