Latest releases
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4,116 releases
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Removal of nursing provision in special schools simply unacceptable, says Mathison
Alliance education spokesperson and Education Committee chair Nick Mathison MLA says the absence of nurses in some special schools is unacceptable, and calls for nursing to be reinstated in every special school that needs it, as soon as possible.
Education Health Issue: Nursing provision removal from special schools review Original release: Removal of nursing provision in special schools simply unacceptable, says Mathison (opens in a new tab)
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Nutrients Action Programme an essential opportunity to address crisis in waterways, says Blair
Alliance's agriculture and environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes DAERA's launch of a consultation on reviewing the 2019 Nutrients Action Programme and the proposed programme covering 2026 to 2029.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: DAERA consultation on Nutrients Action Programme review and 2026-2029 programme Original release: Nutrients Action Programme an essential opportunity to address crisis in waterways, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Departments must work together to support children with SEN – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan urges the Education and Health departments to coordinate more closely on support for children with special educational needs, citing rising identification and a shortage of allied health professionals. He says neither the Education Department nor the Education Authority…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Departments must work together to support children with SEN – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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A New Ireland, A Time of Opportunity – Senator Conor Murphy
Sinn Féin Senator Conor Murphy urges the Irish government to take a more proactive role in planning for constitutional change and to set up a Citizens' Assembly so people across the island can help shape the future, speaking at the Institute of International and European Affairs.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Original release: A New Ireland, A Time of Opportunity – Senator Conor Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP focused on constitutional politics rather than public services
DUP South Down MLA Diane Forsythe says the SDLP's Assembly motion seeking further fiscal powers for the Executive is unrealistic and a distraction from practical funding reform. She argues a needs-based funding model would help public services sooner, and warns fiscal devolution would add…
Public finance and taxation Constitutional affairs Issue: SDLP motion on NI Executive fiscal powers in the Assembly Original release: SDLP focused on constitutional politics rather than public services (opens in a new tab)
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Farce of Surrendering the Union deal exposed
TUV leader Jim Allister MP says the Government's decision to press ahead with a new EU rule under the Windsor Framework, despite opposition from unionists, shows the Safeguarding the Union deal was a farce that surrendered the Union.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Government decision to adopt new EU rule under Windsor Framework Original release: Farce of Surrendering the Union deal exposed (opens in a new tab)
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EU Law Blocks UK Tobacco Ban
DUP Peer Lord Dodds warns that the proposed generational smoking ban cannot apply in Northern Ireland because the EU Tobacco Products Directive still governs it under the Windsor Framework. He calls on the Government to clarify whether it will override the Directive.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Generational smoking ban and EU Tobacco Products Directive in Northern Ireland Original release: EU Law Blocks UK Tobacco Ban (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance representatives welcome National Trust report on Donard recovery
Alliance MLA Andrew McMurray and Councillor Jill Truesdale welcome a National Trust report on the condition and recovery of upland habitats around Slieve Donard, citing pressures from recreation, overgrazing and wildfires. McMurray commends the Trust's post-2021 fire recovery work.
Environment and climate Issue: National Trust report on Slieve Donard habitat recovery Original release: Alliance representatives welcome National Trust report on Donard recovery (opens in a new tab)
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Young condemns racist attack in Newry
Alliance Councillor Helena Young condemns a racist attack in Newry on international doctors and their families at a park on 12 April, saying those responsible should be ashamed and the abuse must stop immediately.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Racist attack on international doctors in Newry park Original release: Young condemns racist attack in Newry (opens in a new tab)
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Mary Lou McDonald’s address at Sinn Féin’s annual Easter Rising Commemoration in Carrickmore, Co Tyrone
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald addressed the Easter Rising commemoration in Carrickmore, condemned the government’s support for a British developer’s Moore Street redevelopment plan and urged backing for the Moore Street Preservation Trust’s fight to protect the site.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Moore Street redevelopment plan Original release: Mary Lou McDonald’s address at Sinn Féin’s annual Easter Rising Commemoration in Carrickmore, Co Tyrone (opens in a new tab)
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Taoiseach wrong on Irish Unity – Matt Carthy TD
Sinn Féin Justice spokesperson Matt Carthy TD says the Taoiseach is wrong to dismiss a border poll this decade, urging a referendum on Irish unity and claiming a united Ireland would deliver a stronger, fairer country for all.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Taoiseach rules out border poll this decade Original release: Taoiseach wrong on Irish Unity – Matt Carthy TD (opens in a new tab)
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Nesbitt seeking clarification from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland following his extraordinary interview on BBC Radio Ulster this morning
UUP leader Mike Nesbitt MLA seeks clarification from Secretary of State Hilary Benn after a BBC Radio Ulster interview, disputing his praise of Ian Paisley over the 1998 Agreement and his remarks on Irish language signage at Grand Central Station.
