Latest releases
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2,025 releases
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Allister to Host European Victims Day Event
TUV leader Jim Allister announces a European Victims Day event in the Senate Chamber at Parliament Buildings on 11 March, with a minute's silence and five victims of republican, loyalist and European terrorism sharing their stories.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Original release: Allister to Host European Victims Day Event (opens in a new tab)
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Children and young people with special educational needs deserve best start to life – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker calls on the Education Minister to overhaul special educational needs provision, saying young people and families are being failed by the current system and urging the minister to act on his commitment following a Education Committee meeting.
Education Disability and equality Original release: Children and young people with special educational needs deserve best start to life – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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Irish remains preserve of one community
TUV leader Jim Allister challenges DUP MLA Paul Givan's claim that Irish belongs to everyone, arguing the Irish language is not supported by facts such as its absence from controlled school curricula. He says Irish language legislation aims to promote Gaelicisation as part of a nationalist…
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Issue: Paul Givan's comments that Irish belongs to all of us Original release: Irish remains preserve of one community (opens in a new tab)
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Dunne presses for clarity on concessionary fares scheme
DUP MLA Stephen Dunne presses the Infrastructure Minister for clarity on the future of the Concessionary Fares Scheme, noting no decision has followed the consultation that closed in August 2023. He welcomes the Minister's stated intention to keep the scheme in its current form and calls for…
Infrastructure and transport Disability and equality Issue: Concessionary Fares Scheme consultation outcome and future of fare concessions Original release: Dunne presses for clarity on concessionary fares scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister decision more ideological than practical
Green Party councillor Anthony Flynn criticises the Communities Minister's decision to end remote council meetings from 6 March, calling it short-sighted and ideological. He says remote attendance improves accessibility for councillors with caring or health needs and urges the minister to extend…
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Communities Minister ending remote council meetings from 6 March Original release: Communities Minister decision more ideological than practical (opens in a new tab)
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Tribute to the late George Shiels MBE
Ulster Unionist group leader on Mid Ulster Council Councillor Trevor Wilson shares condolences on the death of former Councillor George Shiels MBE, recalling his work securing local grants and supporting people in his community.
Other Local government Original release: Tribute to the late George Shiels MBE (opens in a new tab)
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Minister Lyons hosts visit of UK Sports Minister
DUP Minister Gordon Lyons says he hosted UK Sports Minister Stuart Andrew for talks on football development across Northern Ireland, visiting Rathmore School, Cliftonville FC and Glentoran FC. He says the demand for change is clear at every level of the game.
Other Issue: UK Sports Minister visit to Northern Ireland football clubs and grassroots programme Original release: Minister Lyons hosts visit of UK Sports Minister (opens in a new tab)
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Dillon welcomes extension of Nexus contract
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon welcomes Department of Health confirmation that Nexus NI's counselling contract for victims of sexual abuse and violence will run for another year. She says she will keep working with the health minister and Nexus on a long-term plan for these services.
Health Justice and policing Issue: Department of Health extension of Nexus NI counselling contract Original release: Dillon welcomes extension of Nexus contract (opens in a new tab)
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Deeply concerning Department of Health has ended Nexus NI contract – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says it is alarming that the Department of Health has ended Nexus NI's specialist counselling contract for victims of sexual abuse and violence. She calls on the Health Minister to review the decision, arguing GP referrals are not an adequate substitute.
Health Justice and policing Issue: Department of Health ends Nexus NI specialist counselling contract Original release: Deeply concerning Department of Health has ended Nexus NI contract – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister meets with other UK Sports Ministers at the…
The DUP's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons says he met Sports Ministers from the other home nations in Glasgow to set out shared sporting priorities, and he wants wider participation in sport for women, girls and disabled people. He also looks forward to talks on grassroots funding with UK Sports…
Other Issue: Inter-Ministerial Group on Sport meeting in Glasgow Original release: Communities Minister meets with other UK Sports Ministers at the… (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister hears concerns of voluntary and community sector…
DUP's Gordon Lyons, Minister for Communities, says he heard from voluntary and community groups at a NICVA-hosted meeting about funding uncertainty, rising demand and increased costs, and pledges continued engagement with the sector.
