Latest releases
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11,733 releases
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Harkin: Invest in Jobs That Serve Humanity, Not War Industry That Destroys Humanity
People Before Profit Councillor Shaun Harkin calls the £50 million UK government investment in military technology "blood money", urging investment in health, education, housing and energy jobs instead. He says arms companies should not be welcomed in Derry and calls for the arms industry to be…
Economy and employment International affairs Issue: £50 million British government militarisation funding announcement for the north Original release: Harkin: Invest in Jobs That Serve Humanity, Not War Industry That Destroys Humanity (opens in a new tab)
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Westminster’s Plan for the North: Sack Workers, Hike Bills & Protect Corporate Tax Breaks
People Before Profit's Gerry Carroll condemns a Treasury review of Stormont finances as Westminster austerity, warning of sacked public workers, higher rates and water charges. He says the review ignores taxing private corporations' profits and asks what the Finance Minister will do to challenge it.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Treasury review of Stormont finances and proposed public spending cuts Original release: Westminster’s Plan for the North: Sack Workers, Hike Bills & Protect Corporate Tax Breaks (opens in a new tab)
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Paul Givan must heed ‘significant intervention’ from education bodies over flawed SEN reforms – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan welcomes the Children's Law Centre and other bodies' opposition to Education Minister Paul Givan's special educational needs reforms, and calls on him to pause the process and engage with them, unions and frontline staff on a rights-based plan.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Children's Law Centre opposition to SEN reform proposals Original release: Paul Givan must heed ‘significant intervention’ from education bodies over flawed SEN reforms – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter: Minister must halt SEN reform
SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA calls on the Education Minister to halt proposed special educational needs (SEN) reforms, citing an open letter from 14 organisations including teaching unions and warnings from the Children's Law Centre. She says the Minister has ignored…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Children's Law Centre opposition to SEN reform proposals Original release: Hunter: Minister must halt SEN reform (opens in a new tab)
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Swann Welcomes Defence Investment as Boost for Northern Ireland Economy and Security
Ulster Unionist MP Robin Swann welcomes a major defence investment in Northern Ireland, saying it reflects the region's strategic value to UK national security. He says he raised the issue with Defence Secretary John Healey and points to local engineering expertise and expected high-skilled jobs…
Economy and employment Issue: Northern Ireland Defence Growth Deal launch confirmed in Commons Original release: Swann Welcomes Defence Investment as Boost for Northern Ireland Economy and Security (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows presses case for Northern Ireland at Westminster
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA says his Westminster visit was to make the case for Northern Ireland, urging a VAT reduction for hospitality and tourism, restoration of the Irish Sea border settlement, fairness for veterans and former RUC officers, and answers on the former Police Ombudsman's security‑v
Constitutional affairs Justice and policing Issue: UUP Westminster visit urging VAT cut for hospitality Original release: Burrows presses case for Northern Ireland at Westminster (opens in a new tab)
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Issue of using flags to mark territory can only be resolved through legislation, says Bradshaw
Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Paula Bradshaw, South Belfast MLA, says Tricolour flags at a mixed South Belfast housing development show the need for legislation. She will bring a bill to the Assembly to oblige authorities to remove disrespectful or antagonistic flags and emblems.
Community relations and legacy Issue: Tricolour flags at mixed South Belfast housing development Original release: Issue of using flags to mark territory can only be resolved through legislation, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Irish Government intervention required to protect and develop island wide economy – Senator Conor Murphy
Sinn Féin Senator Conor Murphy urges the Irish Government to take the lead with the British Government on cross-border business problems raised by border county Chambers of Commerce, including pensions, insurance, transport and wastewater infrastructure.
Economy and employment Constitutional affairs Issue: Good Friday Agreement Committee hearing from border county Chambers of Commerce Original release: Irish Government intervention required to protect and develop island wide economy – Senator Conor Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister must engage with British Medical Association – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan calls on the Health Minister to engage in meaningful dialogue with the British Medical Association to resolve a pay dispute and prevent strike action, after the BMA announced a ballot of members on industrial action.
