Latest releases
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4,181 releases
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Statement from Councillor Debbie Coyle
Sinn Féin councillor Debbie Coyle says statements issued by Fermanagh and Omagh council officials on the UK Supreme Court ruling were not authorised by elected councillors. She says the party will raise it at the next council meeting and urges public bodies to await Equality and Human Rights…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Fermanagh and Omagh council officials' comments on UK Supreme Court ruling Original release: Statement from Councillor Debbie Coyle (opens in a new tab)
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EU Law Blocks UK Tobacco Ban
DUP Peer Lord Dodds warns that the proposed generational smoking ban cannot apply in Northern Ireland because the EU Tobacco Products Directive still governs it under the Windsor Framework. He calls on the Government to clarify whether it will override the Directive.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Generational smoking ban and EU Tobacco Products Directive in Northern Ireland Original release: EU Law Blocks UK Tobacco Ban (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Executive must recognise opportunities of investment in public transport
SDLP Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA welcomes Translink's reported rise of three million passenger journeys to about 81.2 million in 2024/25 and urges the Executive to invest in public transport. He claims per-head spending in the North is the lowest in the UK.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Translink passenger journeys increase for 2024/25 Original release: Durkan: Executive must recognise opportunities of investment in public transport (opens in a new tab)
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People Before Profit support the Counter Demo
People Before Profit says it will join UNITED AGAINST RACISM's counter-demonstrations against far-right groups marching on Remigration in Dublin, Belfast and Derry this weekend, arguing that housing and public service failures are a government problem, not a migration one.
Disability and equality Housing Issue: United Against Racism counter-demonstrations against far-right Remigration march Original release: People Before Profit support the Counter Demo (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance representatives welcome National Trust report on Donard recovery
Alliance MLA Andrew McMurray and Councillor Jill Truesdale welcome a National Trust report on the condition and recovery of upland habitats around Slieve Donard, citing pressures from recreation, overgrazing and wildfires. McMurray commends the Trust's post-2021 fire recovery work.
Environment and climate Issue: National Trust report on Slieve Donard habitat recovery Original release: Alliance representatives welcome National Trust report on Donard recovery (opens in a new tab)
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Young condemns racist attack in Newry
Alliance Councillor Helena Young condemns a racist attack in Newry on international doctors and their families at a park on 12 April, saying those responsible should be ashamed and the abuse must stop immediately.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Racist attack on international doctors in Newry park Original release: Young condemns racist attack in Newry (opens in a new tab)
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If Secretary of State doesn’t understand the “fuss” about Irish signs he should speak to the people of Sandy Row
TUV deputy leader Councillor Ron McDowell says Secretary of State Hilary Benn is wrong to dismiss the row over Irish signage at Grand Central and should visit Sandy Row to hear residents. He urges unionist MLAs to back TUV's Timothy Gaston's petition to halt the signage.
Community relations and legacy Infrastructure and transport Issue: Irish language signage at Grand Central Station announcement Original release: If Secretary of State doesn’t understand the “fuss” about Irish signs he should speak to the people of Sandy Row (opens in a new tab)
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Cut the Gorse, Not the Grazing – Butler Calls for Cooperative Fire Prevention Plan
UUP MLA Robbie Butler calls for a co-designed approach to wildfire risk on upland and designated land, arguing that unmanaged gorse rather than sheep grazing is the main danger to the environment and rural safety. He cites talks with the National Sheep Association and repeated fires, and urges…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Original release: Cut the Gorse, Not the Grazing – Butler Calls for Cooperative Fire Prevention Plan (opens in a new tab)
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Deeply concerning so many SEN children remain without a school place ahead of new academic year, says Guy
Alliance Education spokesperson Michelle Guy MLA says it is deeply concerning that around 400 children with SEN statements still lack a school place before September, citing Education Minister Paul Givan's confirmation. She calls for delivery of the SEN reform plan's high-level actions and…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Around 400 SEN pupils without school places ahead of September Original release: Deeply concerning so many SEN children remain without a school place ahead of new academic year, says Guy (opens in a new tab)
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McKeown welcomes major step forward on Lagan Bridge
SDLP councillor Gary McKeown welcomes the Lagan Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge moving to the next stage of procurement, saying it will ease cross-river travel for cyclists and pedestrians. He notes the Belfast Region City Deal is substantially funding it and calls for no further delays, as a…
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Lagan Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge moves to next procurement stage Original release: McKeown welcomes major step forward on Lagan Bridge (opens in a new tab)
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DUP - “A victory for commonsense and biological reality”
DUP MP Carla Lockhart welcomes the UK Supreme Court judgment, brought by For Women Scotland, holding that legal womanhood rests on biological sex. She says it restores clarity in law and criticises the Alliance Party for avoiding the question.