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Rivers Trust report on state of NI waters disappointing but not surprising, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says newly published Rivers Trust data showing no Northern Ireland river stretches at good overall status is disappointing but not surprising. He links the decline to agricultural run-off, sewage, invasive species and underinvestment, and calls for…
Environment and climate Issue: Rivers Trust State of Our Rivers 2024 report on Northern Ireland waters Original release: Rivers Trust report on state of NI waters disappointing but not surprising, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Transformation of Special Educational Needs essential – Givan
The DUP's Education Minister Paul Givan reaffirms his commitment to transform the Special Educational Needs system in Northern Ireland, following a visit to Fleming Fulton School. He says children with SEN do not always achieve the same outcomes as peers and will press Executive colleagues for…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Transformation of Special Educational Needs essential – Givan (opens in a new tab)
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More help needed to support carers – Dillon
SF MLA Linda Dillon says more help is needed for carers, especially women forced to cut hours or leave jobs, reacting to a Carers NI and Women's Regional Consortium report. She calls for investment in social care, stronger workers' rights and better childcare, and welcomes the Economy Minister's…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Carers NI and Women's Regional Consortium report on female carers Original release: More help needed to support carers – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Stewart expresses concerns on the impact of projected sea level rises on rail infrastructure
UUP infrastructure spokesperson John Stewart MLA expresses concern over a Translink-commissioned report on projected sea level rise threatening rail locations, saying 7 are at high risk by 2040. He calls for urgent consultation with the Department for Infrastructure on moving and re-routing the…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Translink report on sea level rise impacts to rail infrastructure Original release: Stewart expresses concerns on the impact of projected sea level rises on rail infrastructure (opens in a new tab)
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Career or Care report lays bare the failure to support our unpaid carers, says Eastwood
Alliance's Sorcha Eastwood MLA says carers need far more support, citing a Carers NI and Women's Regional Consortium report finding nearly 60% of unpaid carers are women. She backs its recommendations, including paid carer's leave, and says she has asked the Economy Minister to include it in a…
Economy and employment Disability and equality Issue: Carers NI and Women's Regional Consortium report on female carers Original release: Career or Care report lays bare the failure to support our unpaid carers, says Eastwood (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister needs to prioritise and invest in special educational needs and disabilities, says Mathison, ahead of Assembly debate
Alliance's Nick Mathison MLA, Chair of the Assembly's Education Committee, urges the Education Minister to direct any extra SEND funding to pupils and the workforce ahead of a Monday Assembly debate. He says the current support system has failed pupils, parents and schools and warns against a…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Assembly debate on special educational needs and disabilities provision Original release: Education Minister needs to prioritise and invest in special educational needs and disabilities, says Mathison, ahead of Assembly debate (opens in a new tab)
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Community stunned following tragic road accident – Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard offers sympathy to the family and friends of a young man who died in a crash in Newry, and pays tribute to emergency services at the scene.
Other Original release: Community stunned following tragic road accident – Hazzard (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance calls for gender pay gap reporting in Belfast City Council
Alliance councillors, through South Belfast Councillor Tara Brooks, call for Belfast City Council to lead by adopting transparent methods for recording and reporting the gender pay gap, noting Northern Ireland has no legal obligation to do so.
Disability and equality Local government Original release: Alliance calls for gender pay gap reporting in Belfast City Council (opens in a new tab)
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New DAERA Minister Andrew Muir visits Portavogie
Alliance DAERA Minister Andrew Muir visits Portavogie Harbour and congratulates NIFHA on a UK Seafood Fund offer of 75% of a £3.6million slipway upgrade. He says his Department will provide the remaining 25% match funding and will shortly consider a five-year fisheries strategic plan.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: Minister Andrew Muir visit to Portavogie Harbour Original release: New DAERA Minister Andrew Muir visits Portavogie (opens in a new tab)