Latest releases
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980 releases
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No one should have a licence to pollute, says Blair, welcoming stronger wastewater pollution regulations
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes the Environment Minister's Assembly update on stronger wastewater pollution rules, including tougher fines, ending NI Water's licence to pollute and stricter discharge consent standards. He urges Executive approval and urgent Infrastructure…
Environment and climate Issue: Environment Minister's Assembly update on wastewater pollution measures Original release: No one should have a licence to pollute, says Blair, welcoming stronger wastewater pollution regulations (opens in a new tab)
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Forsythe: DfE Must Be Honest About Unrealistic 2030 Energy Targets
DUP South Down MLA Diane Forsythe says the Department for the Economy must be candid about Northern Ireland's 2030 renewable electricity target of 80%, which she calls unachievable on current trajectory. She cites roughly 44% renewable generation today and calls for a credible, deliverable energy…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Economy Committee questioning of Energy Group officials on 2030 renewable electricity target Original release: Forsythe: DfE Must Be Honest About Unrealistic 2030 Energy Targets (opens in a new tab)
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Baker moves bill to tackle holiday hunger
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker has introduced his Bill to the Assembly to make payments to parents of around 90,000 children receiving free school meals during school holidays. He says the Bill passed its first stage and calls for cross-party work to progress it.
Social security and welfare Issue: Danny Baker bill on holiday payments for free school meal children Original release: Baker moves bill to tackle holiday hunger (opens in a new tab)
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Removal of two-child limit ‘long overdue’ – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew welcomes the Assembly's passing of a bill that will scrap the two-child benefit limit next month, calling the removal long overdue after a campaign pressed the British government to reverse it.
Social security and welfare Issue: Assembly passes bill scrapping two-child benefit limit Original release: Removal of two-child limit ‘long overdue’ – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan welcomes removal of two-child limit
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA welcomes the removal of the two-child limit on Universal Credit, following the Assembly's Legislative Consent Motion on the Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill. He calls for clarity on transitional protections and a timely…
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: Assembly passes bill scrapping two-child benefit limit Original release: Durkan welcomes removal of two-child limit (opens in a new tab)
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Brooks expresses concern at lack of transparency and consideration around plans for Botanic Gardens
Alliance councillor Tara Brooks voices concern that Belfast City Council's plan to move a community garden and an EU-funded UPSURGE environmental project from Botanic Gardens for a sports pitch lacks transparency. She says her proposal to pause the decision for more information was ignored and…
Local government Environment and climate Issue: Botanic Gardens community garden relocation for new sports pitch Original release: Brooks expresses concern at lack of transparency and consideration around plans for Botanic Gardens (opens in a new tab)
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Murphy welcomes Executive approval to permanently end Petroleum Exploration and Licensing
Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy welcomes the Executive's sign-off on repeal legislation that would permanently halt oil and gas exploration and licensing in the north, including fracking. She says it aligns the region with the rest of the island and will protect Fermanagh communities.
Environment and climate Issue: Executive approval of Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill Original release: Murphy welcomes Executive approval to permanently end Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (opens in a new tab)
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Marine Protected Areas Strategy crucial for healthier habitats, says Blair, following publication
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair welcomes the launch of Northern Ireland’s Marine Protected Areas Strategy by Minister Andrew Muir, calling it a vital step to restore marine and freshwater habitats, boost biodiversity and use carbon‑absorbing seagrass and kelp to aid climate action.
Environment and climate Issue: Launch of Northern Ireland Marine Protected Areas Strategy Original release: Marine Protected Areas Strategy crucial for healthier habitats, says Blair, following publication (opens in a new tab)
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Minister announces dedicated advice service for Armed Forces community
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announces a new telephone and text advice service for serving personnel, veterans and their families, with a follow-on run of outreach events and a senior official named as strategic lead.
