Latest releases
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3,085 releases
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Hanna: Time has passed for engagement with paramilitaries
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says the time for government engagement with paramilitaries has passed, responding to Hilary Benn's confirmation of planned engagement with groups to encourage disbandment. She calls for delegitimising the groups, investing in policing and neighbourhood policing, and…
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: UK and Irish governments engagement with paramilitary groups on disbandment Original release: Hanna: Time has passed for engagement with paramilitaries (opens in a new tab)
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Seasann Sinn Féin le hearnáil na Gaeilge sa stailc i gcionne ciorruithe – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD & Conor McGuinness TD
Sinn Féin TDs Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Irish language and Gaeltacht spokesperson, and Conor McGuinness, junior spokesperson for Tuaithe, Pobail agus Gaeltacht, back the Irish-language sector strike against planned Foras na Gaeilge cuts. Ó Snodaigh urges Minister Dara Calleary to fund affected…
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Irish language organisations strike over Foras na Gaeilge funding cuts Original release: Seasann Sinn Féin le hearnáil na Gaeilge sa stailc i gcionne ciorruithe – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD & Conor McGuinness TD (opens in a new tab)
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IRC report represents another step into the moral bankruptcy
TUV leader Jim Allister says the latest Independent Reporting Commission report omits the IRA's Army Council and retained weapons, and calls its recommended deproscription process for groups such as the IRA, UVF and UDA an offensive insult to victims. He also criticises a proposed Independent…
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: Independent Reporting Commission report on paramilitarism and deproscription proposals Original release: IRC report represents another step into the moral bankruptcy (opens in a new tab)
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Ofcom’s New Social Media Guidance - Toothless and Ineffective
DUP Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart says Ofcom's new guidance on online misogyny and deepfake abuse lacks enforcement, calling it symbolic and relying on voluntary compliance. She calls for legally binding obligations and financial penalties for social media platforms.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Ofcom online misogyny and deepfake abuse guidance Original release: Ofcom’s New Social Media Guidance - Toothless and Ineffective (opens in a new tab)
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Lifting ban on Irish in our courts wrong on three fronts
TUV leader Jim Allister MP says repealing the ban on Irish in Northern Ireland's courts is regressive on equality, justice and finances. He claims it would make the legal profession less welcoming to Unionists, weaken juries' understanding of defendants, and add translation costs and delays.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: British government repeal of ban on Irish in courts Original release: Lifting ban on Irish in our courts wrong on three fronts (opens in a new tab)
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‘Hugely significant’ as British government to scrap ban on Irish in courts – Reilly
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly welcomes reports that the British government will repeal its ban on Irish being used in courts, a provision from the 2022 Irish language act that has not yet taken effect. She describes the move as a major step for Irish speakers in the north.
Disability and equality Issue: British government repeal of ban on Irish in courts Original release: ‘Hugely significant’ as British government to scrap ban on Irish in courts – Reilly (opens in a new tab)
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Irish language organisations deserve fair funding – Delargy
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy backs Irish language groups ahead of a Wednesday walkout protesting cuts to their funding, urging a fair, long-term resolution to Foras na Gaeilge funding disputes.
