Latest releases
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1,880 releases
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Call for action against ‘deep fake’ content influencing elections
DUP MP Gregory Campbell calls for action against AI-generated 'deep fake' video and other offensive content, particularly where it could be used to influence the General Election outcome. He raised the issue with the Minister for Women and Equalities in Parliament and urges continued action and…
Disability and equality Original release: Call for action against ‘deep fake’ content influencing elections (opens in a new tab)
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This year’s Balmoral Show is set to be the best yet, says Blair
Alliance's agriculture spokesperson John Blair MLA says the 155th Balmoral Show is the best yet, highlighting its regenerative and nature-friendly farming focus, with stands from groups including RSPB and Re-Gen. He also welcomes the Farm Support and Development Programme update and the DEARA…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: 155th Balmoral Show opening Original release: This year’s Balmoral Show is set to be the best yet, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Executive delaying on Environmental Improvement Plan unacceptable, says Blair
Alliance spokesperson John Blair MLA says it is unacceptable that the Environmental Improvement Plan is facing further Executive delay. He cites missed deadlines and urges publication, linking the plan to algal blooms emerging at Lough Neagh.
Environment and climate Issue: Executive delay to Environmental Improvement Plan publication Original release: Executive delaying on Environmental Improvement Plan unacceptable, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Tennyson pledges to work on banning cruel conversion practices
Alliance MLA Eóin Tennyson says he will seek the Speaker's permission to introduce a private member's bill banning conversion practices if the Communities Minister does not bring forward legislation. He cites recent research on their continued harm in Northern Ireland, ahead of LGBT Awareness Week.
Disability and equality Original release: Tennyson pledges to work on banning cruel conversion practices (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Housing Executive cannot continue to sell off stock
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson and West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan says the Housing Executive cannot keep selling off social housing stock, citing 2,040 homes sold in five years. He calls for the Right to Buy scheme to be questioned and ended amid the worsening housing crisis.
Housing Issue: Assembly question on Housing Executive Right to Buy sales Original release: McCrossan: Housing Executive cannot continue to sell off stock (opens in a new tab)
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Minister announces new funding offer to deliver affordable homes for…
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announces a funding opportunity for an operator to build 300 affordable Intermediate Rent homes in the first phase, offered as a long-term, low interest government loan under the forthcoming Housing Supply Strategy. Applications close on 23 August 2024.
Housing Issue: Intermediate Rent funding opportunity for affordable rented homes Original release: Minister announces new funding offer to deliver affordable homes for… (opens in a new tab)
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Egan and Mathison welcome fair employment legislation for teachers coming into operation
Alliance's Connie Egan and Nick Mathison welcome the start of operation of fair employment legislation covering teachers, which ends their exclusion and bars recruitment discrimination on grounds of religion across Northern Ireland.
Disability and equality Education Issue: Fair employment legislation for teachers comes into operation Original release: Egan and Mathison welcome fair employment legislation for teachers coming into operation (opens in a new tab)
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Muir sets out priorities for economically and environmentally sustainable agri-food sector
Alliance DAERA Minister Andrew Muir MLA says the new Farm Support and Development Programme will drive a greener, more productive agri‑food sector, cutting emissions, boosting resilience, securing food supplies and improving water quality across Northern Ireland.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Farm Support and Development Programme announcement Original release: Muir sets out priorities for economically and environmentally sustainable agri-food sector (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone calls for delivery on promise to protect Lough Neagh
SDLP Opposition AERA Spokesperson Patsy McGlone calls on Executive parties to fulfil their pledge to protect Lough Neagh, urging the AERA Minister to introduce legislation for an independent Environmental Protection Agency before the Assembly term ends, after recent toxic algae blooms.
Environment and climate Issue: Assembly motion on Lough Neagh crisis Original release: McGlone calls for delivery on promise to protect Lough Neagh (opens in a new tab)
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Baker calls on education minister to explore ‘SEN first’ approach
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker urges the education minister to make children with special educational needs a priority in school admissions, proposing a system that incorporates SEN pupils into schools’ planned enrolment figures so they receive support from the start of term.
