Latest releases
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4,042 releases
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Ulster Unionist Councillor, Leah Kirkpatrick, becomes first-ever female Antrim and Newtownabbey Mayor
The Ulster Unionist Party announces that councillor Leah Kirkpatrick will become Antrim and Newtownabbey's first woman mayor, succeeding a run of ten men since the 2015 super council was formed. Alderman Mark Cosgrove and South Antrim MLA Steve Aiken praise her record on accessibility and…
Local government Disability and equality Original release: Ulster Unionist Councillor, Leah Kirkpatrick, becomes first-ever female Antrim and Newtownabbey Mayor (opens in a new tab)
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Gillian McCollum and Vicky Moore selected as Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down
Alliance Councillors Gillian McCollum and Vicky Moore say they have been appointed Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down for 2025/26, pledging to promote belonging, support families with learning disabilities, tackle the mental‑health crisis, end violence against women and girls, fightpover
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Appointment of Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down Original release: Gillian McCollum and Vicky Moore selected as Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down (opens in a new tab)
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Richard Stewart announced as Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
Alliance Causeway Councillor Richard Stewart says he will become Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, making him the first openly gay person to take that role in the Council's history. He says he hopes the appointment signals that everyone has a place in public life.
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Richard Stewart appointed Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Original release: Richard Stewart announced as Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council (opens in a new tab)
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Jessica Johnston officially installed as Deputy Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council
Alliance councillor Jessica Johnston has been installed as Deputy Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, the first Alliance representative to hold the role. She says she will promote youth political engagement, sport and exercise, and the Macmillan Move More Programme for…
Local government Health Original release: Jessica Johnston officially installed as Deputy Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council (opens in a new tab)
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Long pays tribute to Sir Kenneth Bloomfield following his passing
Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA pays tribute to Sir Kenneth Bloomfield, the late former senior civil servant, recalling his public service, his time as Victims' Commissioner, and his family's experience during the Troubles, and offers sympathy to his family.
Other Community relations and legacy Issue: Death of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield Original release: Long pays tribute to Sir Kenneth Bloomfield following his passing (opens in a new tab)
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RVH report reinforces need to protect healthcare staff: Frew
DUP MLA for North Antrim Paul Frew says a recent inspection report into the Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac unit is shocking but not surprising, claiming healthcare staff widely fear speaking out and lack trust in whistleblowing protections. He backs his own proposed individual duty of candour…
Health Issue: Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac unit external review publication Original release: RVH report reinforces need to protect healthcare staff: Frew (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson comments on BBC court ruling
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP comments on a Dublin jury decision over a BBC broadcast about Gerry Adams, saying the BBC has significant questions to answer over insufficiently evidenced allegations and the cost of damages and legal fees to licence payers.
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: Dublin jury decision on BBC broadcast about Gerry Adams Original release: Robinson comments on BBC court ruling (opens in a new tab)
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Adams verdict
TUV leader Jim Allister KC MP says the Dublin jury verdict does not change the public record that Gerry Adams justified and defended IRA violence, citing books by Peter Taylor, Toby Harnden, Ed Moloney and Eamon Collins. He says Adams will face a higher court.
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: Dublin jury decision on BBC broadcast about Gerry Adams Original release: Adams verdict (opens in a new tab)
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Suicide Prevention Training Bill will ensure support and timely intervention – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn announces a proposed bill that would impose a legal duty on public employers to train frontline staff in suicide prevention, citing high suicide rates and higher risk in deprived areas.
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Chambers welcomes publication of further waiting list plans
UUP health spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA welcomes the publication of a funded plan to tackle hospital waiting lists and the reopening of the £10m reimbursement scheme for patients waiting two years or more to have surgery in the Republic. He criticises DUP health spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA's…
Health Issue: Waiting List Reimbursement Scheme reopening and waiting list implementation plan Original release: Chambers welcomes publication of further waiting list plans (opens in a new tab)
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Belfast Trusts response to leaked Cardiac Hub report will be measured in demonstrable actions and not words alone – Chambers
UUP Health Spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA says the Belfast Trust's response to a leaked report on bullying at the Royal Victoria Hospital Cardiac Hub will be judged on demonstrable actions, not words. He welcomes Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's push for answers and urges urgent cultural change.
