Latest releases
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1,877 releases
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UUP Highlight Lough Neagh Pollution concerns
UUP MLAs John Stewart and Tom Elliott say Lough Neagh pollution is worsening and that their party called for a unified Executive strategy back in 2012. Elliott is writing to the Office for Environmental Protection to investigate local Departments, while Stewart has asked NI Water how close the…
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: Lough Neagh pollution worsening and drinking water concerns Original release: UUP Highlight Lough Neagh Pollution concerns (opens in a new tab)
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Plastic pollution a serious concern for people in Northern Ireland and must be addressed urgently, says Nicholl
Alliance MLA Kate Nicholl, Chair of the All-Party Group on Climate Action, calls for urgent action on plastic pollution after a Tearfund poll found 75% of people in Northern Ireland concerned about global plastic waste. She says she will write to the Environment Secretary to press for a strong…
Environment and climate International affairs Issue: Tearfund poll on public concern about plastic waste Original release: Plastic pollution a serious concern for people in Northern Ireland and must be addressed urgently, says Nicholl (opens in a new tab)
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Blair calls meeting with DAERA and NIEA representatives on concerns around state of Lough Neagh
Alliance MLA John Blair says a meeting with DAERA officials over blue-green algae near Lough Neagh should include the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, citing rising public concern and calling for clear, evidence-based answers.
Environment and climate Issue: Lough Neagh blue-green algae meeting with DAERA and NIEA Original release: Blair calls meeting with DAERA and NIEA representatives on concerns around state of Lough Neagh (opens in a new tab)
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Muir concerned about risk of for further pollution due to funding gaps in wastewater treatment
Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA says funding for wastewater treatment remains uncertain after recent pollution incidents, citing a letter from the department's former permanent secretary warning of a £112m gap and that living within budget could mean halting treatment. He…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Department for Infrastructure wastewater treatment funding gap warning Original release: Muir concerned about risk of for further pollution due to funding gaps in wastewater treatment (opens in a new tab)
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Everyone has a part to play in tackling Violence Against Women and Girls in Northern Ireland, says Egan
Alliance MLA Connie Egan urges wider public response to the Executive Office's Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls, now out to consultation, after two research reports on violence against women and girls. She calls for improved Relationship and Sex Education as prevention.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: NI Executive Office violence against women and girls research reports launch Original release: Everyone has a part to play in tackling Violence Against Women and Girls in Northern Ireland, says Egan (opens in a new tab)
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Molloy raises management of Lough Neagh with British Secretary of State
Sinn Féin MP Francie Molloy says he has raised with the British Secretary of State the case for public ownership of Lough Neagh, citing blue-green algae blooms harming wildlife and fishing stocks. He invited the minister to visit and calls for a community partnership to manage the lough.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Lough Neagh blue-green algae blooms and management responsibility Original release: Molloy raises management of Lough Neagh with British Secretary of State (opens in a new tab)
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Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly Meets Commissioner for Children and Young People over Special Education Needs Shortfalls
Aontú deputy leader Gemma Brolly says she met NICCY's chief executive to discuss special educational needs (SEND) shortfalls, citing waiting lists, cuts to mental health funding and failure to implement earlier reports. NICCY reportedly agreed to pass the concerns on and arrange a meeting with the…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly Meets Commissioner for Children and Young People over Special Education Needs Shortfalls (opens in a new tab)
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Butler Praises Commitment of Classroom Assistants and Highlights Continued Stormont Failures
UUP education spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA marks the new school year by praising classroom assistants who support children with special educational needs. He blames the lack of an Executive for vacant posts and funding gaps, and says a returned Assembly will push for a review of their pay and…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Butler Praises Commitment of Classroom Assistants and Highlights Continued Stormont Failures (opens in a new tab)
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Essential those with disabilities have permanent seat at decision-making table, says Skinner, following passing of motion
Alliance Knockagh Councillor Aaron Skinner welcomes the passing of his motion at Mid and East Antrim Council to set up a disability lived experience group as a subcommittee. He says the group would give disabled people a formal route to advise councillors on accessibility, infrastructure and…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Mid and East Antrim Council disability lived experience group motion Original release: Essential those with disabilities have permanent seat at decision-making table, says Skinner, following passing of motion (opens in a new tab)
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Lough Neagh Algae Bloom A Civil Rights Issue – Mccann
People Before Profit members protested at Ballyronan Marina and at a Lap the Lough cycle event, calling for immediate legal protection of Lough Neagh under nature-rights principles and for public control of the lough. They say it is a civil rights issue and urge the Earl of Shaftesbury to…
Environment and climate Issue: Lough Neagh protests and ownership dispute, August 2023 Original release: Lough Neagh Algae Bloom A Civil Rights Issue – Mccann (opens in a new tab)
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Mairéad Farrell TD welcomes CAO results but cautions accommodation crisis will dampen the party
Sinn Féin spokesperson Mairéad Farrell TD welcomes the publication of CAO offers, urging students not to be discouraged by missing courses and warning of accommodation difficulties, including unregulated student digs and a lack of affordable rental supply. She calls for regulation of digs, a new…
Education Housing Issue: CAO offers publication 2023 Original release: Mairéad Farrell TD welcomes CAO results but cautions accommodation crisis will dampen the party (opens in a new tab)
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Huge Protest Against Fascists In Dunmurry
People Before Profit reports that around 1,000 people protested in Dunmurry against a Nazi flag flown outside a local mosque, organised by United Against Racism with more than 20 supporting organisations, including unions and a message from NIC-ICTU.
Disability and equality Issue: Nazi flag flown outside Dunmurry mosque protest Original release: Huge Protest Against Fascists In Dunmurry (opens in a new tab)
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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 cross-departmental collaboration for managing budget, says Armstrong
Alliance's Kellie Armstrong MLA urges the Civil Service head to explain how departments are coordinating budget decisions, linking unbuilt housing targets in Strangford to unfunded waste water treatment and calling for Stormont's return.
Public finance and taxation Housing Issue: Civil Service roads list and budget cross-departmental planning concerns Original release: Clarity needed on cross-departmental collaboration for managing budget, says Armstrong (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)