Education Disability and equality Original release: Baker calls on education minister to explore ‘SEN first’ approach (opens in a new tab)
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Every child deserves access to literature, says Bower, as motion passes on reading materials for refugee children
Alliance Ormiston Councillor Christine Bower says her motion, passed at the People & Communities Committee, asks the Council to examine free native-language reading materials and literacy tools for refugee children. A report on costings and delivery will return to committee for a final vote.
Education Local government Issue: Council motion on free native-language reading materials for refugee children Original release: Every child deserves access to literature, says Bower, as motion passes on reading materials for refugee children (opens in a new tab)
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Building climate-resilient society offers significant opportunity, says Muir, after meeting with Climate Change Committee
Alliance Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir MLA says building a climate-resilient society would bring major economic and environmental gains, following a meeting in Belfast with leaders of the UK Climate Change Committee.
Environment and climate Issue: UK Climate Change Committee visit to Belfast Original release: Building climate-resilient society offers significant opportunity, says Muir, after meeting with Climate Change Committee (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong welcomes housing associations’ commitment to tackling carbon emissions
Alliance's Housing spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA welcomes the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations' plan to upgrade the energy ratings of over 13,000 social homes this autumn, saying it will meet climate targets, support construction jobs and lower running costs.
Housing Environment and climate Original release: Armstrong welcomes housing associations’ commitment to tackling carbon emissions (opens in a new tab)
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Autism reviewer must be appointed: Erskine
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine calls for an autism reviewer to be appointed without further delay, arguing the post costs under £40,000 of the Health budget and that the Minister's deferral over funding pressures is unjustified.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Delay in appointing autism reviewer under Autism Act Original release: Autism reviewer must be appointed: Erskine (opens in a new tab)
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Honeyford calls for a comprehensive strategy to speed up transition to renewable energy
Alliance Economy spokesperson David Honeyford MLA calls for a comprehensive renewables strategy to speed up the move away from fossil fuels, and urges the Infrastructure Minister to address planning delays holding back renewable development.
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Original release: Honeyford calls for a comprehensive strategy to speed up transition to renewable energy (opens in a new tab)
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More must be done to tackle inequalities facing people with disabilities, following report, says Donnelly
Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly says more must be done at Westminster and Stormont to tackle inequalities facing disabled people after a UN committee report on UK compliance with the UNCRPD. He calls on the Executive Office and Department for Communities to act and urges Assembly action on…
Disability and equality Social security and welfare Issue: UN UNCRPD committee report on rights of persons with disabilities in the UK Original release: More must be done to tackle inequalities facing people with disabilities, following report, says Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
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Sheehan welcomes half of one billion plan for special schools
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan welcomes the education minister's announcement of £500 million to prioritise building special educational needs facilities. He says children with additional needs deserve first-class facilities and calls for every child with special educational needs to have a school…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Minister announces SEN Capital Investment Programme Original release: Sheehan welcomes half of one billion plan for special schools (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister’s support for children with Special Educational…
East Antrim DUP MLA Cheryl Brownlee welcomes Education Minister Paul Givan's announcement of a Special Educational Needs Capital Investment Programme, saying the four‑strand plan on maintenance, equipment, specialist provisions and new schools will create a fairer, more inclusive environment for SEN
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Minister announces SEN Capital Investment Programme Original release: Education Minister’s support for children with Special Educational… (opens in a new tab)
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Investment programme in school facilities will support children with…
Education Minister Paul Givan announces a SEN Capital Programme for special schools, including up to eight new special schools over 10 years, new builds, extensions, specialist classes and £5million a year in maintenance plus £4million in equipment grants.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Minister announces SEN Capital Investment Programme Original release: Investment programme in school facilities will support children with… (opens in a new tab)
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Mason welcomes planning green light for Knockevin Special School
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason welcomes the education minister's announcement that planning for a replacement Knockevin school in Downpatrick will start immediately. She says the project will transform provision for pupils with special educational needs across South Down.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Knockevin Special School planning go-ahead announced by education minister Original release: Mason welcomes planning green light for Knockevin Special School (opens in a new tab)