Social security and welfare Issue: Communities Department Armed Forces community advice service launch Original release: Minister announces dedicated advice service for Armed Forces community (opens in a new tab)
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Step change in flooding interventions for Six Mile Water required – Kearney
SDLP... no. Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, calls for a strategic step change in flood interventions for homes near Antrim's Six Mile Water after Storm Chandra. He urges Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to speed up the Flood Risk Feasibility Study and to order a NI Water review of…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Storm Chandra flooding in Antrim Town Six Mile Water Original release: Step change in flooding interventions for Six Mile Water required – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP proposes amendment to establish independent EPA
SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole says the party has tabled an amendment to an omnibus bill to create an independent environmental protection agency, citing Lough Neagh pollution and DUP blocking at Executive level. The amendment seeks an Assembly debate and vote, with the Speaker deciding whether it…
Environment and climate Issue: SDLP amendment seeking independent environmental protection agency Original release: SDLP proposes amendment to establish independent EPA (opens in a new tab)
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Brett: First Minister’s Rhetoric Cannot Hide Costly Climate…
DUP MLA Phillip Brett criticises First Minister Michelle O'Neill for not justifying the £1 million annual cost of a proposed Climate Change Commissioner. He says the work is already done at UK level and that NI accounts for 0.04% of world emissions.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Proposed Northern Ireland Climate Change Commissioner cost Original release: Brett: First Minister’s Rhetoric Cannot Hide Costly Climate… (opens in a new tab)
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Jim Allister Calls the SDLP and Alliance to Account for Voting to Increase the Cost of Living
TUV leader Jim Allister, MP for North Antrim, criticises the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Maritime Activities) Order 2026, saying its carbon charges on Great Britain–Northern Ireland ferries will raise travel and goods costs. He accuses the SDLP and Alliance of…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme maritime extension order 2026 Original release: Jim Allister Calls the SDLP and Alliance to Account for Voting to Increase the Cost of Living (opens in a new tab)
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Ferguson welcomes plan to improve management of drainage and wastewater in Derry
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson welcomes a new Living with Water in Derry plan, launched by Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins, covering river flood alleviation, wastewater treatment upgrades, sewer improvements and natural drainage measures. She says it builds on earlier news on wastewater…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Living with Water in Derry drainage and wastewater plan launch Original release: Ferguson welcomes plan to improve management of drainage and wastewater in Derry (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance must stop stamping its feet and start building consensus -…
DUP Deputy Leader Michelle McIlveen MLA responds to Alliance Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir's comments on proposals for a new Environmental Protection Agency, calling on him to seek consensus and bring forward realistic proposals that balance environmental protection with the economy and…
Environment and climate Constitutional affairs Issue: Minister Andrew Muir comments on proposed Environmental Protection Agency Original release: Alliance must stop stamping its feet and start building consensus -… (opens in a new tab)
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Minister announces plans to tackle welfare fraud and error
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announces a drive to tackle benefit fraud and error, citing recommendations from a specialist working group, including staff training and technology use. He warns some measures depend on funding bids and seeks Executive support for initial investment.
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: Communities Department benefit fraud and error working group recommendations Original release: Minister announces plans to tackle welfare fraud and error (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Communities Minister has his priorities all wrong
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA says the Communities Minister should address housing stress, poverty and support for vulnerable people rather than running a new welfare fraud advertising campaign and extra fraud measures. He argues most claimants are genuine and that…
Social security and welfare Issue: Communities Department benefit fraud and error working group recommendations Original release: Durkan: Communities Minister has his priorities all wrong (opens in a new tab)
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Lyons launches Warm Healthy Homes Strategy for Northern Ireland
DUP's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons launches the Warm Healthy Homes Strategy 2026-2036 to tackle fuel poverty, saying it has Executive backing and will be paired with a £150million Warm Healthy Homes Fund next year.
Social security and welfare Housing Issue: Warm Healthy Homes Strategy 2026-2036 launch Original release: Lyons launches Warm Healthy Homes Strategy for Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Sentencing Review means stronger protections for animals and natural environment, says Blair
Alliance MLA John Blair welcomes the launch of a Sentencing Review by Justice Minister Naomi Long, which will examine animal welfare offences and environmental crime. He says stronger penalties are needed for those who harm animals or damage the environment, and cites pollution incidents in South…
Justice and policing Environment and climate Issue: Justice Minister's Sentencing Review on animal welfare and environmental crime Original release: Sentencing Review means stronger protections for animals and natural environment, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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New plan must support those struggling with rising energy costs – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew welcomes the publication of the Executive's Fuel Poverty Strategy, which aims to support low-income households, those facing high energy costs and pensioners. He calls on the minister to finalise and strengthen the plan to tackle poverty.
Economy and employment Social security and welfare Issue: Publication of the Fuel Poverty Strategy Original release: New plan must support those struggling with rising energy costs – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)