Latest releases
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3,068 releases
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Reform of institutions essential to allow full delivery, says Bradshaw
Alliance Chief Whip Paula Bradshaw MLA says Stormont cannot fully deliver until the institutions are reformed, citing two years of impasse after the DUP collapsed power-sharing and calling for action 100 days into the new mandate.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Stormont 100 days into new mandate delivery assessment Original release: Reform of institutions essential to allow full delivery, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Windsor Framework and Good Friday Agreement protecting Northern Ireland from horrible immigration legislation, says Farry after court ruling
Alliance MP Stephen Farry welcomes a High Court ruling in Belfast that parts of the Illegal Migration Act should not apply in Northern Ireland because they undercut human rights protections under the Windsor Framework. He calls on the UK Government to repeal that Act and the Rwanda Act and adopt a…
Immigration Constitutional affairs Issue: High Court Belfast ruling on Rwanda scheme in Northern Ireland Original release: Windsor Framework and Good Friday Agreement protecting Northern Ireland from horrible immigration legislation, says Farry after court ruling (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Public expect delivery after 100 days of devolution
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA calls for firm deadlines ahead of Monday's Assembly Opposition Day, including a Programme for Government published before summer recess. He also seeks a timeline for creating an independent environmental regulator and urgent aid for hospitality…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Stormont 100 days into new mandate delivery assessment Original release: O’Toole: Public expect delivery after 100 days of devolution (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Time for Executive to publish Programme for Government
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA urges the Executive to publish its Programme for Government before the summer recess, after the Assembly backed an SDLP motion to that effect. He says the public sees little plan or delivery since the Assembly's return.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Assembly backs SDLP motion on Executive's Programme for Government timetable Original release: O’Toole: Time for Executive to publish Programme for Government (opens in a new tab)
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‘Rural Communities in a New Ireland’ event to take place at Balmoral Show
Constitutional affairs Agriculture and rural affairs Original release: ‘Rural Communities in a New Ireland’ event to take place at Balmoral Show (opens in a new tab)
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Baker calls on education minister to explore ‘SEN first’ approach
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker urges the education minister to make children with special educational needs a priority in school admissions, proposing a system that incorporates SEN pupils into schools’ planned enrolment figures so they receive support from the start of term.
Education Disability and equality Original release: Baker calls on education minister to explore ‘SEN first’ approach (opens in a new tab)
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Every child deserves access to literature, says Bower, as motion passes on reading materials for refugee children
Alliance Ormiston Councillor Christine Bower says her motion, passed at the People & Communities Committee, asks the Council to examine free native-language reading materials and literacy tools for refugee children. A report on costings and delivery will return to committee for a final vote.
Education Local government Issue: Council motion on free native-language reading materials for refugee children Original release: Every child deserves access to literature, says Bower, as motion passes on reading materials for refugee children (opens in a new tab)
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Agriculture Minister confirms Stormont has surrendered scrutiny of Sea Border
TUV leader Jim Allister says two Agriculture Minister answers show the DUP deal has removed MLAs' ability to scrutinise the Irish Sea Border, as charging for port checks on Great Britain goods is now controlled by the Secretary of State. He calls this a reduction in Stormont's role.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Agriculture Minister's answers on Sea Border port inspection charging Original release: Agriculture Minister confirms Stormont has surrendered scrutiny of Sea Border (opens in a new tab)
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Where Stormont never fails – dysfunctionalism
TUV leader Jim Allister says Covid Inquiry revelations show the flaws of mandatory coalition, citing rivalry, blame-avoidance and destroyed WhatsApp records, and calls for a police investigation into possible misconduct in public office.
