Latest releases
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1,522 releases
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North Down Greens 'Car Free' pilot motion passes Committee
Green councillors Rachel Woods and Stephen Dunlop say a North Down Borough Council committee has backed a viability report on a pilot of car-free days in the borough's towns, villages and city. They argue streets should prioritise people over vehicles, citing air pollution, safety and business…
Infrastructure and transport Local government Original release: North Down Greens 'Car Free' pilot motion passes Committee (opens in a new tab)
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Taoiseach Supports Aontú Campaign to Have Cash Ticket Purchases Returned to GAA Matches
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín, the Meath West TD, calls on the GAA to reverse its move away from cash ticket sales at matches, saying it excludes older fans. He welcomes the Taoiseach's support in the Dáil and urges at least one cash turnstile per match.
Disability and equality Original release: Taoiseach Supports Aontú Campaign to Have Cash Ticket Purchases Returned to GAA Matches (opens in a new tab)
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Blair condemns pollution in Crumlin River and expresses concern over impact on environment and local wildlife
Alliance Agriculture & Environment Spokesperson John Blair MLA condemns a slurry spill under investigation in the Crumlin River and its impact on fish and wildlife, and says he has written to DAERA asking when it was reported, what action was taken and for details of a fish kill.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Original release: Blair condemns pollution in Crumlin River and expresses concern over impact on environment and local wildlife (opens in a new tab)
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Extension of bereavement benefits is welcomed says Armstrong
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong welcomes new legislation extending bereavement benefit to parents of dependent children whose cohabiting partner has died, including backdated payments and a 12-month application window. She urges anyone needing help with applications to contact…
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Original release: Extension of bereavement benefits is welcomed says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin expresses concern at potential delay of Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy
SDLP Justice Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin voices concern that the Executive Office has warned work on the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy may stall without a functioning Executive, blaming the DUP boycott for putting it at risk.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: McLaughlin expresses concern at potential delay of Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (opens in a new tab)
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Green Party Leader welcomes Royal Assent for Clare Bailey’s Buffer Zones Bill.
Green Party leader Councillor Mal O'Hara welcomes Royal Assent for the Buffer Zones Bill, which he says will be enforceable from 7 May 2023 and end intimidation of people accessing abortion services. He credits former MLA Clare Bailey and campaigners.
Disability and equality Health Original release: Green Party Leader welcomes Royal Assent for Clare Bailey’s Buffer Zones Bill. (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Translink fares increase will punish worst off
SDLP Infrastructure Spokesperson and Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says a 7% Translink fares increase, directed by Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris, will hit families struggling with the cost of living. He calls for sustainable transport to be made more accessible rather than costlier.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Original release: Durkan: Translink fares increase will punish worst off (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent action vital to conserve and restore wetlands, says Blair
Alliance environment spokesperson John Blair MLA, marking World Wetlands Day, says action is needed now to protect and rebuild NI's wetland ecosystems. He welcomes progress on peatland restoration but says the region trails other jurisdictions and is badly underfunded.
Environment and climate Original release: Urgent action vital to conserve and restore wetlands, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Young people deserve evidence based and inclusive Relationship and Sexuality Education says Egan
Alliance Education Spokesperson Connie Egan MLA says a meeting with Northern Ireland Office officials on Relationship and Sexuality Education was positive and urges the Secretary of State to implement CEDAW-based RSE as a priority. She cites a Belfast Youth Forum study finding 73% of young people…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Young people deserve evidence based and inclusive Relationship and Sexuality Education says Egan (opens in a new tab)
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Wilson welcomes progress of trophy hunting legislation
DUP's Sammy Wilson welcomes progress of the Hunting Trophies Importation Prohibition Bill through Commons scrutiny, saying it is needed to stop trophy hunting of near-extinct animals. He warns the bill cannot cover Northern Ireland because of the Protocol, creating a smuggling loophole, and urges…
Environment and climate Constitutional affairs Original release: Wilson welcomes progress of trophy hunting legislation (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP LGBT+ Gender Identity Awareness Training
SDLP LGBT+ is inviting all party members to a two-hour gender identity awareness session run with the Rainbow Project on Monday 13 February at 7:30pm. Topics will include language use, sexual orientation and gender identity, and inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community, with Zoom details sent after…
Disability and equality Original release: SDLP LGBT+ Gender Identity Awareness Training (opens in a new tab)
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Hazzard slams intimidatory sign at local school
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard condemns a 'racist and intimidatory' sign placed outside a school in Clough that attacked Irish-language learners and named the school. He urges anyone with information to contact the police.
