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4,460 releases
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Executive Office must start acting on their commitments to Ethnic Equality Monitoring, says Alliance Representatives
Alliance MLAs Paula Bradshaw and Stewart Dickson urge the First and deputy First Minister to move from pledges to legislation on Ethnic Equality Monitoring, pointing to a delayed Race Relations Order update that has yet to show any detail.
Disability and equality Issue: Ethnic Equality Monitoring legislation delay and Race Relations Order update Original release: Executive Office must start acting on their commitments to Ethnic Equality Monitoring, says Alliance Representatives (opens in a new tab)
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TUV meet Lord Murphy to discuss Protocol review
TUV leader Jim Allister, with MLA Timothy Gaston and Dan Boucher, says the party told Lord Murphy, who is reviewing the Protocol, it has little confidence in his review because its terms only allow recommendations with cross-community support. Allister calls for mutual enforcement between Northern…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Lord Murphy's review of the Windsor Framework Protocol Original release: TUV meet Lord Murphy to discuss Protocol review (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin MEPs to host Irish Unity conference in European Parliament
Sinn Féin MEPs Lynn Boylan and Kathleen Funchion announce a April 8 conference in the European Parliament on Irish unity and the island's place in the EU, with speakers from academia, trade unions and politics. Funchion says planning for unity is essential and urges the Irish government to prepare.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Sinn Féin MEPs to host Irish Unity conference in European Parliament (opens in a new tab)
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Progress on parcels but more to do
DUP MLA David Brooks says the Government's announcement removing customs checks on consumer parcels is progress, though late, and that the system will go live on 1 May. He calls for further action to remove EU law and the Irish Sea border.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Government announcement removing customs checks on consumer parcels Original release: Progress on parcels but more to do (opens in a new tab)
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Statement by Jim Allister KC MP in Response to the Third Parcels Border Implementation Date
TUV leader Jim Allister KC MP criticises the third postponement of the Irish Sea parcels border, now set for 1 May 2025, and argues it undermines the UK single market for goods. He calls for the Windsor Framework to be replaced with Mutual Enforcement.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Government announcement removing customs checks on consumer parcels Original release: Statement by Jim Allister KC MP in Response to the Third Parcels Border Implementation Date (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister must bring forward Irish Language Strategy – Brogan
Sinn Féin MLA Nicola Brogan urges Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to publish the long-delayed Irish Language Strategy, which she says he is legally required to produce. She cites a party motion debated in the Assembly and says he has also refused to meet Conradh na Gaeilge.
Disability and equality Issue: Irish Language Strategy delay and Assembly motion Original release: Communities Minister must bring forward Irish Language Strategy – Brogan (opens in a new tab)
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Anti Fascist Rally in Belfast Thursday
People Before Profit says death threats scrawled on a West Belfast wall against MLA Gerry Carroll will not be tolerated, linking them to far-right activity and anti-migrant protests, and urges people to join an anti-fascism rally at Casement Park on Thursday at 7pm.
Disability and equality Immigration Issue: Death threats and graffiti against Gerry Carroll in Andersonstown Original release: Anti Fascist Rally in Belfast Thursday (opens in a new tab)
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The Chill Factor and Irish Signage
TUV says a LucidTalk survey commissioned by Analogical Research shows a "chill factor" among Unionists and Protestants towards Irish language street signs, with 88% of Unionist voters less likely to move to such a road. It claims the signs could drive ethnic cleansing and cut Unionist use of…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: LucidTalk survey on Irish signage and Unionist house-hunting and leisure centre use Original release: The Chill Factor and Irish Signage (opens in a new tab)
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Welfare system should always support those who need it most – Robinson
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP challenges the Government's proposed Personal Independence Payment changes, saying they will cause anxiety, fail to account for fluctuating mental health needs, and calls on the Government to rethink them and give assurances to those affected.
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: Proposed UK welfare cuts including Personal Independence Payment eligibility changes Original release: Welfare system should always support those who need it most – Robinson (opens in a new tab)
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‘Planned cuts to welfare are an attack on the most vulnerable’ – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew condemns expected UK Labour government cuts of billions of pounds to welfare support for sick and disabled people, calling them cynical and disgraceful. He calls on the Communities Minister to tell London the party opposes the measures, which he says will…
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: Reported £5 billion welfare budget cuts by British Labour government Original release: ‘Planned cuts to welfare are an attack on the most vulnerable’ – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Government Must Review Benefits Decisions - Swann
UUP MP Robin Swann calls on the Labour Government to review the welfare decisions it announced today, arguing that its changes to disability benefits have caused confusion and fear among vulnerable people. He urges that any legislation avoid harming those with daily challenges.
