Latest releases
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1,493 releases
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Back British Buses: Allister Calls for Procurement Rules to Protect UK Manufacturing
TUV leader Jim Allister calls on the Government to tighten bus procurement guidance so contracts favour UK jobs and domestic firms, shielding the sector from low-cost overseas rivals, after speaking at the British Bus Manufacturing Fair.
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Issue: British Bus Manufacturing Fair bus procurement guidance call Original release: Back British Buses: Allister Calls for Procurement Rules to Protect UK Manufacturing (opens in a new tab)
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Planning delays exposing a broken system – Martin
DUP North Down MLA Peter Martin, Chair of the Assembly Infrastructure Committee, calls for planning reform legislation after officials confirmed regionally significant applications are taking 215 to 362 weeks to decide against a 30-week target.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Officials' confirmation of delays in regionally significant planning applications Original release: Planning delays exposing a broken system – Martin (opens in a new tab)
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Time for Stormont DFI Minister to End Derry Rail Timetable Disparity
People Before Profit's Eamonn McCann welcomes over a million Derry rail passengers in the last year and calls on the DFI Minister to fund equal train access on the Derry line, estimated by Translink at £1m.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Derry rail passenger numbers and timetable disparity funding Original release: Time for Stormont DFI Minister to End Derry Rail Timetable Disparity (opens in a new tab)
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SF Tying Itself in Knots on Climate Laws
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine says Sinn Fein is struggling with contradictions over amending the Climate Change Act to allow major infrastructure, arguing Michelle O'Neill's remarks on road projects were a kite-flying exercise. She says the Infrastructure Minister gave no answer on the A5 Court of…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Sinn Fein stance on amending climate change legislation for infrastructure Original release: SF Tying Itself in Knots on Climate Laws (opens in a new tab)
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TUV announces North Antrim candidates
TUV announces that sitting MLA Timothy Gaston will stand alongside Kirk Wilson, from Cloughmills, in North Antrim at next year's Assembly election. The party urges full transfer discipline among unionist voters to win a fourth seat from the Alliance Party.
Other Issue: TUV North Antrim Assembly candidate selection announcement Original release: TUV announces North Antrim candidates (opens in a new tab)
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Fix the planning paralysis and deliver the roads Northern Ireland needs
UUP Infrastructure Spokesperson John Stewart MLA calls on the Executive to act on the A5 after a court ruling and to introduce a lawful, workable climate framework, also urging delivery of the A1 upgrade and York Street Interchange. UUP Agriculture Spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA says rural…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: A5 court ruling over climate planning obligations Original release: Fix the planning paralysis and deliver the roads Northern Ireland needs (opens in a new tab)
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Loss of Carlingford Ferry a major blow to South Down Tourism -…
DUP MLA Diane Forsythe says the cancellation of the Carlingford Ferry for 2026 is a huge setback for South Down tourism and local businesses, criticises the lack of support from tourism agencies and the Department for the Economy, and urges that the ferry and the Narrow Water Bridge can coexist.
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Issue: Carlingford Ferry suspension for 2026 Original release: Loss of Carlingford Ferry a major blow to South Down Tourism -… (opens in a new tab)
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Boylan welcomes Strategic Review of the Planning Appeals Commission report
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan welcomes a National Audit Office report on the Planning Appeals Commission, saying it confirms long-known delays and backlogs. He commends Planning Minister Kimmins's bid to the Transformation Board on 'Hear and Report' cases and urges the Justice Minister to speed up…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Northern Ireland Audit Office report on planning system failures Original release: Boylan welcomes Strategic Review of the Planning Appeals Commission report (opens in a new tab)
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McEntee remarks on Northern passport office disgraceful and deeply out of touch – Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD
Sinn Féin TD Pádraig Mac Lochlainn condemns Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee's Dáil remarks comparing calls for a North and north west passport office with wasteful public spending, saying the comparison is disgraceful and insulting to citizens.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: McEntee Dáil remarks on passport office versus public spending waste Original release: McEntee remarks on Northern passport office disgraceful and deeply out of touch – Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD (opens in a new tab)
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Planning System Failing Northern Ireland – Brett
North Belfast DUP MLA Phillip Brett, who chairs the Assembly's Economy Committee, says a Northern Ireland Audit Office report exposes failures in the planning system and calls for reform. He cites planning appeals averaging 73 weeks and a Planning Appeals Commission lacking statutory targets and…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Northern Ireland Audit Office report on planning system failures Original release: Planning System Failing Northern Ireland – Brett (opens in a new tab)
