Latest releases
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1,490 releases
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Farmers were right on NAP, the hard work of delivery now falls to Muir
UUP agriculture spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA cautiously welcomes the revised Nutrients Action Programme published for consultation, but says delivery now rests with Minister Muir. He calls for the economic impact assessment to be published in full and says Northern Ireland Water, wastewater and…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Revised Nutrients Action Programme published for consultation Original release: Farmers were right on NAP, the hard work of delivery now falls to Muir (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath saddened by fire at former Downpatrick convent
SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath expresses sadness at a large blaze at the derelict former convent in Downpatrick, which he says many locals remember well. He pays tribute to firefighters and emergency services for their rapid response.
Other Issue: Downpatrick former convent fire Original release: McGrath saddened by fire at former Downpatrick convent (opens in a new tab)
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Building the A5 ‘an absolute priority’ for Sinn Féin – Begley
Sinn Féin MP Órfhlaith Begley, speaking from the Court of Appeal, says building the A5 remains a key priority and that delay is costing lives. She points to Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins pursuing an appeal against the most recent High Court ruling, supported by Tyrone GAA's campaign.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: A5 road appeal against the latest High Court ruling Original release: Building the A5 ‘an absolute priority’ for Sinn Féin – Begley (opens in a new tab)
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A moment of truth for DUP
TUV leader Jim Allister says a BBC Spotlight programme will test the DUP's claim it never received complaints about Jeffrey Donaldson's behaviour, and calls for full transparency over when senior DUP figures knew of alleged misconduct.
Other Justice and policing Issue: BBC Spotlight programme on Jeffrey Donaldson allegations Original release: A moment of truth for DUP (opens in a new tab)
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Whyte: Irish Government funding for Sailortown Bridge project must be matched by DFI.
SDLP North Belfast councillor Carl Whyte welcomes €800,000 from the Shared Island Fund for the next design phase of the Sailortown–Odyssey pedestrian and cycle bridge in Belfast. He calls on the Department for Infrastructure to guarantee funding to completion, warning against repeating the…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Shared Island Fund €800,000 for Cork–Belfast Docklands Bridges project Original release: Whyte: Irish Government funding for Sailortown Bridge project must be matched by DFI. (opens in a new tab)
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Murphy welcomes funding for Ulster Canal
Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy welcomes a £26m Shared Island Fund allocation for restoring the Ulster Canal between Clones and Upper Lough Erne. She credits the Infrastructure Minister and her Southern counterpart and says she will keep pressing for timely delivery of the cross-border scheme.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Shared Island Fund £26m allocation for Ulster Canal restoration Original release: Murphy welcomes funding for Ulster Canal (opens in a new tab)
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£200m funding will improve rail network and support better services for passengers – Ennis
Sinn Féin MLA Sinéad Ennis welcomes almost £200 million from the Shared Island Fund for rail, including £100 million for track renewal and continuing the hourly Enterprise service to 2030. She links it to the approved Enterprise replacement fleet programme.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Shared Island Fund rail investment announcement £200 million Original release: £200m funding will improve rail network and support better services for passengers – Ennis (opens in a new tab)
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Community and voluntary sectors play vital role in our communities – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew pays tribute to community and voluntary groups and welcomes modernisation measures in the Charities (Amendment) Bill after its second stage, while pledging scrutiny to stop larger out-of-region charities gaining an edge.
Other Issue: Charities (Amendment) Bill second stage passage Original release: Community and voluntary sectors play vital role in our communities – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Opposition sets out impact of Executive Budget chaos
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the Executive’s inability to agree a Budget could slash almost £1bn from spending, risking thousands of nurse, teacher and police posts, delaying housing, school and university projects and threatening welfare payments, and urges action before 1
Public finance and taxation Education Issue: Executive failure to agree Budget Original release: SDLP Opposition sets out impact of Executive Budget chaos (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin has selected three candidates to stand in Newry and Armagh in the next Assembly election in May 2027
Sinn Féin says it has chosen MLAs Liz Kimmins, Aoife Finnegan and Cathal Boylan to stand for Newry and Armagh at the May 2027 Assembly election, with President Mary Lou McDonald TD setting a goal of electing three MLAs there and the largest-ever Sinn Féin Assembly team.
