Latest releases
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3,933 releases
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Rejection of balanced amendment undermines opportunity to protect rights – Beattie MC MLA
UUP MLA Doug Beattie criticises Alliance, Sinn Féin and the SDLP for voting down his party's amendment to an Assembly motion on discrimination against the LGBTQI+ community, which also sought to protect women's rights. He calls the rejection disappointing and says the amendment struck a fair…
Disability and equality Issue: Assembly motion amendment on LGBTQI+ discrimination and women's rights rejected Original release: Rejection of balanced amendment undermines opportunity to protect rights – Beattie MC MLA (opens in a new tab)
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Butler Warns of Strain on Farmers Amid NAP Consultation
UUP agriculture spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA warns that proposed 2026–2029 Nutrients Action Programme changes must not strain farmers' livelihoods, calls for scrutiny of the consultation, and urges stakeholders to respond before the deadline.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: DAERA consultation on Nutrients Action Programme review and 2026-2029 programme Original release: Butler Warns of Strain on Farmers Amid NAP Consultation (opens in a new tab)
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Every young person deserves same opportunity to thrive, says Donnelly, welcoming passing of Caleb's Causing motion
Alliance Larne Lough Councillor Maeve Donnelly welcomes the council's passing of her motion backing Caleb's Cause and Alma White, which calls for better post-19 SEN provision. It urges the Economy, Health and Education Ministers to consider legislation for post-19 Education Health and Care plans.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Larne Borough Council motion on post-19 SEN provision and Caleb's Cause Original release: Every young person deserves same opportunity to thrive, says Donnelly, welcoming passing of Caleb's Causing motion (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone welcomes Education Minister meeting with Gael Linn
SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone welcomes a meeting between Education Minister Paul Givan and Gael Linn on funding for the Scoil Spreagtha Irish-language scheme, which is set to end in June 2025. He says no firm commitments were given, but the Minister will look again at funding options.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Scoil Spreagtha funding meeting between Education Minister and Gael Linn Original release: McGlone welcomes Education Minister meeting with Gael Linn (opens in a new tab)
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We must redouble our efforts to stamp out homophobia, biphobia and transphobia – Sheerin
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin marks International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, urging political representatives to redouble efforts against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia and warning against toxic discourse becoming mainstream.
Disability and equality Original release: We must redouble our efforts to stamp out homophobia, biphobia and transphobia – Sheerin (opens in a new tab)
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Drop the Puberty Blocker Ban
People Before Profit's Gerry Carroll criticises the Alliance Party's tabled Assembly motion for International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, and calls on the Executive to reverse its indefinite ban on puberty blockers for under-18s and publish the clinical evidence behind it.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Assembly motion on International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia Original release: Drop the Puberty Blocker Ban (opens in a new tab)
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Cancer Waiting Times in Northern Ireland ‘a Scandal’ – Dodds
DUP MLA Diane Dodds urges Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to act on cancer waiting times, citing only 37.9% of patients starting treatment within 62 days of GP referral against a 95% target. She also points to nearly 25,000 children awaiting a paediatrician and calls for accountability over the…
Health Issue: Northern Ireland cancer waiting times statistics and Assembly debate Original release: Cancer Waiting Times in Northern Ireland ‘a Scandal’ – Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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No Pride in Betrayal
Green Party NI says the Stormont Executive parties have failed LGBTQ+ people, citing no promised strategy since 2007, no equality ministerial funding since 2005, and an unfinished 2020 hate crime review. It urges Pride not to give them an unearned pass.
Disability and equality Original release: No Pride in Betrayal (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister must bring forward LGBTQI+ Strategy, says Armstrong
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong calls on Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to deliver an LGBTQI+ strategy without delay, noting it was first promised over a decade ago. She also criticises the minister for not yet meeting LGBTQI+ sector representatives, ahead of a motion in the Assembly on Monday.
Disability and equality Issue: Communities Minister LGBTQI+ strategy delay and Assembly motion Original release: Communities Minister must bring forward LGBTQI+ Strategy, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance Councillors call for independent investigation into expenditure on Gondola project
Alliance Newry, Mourne and Down Councillors Jill Truesdale and Tierna Howie call for a Northern Ireland Audit Office investigation into spending on the Gondola project in the Mournes, after the National Trust declined to consider a bid for Thomas's Quarry land.
