Latest releases
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2,759 releases
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Government must direct more resources to restoration and repair of power lines and water network – Martin Kenny
Sinn Féin TD Martin Kenny calls on the government to send extra forestry harvesters, diggers and work crews to clear fallen trees blocking power lines after Storm Éowyn, and to create a financial compensation package for affected families.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Storm Éowyn electricity network damage and power restoration Original release: Government must direct more resources to restoration and repair of power lines and water network – Martin Kenny (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw welcomes Executive commitment to combatting forced marriage.
Alliance TEO spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA welcomes the Finance Minister's assurance that Executive agreement has been secured to extend the forced marriage offence to arranging marriages of under-18s. She calls for the related legislation to be brought before the Assembly in coming months.
Disability and equality Issue: Finance Minister's assurance on forced marriage offence extension in Assembly Original release: Bradshaw welcomes Executive commitment to combatting forced marriage. (opens in a new tab)
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Cultural shift needed to end gender-based violence, says Egan, welcoming launch of Power to Change campaign.
Alliance Justice spokesperson Connie Egan MLA welcomes the PSNI, Department of Justice and Executive Office 'Power to Change' campaign, saying society must change its culture to end gender-based violence. She says men and boys have a crucial role in challenging harmful attitudes and intervening…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: PSNI 'Power to Change' gender-based violence campaign launch Original release: Cultural shift needed to end gender-based violence, says Egan, welcoming launch of Power to Change campaign. (opens in a new tab)
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Rose Conway-Walsh appointed Sinn Féin spokesperson on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment
Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh, newly appointed spokesperson on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, says she will hold the Government to account and calls for immediate examination of business losses from Storm Éowyn and supports for affected firms.
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Issue: Rose Conway-Walsh appointed Sinn Féin enterprise spokesperson Original release: Rose Conway-Walsh appointed Sinn Féin spokesperson on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister levels the playing field in housing allocation
DUP MLA Cheryl Brownlee welcomes the Communities Minister Gordon Lyons' decision to scrap intimidation points in the Northern Ireland Housing Executive's Housing Selection Scheme, arguing victims of domestic abuse have been unfairly scored lower.
Housing Disability and equality Issue: Removal of Housing Executive intimidation points Original release: Communities Minister levels the playing field in housing allocation (opens in a new tab)
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Removal of Housing Executive Intimidation Points will put lives at risk
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll says the Communities Minister's decision to remove Housing Executive intimidation points will put lives at risk, arguing it leaves victims of threats and sectarian, racist or homophobic attacks without priority for permanent homes. He instead calls for…
Housing Disability and equality Issue: Removal of Housing Executive intimidation points Original release: Removal of Housing Executive Intimidation Points will put lives at risk (opens in a new tab)
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Further delay to Climate Change Commissioner appointment is unacceptable, says Bradshaw.
Alliance's Paula Bradshaw MLA calls for urgent clarity from the FM and dFM over the delay in appointing a Climate Change Commissioner, despite regulations having all-party consent and being in force. She says the dFM hinted at further legislative problems during questions on a British-Irish…
Environment and climate Issue: Climate Change Commissioner appointment delay despite approved regulations Original release: Further delay to Climate Change Commissioner appointment is unacceptable, says Bradshaw. (opens in a new tab)
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Classroom Assistants deserve proper recognition and support, says Alliance Education representatives.
Alliance MLAs Nick Mathison and Michelle Guy call on the Education Minister to set out a clear plan to support, develop and reward Classroom Assistants, following an Ulster University report into the workforce. They raise concerns about temporary recruitment and incomplete Access NI checks.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Ulster University report on Classroom Assistants in Northern Ireland Original release: Classroom Assistants deserve proper recognition and support, says Alliance Education representatives. (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong welcomes removal of intimidation points and planned review of Primary Social Needs.
Alliance's Kellie Armstrong MLA welcomes the Communities Minister's plan to scrap intimidation points in social housing applications and review the Primary Social Needs section. She says moving away Troubles-era measures aids peacebuilding and urges action against perpetrators of violence.
Housing Community relations and legacy Issue: Removal of Housing Executive intimidation points Original release: Armstrong welcomes removal of intimidation points and planned review of Primary Social Needs. (opens in a new tab)
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Never Again: Why We Remember The Holocaust
People Before Profit marks 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, warning that fascism grows from racism and antisemitism. It cites the AfD in Germany, Elon Musk's rally appearance and online conspiracy theories in Ireland, and urges socialists to oppose all racism, including…
Disability and equality International affairs Original release: Never Again: Why We Remember The Holocaust (opens in a new tab)
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We must stand united against all prejudice, hatred, and violence, says Bradshaw, marking Holocaust Memorial Day.