Other Issue: Sinn Féin selects Newry and Armagh candidates for 2027 Assembly election Original release: Sinn Féin has selected three candidates to stand in Newry and Armagh in the next Assembly election in May 2027 (opens in a new tab)
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Ennis welcomes announcement of funding for four greenway projects
Sinn Féin MLA Sinéad Ennis welcomes funding for four border-region greenway projects under the Shared Island Greenways Development Fund, including €25,000 for the Warrenpoint to Newcastle project. She commends Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins for work with the Irish government to secure it.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Shared Island Greenways Development Fund announcement for four border greenway projects Original release: Ennis welcomes announcement of funding for four greenway projects (opens in a new tab)
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Guy reiterates need for action on social media but ban has too many unanswered questions
Alliance MLA Michelle Guy, chair of the Assembly's online safety group, backs action on the harmful, addictive design of social media but says the UK Government's planned under-16 ban raises unanswered questions. She asks what steps will offset unintended harms and whether tiered restrictions were…
Other Issue: UK Government plan to ban social media for under-16s Original release: Guy reiterates need for action on social media but ban has too many unanswered questions (opens in a new tab)
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The DUP’s Proposed Hard Border between North and South is Impossible – Tóibín
Aontú Leader and Meath West TD says the DUP’s proposed hard border between the north and south is impossible to police, would damage the all‑Ireland economy and risk a return to Troubles‑era controls, and calls on the Irish government to open talks with the UK, pledging to raise the issue at the BI‑
Constitutional affairs Immigration Issue: DUP proposed hard border between North and South Original release: The DUP’s Proposed Hard Border between North and South is Impossible – Tóibín (opens in a new tab)
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Ballymena Showgrounds 3G Pitch Receives Green Light
TUV Alderman Stewart McDonald, on Mid and East Antrim's planning committee, says he welcomed approval of an application to replace the natural grass at Ballymena Showgrounds with a 3G hybrid pitch, crediting Councillor Matthew Armstrong.
Local government Infrastructure and transport Issue: Ballymena Showgrounds 3G pitch planning approval Original release: Ballymena Showgrounds 3G Pitch Receives Green Light (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin reiterates firm commitment to protecting workers and families from domestic water charges
Sinn Féin says it will keep workers and families safe from domestic water charges, welcoming the Infrastructure Committee’s move to push forward a bill that prolongs the NI Water subsidy for another five years, shielding households until 2032.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Infrastructure Committee extends NI Water subsidy Original release: Sinn Féin reiterates firm commitment to protecting workers and families from domestic water charges (opens in a new tab)
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Brolly on Official Opening of Aontú’s First Office in the North
Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly says the new constituency office in Dungiven, East Derry, is a milestone for the party in the North and pledges to serve local schools, hospitals and families, while leader Peadar Tóibín calls the launch a clear declaration of intent.
Other Issue: Aontú first office opening in Dungiven, East Derry Original release: Brolly on Official Opening of Aontú’s First Office in the North (opens in a new tab)
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BBC Must Learn Lessons from Comber Reporting Failure – McIlveen
Strangford DUP MLA Michelle McIlveen says the BBC must reflect on and learn from its reporting on the cancelled children’s GAA event in Comber, which the Executive Complaints Unit judged fell short of required accuracy, and urges prompt corrective action to restore public confidence.
Other Issue: BBC reporting on cancelled Comber children’s GAA event Original release: BBC Must Learn Lessons from Comber Reporting Failure – McIlveen (opens in a new tab)
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Back British Buses: Allister Calls for Procurement Rules to Protect UK Manufacturing
TUV leader Jim Allister calls on the Government to tighten bus procurement guidance so contracts favour UK jobs and domestic firms, shielding the sector from low-cost overseas rivals, after speaking at the British Bus Manufacturing Fair.
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Issue: British Bus Manufacturing Fair bus procurement guidance call Original release: Back British Buses: Allister Calls for Procurement Rules to Protect UK Manufacturing (opens in a new tab)
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Planning delays exposing a broken system – Martin
DUP North Down MLA Peter Martin, Chair of the Assembly Infrastructure Committee, calls for planning reform legislation after officials confirmed regionally significant applications are taking 215 to 362 weeks to decide against a 30-week target.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Officials' confirmation of delays in regionally significant planning applications Original release: Planning delays exposing a broken system – Martin (opens in a new tab)
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Time for Stormont DFI Minister to End Derry Rail Timetable Disparity
People Before Profit's Eamonn McCann welcomes over a million Derry rail passengers in the last year and calls on the DFI Minister to fund equal train access on the Derry line, estimated by Translink at £1m.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Derry rail passenger numbers and timetable disparity funding Original release: Time for Stormont DFI Minister to End Derry Rail Timetable Disparity (opens in a new tab)