Latest releases
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1,881 releases
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Communities Minister decision more ideological than practical
Green Party councillor Anthony Flynn criticises the Communities Minister's decision to end remote council meetings from 6 March, calling it short-sighted and ideological. He says remote attendance improves accessibility for councillors with caring or health needs and urges the minister to extend…
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Communities Minister ending remote council meetings from 6 March Original release: Communities Minister decision more ideological than practical (opens in a new tab)
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Dillon welcomes extension of Nexus contract
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon welcomes Department of Health confirmation that Nexus NI's counselling contract for victims of sexual abuse and violence will run for another year. She says she will keep working with the health minister and Nexus on a long-term plan for these services.
Health Justice and policing Issue: Department of Health extension of Nexus NI counselling contract Original release: Dillon welcomes extension of Nexus contract (opens in a new tab)
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Mary Lou McDonald TD delivers keynote address to Irish Unity Summit in New York
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD delivers a keynote at an Irish Unity Summit in New York, dedicating her words to the late Rita O'Hare and calling on US friends to walk with Ireland toward reunification.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Mary Lou McDonald TD delivers keynote address to Irish Unity Summit in New York (opens in a new tab)
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Deeply concerning Department of Health has ended Nexus NI contract – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says it is alarming that the Department of Health has ended Nexus NI's specialist counselling contract for victims of sexual abuse and violence. She calls on the Health Minister to review the decision, arguing GP referrals are not an adequate substitute.
Health Justice and policing Issue: Department of Health ends Nexus NI specialist counselling contract Original release: Deeply concerning Department of Health has ended Nexus NI contract – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Rivers Trust report on state of NI waters disappointing but not surprising, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says newly published Rivers Trust data showing no Northern Ireland river stretches at good overall status is disappointing but not surprising. He links the decline to agricultural run-off, sewage, invasive species and underinvestment, and calls for…
Environment and climate Issue: Rivers Trust State of Our Rivers 2024 report on Northern Ireland waters Original release: Rivers Trust report on state of NI waters disappointing but not surprising, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Transformation of Special Educational Needs essential – Givan
The DUP's Education Minister Paul Givan reaffirms his commitment to transform the Special Educational Needs system in Northern Ireland, following a visit to Fleming Fulton School. He says children with SEN do not always achieve the same outcomes as peers and will press Executive colleagues for…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Transformation of Special Educational Needs essential – Givan (opens in a new tab)
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More help needed to support carers – Dillon
SF MLA Linda Dillon says more help is needed for carers, especially women forced to cut hours or leave jobs, reacting to a Carers NI and Women's Regional Consortium report. She calls for investment in social care, stronger workers' rights and better childcare, and welcomes the Economy Minister's…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Carers NI and Women's Regional Consortium report on female carers Original release: More help needed to support carers – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Stewart expresses concerns on the impact of projected sea level rises on rail infrastructure
UUP infrastructure spokesperson John Stewart MLA expresses concern over a Translink-commissioned report on projected sea level rise threatening rail locations, saying 7 are at high risk by 2040. He calls for urgent consultation with the Department for Infrastructure on moving and re-routing the…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Translink report on sea level rise impacts to rail infrastructure Original release: Stewart expresses concerns on the impact of projected sea level rises on rail infrastructure (opens in a new tab)
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Career or Care report lays bare the failure to support our unpaid carers, says Eastwood
Alliance's Sorcha Eastwood MLA says carers need far more support, citing a Carers NI and Women's Regional Consortium report finding nearly 60% of unpaid carers are women. She backs its recommendations, including paid carer's leave, and says she has asked the Economy Minister to include it in a…
Economy and employment Disability and equality Issue: Carers NI and Women's Regional Consortium report on female carers Original release: Career or Care report lays bare the failure to support our unpaid carers, says Eastwood (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister needs to prioritise and invest in special educational needs and disabilities, says Mathison, ahead of Assembly debate
Alliance's Nick Mathison MLA, Chair of the Assembly's Education Committee, urges the Education Minister to direct any extra SEND funding to pupils and the workforce ahead of a Monday Assembly debate. He says the current support system has failed pupils, parents and schools and warns against a…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Assembly debate on special educational needs and disabilities provision Original release: Education Minister needs to prioritise and invest in special educational needs and disabilities, says Mathison, ahead of Assembly debate (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance calls for gender pay gap reporting in Belfast City Council
Alliance councillors, through South Belfast Councillor Tara Brooks, call for Belfast City Council to lead by adopting transparent methods for recording and reporting the gender pay gap, noting Northern Ireland has no legal obligation to do so.
