Latest releases
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11,733 releases
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Inspections Bill an attempt to undermine teachers’ workers’ rights- Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says the Education Inspections Bill, ahead of its second stage debate, attacks teachers' employment rights and undermines lawful industrial action, and says the party will oppose it. He calls on Education Minister Paul Givan to drop the proposals and focus on teacher…
Education Economy and employment Issue: Education Inspections Bill second stage debate Original release: Inspections Bill an attempt to undermine teachers’ workers’ rights- Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Full review needed following Downpatrick incident
SDLP Policing Board member Colin McGrath condemns a Downpatrick incident in which a police car was stolen, a shot was fired at a suspect and an officer was badly hurt. He calls for a full review in line with Police Ombudsman processes and urges anyone with information to contact police.
Justice and policing Issue: Downpatrick incident leaving police officer seriously injured Original release: McGrath: Full review needed following Downpatrick incident (opens in a new tab)
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Truesdale condemns Downpatrick attack on PSNI
Alliance Mournes Councillor Jill Truesdale condemns an overnight attack on police in Downpatrick, in which a stolen police car was driven at officers and one was seriously hurt. She sends sympathies to the injured officer and colleagues, and says the incident is unacceptable in a residential area.
Justice and policing Issue: Downpatrick incident leaving police officer seriously injured Original release: Truesdale condemns Downpatrick attack on PSNI (opens in a new tab)
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Pat Sheehan comments on Education Committee remarks
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says Department officials do important work under their Minister's political direction, and that his role is to scrutinise that work. He says he does not intend to undermine officials, but to ensure the department and Minister are open and transparent.
Education Original release: Pat Sheehan comments on Education Committee remarks (opens in a new tab)
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‘Racist banner must be removed immediately’ – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew condemns a racist banner erected in Moygashel, calling for its immediate removal. He says it was put up to sow division and targets part of the community, and notes it was placed at a children's play park.
Community relations and legacy Disability and equality Issue: Racist banner erected in Moygashel play park Original release: ‘Racist banner must be removed immediately’ – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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‘A New Ireland is Possible’ event a positive discussion – Finucane
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane welcomes a well-attended public event in north Belfast on the vision for a progressive, equal new Ireland, praising its panel and audience engagement. He says constitutional change conversations need detailed planning, support and resourcing.
Constitutional affairs Issue: A New Ireland is Possible event, Lansdowne Hotel, north Belfast Original release: ‘A New Ireland is Possible’ event a positive discussion – Finucane (opens in a new tab)
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Milestone of Shame: 50,000 on Housing Waiting List
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll says 50,000 families on the social housing waiting list, over 33,000 of them officially homeless, should shame Stormont ministers. He calls for rent controls, a ban on no-fault evictions, a funded social house-building programme and empty homes brought back…
Housing Issue: Social housing waiting list passes 50,000 households figures Original release: Milestone of Shame: 50,000 on Housing Waiting List (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney welcomes Finance Minister’s investment in pharmacy services
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney welcomes a £42 million investment in pharmacies, part of a wider £70 million health package announced by Finance Minister John O'Dowd, to fund digital prescriptions and expanded pharmacy services. He says it will ease pressure on GP surgeries and hospitals and calls…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: £70 million health service investment announced by Finance Minister O'Dowd Original release: Kearney welcomes Finance Minister’s investment in pharmacy services (opens in a new tab)
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Exciting summer of music, culture and celebration ahead’ – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason welcomes the upcoming Fleadh events in County Down, including the County Fleadh in Downpatrick, the Ulster Fleadh in Warrenpoint and the All-Ireland Fleadh in Belfast. She says they will bring visitors and a boost to local businesses, and pays tribute to volunteers.
Economy and employment Issue: Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann summer events in County Down and Belfast Original release: Exciting summer of music, culture and celebration ahead’ – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Funding boost will support Féile to continue flourishing – Maskey
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey welcomes increased Tourism NI funding for this year's Féile an Phobail, saying the West Belfast festival will be its biggest ever with over 600 events and a major economic boost for local businesses.
Economy and employment Issue: Tourism NI funding increase for Féile an Phobail 2026 Original release: Funding boost will support Féile to continue flourishing – Maskey (opens in a new tab)
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Qualified support for Hunting with Dogs Bill
UUP Agriculture spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA says the party is broadly supportive of the Hunting with Dogs Bill’s principles but calls for clearer legal definitions and safeguards to protect lawful rural activities, urging the sponsor to clarify several points.
Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Hunting with Dogs Bill Assembly debate Original release: Qualified support for Hunting with Dogs Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Just Transition Commission must be led by those who live and work in our industries not just talk about them
UUP agriculture spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA urges DAERA to fill the three agriculture seats on the new Just Transition Commission with people who understand farming and food production, not just academics and advocates. He says food and energy security must shape its terms of reference.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: DAERA appointments to the Just Transition Commission Original release: Just Transition Commission must be led by those who live and work in our industries not just talk about them (opens in a new tab)
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Now time for Assembly to get to work, says Nicholl, welcoming Good Jobs Bill progress
Alliance Economy spokesperson Kate Nicholl MLA welcomes the Economy Minister's announcement of further progress on the Good Jobs Bill and urges its release from the Executive to the Assembly for scrutiny. She says the Economy Committee should assess it and hear from businesses and employees, and…
Economy and employment Issue: Economy Minister's announcement on Good Jobs Bill progress Original release: Now time for Assembly to get to work, says Nicholl, welcoming Good Jobs Bill progress (opens in a new tab)
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DUP Minister must get to grips with housing and homelessness crisis – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew, chair of the Communities Committee, calls on Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to urgently address the housing crisis after figures showed over 50,000 households waiting for social housing. He says a scheme to buy 600 homes for temporary accommodation has yet to…
Housing Issue: Social housing waiting list passes 50,000 households figures Original release: DUP Minister must get to grips with housing and homelessness crisis – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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DUP is standing against workers’ rights – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney accuses the DUP of opposing better workers' rights by blocking the Good Jobs Bill from reaching the Assembly. He says the bill would be the most progressive workers' rights legislation in the north, citing protections for tips, neonatal leave and redundancy.
Economy and employment Issue: DUP block on Good Jobs Bill Executive agreement Original release: DUP is standing against workers’ rights – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Pipe bomb attack in Broughshane
TUV Councillor Chrissy Jamieson says residents of Broughshane are appalled by a pipe bomb attack on an occupied home in the Rectory Gardens area, which caused extensive damage. MLA Timothy Gaston urges anyone with information to contact police immediately and calls for those responsible to face…
Justice and policing Issue: Broughshane pipe bomb attack at Rectory Gardens home Original release: Pipe bomb attack in Broughshane (opens in a new tab)
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British government failing to listen to businesses on EU steel tariff concerns – Mallaghan
Sinn Féin MP Cathal Mallaghan says changes to EU steel tariffs could seriously affect local firms and manufacturing, and accuses the British government of failing to listen to businesses. He notes Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald has pressed London for protections on GB-origin steel access, and…
Economy and employment International affairs Issue: EU steel tariff changes impact on Northern Ireland industry Original release: British government failing to listen to businesses on EU steel tariff concerns – Mallaghan (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP announces panellists for cross-party event examining future of these islands
SDLP announces the panellists for the cross‑party event “Future of these Islands: Preparing for Change” at The MAC in Belfast on 25 June, featuring figures such as Leo Varadkar, Jim O’Callaghan, Stephen Gethins, Liz Saville Roberts, Adam Jogee and others, with leader Claire Hanna set to deliver an
Constitutional affairs Issue: Future of these Islands event panel announcement Original release: SDLP announces panellists for cross-party event examining future of these islands (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Progress needed to address homelessness crisis
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA urges the Communities Minister to make progress on homelessness plans, citing a 5% rise in homelessness households and 50,381 households on social housing waiting lists. He says the Executive has fallen short and that the Minister is set…
Housing Issue: Social housing waiting list passes 50,000 households figures Original release: Durkan: Progress needed to address homelessness crisis (opens in a new tab)
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Northern Ireland consumers face new parcel charges as Windsor Framework bites
UUP MLA Dr Steve Aiken OBE says the Government has been silent on new parcel duty and a €2 administrative charge that will hit Northern Ireland consumers from July under the Windsor Framework. He questions why it is being introduced now rather than derogated and where the revenue goes.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Windsor Framework low-value parcel duty charges for Northern Ireland from July Original release: Northern Ireland consumers face new parcel charges as Windsor Framework bites (opens in a new tab)