Latest releases
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1,574 releases
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Net-zero advice reinforces need for urgently restored Executive, says Tennyson
Alliance Climate Change Spokesperson Eóin Tennyson MLA says the Climate Change Committee’s carbon‑budget advice underlines the urgent need to restore the Northern Ireland Executive, arguing ministerial direction is essential to meet the 2050 net‑zero target.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: CCC first three Carbon Budgets advice for NI Original release: Net-zero advice reinforces need for urgently restored Executive, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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Carers to face further stress with end of Learning Disability Support says Armstrong
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA warns exhausted carers will face more pressure when Mencap's Employment Support Service for people with learning disabilities closes on 31 March 2023. She blames a lack of budget following the end of European Social Fund money and calls for…
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Mencap NI employment services redundancy notices over funding uncertainty Original release: Carers to face further stress with end of Learning Disability Support says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Green Party leader has welcomed that a deal in principle has been reached
Green Party leader Councillor Mal O'Hara welcomes the reported deal in principle between the UK and EU on the Northern Ireland Protocol, but says it was outside local influence. He urges the DUP to end its blockade of the Assembly so public services and climate action can move forward.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU-UK Windsor Framework deal on the Northern Ireland Protocol Original release: Green Party leader has welcomed that a deal in principle has been reached (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent clarification needed on budgets, says Armstrong, after charity announces redundancy notices
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong calls for urgent clarity on budgets after Mencap NI issued 30-day redundancy notices to staff running its employment support services, citing a lack of funding information from Departments and the UK Government.
Disability and equality Economy and employment Issue: Mencap NI employment services redundancy notices over funding uncertainty Original release: Urgent clarification needed on budgets, says Armstrong, after charity announces redundancy notices (opens in a new tab)
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Independent Review of education presents major opportunity says Egan
Alliance education spokesperson Connie Egan MLA says the Independent Review of Education is a major opportunity to reform the system, after meeting the Review Panel. She raises concerns about Special Educational Needs provision and the statementing process, and calls for a single integrated system…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Independent Review of Education interim report and Review Panel meeting Original release: Independent Review of education presents major opportunity says Egan (opens in a new tab)
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To progress social justice we need political parties to work together, says Armstrong on #WorldSocialJusticeDay
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA calls on political parties to work together rather than put party first on World Social Justice Day, and welcomes the Independent Panel's Review of Welfare Mitigations recommendations on a Carers payment and family support.
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Original release: To progress social justice we need political parties to work together, says Armstrong on #WorldSocialJusticeDay (opens in a new tab)
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Lack of Executive hampering climate and cost of living response, says Tennyson
Alliance climate spokesperson Eóin Tennyson MLA says the DUP's boycott of the Executive is holding back cost-of-living and climate work, after the Economy Department missed its end-2022 deadline for new home and business energy efficiency schemes.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Department for the Economy misses energy efficiency scheme launch deadline Original release: Lack of Executive hampering climate and cost of living response, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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UUP call for recognition of role of the UDR Greenfinches in 50th anniversary year
UUP Alderman Glenn Barr calls on councils to recognise the Greenfinches of the Ulster Defence Regiment ahead of the 50th anniversary of their formation in July. He says he tabled a motion at Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council and that UUP motions will follow across Northern Ireland.
Community relations and legacy Disability and equality Original release: UUP call for recognition of role of the UDR Greenfinches in 50th anniversary year (opens in a new tab)
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Hargey expresses solidarity with Belfast Multi-Cultural Association
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey says it is disgraceful the Belfast Multi-Cultural Association has had to sell its Donegall Pass home after continued racist attacks. She calls for more action from the PSNI to pursue those responsible and pledges to help the BMCA find a new home.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Belfast Multi-Cultural Association sale of Donegall Pass home after racist attacks Original release: Hargey expresses solidarity with Belfast Multi-Cultural Association (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney expresses concern over Crumlin River fish kill
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney expresses concern at a severe fish kill over a large stretch of the Crumlin River, linked to reported slurry pollution. He calls for a full investigation, for those responsible to be held accountable, and for penalties to be as severe as the law allows.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Crumlin River slurry spill and fish kill investigation Original release: Kearney expresses concern over Crumlin River fish kill (opens in a new tab)
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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 Issue: North Down Borough Council committee vote on car-free days pilot motion 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 Issue: GAA cash ticket purchase ban at matches 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 Issue: Crumlin River slurry spill and fish kill investigation 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 Issue: Bereavement benefit extension to cohabiting parents legislation 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 Issue: Executive Office warning on delayed Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 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 Issue: Safe Access Zones Act receiving Royal Assent and becoming law 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 Issue: Translink 7% fares increase directed by Secretary of State 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 Issue: Hunting Trophies Importation Prohibition Bill Commons scrutiny Original release: Wilson welcomes progress of trophy hunting legislation (opens in a new tab)