Constitutional affairs Health Issue: Covid Inquiry findings on Executive decision-making during the pandemic Original release: Where Stormont never fails – dysfunctionalism (opens in a new tab)
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Irish Government’s ‘hard border’ hypocrisy must be called out:…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says the Irish Government's stance on a 'hard border' is hypocritical after Gardaí were tasked with policing immigration. She calls on the UK Government to challenge this and to ask Dublin for evidence supporting its claim that 80% of asylum seekers enter the Republic via…
Immigration Constitutional affairs Issue: Irish Government tasking Gardaí with immigration policing at the border Original release: Irish Government’s ‘hard border’ hypocrisy must be called out:… (opens in a new tab)
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Autism reviewer must be appointed: Erskine
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine calls for an autism reviewer to be appointed without further delay, arguing the post costs under £40,000 of the Health budget and that the Minister's deferral over funding pressures is unjustified.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Delay in appointing autism reviewer under Autism Act Original release: Autism reviewer must be appointed: Erskine (opens in a new tab)
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DUP director of policy and research spells out the truth about the Sea Border
TUV deputy leader Ron McDowell says a News Letter opinion piece by former DUP director of policy and research Dan Boucher exposes the Stormont restoration deal as a con, and urges DUP members to change course over the Windsor Framework and Sea Border.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Dan Boucher News Letter opinion piece on Windsor Framework green lane Original release: DUP director of policy and research spells out the truth about the Sea Border (opens in a new tab)
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Action required now on veterinary medicines and negotiations - Empey
UUP leader Doug Beatty... no, the release is from Lord Empey, UUP, who says the Government must start negotiations with the EU on veterinary medicines before June's EU elections, after a Lords committee report warned of supply risks when the grace period ends in December 2025.
Agriculture and rural affairs International affairs Issue: Lords Windsor Framework Committee report on veterinary medicines supply Original release: Action required now on veterinary medicines and negotiations - Empey (opens in a new tab)
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More must be done to tackle inequalities facing people with disabilities, following report, says Donnelly
Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly says more must be done at Westminster and Stormont to tackle inequalities facing disabled people after a UN committee report on UK compliance with the UNCRPD. He calls on the Executive Office and Department for Communities to act and urges Assembly action on…
Disability and equality Social security and welfare Issue: UN UNCRPD committee report on rights of persons with disabilities in the UK Original release: More must be done to tackle inequalities facing people with disabilities, following report, says Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
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Covid Inquiry reinforces need to end government by silos and vetoes, says Bradshaw
Alliance Executive Office spokesperson and Committee Chair Paula Bradshaw MLA says the Covid Inquiry shows the Executive stalled in autumn 2020 because cross-community voting acted as a sectarian veto. She calls for proposals to remove vetoes and departmental silos from the First and deputy First…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Covid Inquiry findings on Executive decision-making during the pandemic Original release: Covid Inquiry reinforces need to end government by silos and vetoes, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Sheehan welcomes half of one billion plan for special schools
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan welcomes the education minister's announcement of £500 million to prioritise building special educational needs facilities. He says children with additional needs deserve first-class facilities and calls for every child with special educational needs to have a school…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Minister announces SEN Capital Investment Programme Original release: Sheehan welcomes half of one billion plan for special schools (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister’s support for children with Special Educational…
East Antrim DUP MLA Cheryl Brownlee welcomes Education Minister Paul Givan's announcement of a Special Educational Needs Capital Investment Programme, saying the four‑strand plan on maintenance, equipment, specialist provisions and new schools will create a fairer, more inclusive environment for SEN
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Minister announces SEN Capital Investment Programme Original release: Education Minister’s support for children with Special Educational… (opens in a new tab)
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Investment programme in school facilities will support children with…
Education Minister Paul Givan announces a SEN Capital Programme for special schools, including up to eight new special schools over 10 years, new builds, extensions, specialist classes and £5million a year in maintenance plus £4million in equipment grants.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Minister announces SEN Capital Investment Programme Original release: Investment programme in school facilities will support children with… (opens in a new tab)
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Mason welcomes planning green light for Knockevin Special School
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason welcomes the education minister's announcement that planning for a replacement Knockevin school in Downpatrick will start immediately. She says the project will transform provision for pupils with special educational needs across South Down.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Knockevin Special School planning go-ahead announced by education minister Original release: Mason welcomes planning green light for Knockevin Special School (opens in a new tab)
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Belfast can become more inclusive, says incoming Alliance Lord Mayor
Alliance's South Belfast Councillor Micky Murray, incoming Lord Mayor, says he wants Belfast to become a more inclusive, livable and caring city during his term from 3 June. He pledges to meet people across the city, prioritise supporting vulnerable people and represent the LGBTQ+ community.
Disability and equality Local government Original release: Belfast can become more inclusive, says incoming Alliance Lord Mayor (opens in a new tab)