Constitutional affairs Community relations and legacy Issue: Hilary Benn BBC Radio Ulster interview on the 1998 Agreement Original release: Nesbitt seeking clarification from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland following his extraordinary interview on BBC Radio Ulster this morning (opens in a new tab)
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Cut the Gorse, Not the Grazing – Butler Calls for Cooperative Fire Prevention Plan
UUP MLA Robbie Butler calls for a co-designed approach to wildfire risk on upland and designated land, arguing that unmanaged gorse rather than sheep grazing is the main danger to the environment and rural safety. He cites talks with the National Sheep Association and repeated fires, and urges…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Original release: Cut the Gorse, Not the Grazing – Butler Calls for Cooperative Fire Prevention Plan (opens in a new tab)
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Over £6 million spent on Executive Brussels office since Brexit vote
TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston says over £6.7 million has been spent on the Northern Ireland Executive Office in Brussels since the Brexit referendum, questioning its purpose and calling for more openness. He contrasts this with InterTrade UK, which he says has no offices, budget or staff…
Public finance and taxation International affairs Issue: Executive Office Brussels office spending figures from Assembly question Original release: Over £6 million spent on Executive Brussels office since Brexit vote (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone calls for urgency in addressing crisis at Lough Neagh
SDLP AERA Spokesperson Patsy McGlone says the AERA Minister is delaying key water quality plans, including the River Basin Management Plan and Nutrient Action Plan, as blue-green algae appears in Lough Neagh for 2025. He calls for urgent action rather than what he describes as PR-driven responses.
Environment and climate Issue: Blue-green algae confirmed in Lough Neagh for 2025 Original release: McGlone calls for urgency in addressing crisis at Lough Neagh (opens in a new tab)
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ESRI research highlights importance of all-island public health system – Rose Conway-Walsh TD
Sinn Féin's Rose Conway-Walsh TD welcomes an ESRI economic overview of Ireland and Northern Ireland, saying it shows an all-island approach to public health would improve care, and calls on the Irish government to resource Irish unity planning and establish a citizens' assembly.
Health Constitutional affairs Issue: ESRI 'Economic Overview of Ireland and Northern Ireland' report launch Original release: ESRI research highlights importance of all-island public health system – Rose Conway-Walsh TD (opens in a new tab)
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Worsening outcomes for people in the north highlights the need for Irish unity – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says an ESRI report commissioned by the Shared Island Unit, showing higher southern wages, growth and living standards, illustrates the need for Irish unity. He calls for a unity referendum, a Citizens' Assembly on Irish unity and a Minister for Reunification.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: ESRI Shared Island report on north-south economic and living standards comparison Original release: Worsening outcomes for people in the north highlights the need for Irish unity – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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More support needed for jurors after trials – Hargey
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey calls for more support for jurors after trials, following a BBC interview in which a former juror described developing PTSD after a traumatic case. She urges the Justice and Health Ministers to work together on continuous support and asks the Justice Minister to review…
Justice and policing Health Issue: Juror PTSD claims after traumatic court case BBC interview Original release: More support needed for jurors after trials – Hargey (opens in a new tab)
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Starmer needs to drop self-defeating red lines when it comes to European relationship, says Tennyson
Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson MLA urges Prime Minister Keir Starmer to abandon red lines on Single Market and Customs Union ties, calling them counterproductive, and to secure a food and agricultural deal with the EU quickly before the summit.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: UK-EU summit food and agricultural regulatory alignment speculation Original release: Starmer needs to drop self-defeating red lines when it comes to European relationship, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin delegation meets British Secretary of State and urges political action
Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald says her delegation urged British Secretary of State Hilary Benn to order a full public inquiry into the 1997 murder of Seán Brown, citing a Court of Appeal ruling, and to clarify British funding for Casement Park.
Constitutional affairs Justice and policing Issue: Court of Appeal ruling on public inquiry into Seán Brown murder Original release: Sinn Féin delegation meets British Secretary of State and urges political action (opens in a new tab)