Health Economy and employment Issue: BMA ballot of members on industrial action over pay Original release: Health Minister must engage with British Medical Association – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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NI industry being driven to the brink by Government inaction –…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart, MP for Upper Bann, calls on the Government to cut fuel duties, scrap carbon taxes and provide targeted support to Northern Ireland industries facing a deepening crisis, after challenging the Chancellor in the Commons.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Original release: NI industry being driven to the brink by Government inaction –… (opens in a new tab)
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Efforts to stymie growth of the Irish language will fail – McLaughlin
Sinn Féin councillor Ronan McLaughlin welcomes the court’s favourable decision on Belfast City Council’s call‑in case concerning its Irish language policy, saying efforts to block the language’s growth will fail and urging Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to advance an Irish Language Strategy while
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Court ruling on Belfast City Council Irish language policy Original release: Efforts to stymie growth of the Irish language will fail – McLaughlin (opens in a new tab)
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NI Secretary of State Pressed for Urgent Action
DUP leader Gavin Robinson MP warns households and public services in Northern Ireland are under severe strain and presses the Secretary of State for urgent action. He calls for VAT cuts on heating oil and fuel duty, more Treasury funding for the Executive including the Education shortfall, and…
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Original release: NI Secretary of State Pressed for Urgent Action (opens in a new tab)
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People need support and they need it now – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew, Chair of the Communities Committee, urges London to introduce a substantial cost-of-living support package, calling its £17 million so far inadequate and asking for fuel duty to be cut.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: British government cost-of-living funding response to Executive Original release: People need support and they need it now – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Belfast Flag Decision “Procedurally Unlawful” as Battle Moves to Appeal
TUV says a court ruling shows Belfast City Council's decision to fly the Palestinian flag was procedurally unlawful, and that standing orders letting a legal opinion decide minority safeguards will go to the Court of Appeal. Deputy leader Ron McDowell will write to the council seeking confirmation…
Community relations and legacy Local government Issue: Belfast City Council Palestinian flag decision court ruling Original release: Belfast Flag Decision “Procedurally Unlawful” as Battle Moves to Appeal (opens in a new tab)
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DUP will oppose ‘unjustified’ increase in firearm licencing fees
DUP Policing Board representative Trevor Clarke MLA says his party will oppose the Department of Justice's proposed 153% rise in firearms licensing fees, calling it unjustified. He urges the Minister to pause the consultation until an independent review of PSNI firearms branch is completed.
Justice and policing Public finance and taxation Issue: Department of Justice proposed 153% firearms licensing fee increase Original release: DUP will oppose ‘unjustified’ increase in firearm licencing fees (opens in a new tab)
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Aontú Membership Surges After Fuel Protests
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín says the party has gained hundreds of new members and two councillors in the last two weeks, and is negotiating with seven more. He cites poll ratings and plans for candidates ahead of possible early elections, north and south.
Other Economy and employment Original release: Aontú Membership Surges After Fuel Protests (opens in a new tab)
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Our failure to tackle fuel costs highlights a democratic deficit” – Aontú deputy leader Gemma Brolly says supports “do not go far enough” as most “will get no help.”
Aontú deputy leader Gemma Brolly criticises the fuel crisis support package as not going far enough, saying most people will get no help, and calls on Stormont to address its shortcomings and for fuel duty to be devolved.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: Executive £36.4million home heating oil support package Original release: Our failure to tackle fuel costs highlights a democratic deficit” – Aontú deputy leader Gemma Brolly says supports “do not go far enough” as most “will get no help.” (opens in a new tab)
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DUP failing to support teachers and address workload – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker accuses the DUP of neglecting teacher workload after DCU and St Mary's research found 9 in 10 teachers experiencing work-related burnout. He blames Education Minister Paul Givan's surveys, consultations and reform agenda for adding pressure and calls for action.
Education Issue: Research on teacher burnout and workload in Northern Ireland Original release: DUP failing to support teachers and address workload – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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Lynch calls for site meeting at dangerous road in Lisburn ‘to prevent a tragedy’
Sinn Féin councillor Declan Lynch says a serious crash risk on Prince William Road, Lisburn, makes a fatality likely unless action is taken, and calls for traffic calming measures. He is also seeking a site meeting with the PSNI and the Department for Infrastructure after a child was hurt there.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Prince William Road Lisburn child injury and traffic calming call Original release: Lynch calls for site meeting at dangerous road in Lisburn ‘to prevent a tragedy’ (opens in a new tab)
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Biomethane strategy must be based on treating waste and by-products, not distorting the agricultural system – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy says a biomethane strategy should focus on treating waste and by‑products rather than altering the agricultural system, urging local consultation, strong planning, robust regulation and direct benefits for rural communities.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Original release: Biomethane strategy must be based on treating waste and by-products, not distorting the agricultural system – Murphy (opens in a new tab)