Health Issue: Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac unit external review publication Original release: Belfast Trusts response to leaked Cardiac Hub report will be measured in demonstrable actions and not words alone – Chambers (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP nominates Johnston as Deputy Chair of Mid Ulster
SDLP MLA... no, Moyola councillor Denise Johnston is to be nominated by the SDLP for Deputy Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, taking up the post on 2 June. The party says she will champion victims' causes, Lough Neagh pollution and stronger road safety measures.
Local government Community relations and legacy Original release: SDLP nominates Johnston as Deputy Chair of Mid Ulster (opens in a new tab)
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Culture in Belfast Trust must change – Dodds
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds raises concerns about workplace culture in the Belfast Trust after a cardiac unit report at the Royal Victoria Hospital, calls for an independent investigation, and says the Minister appeared unaware of wider problems. She also criticises the Minister's claim…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac unit external review publication Original release: Culture in Belfast Trust must change – Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Health Minister must intervene at Belfast Trust
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA urges Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to step in and assume greater authority over the Belfast Trust after alarming reports from the Royal Victoria Hospital’s Cardiac Unit, calling for direct ministerial control to address systemic failures.
Health Issue: Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac unit external review publication Original release: McGrath: Health Minister must intervene at Belfast Trust (opens in a new tab)
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Fianna Fáil’s Cathal Crowe must apologise for denying fact: The British army did bomb and shoot Irish civilians – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD
Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh demands that Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe apologise and correct the Dáil record over his claim that the British army never bombed or shot civilians in Ireland. He cites the Ballymurphy massacre, Bloody Sunday, and the Seán Brown killing.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Cathal Crowe Dáil remarks on British army and civilians Original release: Fianna Fáil’s Cathal Crowe must apologise for denying fact: The British army did bomb and shoot Irish civilians – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD (opens in a new tab)
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Police Ombudsman’s report points towards collusive behaviour and collusion at the heart of Peter Gallagher’s murder in 1993 – Kearney
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, welcomes the Police Ombudsman's report on the 1993 murder of Peter Gallagher in Toome and says its findings point towards collusion by state forces. He cites surveillance being discontinued, the removal of the murder weapon by a British Army officer…
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: Police Ombudsman report on Peter Gallagher murder 1993 Original release: Police Ombudsman’s report points towards collusive behaviour and collusion at the heart of Peter Gallagher’s murder in 1993 – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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EU-British agreement to reduce trade barriers welcome, but we need to talk about legacy – Kathleen Funchion MEP
Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion welcomes parts of the EU-British agreement announced at the May 19 UK-EU Summit but warns of caution, arguing the British government is using the reset to reinterpret agreements. She says the Legacy Act breaches the ECHR and Article 2 of the Windsor Framework, and…
Community relations and legacy International affairs Issue: UK-EU summit on 19 May 2025 Original release: EU-British agreement to reduce trade barriers welcome, but we need to talk about legacy – Kathleen Funchion MEP (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister cuts first sod at Kilronan Special School
Education Minister Paul Givan cuts the first sod on a £4.9 million School Enhancement Programme at Kilronan Special School, Magherafelt, announcing a single‑storey extension with specialist classrooms and support facilities, and saying the investment will benefit pupils, staff and local families and
Education Disability and equality Issue: Kilronan Special School SEP project start Original release: Education Minister cuts first sod at Kilronan Special School (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds welcomes promise to publish damning report into RVH cardiac unit
DUP MLA Diane Dodds welcomes the Health Minister's agreement to publish an external review of the Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac unit, which found bullying, poor behaviour and a significant risk to public safety. She calls for demonstrable action to restore trust in the Trust.
Health Issue: Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac unit external review publication Original release: Dodds welcomes promise to publish damning report into RVH cardiac unit (opens in a new tab)
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Lavery welcomes Pride approval for Lurgan Park
Alliance Lurgan Councillor Peter Lavery welcomes the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council vote, passed 16 to 14, allowing Lurgan Pride to hold its August event in Lurgan Park. He criticises DUP and TUV opposition as shameful and discriminatory.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Lurgan Pride event approval in Lurgan Park by ABC Council Original release: Lavery welcomes Pride approval for Lurgan Park (opens in a new tab)