Latest releases
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3,578 releases
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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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Hanna welcomes Chancellor’s commitment to reset relations with EU
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP welcomes Chancellor Rachel Reeves's commitment to reset UK-EU relations and her announced review of the Green Book. She says a closer UK-Europe relationship would end the Windsor Framework debate, and calls on the Executive to direct growth strategy funding to health…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Chancellor Rachel Reeves economic growth speech on EU reset Original release: Hanna welcomes Chancellor’s commitment to reset relations with EU (opens in a new tab)
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Simon Harris’ comments on Irish Unity deeply disappointing – Matt Carthy TD
Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy says Simon Harris’s remarks that Irish Unity is not a priority are deeply disappointing and warns Sinn Féin will strongly challenge any move to delay the issue, urging a referendum by the end of the decade.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Simon Harris says Irish Unity not a priority Original release: Simon Harris’ comments on Irish Unity deeply disappointing – Matt Carthy TD (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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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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UK Government has unique opportunity to secure future of power-sharing, says Long, as she writes to Prime Minister about reform
Alliance leader Naomi Long MLA has written to Prime Minister Keir Starmer urging his government to prioritise institutional reform so Northern Ireland's power-sharing is not again left without a functioning Assembly. She also cites the fragile balance at Stormont and calls for a window of dialogue…
Constitutional affairs Original release: UK Government has unique opportunity to secure future of power-sharing, says Long, as she writes to Prime Minister about reform (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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Sinn Féin invites leaders to conversation on unity
Sinn Féin chairperson Declan Kearney MLA writes to party leaders across the island inviting them to meet Sinn Féin to discuss constitutional change, following the publication of its Commission on the Future of Ireland report. He says collective leadership is needed and urges the Irish and British…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Sinn Féin Commission on the Future of Ireland report publication Original release: Sinn Féin invites leaders to conversation on unity (opens in a new tab)
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Long congratulates Martin and urges him to help reform local institutions
Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA congratulates Micheál Martin on becoming Taoiseach and urges him to help reform the Assembly and Executive, citing his earlier support for Alliance's reform proposals. She also welcomes Simon Harris as Tánaiste.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Michéal Martin becomes Taoiseach for second time Original release: Long congratulates Martin and urges him to help reform local institutions (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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Michelle O’Neill to address Mid Ulster uniting Ireland conference
Sinn Féin's Michelle O’Neill MLA will address a People’s Assembly on Irish unity at the Seamus Heaney Homeplace in Bellaghy on 26 February, inviting Mid Ulster residents, community groups and others to discuss future constitutional arrangements and the forthcoming unity referendum.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Mid Ulster Irish unity People's Assembly, Bellaghy, 26 February Original release: Michelle O’Neill to address Mid Ulster uniting Ireland conference (opens in a new tab)
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Assembly reform can’t be an excuse to avoid finding agreement: Shannon
DUP MP Jim Shannon says calls to reform Northern Ireland's devolved institutions should not be a cover for excluding those who disagree, and that progress needs agreement across the divided community. He accuses the Alliance Party of seeking reform to bypass that process and to exclude unionists…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Westminster Hall debate on reform of devolved institutions Original release: Assembly reform can’t be an excuse to avoid finding agreement: Shannon (opens in a new tab)
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Case for reforming Northern Ireland's system of government is irrefutable, says Eastwood, ahead of debate
Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood says the case for reforming Northern Ireland's power-sharing institutions is irrefutable and will lead a Westminster Hall debate calling for changes to prevent stop-start government and one-party vetoes. She argues the window for reform exists now, away from an Assembly…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Westminster Hall debate on reform of devolved institutions Original release: Case for reforming Northern Ireland's system of government is irrefutable, says Eastwood, ahead of debate (opens in a new tab)