Latest releases
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4,546 releases
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Bower welcomes passing of motion encouraging more community orchards in Belfast
Alliance Belfast City Councillor Christine Bower welcomes council's passing of her motion urging Belfast to develop community orchards, citing food access, local resilience and green space, and calls for council to back their creation with local groups and families.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Belfast City Council motion on community orchards passed Original release: Bower welcomes passing of motion encouraging more community orchards in Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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Cullen welcomes end to flawed consultation but demands urgency on SWAH Vision Plan
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen welcomes the Western Trust's decision to end its consultation on permanently removing emergency general surgery from South West Acute Hospital, but urges an urgent update and clear timeframe for the final Future Health and Care Services Vision Plan for Fermanagh and West…
Health Issue: Western Trust ends consultation on permanent removal of emergency general surgery at SWAH Original release: Cullen welcomes end to flawed consultation but demands urgency on SWAH Vision Plan (opens in a new tab)
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DUP marks anniversary of October 7 attacks in Londonderry
DUP representatives Gregory Campbell MP and Deputy Mayor Niree McMorris laid a wreath at the War Memorial in Londonderry marking the second anniversary of the 7 October Hamas attacks on Israel. They say all victims should be remembered and criticise singling out suffering in Gaza.
International affairs Community relations and legacy Original release: DUP marks anniversary of October 7 attacks in Londonderry (opens in a new tab)
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‘Communities Minister must do more to support families forced from their homes’ – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew urges Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to step up support for families driven from their homes in north Belfast by intimidation, after a BBC Spotlight report found them in unsuitable temporary housing. A Sinn Féin Urgent Oral Question is being tabled in the Assembly.
Housing Community relations and legacy Issue: North Belfast intimidation families in unsuitable temporary accommodation BBC Spotlight Original release: ‘Communities Minister must do more to support families forced from their homes’ – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Justice System Failing Victims of Violence Against Women says Beattie
UUP Justice Spokesperson Doug Beattie MLA says non-fatal strangulation cases are handled inadequately, citing 2023-24 figures showing 329 of 344 prosecutions heard in the Magistrates' Court and only 28 prison sentences, and calls for sentences that deter.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Non-fatal strangulation prosecutions and sentencing figures 2023-2024 Original release: Justice System Failing Victims of Violence Against Women says Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw demands clarity on Language Commissioner appointments
Alliance Executive Office Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw, also South Belfast MLA, demands urgent clarity from the First and deputy First Minister on Identity and Language Commissioner appointments, as publicised appointees have not received confirmation after resigning from their current jobs.
Disability and equality Issue: Identity and Language Act Commissioner appointments delay Original release: Bradshaw demands clarity on Language Commissioner appointments (opens in a new tab)
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Minister must publish long overdue winter health plan, says Donnelly, warning delays are costing lives and adding pressure to stretched workforce
Alliance's Danny Donnelly MLA, a health spokesperson and nurse, calls on the Health Minister to urgently publish the overdue Winter Preparedness Plan, which was due in August, warning delays are costing lives and straining health staff.
Health Issue: Winter Preparedness Plan publication delay Original release: Minister must publish long overdue winter health plan, says Donnelly, warning delays are costing lives and adding pressure to stretched workforce (opens in a new tab)
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Consultation on Disability and Work strategy launched by Minister…
DUP's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons outlines a Disability and Work Strategy aiming to bring 50,000 more people into the workforce over ten years, launching a 12-week public consultation running to 12 January 2026. The strategy proposes a Disability and Work Council and four themes including…
Disability and equality Economy and employment Issue: Disability and Work Strategy public consultation launch Original release: Consultation on Disability and Work strategy launched by Minister… (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan calls for joined-up approach between Ministers on Disability and Work Strategy
SDLP Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA welcomes the draft Disability and Work Strategy but says it will only succeed with concrete commitments on community rehabilitation access. He calls for the Department of Health to publish its Community Rehabilitation Framework alongside the strategy…
Disability and equality Health Issue: Disability and Work Strategy public consultation launch Original release: Durkan calls for joined-up approach between Ministers on Disability and Work Strategy (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath accuses Health Minister of ‘dithering’ on nurse's pay
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA accuses the Health Minister of delaying a nurses' pay deal and says recent comments have added uncertainty as the RCN ballots members on industrial action. He calls on the Executive to act now and deliver a fair pay rise.
