Latest releases
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3,926 releases
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Why the Irish language signage decision cannot stand
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson says the Infrastructure Minister's decision to proceed with Irish language signage at Grand Central Station breaches the law and bypasses Executive decision-making. He defends the DUP's steps, including a Communities Minister's legal challenge, and argues a section 28B…
Constitutional affairs Infrastructure and transport Issue: Irish language signage at Grand Central Station announcement Original release: Why the Irish language signage decision cannot stand (opens in a new tab)
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Serious questions arise from planned Stormont event
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says the Rainbow Project's planned 12 May event at Stormont, which imposes an Events Code of Conduct on pronouns and toilet access, raises serious issues and has tabled questions to the Assembly Commission.
Disability and equality Issue: Rainbow Project Stormont event code of conduct on 12 May Original release: Serious questions arise from planned Stormont event (opens in a new tab)
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A comprehensive review of Northern Ireland’s energy infrastructure is needed – Armstrong
UUP Economy Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA calls for a full review of Northern Ireland’s energy infrastructure, saying the recent Heathrow Airport power outage and the exclusion of NI from the GB‑led resilience review expose security risks and could leave the region vulnerable.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Heathrow Airport power outage Original release: A comprehensive review of Northern Ireland’s energy infrastructure is needed – Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Gannon challenges Executive parties over SWAH
SDLP Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Group Leader Adam Gannon challenges Executive parties to press for restoring emergency general surgery at the South West Acute Hospital, saying none has yet acted on it. He says the SDLP will keep raising the unfairness of long emergency journeys for rural…
Health Issue: Removal of emergency general surgery from South West Acute Hospital Original release: Gannon challenges Executive parties over SWAH (opens in a new tab)
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Major impact on mournes gondola project: Forsythe
South Down DUP MLA Diane Forsythe says a National Trust refusal of lease arrangements for a Mournes gondola project could put £30m of City Deal funding at risk. She urges stakeholders to engage constructively to balance environmental protection with community benefit.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: National Trust halts Newry, Mourne and Down Council Gondola talks over Thomas's Quarry Original release: Major impact on mournes gondola project: Forsythe (opens in a new tab)
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Lockhart welcomes protection of women’s sport by FA rules
DUP MP Carla Lockhart welcomes the Football Association's new eligibility criteria for women's football in England and urges the same protection for women in Northern Ireland without delay. She says the Supreme Court ruling should guide other bodies across the UK, and that she and a fellow DUP MLA…
Disability and equality Issue: FA eligibility criteria for women's football in England Original release: Lockhart welcomes protection of women’s sport by FA rules (opens in a new tab)
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Troubles pension scheme must reach further afield - Beattie
UUP Justice spokesperson Doug Beattie MLA says the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme has been poorly publicised in Great Britain, citing 178 applications from England, Scotland and Wales against 3,934 from Northern Ireland. He calls on the Executive Office to step up outreach before…
Community relations and legacy Social security and welfare Issue: Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme applications low in Great Britain Original release: Troubles pension scheme must reach further afield - Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance representatives welcome reconsideration of Gondola project
Alliance South Down MLA Andrew McMurray and Mournes Councillor Jill Truesdale welcome the National Trust's decision not to consider a bid for land at Thomas's Quarry for the Mournes Gondola project, citing environmental damage from recent fires and economic viability concerns.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: National Trust halts Newry, Mourne and Down Council Gondola talks over Thomas's Quarry Original release: Alliance representatives welcome reconsideration of Gondola project (opens in a new tab)
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Removal of nursing provision in special schools simply unacceptable, says Mathison
Alliance education spokesperson and Education Committee chair Nick Mathison MLA says the absence of nurses in some special schools is unacceptable, and calls for nursing to be reinstated in every special school that needs it, as soon as possible.