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Bus and rail cuts a direct result of Minister’s failure to prioritise public transport
UUP infrastructure spokesperson John Stewart MLA says Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins is not giving public transport enough priority, after Translink warned of possible bus and rail service cuts and reduced concessionary fares. He blames years of underfunding and calls on the Minister to work…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Translink considering service cuts and fare discount removal Original release: Bus and rail cuts a direct result of Minister’s failure to prioritise public transport (opens in a new tab)
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Changes to how new drivers obtain licenses will improve road safety – Ennis
Sinn Féin MLA Sinéad Ennis welcomes progress on Graduated Driver Licensing, with changes to how new drivers obtain licences expected by October and new tests beginning in April 2027. She says the reforms aim to reduce serious road traffic accidents involving new and young drivers.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Graduated Driver Licensing progress following Infrastructure Committee meeting Original release: Changes to how new drivers obtain licenses will improve road safety – Ennis (opens in a new tab)
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McNulty: Executive failure risking Translink cuts
SDLP Opposition Infrastructure Spokesperson Justin McNulty MLA blames an Executive failure to properly fund Translink for possible service cuts and fare discount removals. He says students, disabled and elderly people and rural communities would be hit, and calls for expanded public transport…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Translink considering service cuts and fare discount removal Original release: McNulty: Executive failure risking Translink cuts (opens in a new tab)
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Dunne Calls for Urgent Review of Grass Cutting Policy Amid Road…
North Down DUP MLA Stephen Dunne urges Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to reassess the department's roadside grass cutting approach, citing poor sight lines at junctions and on key routes after a wet, mild spell. He says the current twice-yearly cut is a safety concern and asks for more…
Infrastructure and transport Original release: Dunne Calls for Urgent Review of Grass Cutting Policy Amid Road… (opens in a new tab)
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Dillon comments on Ógra Shinn Féin video
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says Ógra Shinn Féin has removed a video that was intended as tongue-in-cheek and not to offend. She says young people are frustrated by the DUP's stance and calls on all parties to use social media responsibly.
Other Issue: Ógra Shinn Féin video removal after social media controversy Original release: Dillon comments on Ógra Shinn Féin video (opens in a new tab)
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Stewart welcomes Belfast Harbour expansion plans but warns barriers must be removed
UUP infrastructure spokesperson John Stewart MLA welcomes Belfast Harbour's Horizons masterplan as a vote of confidence in the regional economy, but says planning constraints and the ONS classification of Trust Ports still hamper delivery. He urges the Department to keep to the timeline for the…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Belfast Harbour Horizons masterplan announcement Original release: Stewart welcomes Belfast Harbour expansion plans but warns barriers must be removed (opens in a new tab)
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Kimmins hails GAA’s sense of community following Armagh victory
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins congratulates Armagh GAA on winning the Ulster Championship Final against Monaghan, its first Ulster title since 2008. She praises the GAA's role in community life and wishes the squad well in the All-Ireland Championship.
Other Issue: Armagh win Ulster Championship Final against Monaghan Original release: Kimmins hails GAA’s sense of community following Armagh victory (opens in a new tab)
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A new chapter opens up for Kickham’s GAC – Kearney
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, commends Kickham's GAC Creggan on opening new facilities including a pitch, gym and shop, a £1.2M development funded by local fundraising. He hails it as a landmark for the club founded in 1924.
Other Original release: A new chapter opens up for Kickham’s GAC – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Strangford Lough bridge would drive economic and social development across East Down – Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard welcomes a meeting with Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins, where he pressed for a study into a permanent crossing between Portaferry and Strangford. He says it could improve year-round transport, support growth across the Ards Peninsula and Lecale, and explore tidal…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Strangford Lough fixed link proposal meeting with Infrastructure Minister Original release: Strangford Lough bridge would drive economic and social development across East Down – Hazzard (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Sinn Féin incompetence has cost Strabane Athletic FC dearly
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan accuses Sinn Féin, including the Infrastructure Minister, of incompetence and delay over the Strabane Athletic FC development, claiming its land was bought by the Education Authority without the club being informed. He asks how long Sinn Féin knew and why the…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Strabane Athletic FC development land purchase by Education Authority Original release: McCrossan: Sinn Féin incompetence has cost Strabane Athletic FC dearly (opens in a new tab)