Latest releases
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11,733 releases
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Bobby Sands Statue: DUP Stirring Up Sectarian Discourse, Enabled by SDLP’s Political Cowardice
People Before Profit councillor Michael Collins says the DUP is trying to sectarianise debate over the Bobby Sands statue in Twinbrook, pointing to unchallenged unauthorised memorials and murals across Belfast. He criticises the SDLP for leaving the Council meeting early and not voting, and says…
Community relations and legacy Local government Issue: Bobby Sands statue motion at Belfast City Council Original release: Bobby Sands Statue: DUP Stirring Up Sectarian Discourse, Enabled by SDLP’s Political Cowardice (opens in a new tab)
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Legal and Financial Issues Highlight Level of Executive Dysfunction says Brolly
Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly says Executive dysfunction is evident after only 4% of £230 million allocated for key services was spent, and raises concerns that Education Department and Education Authority reform proposals are not fully legally compliant.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Only 4% of £230 million allocated for key services spent Original release: Legal and Financial Issues Highlight Level of Executive Dysfunction says Brolly (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows warns teacher burnout crisis unsustainable after report finds 91% affected
UUP leader and Education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA says a report finding 91% of NI teachers face burnout is unsurprising and calls for better support, pay and accreditation for classroom assistants. He says he is writing to the Education Authority to press for streamlining of weekly information…
Education Economy and employment Issue: Teacher burnout report finding 91% of NI teachers affected Original release: Burrows warns teacher burnout crisis unsustainable after report finds 91% affected (opens in a new tab)
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Farmers Paying the Hidden Price Butler reacts to Anderson bTB report
UUP MLA Robbie Butler welcomes the Andersons Centre report on the indirect costs of bovine TB to farmers, and calls on DAERA to respond urgently with a comprehensive eradication strategy that includes wildlife intervention, resources and clear timelines.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: Anderson bTB economic impact report publication Original release: Farmers Paying the Hidden Price Butler reacts to Anderson bTB report (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong announces intention to not seek re-election
Alliance Strangford MLA Kellie Armstrong announces she will not seek re-election at the 2027 Assembly poll, having served 11 years for the constituency, and says she will continue as an MLA until the Assembly dissolves.
Other Original release: Armstrong announces intention to not seek re-election (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Groogan statement on Belfast City Council special meeting
Green Party councillor Áine Groogan says a special Belfast City Council meeting on planning enforcement should not have happened, arguing that political interventions risk undermining impartial officer decisions and breaching the councillors' code of conduct. She calls the move distraction…
Local government Issue: Belfast City Council special meeting Original release: Cllr Groogan statement on Belfast City Council special meeting (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 26 April 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin will not accept any attempt to obstruct one community’s right of remembrance – Beattie
Sinn Féin Councillor Ciaran Beattie criticises a DUP motion on Belfast City Council as a one-sided attack on Republicans' right to remember their dead, linked to the Bobby Sands statue in Twinbrook. He calls for planning enforcement on monuments and memorials to be proportionate and applied…
Community relations and legacy Local government Issue: Belfast City Council special meeting Original release: Sinn Féin will not accept any attempt to obstruct one community’s right of remembrance – Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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Aontú slams British government legacy amendments
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín says he has asked the Taoiseach to reflect on British Secretary Hilary Benn's comments that Legacy Bill amendments would protect British veterans, opposing any hierarchy in the framework. Deputy leader Gemma Brolly calls the move unacceptable, citing the Sean Brown case.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Legacy bill delay to October over British military protections Original release: Aontú slams British government legacy amendments (opens in a new tab)
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Bail Decision in Shocking Antrim Assault Raises Public Concern – Frew
North Antrim DUP MLA and Justice Committee Chair Paul Frew expresses serious concern after a court granted bail in a case involving alleged brutal violence in Antrim, and says conditions must protect the public and victims.
