Latest releases
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1,982 releases
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SDLP: Everyone has a part to play in fighting climate emergency
SDLP climate spokesperson Gary McKeown says everyone, from governments and large firms to households, must share responsibility ahead of Earth Day 2023, urging councils to use recycling, pollution controls and planning for biodiversity. SDLP active travel spokesperson Simon Lee calls for…
Environment and climate Local government Original release: SDLP: Everyone has a part to play in fighting climate emergency (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong calls for free dental treatment and sight tests for UC claimants
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong calls on the Health and Communities departments to legislate so Universal Credit claimants in Northern Ireland get free dental treatment and sight tests automatically, as in the rest of the UK. She says current HC1 form applications create unnecessary red tape ahead…
Social security and welfare Health Original release: Armstrong calls for free dental treatment and sight tests for UC claimants (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to tackle chronic autism diagnosis waiting lists – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says an Executive is needed urgently to tackle chronic waiting lists for autism diagnosis and to implement the autism strategy, which she says is being held up without a functioning Executive.
Health Disability and equality Original release: Executive needed to tackle chronic autism diagnosis waiting lists – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Outrageous that DUP now blocking own member’s bill to enhance Autism Services, says Bradshaw
Alliance's Paula Bradshaw, Health Spokesperson and South Belfast MLA, urges an immediate Autism Reviewer appointment, saying the process has stalled because of the DUP's boycott of Stormont and that the Northern Ireland Office confirmed the post will stay vacant.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Autism Reviewer post remaining unfilled under Autism (Amendment) Act 2022 Original release: Outrageous that DUP now blocking own member’s bill to enhance Autism Services, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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25 Years Of The Good Friday Agreement – Time To Make Poverty And Sectarianism History
People Before Profit publishes a special report on the impact of the Good Friday Agreement on its 25th anniversary. Councillor Shaun Harkin says the agreement failed to deliver prosperity or end sectarianism, citing poverty, food bank reliance and run-down public services.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement Original release: 25 Years Of The Good Friday Agreement – Time To Make Poverty And Sectarianism History (opens in a new tab)
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GAA Reversal on Cashless Policy Needs to Be Repeated All Over Ireland. – Brolly
Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly welcomes reports that Cork GAA is looking at ways to allow turnstile cash payments at county matches this summer. She calls for cash turnstile access at every match in all 32 counties, arguing the cashless policy excludes older people and those without internet…
Disability and equality Issue: Cork GAA consideration of turnstile cash payments at county matches Original release: GAA Reversal on Cashless Policy Needs to Be Repeated All Over Ireland. – Brolly (opens in a new tab)
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Baker seeking urgent clarity on appointment of Children’s Commissioner
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker says the delay in appointing a Children and Young People's Commissioner leaves young people without an independent advocate. He has written to the Executive Office seeking clarity on when an appointment will be made, noting applications closed in January.
Social security and welfare Issue: Children and Young People's Commissioner appointment delay Original release: Baker seeking urgent clarity on appointment of Children’s Commissioner (opens in a new tab)
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Regional solution for adult ADHD must be delivered – Kearney
Sinn Féin South Antrim MLA Declan Kearney calls for a regional solution and a time-framed timetable for adult ADHD diagnosis and treatment, after meeting the Department of Health Permanent Secretary about gaps in provision in the Northern Trust area.
Health Disability and equality Original release: Regional solution for adult ADHD must be delivered – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Urgency needed on commissioning of ADHD services, says Bradshaw
Alliance Health Spokesperson and South Belfast MLA Paula Bradshaw calls for greater urgency on commissioning ADHD services, saying people face costs for diagnosis and that a single-system approach across Northern Ireland would help.
Health Disability and equality Original release: Urgency needed on commissioning of ADHD services, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Lack of dedicated retrofitting programme for solid fuel households a risk to public health – Darren O’Rourke TD
Sinn Féin climate spokesperson Darren O'Rourke TD urges the government to revise its National Retrofit Plan with specific targets for solid-fuel-heated homes, citing a cross-border study linking air pollution to up to 1,000 early deaths yearly. He proposes €50m for a dedicated retrofit scheme.