Education Health Issue: Nursing provision removal from special schools review Original release: Removal of nursing provision in special schools simply unacceptable, says Mathison (opens in a new tab)
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New approach to SEN school placements needed – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker says many children with special educational needs risk having no place in September and urges a different method for allocating school places that is suitable, reduces family stress and provides early support. He welcomes the Education Authority’s remarks to the Education C
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Authority remarks on SEN placement approach Original release: New approach to SEN school placements needed – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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Departments must work together to support children with SEN – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan urges the Education and Health departments to coordinate more closely on support for children with special educational needs, citing rising identification and a shortage of allied health professionals. He says neither the Education Department nor the Education Authority…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Departments must work together to support children with SEN – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Fein department cites lack of support for petition in aid of their case to impose Irish signage on Grand Central
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says the Department for Infrastructure cited the lack of signatures on his petition against dual-language signage at Grand Central as justification for claiming the decision was not controversial. He calls on every Unionist MLA to explain why they did not support the…
Disability and equality Infrastructure and transport Issue: Grand Central Irish signage court hearing and petition signatures Original release: Sinn Fein department cites lack of support for petition in aid of their case to impose Irish signage on Grand Central (opens in a new tab)
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Statement from Councillor Debbie Coyle
Sinn Féin councillor Debbie Coyle says statements issued by Fermanagh and Omagh council officials on the UK Supreme Court ruling were not authorised by elected councillors. She says the party will raise it at the next council meeting and urges public bodies to await Equality and Human Rights…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Fermanagh and Omagh council officials' comments on UK Supreme Court ruling Original release: Statement from Councillor Debbie Coyle (opens in a new tab)
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EU Law Blocks UK Tobacco Ban
DUP Peer Lord Dodds warns that the proposed generational smoking ban cannot apply in Northern Ireland because the EU Tobacco Products Directive still governs it under the Windsor Framework. He calls on the Government to clarify whether it will override the Directive.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Generational smoking ban and EU Tobacco Products Directive in Northern Ireland Original release: EU Law Blocks UK Tobacco Ban (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Executive must recognise opportunities of investment in public transport
SDLP Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA welcomes Translink's reported rise of three million passenger journeys to about 81.2 million in 2024/25 and urges the Executive to invest in public transport. He claims per-head spending in the North is the lowest in the UK.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Translink passenger journeys increase for 2024/25 Original release: Durkan: Executive must recognise opportunities of investment in public transport (opens in a new tab)
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People Before Profit support the Counter Demo
People Before Profit says it will join UNITED AGAINST RACISM's counter-demonstrations against far-right groups marching on Remigration in Dublin, Belfast and Derry this weekend, arguing that housing and public service failures are a government problem, not a migration one.
Disability and equality Housing Issue: United Against Racism counter-demonstrations against far-right Remigration march Original release: People Before Profit support the Counter Demo (opens in a new tab)
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Young condemns racist attack in Newry
Alliance Councillor Helena Young condemns a racist attack in Newry on international doctors and their families at a park on 12 April, saying those responsible should be ashamed and the abuse must stop immediately.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Racist attack on international doctors in Newry park Original release: Young condemns racist attack in Newry (opens in a new tab)
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If Secretary of State doesn’t understand the “fuss” about Irish signs he should speak to the people of Sandy Row
TUV deputy leader Councillor Ron McDowell says Secretary of State Hilary Benn is wrong to dismiss the row over Irish signage at Grand Central and should visit Sandy Row to hear residents. He urges unionist MLAs to back TUV's Timothy Gaston's petition to halt the signage.
Community relations and legacy Infrastructure and transport Issue: Irish language signage at Grand Central Station announcement Original release: If Secretary of State doesn’t understand the “fuss” about Irish signs he should speak to the people of Sandy Row (opens in a new tab)
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Deeply concerning so many SEN children remain without a school place ahead of new academic year, says Guy
Alliance Education spokesperson Michelle Guy MLA says it is deeply concerning that around 400 children with SEN statements still lack a school place before September, citing Education Minister Paul Givan's confirmation. She calls for delivery of the SEN reform plan's high-level actions and…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Around 400 SEN pupils without school places ahead of September Original release: Deeply concerning so many SEN children remain without a school place ahead of new academic year, says Guy (opens in a new tab)
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McKeown welcomes major step forward on Lagan Bridge
SDLP councillor Gary McKeown welcomes the Lagan Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge moving to the next stage of procurement, saying it will ease cross-river travel for cyclists and pedestrians. He notes the Belfast Region City Deal is substantially funding it and calls for no further delays, as a…
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Lagan Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge moves to next procurement stage Original release: McKeown welcomes major step forward on Lagan Bridge (opens in a new tab)