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Irish language organisations strike over Foras na Gaeilge funding cuts Original release: Irish language organisations deserve fair funding – Delargy (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood says UK Government should tell all paramilitary groups to disband immediately, not appoint a go between
Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood urges London to tell paramilitary organisations to stand down now rather than appoint an intermediary to encourage disbandment, after the UK and Irish governments agreed to appoint an independent expert on engaging such groups. She argues that talks would lend them…
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: UK-Irish government agreement on appointing an independent expert to engage paramilitaries Original release: Eastwood says UK Government should tell all paramilitary groups to disband immediately, not appoint a go between (opens in a new tab)
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Repeal of ban on languages other than English in courts needs follow-up action from First and deputy First Minister, says Bradshaw
Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Paula Bradshaw welcomes the Secretary of State’s decision to start the fourth section of the Identity and Language (NI) Act 2022, which clarifies the repeal of the ban on non‑English languages in courts, and urges the First and deputy First Minister to promptly
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Commencement of Section 4 of the Identity and Language Act Original release: Repeal of ban on languages other than English in courts needs follow-up action from First and deputy First Minister, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Brett sets record straight on terrorist Brendan McFarlane
DUP North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett criticises Sinn Féin's tributes to Brendan 'Bik' McFarlane after his death, saying the victims of the Bayardo Bar attack in 1975 must not be forgotten and that no apology was offered.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Death of Brendan 'Bik' McFarlane and Sinn Féin tributes Original release: Brett sets record straight on terrorist Brendan McFarlane (opens in a new tab)
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Ron McDowell on the SDLP opening a veritable Pandoras box for Republican funding
TUV deputy leader Ron McDowell accuses the SDLP of selective criticism after it asked the Arts Council to recover funding from three unionist bands that paraded on the Shankill. He says the SDLP ignored Arts Council funding for a republican-linked flute band and calls for all terror-related public…
Community relations and legacy Public finance and taxation Issue: SDLP request for Arts Council funding return from unionist bands Original release: Ron McDowell on the SDLP opening a veritable Pandoras box for Republican funding (opens in a new tab)
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Mallaghan welcomes GAA President’s continued support for Sean Brown family
Sinn Féin MP Cathal Mallaghan welcomes GAA President Jarlath Burns's continued support for the family of Sean Brown in their campaign for truth and justice. He calls on the British government to end its blocking of inquests and public inquiries into the 1997 murder.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Original release: Mallaghan welcomes GAA President’s continued support for Sean Brown family (opens in a new tab)
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“We have lost a great patriot who lived his life for the freedom and unity of Ireland”
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald sends condolences after the death of Bik McFarlane, describing him as a lifelong republican and a key figure in the H-Blocks and the peace process. She pays tribute to his music and extends sympathy to his family.
Other Constitutional affairs Original release: “We have lost a great patriot who lived his life for the freedom and unity of Ireland” (opens in a new tab)
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Children with special educational needs in Irish-medium schools must not be left behind – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason urges the Health and Education departments to act urgently on support for children with special educational needs in Irish-medium schools, after a joint committee meeting. She says there is no clear picture of allied health professionals in the sector and calls for…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Joint Health and Education Committees meeting on SEN support in Irish-medium schools Original release: Children with special educational needs in Irish-medium schools must not be left behind – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson – “will the DPP focus on PIRA men or the real soldiers?”
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP questions whether the Director of Public Prosecutions will pursue IRA members who escaped after the Clonoe attack, saying he has contacted the Irish Justice Minister and Northern Ireland Secretary to ask what was done to hold them accountable. He calls the focus on the…
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: Coroner's Clonoe report sent to Director of Public Prosecutions Original release: Robinson – “will the DPP focus on PIRA men or the real soldiers?” (opens in a new tab)
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Gruesome prospect of soldiers facing trial for Clone
TUV leader Jim Allister says the referral of a file on SAS soldiers to the Director of Public Prosecutions, following the coroner's finding on the Clonoe incident, risks soldiers facing trial. He claims the attackers were a band of terrorists intent on murder and says the system puts security…
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: Coroner's Clonoe report sent to Director of Public Prosecutions Original release: Gruesome prospect of soldiers facing trial for Clone (opens in a new tab)
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Immediate action needed to address gaps in community SEN services – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon urges health and justice officials to coordinate so young people and adults with complex needs are not held in the justice system. She cites a teenage girl remanded in custody despite being bail-eligible, citing gaps in respite and residential provision.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Remand of teenage girl with complex needs due to lack of support services Original release: Immediate action needed to address gaps in community SEN services – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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‘On-site nurse must be restored to Knockevin Special School’ – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason calls on the Departments of Education and Health to work with the South Eastern Trust to quickly reinstate the on-site nurse at Knockevin Special School, after the Trust withdrew that support. She says the school was not consulted.
Health Education Issue: Knockevin Special School on-site nurse withdrawal by South Eastern Trust Original release: ‘On-site nurse must be restored to Knockevin Special School’ – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna pays tribute to Bríd Rodgers on 90th birthday
SDLP leader Claire Hanna MP marks 90th birthday of party president Bríd Rodgers, praising her as an inspiration and recognising her role in the civil rights movement, the Good Friday Agreement and early Stormont Executive. A birthday event in her honour is due in Derry.
Other Disability and equality Original release: Hanna pays tribute to Bríd Rodgers on 90th birthday (opens in a new tab)
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Sign Language Bill will deliver positive change for deaf community – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew welcomes the Assembly's vote to move the Sign Language Bill to the next stage of scrutiny, saying it will recognise Irish and British Sign Language and improve deaf people's access to education, health and justice services.
Disability and equality Issue: Sign Language Bill second stage Assembly vote Original release: Sign Language Bill will deliver positive change for deaf community – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)