Alliance's Paula Bradshaw, the South Belfast MLA, marks Holocaust Memorial Day 2025 by calling for unity against prejudice, hatred and violence, citing Northern Ireland's record of offering sanctuary to refugees and rejecting antisemitism, Islamophobia and other forms of bigotry.
Disability and equality International affairs Original release: We must stand united against all prejudice, hatred, and violence, says Bradshaw, marking Holocaust Memorial Day. (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance Belfast City councillors welcome funding for local community and environmental initiatives.
Alliance councillors Sam Nelson and Jenna Maghie welcome Belfast City Council funding agreed by the Strategic Policy & Resources Committee for more street litter bins, an enhanced alleyways scheme and urban wildflower projects, subject to full council ratification.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Belfast City Council Strategic Policy & Resources Committee funding for litter bins, alleyways and wildflowers Original release: Alliance Belfast City councillors welcome funding for local community and environmental initiatives. (opens in a new tab)
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People's Housing Bill Consultation
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll introduces the People's Housing Bill, aiming to ease the North’s housing crisis affecting nearly 48,000 households. The plan would cap rents, convert vacant homes into dwellings, set up a Rental Board, tighten landlord duties and enforce basic housing standards
Housing Issue: People's Housing Bill proposal Original release: People's Housing Bill Consultation (opens in a new tab)
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NI Executive agreement for Sign Language Bill
The DUP's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons MLA says Executive Ministers have agreed to introduce his Sign Language Bill to the Assembly, which recognises British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language. He plans to introduce it in February and points to departmental investment in trained…
Disability and equality Issue: Executive agreement to introduce Sign Language Bill to Assembly Original release: NI Executive agreement for Sign Language Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Boylan encourages public to have its say on MOT consultation
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan encourages the public to respond to a Department for Infrastructure consultation on moving some vehicles from annual to two-yearly MOT testing, open until 16 April 2025. He says Minister John O'Dowd is working to cut MOT wait times through recruitment and Sunday and…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Department for Infrastructure consultation on biennial MOT testing Original release: Boylan encourages public to have its say on MOT consultation (opens in a new tab)
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Gender inequalities a stark reality in health, says McAllister
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA calls on the Department of Health to explore expanding robotic-assisted surgery to other specialties, after Health Minister figures showed 513 of 599 such surgeries since 2019 were on males. She says the split reflects unequal access to…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Minister's figures on gender split in robotic surgery Original release: Gender inequalities a stark reality in health, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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Sheerin welcomes additional funding to help communities tackle violence against women and girls
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin welcomes an additional £1.2 million for grassroots organisations to raise awareness of violence against women and girls, following an earlier £2 million commitment to local communities.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Additional £1.2 million funding for violence against women and girls awareness Original release: Sheerin welcomes additional funding to help communities tackle violence against women and girls (opens in a new tab)
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Kimmins welcomes cross-party support for improved autism mental health support
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins welcomes cross‑party support for a motion urging the health minister to devise specialist autism mental health services, saying many with ASD lack needed care and the minister must work with families to deliver fully accessible support.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Assembly motion calling for specialist autism mental health services Original release: Kimmins welcomes cross-party support for improved autism mental health support (opens in a new tab)
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Thousands of Houses Empty and Thousands Homeless: Time for Action
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll says Communities Minister Gordon Lyons is using unreliable data on vacant properties to excuse inaction on housing, and calls on the Finance and Communities Ministers to ensure empty homes records are accurate and up to date.
Housing Issue: Communities Minister comments on lack of data on vacant properties Original release: Thousands of Houses Empty and Thousands Homeless: Time for Action (opens in a new tab)
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Green Party welcome rejection of UUP anti-trans motion
Green Party Councillor Anthony Flynn welcomes the failure of a UUP motion on trans prisoners, calling it a distraction. He says the Assembly should instead deliver the LGBTQ equality strategy promised since 2007 and address hate crime and health inequalities.
Disability and equality Issue: UUP motion on trans prisoners rejected in Assembly Original release: Green Party welcome rejection of UUP anti-trans motion (opens in a new tab)