Latest releases
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1,983 releases
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Ballymena buses unveiled in York
The DUP's North Antrim MP Ian Paisley welcomes the unveiling in York of nine new electric buses built by Wrightbus in Ballymena, saying the local workforce's skill is driving practical environmental change.
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Wrightbus electric buses unveiled in York Original release: Ballymena buses unveiled in York (opens in a new tab)
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Jones Calls For Solidarity With Muslim Community
Green Party West Belfast representative Ash Jones condemns fascist flags placed outside a Dunmurry mosque, calling the act an intimidation attempt against the Muslim community. Jones urges people to attend an anti-racist rally in Dunmurry on 26 August.
Community relations and legacy Disability and equality Issue: Nazi flag flown outside Dunmurry mosque protest Original release: Jones Calls For Solidarity With Muslim Community (opens in a new tab)
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Nicholl expresses disgust at hate crime against Dunmurry Mosque
Kate Nicholl MLA, Alliance Diversity and Migration spokesperson, says the Nazi flags outside Dunmurry’s Iqraa Mosque constitute a hate crime, offers support to the Muslim community, condemns rising Islamophobia and urges anyone with information to contact the PSNI or Crimestoppers.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Nazi flag flown outside Dunmurry mosque protest Original release: Nicholl expresses disgust at hate crime against Dunmurry Mosque (opens in a new tab)
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Businesses impacted by toxic algae should look into Hardship Rate Relief – Archibald
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald says businesses affected by toxic algae in the River Bann and along the north coast should check eligibility for Hardship Rate Relief, which supports recovery from temporary financial crisis caused by exceptional circumstances.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Toxic algae impact on north coast and River Bann businesses Original release: Businesses impacted by toxic algae should look into Hardship Rate Relief – Archibald (opens in a new tab)
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Questions still remain surrounding blue-green algae, says Blair, following response from DAERA
Alliance spokesperson John Blair MLA says questions remain over blue-green algal blooms and water quality after a DAERA written response. He asks whether pollution contributed to the blooms, seeks transparency from the Department and Councils, and wants public awareness processes reviewed urgently.
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA written response on blue-green algae blooms in Lough Neagh Original release: Questions still remain surrounding blue-green algae, says Blair, following response from DAERA (opens in a new tab)
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Toxic algae highlights need for action on water quality – Archibald
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald says repeated toxic algae in sea and river locations this summer, including Castlerock and Portstewart, shows the need for action on water quality. She reports NIEA says meetings on River Basin Management Plan measures to cut nutrients at source will start in…
Environment and climate Issue: Toxic algae occurrences in Northern Ireland waters summer 2023 Original release: Toxic algae highlights need for action on water quality – Archibald (opens in a new tab)
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Clarity needed on measures to investigate and tackle blue-green algae, says Alliance Party representatives
Alliance Party’s John Blair MLA, agriculture and environment spokesperson, and Causeway councillor Peter McCully urge DAERA to clarify and accelerate investigations into blue‑green algae outbreaks, assess any pollution link and publish findings, citing health risks and tourism impacts.
Environment and climate Issue: Blue‑green algae outbreaks affecting NI beaches Original release: Clarity needed on measures to investigate and tackle blue-green algae, says Alliance Party representatives (opens in a new tab)
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Health, housing and climate top agenda during Brisbane trip
Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty and Matt Carthy, Finance and Foreign Affairs spokespeople, open a week-long Australian visit in Queensland, meeting the state's health minister and reviewing social housing, energy transition and jobs plans.
Housing Economy and employment Original release: Health, housing and climate top agenda during Brisbane trip (opens in a new tab)
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Doherty: Holiday hunger putting huge strain on families
SDLP West Belfast councillor Paul Doherty, who runs the Foodstock community solidarity group, says cuts to holiday hunger payments are straining families and urges the Department of Education to reinstate them immediately.
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: Holiday hunger payments withdrawal by Department of Education Original release: Doherty: Holiday hunger putting huge strain on families (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin remains resolute in opposition to Hightown Incinerator – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says the party remains opposed to the proposed Hightown Incinerator after leading a cross-party delegation to Department for Infrastructure officials following a May court ruling. He says he will request a follow-up meeting with the Permanent Secretary.