Disability and equality Education Original release: Hazzard slams intimidatory sign at local school (opens in a new tab)
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Kelly celebrates introduction of paid bereavement leave for early pregnancy loss and miscarriage for Belfast City Council staff
Alliance Belfast Councillor and Deputy Lord Mayor Michelle Kelly welcomes Belfast City Council's forthcoming paid leave for staff dealing with early pregnancy loss and miscarriage, taking effect on 1 February after equality screening. It gives 10 days at full pay for miscarriage and 3 days for a…
Economy and employment Local government Original release: Kelly celebrates introduction of paid bereavement leave for early pregnancy loss and miscarriage for Belfast City Council staff (opens in a new tab)
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North Down Green councillors attempt to halt Greenway plans
Green Party councillors Stephen Dunlop and Rachel Woods say they will not support the current Kinnegar to Donaghadee Greenway plans, seconding a motion to pause the planning application and calling for smaller sections with community input.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Original release: North Down Green councillors attempt to halt Greenway plans (opens in a new tab)
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Prime Minister challenged on ensuring religious freedom
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP challenges the Prime Minister in the Commons to review UK laws so that religious freedom is protected, after Isabel Vaughan-Spruce was arrested for silent prayer near a Birmingham abortion facility.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Original release: Prime Minister challenged on ensuring religious freedom (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Deposit Return Scheme effectiveness depends on cross-border cooperation
SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan has written to DAERA and Irish Minister Ossian Smyth asking for an all-island approach to the planned Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers, which DAERA says will launch in Northern Ireland in 2025. He argues cross-border working would deter fraud and bring economies…
Environment and climate Original release: Durkan: Deposit Return Scheme effectiveness depends on cross-border cooperation (opens in a new tab)
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Proposals for £110m funding cut from EA budget “unconscionable” – Butler
UUP Deputy Leader Robbie Butler, who speaks on education for the party, condemns proposed £110m cuts to Department of Education services as unconscionable. He warns they would hit vulnerable children and non-statutory services, and calls on the Secretary of State to reverse the cuts while Stormont…
Education Public finance and taxation Original release: Proposals for £110m funding cut from EA budget “unconscionable” – Butler (opens in a new tab)
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Nicholl marks Chinese New Year
South Belfast MLA and Chair of the All Party Group on Ethnic Minority Communities Kate Nicholl wishes people a happy Chinese New Year, marking the Year of the Rabbit and praising Belfast's Chinese community. She calls for joint working between government and stakeholders to secure racial equality…
Disability and equality Original release: Nicholl marks Chinese New Year (opens in a new tab)
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Smyth welcomes Westminster intervention to block Nicola Sturgeon’s Gender Reform Bill
TUV spokesperson Lorna Smyth welcomes the UK Government's plan to lay a Section 35 order blocking Scotland's Gender Reform Bill, arguing it protects women and girls and accusing Alliance's Stephen Farry and Eóin Tennyson of hypocrisy.
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Original release: Smyth welcomes Westminster intervention to block Nicola Sturgeon’s Gender Reform Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Retained EU Law Bill threatens gender equality in the workplace, says Nicholl
Alliance MLA Kate Nicholl says the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill, due at its remaining Commons stages, threatens workplace protections such as holiday pay, maternity leave and equal pay, and risks women's rights. She says the party will oppose it.
Disability and equality Economy and employment Original release: Retained EU Law Bill threatens gender equality in the workplace, says Nicholl (opens in a new tab)