Health Economy and employment Issue: RCN ballot on nurses' pay strike action Original release: McGrath accuses Health Minister of ‘dithering’ on nurse's pay (opens in a new tab)
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Minister must take action to reduce energy costs and tackle fuel poverty urgently, says Armstrong
Alliance's Kellie Armstrong MLA urges the Communities Minister to set out plans for social housing built to higher energy efficiency and renewable integration standards, ahead of an Assembly motion on the issue tomorrow, to cut household energy costs and fuel poverty.
Housing Economy and employment Issue: Alliance Assembly motion on higher energy efficiency standards for social housing Original release: Minister must take action to reduce energy costs and tackle fuel poverty urgently, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Time to build mother and baby unit – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn is bringing a motion, to be debated Tuesday, urging the Health Minister to set up a dedicated ward with trained staff for mothers while a mother and baby unit is developed. It also asks the Minister to work with the Irish government so the unit serves mothers and…
Health Issue: Mother and baby unit motion on postpartum mental health support Original release: Time to build mother and baby unit – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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De Faoite condemns threats to council vehicles
SDLP Belfast City Council Group Leader Councillor Séamas de Faoite condemns reported loyalist paramilitary plans to attack council vehicles bearing Irish language signage, saying paramilitaries should not exist. He defends the council's Irish language policy and pledges SDLP cooperation with…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Loyalist paramilitary threats to Belfast City Council facilities Original release: De Faoite condemns threats to council vehicles (opens in a new tab)
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Long condemns threats of paramilitary violence following BCC vote
Alliance Belfast City Council Group Leader Michael Long condemns reported threats by loyalist paramilitary representatives to carry out arson attacks on council property after a recent council vote on an Irish language policy. He says the threats are an attempt at coercive control and criticises…
Justice and policing Local government Issue: Belfast City Council unified Irish language policy approval Original release: Long condemns threats of paramilitary violence following BCC vote (opens in a new tab)
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Brett condemns Glengormley War Memorial attack
DUP North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett condemns an attack on the Glengormley War Memorial, which he blames on Republicans, and says he will seek urgent police action to identify and hold those responsible to account.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Glengormley War Memorial attack Original release: Brett condemns Glengormley War Memorial attack (opens in a new tab)
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Attack on Glengormley War Memorial
TUV North Belfast spokesman John Hunter condemns the vandalism of Glengormley War Memorial, which appears to have been spray-painted, and appeals for anyone with information to contact the police so those responsible can be held to account.
Community relations and legacy Issue: Glengormley War Memorial attack Original release: Attack on Glengormley War Memorial (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Minister faces uphill battle to establish independent EPA
SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan says the Environment Minister faces an uphill battle to set up an independent Environmental Protection Agency, and his party will table an Opposition Day motion next week urging parties to back it. He says delays have cut the time left before the mandate ends.
Environment and climate Issue: Minister's Executive push for independent Environmental Protection Agency Original release: McCrossan: Minister faces uphill battle to establish independent EPA (opens in a new tab)
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Lynch condemns Lisburn racist graffiti
Sinn Féin councillor Declan Lynch condemns racist graffiti that has appeared in Lisburn North, saying hate has no place in the community. He praises Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council for removing it quickly and the PSNI for arresting an individual linked to the incidents.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Racist graffiti in Lisburn North and arrest Original release: Lynch condemns Lisburn racist graffiti (opens in a new tab)
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Aontú Pro-Life Conference: Building a Culture That Values Every Life
Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly announces a pro-life conference in Newry's Canal Court Hotel and says Irish abortion policy has failed its promises. She calls for pain relief for unborn children in late-term terminations and care for babies born alive after procedures, and opposes assisted suicide.
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Nationalist and Republican Alliance Must Be Confronted at Every Turn After City Hall Vote
TUV leader Jim Allister condemns Belfast City Council's vote to impose Irish citywide, accusing Alliance of siding with Sinn Féin and of backing Gerry Kelly's amendment removing 'innocent' from a victims motion. He calls for unionists to unite against the Irish Language Commissioner appointment.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Belfast City Council unified Irish language policy approval Original release: Nationalist and Republican Alliance Must Be Confronted at Every Turn After City Hall Vote (opens in a new tab)