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: Hightown Incinerator planning application returned to Department for Infrastructure after court ruling Original release: Sinn Féin remains resolute in opposition to Hightown Incinerator – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw outlines Alliance rejection of Health Budget and seeks maintenance of Core Grants Funding Scheme
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA rejects the current Health Budget, saying it is unfairly drawn up without ministers and calls for the Core Grants Funding Scheme to be maintained and expanded to tackle health inequalities.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: 2023 Health Budget rejection Original release: Bradshaw outlines Alliance rejection of Health Budget and seeks maintenance of Core Grants Funding Scheme (opens in a new tab)
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North Down beaches water quality testing failure incredibly concerning, says Egan
Alliance North Down MLA Connie Egan says it is very worrying that several bathing sites across North Down have failed water quality tests, prompting warning signs and advice to stay out of the water. She welcomes a DAERA water pollution investigation and says she will press DAERA and the NI…
Environment and climate Issue: North Down bathing water quality test failures and swimming warnings Original release: North Down beaches water quality testing failure incredibly concerning, says Egan (opens in a new tab)
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Defeat of Progress Pride flag motion a shameful display from ANB Council, says Boyle
Alliance Alderman Lewis Boyle says he is dismayed that his motion to raise the Progress Pride flag from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council buildings each year on Belfast Pride day was defeated, with the UUP opposed and the SDLP abstaining. He accuses the UUP of empty rhetoric on LGBTQ+ issues.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Antrim and Newtownabbey council Progress Pride flag motion defeat Original release: Defeat of Progress Pride flag motion a shameful display from ANB Council, says Boyle (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Brian Smyth has condemned today's announcement by the Prime Minister
Green Party Councillor Brian Smyth for Lisnasharragh condemns the Prime Minister's plan to allow 100 new North Sea oil and gas licences, saying it undermines Net Zero by 2050 and will not lower fuel bills. He calls for a renewable energy revolution with green jobs instead.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Prime Minister's approval of 100 new North Sea oil and gas licences Original release: Cllr Brian Smyth has condemned today's announcement by the Prime Minister (opens in a new tab)
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Sunak’s expansion of oil and gas ‘economically and environmentally illiterate’ says Tennyson
Alliance climate and energy spokesperson MLA Eóin Tennyson says the UK Government’s decision to issue more than 100 new North Sea oil and gas licences is economically and environmentally illiterate, calls for a ban on fossil fuel exploration in Northern Ireland and a Green New Deal.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Prime Minister's approval of 100 new North Sea oil and gas licences Original release: Sunak’s expansion of oil and gas ‘economically and environmentally illiterate’ says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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PSNI need to take necessary action on hate speech at Belfast Pride, says Cllr Murray
Alliance Belfast councillor Micky Murray says he will meet the Assistant Chief Constable on 2 August to press the PSNI over a street preacher's derogatory remarks about the LGBTQ+ community during Belfast Pride, seeking assurances that homophobic hate crimes are treated seriously.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Street preacher's anti-LGBTQ+ remarks at Belfast Pride 2023 Original release: PSNI need to take necessary action on hate speech at Belfast Pride, says Cllr Murray (opens in a new tab)
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We all have our part to play combating discrimination and supporting those who are marginalised, says Nicholl, ahead of Belfast Pride
Alliance's Kate Nicholl MLA, who speaks on diversity and migration, wishes attendees a safe Pride ahead of Belfast Pride's parade and says hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people are rising, urging these attitudes be challenged early.
Disability and equality Original release: We all have our part to play combating discrimination and supporting those who are marginalised, says Nicholl, ahead of Belfast Pride (opens in a new tab)
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Environmental crisis in NI only being fuelled by lack of Executive, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says Northern Ireland has again failed on its environmental commitments after DAERA missed the deadline for its first Environment Improvement Plan. He blames the lack of a functioning Executive and calls for Assembly scrutiny and a Minister to lead.
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA misses deadline for first Environment Improvement Plan Original release: Environmental crisis in NI only being fuelled by lack of Executive, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Appropriate adult mental health services must be a priority for a restored Executive – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney calls for an end to the differing approach to Adult ADHD diagnosis and treatment across health trusts, after meeting Northern Trust management. He says the stalled pilot for validating private diagnoses must be expedited and that a resolution is needed.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Northern Trust Adult ADHD diagnosis and treatment provision meeting Original release: Appropriate adult mental health services must be a priority for a restored Executive – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Direct Action On Climate Change “Not A Crime”
People Before Profit says Greta Thunberg was fined by a Swedish court for blocking oil trucks bound for Malmo harbour, and argues governments, not activists, are the real criminals. It backs direct action, cites Ireland's government opposing a bill to keep fossil fuels in the ground, and calls for…
Environment and climate Issue: Greta Thunberg fined in Sweden over oil truck blockade Original release: Direct Action On Climate Change “Not A Crime” (opens in a new tab)