Disability and equality Issue: UK Supreme Court ruling on biological sex definition in law Original release: DUP - “A victory for commonsense and biological reality” (opens in a new tab)
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When ducks take to the potholes it’s long past time for action
TUV chairman Keith Ratcliffe, a Cusher councillor, says the Department of Infrastructure has taken no action on potholes on Marlacoo Road despite several reminders, with craters now flooding into ponds after heavy rain.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Marlacoo Road potholes and Department of Infrastructure inaction Original release: When ducks take to the potholes it’s long past time for action (opens in a new tab)
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TUV welcome victory for women in Supreme Court judgement
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston welcomes the UK Supreme Court ruling on the meaning of sex in equality law, and calls on Stormont to withdraw the Finance Department's Inclusive Language Guide, end Stonewall funding and revisit prison housing policy for men.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: UK Supreme Court ruling on biological sex definition in law Original release: TUV welcome victory for women in Supreme Court judgement (opens in a new tab)
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Northern Ireland cannot be the outlier in Equality Legislation – Beattie
UUP Justice spokesperson Doug Beattie MLA says the Supreme Court ruling on biological sex has major implications for Northern Ireland equality law. He asks the Justice Minister whether women prisoners could sue over transgender prisoner placements, and calls on the Equality Commission to advise…
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: UK Supreme Court ruling on biological sex definition in law Original release: Northern Ireland cannot be the outlier in Equality Legislation – Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone calls for urgency in addressing crisis at Lough Neagh
SDLP AERA Spokesperson Patsy McGlone says the AERA Minister is delaying key water quality plans, including the River Basin Management Plan and Nutrient Action Plan, as blue-green algae appears in Lough Neagh for 2025. He calls for urgent action rather than what he describes as PR-driven responses.
Environment and climate Issue: Blue-green algae confirmed in Lough Neagh for 2025 Original release: McGlone calls for urgency in addressing crisis at Lough Neagh (opens in a new tab)
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ESRI research highlights importance of all-island public health system – Rose Conway-Walsh TD
Sinn Féin's Rose Conway-Walsh TD welcomes an ESRI economic overview of Ireland and Northern Ireland, saying it shows an all-island approach to public health would improve care, and calls on the Irish government to resource Irish unity planning and establish a citizens' assembly.
Health Constitutional affairs Issue: ESRI 'Economic Overview of Ireland and Northern Ireland' report launch Original release: ESRI research highlights importance of all-island public health system – Rose Conway-Walsh TD (opens in a new tab)
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More support needed for jurors after trials – Hargey
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey calls for more support for jurors after trials, following a BBC interview in which a former juror described developing PTSD after a traumatic case. She urges the Justice and Health Ministers to work together on continuous support and asks the Justice Minister to review…
Justice and policing Health Issue: Juror PTSD claims after traumatic court case BBC interview Original release: More support needed for jurors after trials – Hargey (opens in a new tab)
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Time for full reconsideration of Gondola project viability, says Alliance representatives
Alliance's South Down representatives, MLA Andrew McMurray and Councillor Jill Truesdale, say the National Trust's halting of talks with Newry, Mourne and Down Council over Thomas's Quarry land means the Gondola project's viability should be fully reconsidered.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: National Trust halts Newry, Mourne and Down Council Gondola talks over Thomas's Quarry Original release: Time for full reconsideration of Gondola project viability, says Alliance representatives (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin delegation meets British Secretary of State and urges political action
Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald says her delegation urged British Secretary of State Hilary Benn to order a full public inquiry into the 1997 murder of Seán Brown, citing a Court of Appeal ruling, and to clarify British funding for Casement Park.
Constitutional affairs Justice and policing Issue: Court of Appeal ruling on public inquiry into Seán Brown murder Original release: Sinn Féin delegation meets British Secretary of State and urges political action (opens in a new tab)
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Need for intense and ongoing scrutiny of DUP ministers – Gildernew
Colm Gildernew MLA, Sinn Féin’s communities spokesperson, says DUP ministers must be subject to intense, ongoing scrutiny and urged to prioritise equality, inclusion and respect over personal projects. Sinn Féin will examine public‑fund allocations and robustly challenge any breaches.
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Original release: Need for intense and ongoing scrutiny of DUP ministers – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)