Latest releases
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1,879 releases
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Eastwood concerned for how continuing cost of living crisis is impacting young people
Alliance's economy spokesperson, Lagan Valley MLA Sorcha Eastwood, voices serious concern that rising costs may push more young people out of higher and further education, citing an NUS-USI survey finding that a quarter of students couldn't pay rent or bills. She calls for a review of student…
Education Economy and employment Issue: NUS-USI Cost of Living Survey on student finances Original release: Eastwood concerned for how continuing cost of living crisis is impacting young people (opens in a new tab)
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New DAERA Minister, Andrew Muir says he's committed to delivering across full remit of Department for good of everyone in NI
Alliance's Andrew Muir MLA, the new DAERA Minister, says he will deliver across the department's full remit, prioritising Lough Neagh's recovery, longer-term carbon targets and bovine TB, while working with farming and fishing communities.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Andrew Muir appointed Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Original release: New DAERA Minister, Andrew Muir says he's committed to delivering across full remit of Department for good of everyone in NI (opens in a new tab)
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Lough Neagh Partnership to present to Good Friday Agreement Committee
Sinn Féin MP Francie Molloy welcomes agreement at the Good Friday Agreement Committee for Lough Neagh Partnership to present to it. He calls for Lough Neagh to be taken into public ownership, citing blue-green algae blooms and the lack of a single department responsible for the lough.
Environment and climate Issue: Lough Neagh Partnership presentation agreed by Good Friday Agreement Committee Original release: Lough Neagh Partnership to present to Good Friday Agreement Committee (opens in a new tab)
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New Executive must prioritise women’s health – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says waiting times for NHS gynaecological treatment are unacceptable, with some women forced into avoidable surgery, and calls on a new Health Minister to deliver a women's health strategy as a priority.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Gynaecology waiting times review Original release: New Executive must prioritise women’s health – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Bangor West Councillor welcomes announcement that the Promote Learning Disability Service has been saved from closure
Green Party Bangor West councillor Cllr McKee welcomes the signing of a contract for charity Orchardville to take over the Promote Day Opportunities Service in Bangor, saving it from closure. She criticises the South Eastern Trust's handling and calls for a return of the Stormont Executive to…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Promote Day Opportunities Service in Bangor saved from closure Original release: Bangor West Councillor welcomes announcement that the Promote Learning Disability Service has been saved from closure (opens in a new tab)
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Infrastructure investment reduction could jeopardise housing supply targets, says Armstrong
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong raises concern that a reduced NI Water budget from the Department for Infrastructure could stop new builds connecting, threatening social housing supply. She urges the Civil Service head to require departments to publish impact reports on cross-departmental effects of…
Housing Infrastructure and transport Issue: Department for Infrastructure NI Water budget reduction and housing connections Original release: Infrastructure investment reduction could jeopardise housing supply targets, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Trust must ensure women are kept updated during smear test review
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon urges the Southern Trust to keep women informed about delays in the cervical smear test review, noting over 16,000 are still awaiting results. She calls women's health services unfit for purpose and demands a restored Executive and health minister to deliver a women's…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Southern Trust cervical smear test review delays and notification backlog Original release: Trust must ensure women are kept updated during smear test review (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance committed to safeguarding our natural environment, says Blair, responding to People’s Plan for Nature
Alliance environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says the party has submitted its response to the People's Plan for Nature, a set of 26 calls to action from a citizens' assembly, and points to its Lough Neagh five-point plan and Green New Deal as aligned. He blames the lack of a functioning…
Environment and climate Issue: People's Plan for Nature submission by Alliance Original release: Alliance committed to safeguarding our natural environment, says Blair, responding to People’s Plan for Nature (opens in a new tab)
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Muir sponsors exhibition to mark Holocaust Memorial Day
Alliance Chief Whip Andrew Muir MLA says the Holocaust should warn against allowing antisemitism and prejudice to go unchecked, speaking after an exhibition he sponsored at the Assembly to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. He warns that refugees are increasingly met with hostility and pledges Alliance…
Disability and equality International affairs Issue: Holocaust Memorial Day exhibition at the Assembly sponsored by Andrew Muir Original release: Muir sponsors exhibition to mark Holocaust Memorial Day (opens in a new tab)
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Fire safety measures in high rise buildings will not be delivered without a minister, says Armstrong
Alliance spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA says new Department for Communities safety plans for high rise buildings cannot be delivered without a minister in post. She calls for buy-back or financial support options for flat owners needing costly fire safety adaptations, noting related legislation…
Housing Issue: Department for Communities high rise building safety plans following Grenfell-linked report Original release: Fire safety measures in high rise buildings will not be delivered without a minister, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Shift to renewable energy showing clear environmental benefits – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan says the shift to wind energy is showing clear environmental benefits, citing a Wind Energy Ireland report on record renewable output and reduced emissions. He calls for the immediate restoration of the Assembly to meet emissions targets under the Climate Change Act.