Justice and policing Issue: Antrim assault case bail decision Original release: Bail Decision in Shocking Antrim Assault Raises Public Concern – Frew (opens in a new tab)
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Northern Ireland cancer waiting times worst in UK
TUV leader Jim Allister says a Cancer Research UK report showing Northern Ireland has the worst cancer waits in the UK is further evidence Stormont must act now. He cites only about 31% of patients starting treatment within 62 days in 2025 and calls for more investment, lung screening and a lower…
Health Issue: Cancer Research UK Northern Ireland Overview 2026 cancer waiting times report Original release: Northern Ireland cancer waiting times worst in UK (opens in a new tab)
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McGuigan comments on latest emergency care waiting time statistics
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan says recent emergency care waiting figures point to sustained strain in emergency departments, citing only 40.2% of patients seen within four hours and a sharp rise in 12-hour waits. He urges the Health Minister to tackle hospital flow, delayed discharges and…
Health Issue: Emergency care waiting time statistics for the last three months Original release: McGuigan comments on latest emergency care waiting time statistics (opens in a new tab)
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TUV blast O’Neill hypocrisy after “weapons of war” comments
TUV business spokesman Councillor Keith Ratcliffe accuses Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill of hypocrisy over her remarks on weapons of war, pointing to Kingsmill and the MoD funding dispute, and says she is unfit for office.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Michelle O'Neill's Cool FM remarks on weapons of war and MoD funding Original release: TUV blast O’Neill hypocrisy after “weapons of war” comments (opens in a new tab)
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Lord Empey Accuses Sinn Féin of Hypocrisy Over £50m Defence Investment
Lord Empey accuses Sinn Féin of hypocrisy after First Minister Michelle O'Neill criticised the UK Government's £50m defence investment for Northern Ireland, citing the IRA's past arms dealings and the loss of Raytheon jobs in Derry.
Economy and employment International affairs Issue: Northern Ireland Defence Growth Deal launch confirmed in Commons Original release: Lord Empey Accuses Sinn Féin of Hypocrisy Over £50m Defence Investment (opens in a new tab)
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Healthcare transformation essential to tackle alarming ED wait times, says Donnelly
Alliance spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA calls on the Health Minister to prioritise healthcare transformation after new Department of Health figures showed a rise of over 14 per cent in patients waiting more than 12 hours in Emergency Departments.
Health Issue: Emergency care waiting time statistics for the last three months Original release: Healthcare transformation essential to tackle alarming ED wait times, says Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
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Lough Neagh fishermen must not become economic casualties of ongoing crisis – Kearney
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, says Lough Neagh fishermen must not become casualties of the ecological crisis after meeting DAERA Minister Andrew Muir ahead of the eel season. He calls for a comprehensive strategy to support fishermen and secure commercial fishing's future on the…
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: Lough Neagh eel fishing season 2026 uncertainty and DAERA engagement Original release: Lough Neagh fishermen must not become economic casualties of ongoing crisis – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Victims and families’ confidence will be further eroded by the cynical actions of the British government – Finucane
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane accuses the British government of political cynicism after Hilary Benn delayed the legacy bill until October to add protections for British military personnel. He says victims and families face further erosion of confidence and calls on the Taoiseach and Irish government…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Legacy bill delay to October over British military protections Original release: Victims and families’ confidence will be further eroded by the cynical actions of the British government – Finucane (opens in a new tab)
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Students and young people must be at the heart of shaping a new Ireland – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney welcomes a Queen's University Belfast discussion on 'Students in a New Ireland', chaired by Ógra Shinn Féin representative Annie Nic Mhánais, and urges students to continue such conversations at universities and colleges across the island.
Constitutional affairs Education Original release: Students and young people must be at the heart of shaping a new Ireland – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Allister welcomes MoD investment in NI & blasts Sinn Fein
TUV leader Jim Allister MP welcomes around £50 million of MoD defence contract investment in Northern Ireland, saying it should be backed for jobs and stability, while accusing Sinn Fein's Economy Minister and deputy First Minister of boycotting the related event.
Economy and employment Constitutional affairs Issue: Northern Ireland Defence Growth Deal launch confirmed in Commons Original release: Allister welcomes MoD investment in NI & blasts Sinn Fein (opens in a new tab)
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Families left to fight for scraps while Britain’s militarisation agenda is topped up again – Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard criticises the British government's announcement of £50 million for militarisation programmes in the north, saying it is being funded while families struggle with heating costs and community groups have lost funding.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: £50 million British government militarisation funding announcement for the north Original release: Families left to fight for scraps while Britain’s militarisation agenda is topped up again – Hazzard (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson welcomes £50 million defence growth deal for Northern Ireland
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP welcomes a £50 million Defence Growth Deal allocation for Northern Ireland, saying it secures one of five growth deals from a £250 million UK-wide fund. He claims the DUP worked with Government to win the place and criticises Sinn Féin for opposing the investment.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: Northern Ireland Defence Growth Deal launch confirmed in Commons Original release: Robinson welcomes £50 million defence growth deal for Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)