Disability and equality Local government Original release: Alliance calls for gender pay gap reporting in Belfast City Council (opens in a new tab)
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New DAERA Minister Andrew Muir visits Portavogie
Alliance DAERA Minister Andrew Muir visits Portavogie Harbour and congratulates NIFHA on a UK Seafood Fund offer of 75% of a £3.6million slipway upgrade. He says his Department will provide the remaining 25% match funding and will shortly consider a five-year fisheries strategic plan.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: Minister Andrew Muir visit to Portavogie Harbour Original release: New DAERA Minister Andrew Muir visits Portavogie (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance MLAs welcome commitment to sign language legislation
Alliance MLAs Paula Bradshaw and Kellie Armstrong welcome the Communities Minister's pledge to bring forward sign language legislation as a priority, with Bradshaw criticising the 21-year wait for it.
Disability and equality Issue: Communities Minister commitment on sign language legislation at Assembly Question Time Original release: Alliance MLAs welcome commitment to sign language legislation (opens in a new tab)
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Public purse losing out whilst hedge funds benefit from student…
DUP MLA Diane Forsythe says the public purse is losing out while hedge funds benefit from exemptions on rates for privately built student accommodation in Belfast. She reports the Finance Minister indicated over £2million a year in exempt rates and calls for action to stop costs passing to students.
Public finance and taxation Housing Original release: Public purse losing out whilst hedge funds benefit from student… (opens in a new tab)
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Get Organised Against Racism – Stand Together
People Before Profit says racism and fascist violence are rising in Ireland and calls for them to be stopped. It accuses groups including the National Party and Irish Freedom Party of redirecting anger over housing and living costs onto migrants and other minorities, and urges students to stand…
Disability and equality Immigration Original release: Get Organised Against Racism – Stand Together (opens in a new tab)
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QUB must challenge antisemitism: Brett
North Belfast DUP MLA Phillip Brett condemns the projection of an antisemitic slogan onto Queen's University's Lanyon Building and calls for a full investigation into the incident, including whether staff were involved. He also calls for a clear condemnation statement from the University and for…
Disability and equality International affairs Issue: Antisemitic projection onto Queen's University Lanyon Building Original release: QUB must challenge antisemitism: Brett (opens in a new tab)
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Decisive action needed to tackle Lough Neagh crisis – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan welcomes cross-party Assembly agreement calling on the Executive to tackle the Lough Neagh crisis, and calls for a new management structure and public ownership of the lough.
Environment and climate Issue: Cross-party Assembly motion on Lough Neagh crisis Original release: Decisive action needed to tackle Lough Neagh crisis – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Efforts to achieve energy security and tackle climate change strengthened by all-island approach – Darren O’Rourke TD
Sinn Féin climate action spokesperson Darren O’Rourke TD says an all‑island strategy is essential to tackle energy security and climate change, warning that North‑South disjointedness raises costs and hampers emissions cuts, and urges policy alignment following the new IBEC‑CBI report.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: IBEC and CBI joint report on energy and climate Original release: Efforts to achieve energy security and tackle climate change strengthened by all-island approach – Darren O’Rourke TD (opens in a new tab)
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Green Party Councillor Brian Smyth reacts to today's Assembly debate on Lough Neagh
Green Party councillor Brian Smyth welcomes the Assembly motion on Lough Neagh and its call for a cross-departmental body, but says it lacks a clear call for public ownership and that communities must be central. He backs an Independent Environmental Agency and a research facility, and calls the…
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Cross-party Assembly motion on Lough Neagh crisis Original release: Green Party Councillor Brian Smyth reacts to today's Assembly debate on Lough Neagh (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone: Government action must be matched by investment to safeguard Lough Neagh
SDLP Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone calls for investment and a long-term strategy to protect Lough Neagh, urging the Executive to ensure oversight, accountability and funding after an Assembly debate on a Lough Neagh Rescue Plan. He also says the lough should move into public or community ownership.
Environment and climate Issue: Cross-party Assembly motion on Lough Neagh crisis Original release: McGlone: Government action must be matched by investment to safeguard Lough Neagh (opens in a new tab)