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: Labour Government welfare reforms announcement March 2025 Original release: Government Must Review Benefits Decisions - Swann (opens in a new tab)
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UK Government's benefits move cruel and cowardly, says Eastwood
Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood calls the UK Government's proposed disability benefit changes cruel and cowardly, warning they would push more people into hardship, and urges it to listen to those affected. Alliance's Sian Mulholland says Alliance will call on the Communities Minister to outline…
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: Proposed UK welfare cuts including Personal Independence Payment eligibility changes Original release: UK Government's benefits move cruel and cowardly, says Eastwood (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood says Labour Government must stop balancing the books on backs of vulnerable people
Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood accuses the UK Government of cutting welfare to balance the books, opposing proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment eligibility and support for those unable to work. She says the measures would push disabled people into hardship and add pressure on health and…
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: Proposed UK welfare cuts including Personal Independence Payment eligibility changes Original release: Eastwood says Labour Government must stop balancing the books on backs of vulnerable people (opens in a new tab)
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Progress on bilingual Gaeltacht Quarter road signage welcome – Reilly
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly welcomes progress on a pilot scheme for bilingual road signs in west Belfast's Gaeltacht Quarter, after Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said work is advancing. She also praises the minister's engagement with Conradh na Gaeilge on the signage.
Disability and equality Infrastructure and transport Issue: Gaeltacht Quarter bilingual road signage pilot scheme progress Original release: Progress on bilingual Gaeltacht Quarter road signage welcome – Reilly (opens in a new tab)
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Every Labour Election Pledge A Lie
People Before Profit's Gerry Harkin accuses Labour of betraying its Westminster election pledges, citing cuts to winter fuel payments and disability benefits and its stance on refugees and defence spending. He calls on Stormont parties to resist Westminster policies rather than facilitate them.
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Original release: Every Labour Election Pledge A Lie (opens in a new tab)
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Crucial we don’t lose momentum on tackling gender-based violence, says Egan
Alliance's Connie Egan MLA, Violence Against Women and Girls spokesperson, urges continued progress on the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategic Framework and Action Plan after a 16-year-olds attitudes report found many young people would not report abuse for fear of disbelief.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Ending Violence Against Women and Girls report on 16-year-olds' experiences and attitudes Original release: Crucial we don’t lose momentum on tackling gender-based violence, says Egan (opens in a new tab)
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Devlin: Endometriosis Awareness Month should break taboos around women's health
SDLP Mournes councillor Laura Devlin calls for a funded Women’s Health Strategy, saying March’s Endometriosis Awareness Month should be used to break taboos around menstrual health and press the Health Minister to prioritise and fund the strategy.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Endometriosis Awareness Month women’s health strategy call Original release: Devlin: Endometriosis Awareness Month should break taboos around women's health (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew calls out DUP Communities Minister for refusal to meet Conradh na Gaeilge
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew, Chair of the Communities Committee, criticises Communities Minister Gordon Lyons for refusing to meet Conradh na Gaeilge during Seachtain na Gaeilge. He calls on the Minister to meet Irish language organisations and help co-design and deliver language strategies.
Disability and equality Issue: Communities Minister refusal to meet Conradh na Gaeilge Original release: Gildernew calls out DUP Communities Minister for refusal to meet Conradh na Gaeilge (opens in a new tab)
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President Trump calling time on Irish Republic underscores the urgent need for the UK to stand up for NI and reject the Protocol
TUV leader Jim Allister, MP for North Antrim, argues that Donald Trump's move against Irish Republic tax arrangements shows the UK must challenge the Republic's special status, and calls on the UK Government to press Dublin to back an end to the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Trump action on Republic of Ireland corporate tax dispensation Original release: President Trump calling time on Irish Republic underscores the urgent need for the UK to stand up for NI and reject the Protocol (opens in a new tab)
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Respite provision failing families in need – Dodds
DUP MLA Diane Dodds says health trusts across Northern Ireland lack a clear pathway for respite care, with over 800 unallocated cases and 500 in the South Eastern Trust. She calls for urgent action to cut waiting lists and deliver the respite beds promised by the £13 million investment.
Health Disability and equality Issue: BBC Spotlight ‘I am not OK’ documentary on respite care Original release: Respite provision failing families in need – Dodds (opens in a new tab)