Environment and climate Issue: Wind Energy Ireland report on record renewable electricity output Original release: Shift to renewable energy showing clear environmental benefits – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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No Assembly, no help for tenants suffering from mould, says Armstrong
Alliance Housing Spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA says Northern Ireland tenants are at a disadvantage over mould cases, as UK consultation on time limits for landlords does not apply without an Assembly. She calls for Awaab's Law to be introduced locally and blames DUP delays.
Housing Issue: UK Government consultation on mould time limits for landlords Original release: No Assembly, no help for tenants suffering from mould, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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EA must act to mitigate against disruption for SEN pupils as strikes hit
Alliance Education Spokesperson Nick Mathison MLA calls on the Education Authority to engage urgently with Unite and agree a special derogation so Special Schools keep services running during eight days of planned industrial action by EA staff. He also says the DUP's collapse of the Executive is…
Education Economy and employment Issue: Unite eight days of industrial action at Education Authority Original release: EA must act to mitigate against disruption for SEN pupils as strikes hit (opens in a new tab)
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Climate Commissioner role key to meeting our climate change targets, says Donnelly and Blair
Alliance MLAs Danny Donnelly and John Blair call for the creation of a Northern Ireland Climate Commissioner, a requirement of the Climate Change Act, and urge the restoration of the Executive so the legislation can be brought forward urgently.
Environment and climate Original release: Climate Commissioner role key to meeting our climate change targets, says Donnelly and Blair (opens in a new tab)
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McReynolds welcomes NI Chamber of Commerce paper on reforms to planning system
Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Peter McReynolds MLA welcomes a newly published paper from the Chamber of Commerce with 10 recommendations to improve planning, and calls for legislation for planning reform in a future Executive. He also backs priority for renewable energy projects to help…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Chamber of Commerce report on planning system reform Original release: McReynolds welcomes NI Chamber of Commerce paper on reforms to planning system (opens in a new tab)
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Bold and decisive action needed in 2024 to restore our natural environment, says Blair
Alliance spokesperson John Blair MLA calls for 2024 to bring significant progress on restoring the natural environment, citing an RSPB report on threatened species and pressing DAERA on marine strategies, Lough Neagh and the Waste Management Strategy.
Environment and climate Original release: Bold and decisive action needed in 2024 to restore our natural environment, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Áine Groogan will attempt to overturn SF & DUP carve-up
Green Party Councillor Áine Groogan criticises Sinn Féin and DUP for seeking to overturn a £800,000 Neighbourhood Regeneration Funding award to Sólás, a South Belfast charity for children with special needs. She says she will propose rejecting the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee's…
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Sólás funding cut at south Belfast area working group Original release: Cllr Áine Groogan will attempt to overturn SF & DUP carve-up (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: No rollback on climate change commitments
SDLP South Belfast MP Claire Hanna says the UK Government must not roll back climate commitments, opposing the Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill ahead of its Commons second reading. She backs an amendment to block it and calls for renewables and energy efficiency instead.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill second reading in Commons Original release: Hanna: No rollback on climate change commitments (opens in a new tab)
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Lyons: Sólás funding cut must be reversed
SDLP councillor Dónal Lyons calls for a reversal of a 97% funding cut, over £750,000, to Sólás, a south Belfast group supporting children and young people with disabilities, after DUP and Sinn Féin councillors backed it.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Sólás funding cut at south Belfast area working group Original release: Lyons: Sólás funding cut must be reversed (opens in a new tab)
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2024 is the year of momentous political change – Senator Paul Gavan
Sinn Féin Senator Paul Gavan urges supporters, trade unionists and community activists to make 2024 a year of political change, calling for a change of government over housing and health and urging a vote in the June local and European elections. He also calls on the Irish Government to back South…
Other Housing Original release: 2024 is the year of momentous political change – Senator Paul Gavan (opens in a new tab)