Public finance and taxation Local government Issue: National Trust halts Newry, Mourne and Down Council Gondola talks over Thomas's Quarry Original release: Alliance Councillors call for independent investigation into expenditure on Gondola project (opens in a new tab)
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Bryson’s Legal Victory Exposes Stormont Failures on Irish Signage Controversy
Jim Allister, the TUV leader and North Antrim MP, welcomes Jamie Bryson’s successful judicial review of the Infrastructure Minister’s decision to impose Irish‑language signage at Grand Central Station, says it highlights Stormont’s failures and urges the minister to halt spending and abandon the s .
Community relations and legacy Infrastructure and transport Issue: Irish language signage at Grand Central Station announcement Original release: Bryson’s Legal Victory Exposes Stormont Failures on Irish Signage Controversy (opens in a new tab)
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Government must now act on commitments to extend presidential voting rights to citizens in the North – Pearse Doherty TD
Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty TD urges the government to set a timeline and date for a referendum on giving Irish citizens in the North a vote in presidential elections, following a Stormont vote and the Tánaiste's supportive response.
Constitutional affairs Disability and equality Issue: Stormont vote on presidential voting rights for Northern citizens Original release: Government must now act on commitments to extend presidential voting rights to citizens in the North – Pearse Doherty TD (opens in a new tab)
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Erskine praises response to Clogher Valley fire
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine thanks emergency services on the third day of battling wildfires in the Clogher Valley, describing the scale of the damage as massive and upsetting. She urges the public to avoid lighting fires during the dry spell and to stay clear of the blaze.
Environment and climate Issue: Clogher gorse fire, County Tyrone Original release: Erskine praises response to Clogher Valley fire (opens in a new tab)
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Free Speech and Scrutiny Vindicated: Gaston Welcomes Standards Commissioner Ruling
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston welcomes the Assembly Commissioner for Standards' decision to dismiss a complaint against him over questions he asked in an October committee session. He argues the ruling protects MLAs' scrutiny role and criticises committee chair Paula Bradshaw's interview remarks.
Disability and equality Issue: Standards Commissioner ruling on Timothy Gaston committee questioning complaint Original release: Free Speech and Scrutiny Vindicated: Gaston Welcomes Standards Commissioner Ruling (opens in a new tab)
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McDaid offers support to Camogie players amid skorts row
SDLP Ballyarnett councillor Catherine McDaid says women should be free to wear what they are comfortable in, backing Kilkenny and Dublin camogie players forced into skorts at a Leinster semi-final and urging GAA members to abolish the rule at the Special Congress.
Disability and equality Issue: Camogie skorts rule row at Leinster Championship semi-final Original release: McDaid offers support to Camogie players amid skorts row (opens in a new tab)
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Brett praises completion of Project Stratum
DUP North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett, who chairs the Economy Committee, welcomes the completion of Project Stratum, which he says was Northern Ireland's largest telecoms infrastructure project and was delivered on time and within budget. He credits DUP influence in securing funding through the…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Project Stratum completion of rural broadband rollout Original release: Brett praises completion of Project Stratum (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew expresses concern over Clogher gorse fire
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew expresses concern about a significant gorse fire near Clogher, County Tyrone, saying fire appliances are at the scene. He relays fire service advice for nearby residents to keep windows and doors shut because of smoke, and urges the community to avoid the area.
Environment and climate Issue: Clogher gorse fire, County Tyrone Original release: Gildernew expresses concern over Clogher gorse fire (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance representatives push for public transport solutions in South Belfast
Alliance South Belfast representatives say they met Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to raise Carryduff residents' concerns about public transport after the North-South Glider was confirmed to exclude the area. MLAs Kate Nicholl and Paula Bradshaw call for urgent improvements to buses and…
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: North-South Glider route excluding Carryduff Original release: Alliance representatives push for public transport solutions in South Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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No place for racism or homophobia in our society – Hargey
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey condemns alleged racist and homophobic abuse directed at bus passengers, calling the behaviour repulsive and reprehensible. She extends solidarity to those targeted and backs police appeals for information about the incident on 4 May.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Alleged racist and homophobic abuse on bus, police appeal for information Original release: No place for racism or homophobia in our society – Hargey (opens in a new tab)
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McGuigan welcomes plan to tackle health waiting lists
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan welcomes Health Minister Nesbitt's investment plan to cut waiting lists in the north, following Finance Minister John O'Dowd's allocations. He urges urgent action to bring cancer red flag referral figures back under target and welcomes the Cross Border Directive…
Health Issue: Health Minister's investment plan to cut waiting lists Original release: McGuigan welcomes plan to tackle health waiting lists (opens in a new tab)