Environment and climate Health Issue: Cross-border air pollution and mortality assessment on solid fuel burning Original release: Lack of dedicated retrofitting programme for solid fuel households a risk to public health – Darren O’Rourke TD (opens in a new tab)
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‘Children and young people paying price for savage Tory Budget cuts’ – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says savage Tory Budget cuts will axe Holiday Hunger Payments and the Happy Healthy Minds and ENGAGE programmes in schools, and calls for the Executive to be restored now.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Department of Education axing Holiday Hunger Payments, Happy Healthy Minds and ENGAGE programmes Original release: ‘Children and young people paying price for savage Tory Budget cuts’ – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Wrightbus at forefront of hydrogen revolution - Paisley
DUP MP Ian Paisley welcomes the Government's Powering Up Britain net zero strategy, saying its £240 million for green hydrogen projects will establish Wrightbus in Ballymena as Northern Ireland's central hydrogen site.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Powering Up Britain net zero strategy announcement Original release: Wrightbus at forefront of hydrogen revolution - Paisley (opens in a new tab)
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North Down Greens hit out at latest protests in Bangor
North Down Greens criticise protests against asylum seekers in Bangor, with Councillor Stephen Dunlop calling them appalling and Councillor Barry McKee blaming the Home Office's inaction for endangering people. Councillor Rachel Woods labels the demonstrations intimidating and thanks a local…
Immigration Local government Issue: Bangor protests against asylum seekers housing Original release: North Down Greens hit out at latest protests in Bangor (opens in a new tab)
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Disgraceful that vulnerable children are paying the price for lack of budget and political instability, says Egan
Alliance Education spokesperson Connie Egan MLA says it is disgraceful that vulnerable children are paying for the lack of a confirmed budget, after the Education Authority announced cuts to Healthy Happy Minds, Engage and the School Holiday Food Grant. She calls on the DUP to return to Stormont.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Department of Education axing Holiday Hunger Payments, Happy Healthy Minds and ENGAGE programmes Original release: Disgraceful that vulnerable children are paying the price for lack of budget and political instability, says Egan (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan slams ‘outrageous’ cut to education support with single day’s notice
SDLP Education Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan MLA criticises the Department of Education's decision to end the Healthy Happy Minds Pilot, the Engage programme and School Holiday Food Grants from 31 March, with only a day's notice to principals. He says cuts to holiday food payments before Easter…
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Department of Education axing Holiday Hunger Payments, Happy Healthy Minds and ENGAGE programmes Original release: McCrossan slams ‘outrageous’ cut to education support with single day’s notice (opens in a new tab)
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DUP MPs press MOD for recognition of pre-2015 War Widows
DUP Defence Spokesman Gavin Robinson and Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart say they met Defence Minister Andrew Murrison to press for recognition of around 300 War Widows who remarried before 2015 and lost their pension entitlement. They say a solution now rests with the Treasury.
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Original release: DUP MPs press MOD for recognition of pre-2015 War Widows (opens in a new tab)
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Loss of European Social Fund will turn people’s lives upside down - Butler
UUP Deputy Leader Robbie Butler MLA warns that the loss of European Social Fund money, combined with the lack of a functioning Executive, could put lives at risk. He calls on the Secretary of State to step in immediately and urges the DUP to return to Stormont and form an Executive.
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Loss of European Social Fund funding for community and voluntary services Original release: Loss of European Social Fund will turn people’s lives upside down - Butler (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance proposal for Council to participate in Pride blocked by DUP and UUP
Alliance Councillor Peter Lavery says a party motion to have Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon council join other employers in Belfast Pride and explore a local Pride event was voted down by the DUP and UUP. He accuses the UUP of blocking it and pledges to keep pushing for inclusive council events.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Armagh Banbridge Craigavon council Pride motion defeated by DUP and UUP Original release: Alliance proposal for Council to participate in Pride blocked by DUP and UUP (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP: More must be done to tackle violence against women
SDLP councillor Declan McAlinden says more must be done to combat violence against women as he prepares to table a motion at Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council calling for better victim services, awareness campaigns, a modern anti‑harassment policy and training for councillors and
Justice and policing Local government Issue: Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council motion on violence against women Original release: SDLP: More must be done to tackle violence against women (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Every effort must be made to protect community transport
SDLP Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA says community transport services, including dial-a-lift, are left in limbo over funding and calls on the Department for Infrastructure to give a clear update and carry out an equality impact assessment before deciding their future.
Infrastructure and transport Disability and equality Original release: Durkan: Every effort must be made to protect community transport (opens in a new tab)