Latest releases
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1,982 releases
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A restored Assembly must deliver for women – Sheerin
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin tells a Glasgow event marking March 8th that a restored Assembly and Executive must act to advance equality and deliver better for women, including those from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBT+ women and women with disabilities.
Disability and equality Original release: A restored Assembly must deliver for women – Sheerin (opens in a new tab)
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Net-zero advice reinforces need for urgently restored Executive, says Tennyson
Alliance Climate Change Spokesperson Eóin Tennyson MLA says the Climate Change Committee’s carbon‑budget advice underlines the urgent need to restore the Northern Ireland Executive, arguing ministerial direction is essential to meet the 2050 net‑zero target.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: CCC first three Carbon Budgets advice for NI Original release: Net-zero advice reinforces need for urgently restored Executive, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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Muir welcomes park home energy support
Alliance North Down MLA Andrew Muir welcomes the extension of the £600 energy support payment to over 28,000 households not initially eligible, including Seahaven park home residents in Groomsport. He says they were left waiting too long and urges them to apply via the online form or helpline.
Economy and employment Social security and welfare Issue: Extension of £600 energy support payment to park home residents Original release: Muir welcomes park home energy support (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone highlights issue for farmers receiving £600 energy support payment
SDLP Rural Communities Spokesperson Patsy McGlone says farmers who only have business bank accounts are unable to claim the £600 energy support payment, and has called on the British government's BEIS to urgently change the scheme so they can receive it.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: Farmers unable to claim £600 energy support payment without personal bank account Original release: McGlone highlights issue for farmers receiving £600 energy support payment (opens in a new tab)
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Carers to face further stress with end of Learning Disability Support says Armstrong
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA warns exhausted carers will face more pressure when Mencap's Employment Support Service for people with learning disabilities closes on 31 March 2023. She blames a lack of budget following the end of European Social Fund money and calls for…
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Mencap NI employment services redundancy notices over funding uncertainty Original release: Carers to face further stress with end of Learning Disability Support says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Green Party leader has welcomed that a deal in principle has been reached
Green Party leader Councillor Mal O'Hara welcomes the reported deal in principle between the UK and EU on the Northern Ireland Protocol, but says it was outside local influence. He urges the DUP to end its blockade of the Assembly so public services and climate action can move forward.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU-UK Windsor Framework deal on the Northern Ireland Protocol Original release: Green Party leader has welcomed that a deal in principle has been reached (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent clarification needed on budgets, says Armstrong, after charity announces redundancy notices
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong calls for urgent clarity on budgets after Mencap NI issued 30-day redundancy notices to staff running its employment support services, citing a lack of funding information from Departments and the UK Government.
Disability and equality Economy and employment Issue: Mencap NI employment services redundancy notices over funding uncertainty Original release: Urgent clarification needed on budgets, says Armstrong, after charity announces redundancy notices (opens in a new tab)
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Independent Review of education presents major opportunity says Egan
Alliance education spokesperson Connie Egan MLA says the Independent Review of Education is a major opportunity to reform the system, after meeting the Review Panel. She raises concerns about Special Educational Needs provision and the statementing process, and calls for a single integrated system…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Independent Review of Education interim report and Review Panel meeting Original release: Independent Review of education presents major opportunity says Egan (opens in a new tab)
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Northern Ireland Housing Executive must ensure tenants receive value for money – Allen
UUP MLA Andy Allen objects to a 7% rise in NIHE rents, saying it hits low-income households and questioning whether past planning failures are behind it. He urges the housing body to prioritise insulation and timely maintenance, and points tenants to its Financial Inclusion Team.
Housing Economy and employment Issue: Housing Executive 7% rent increase decision February 2023 Original release: Northern Ireland Housing Executive must ensure tenants receive value for money – Allen (opens in a new tab)
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To progress social justice we need political parties to work together, says Armstrong on #WorldSocialJusticeDay
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA calls on political parties to work together rather than put party first on World Social Justice Day, and welcomes the Independent Panel's Review of Welfare Mitigations recommendations on a Carers payment and family support.
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Original release: To progress social justice we need political parties to work together, says Armstrong on #WorldSocialJusticeDay (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Doyle Welcomes Cost of Living Directory
Aontú Cllr for Ballyarnett welcomes the production of a cost of living support directory, covering advice providers, warm bank locations and support services across the district. He notes it is available online and in person at council community centres, leisure facilities and offices.
Economy and employment Local government Issue: Derry and Strabane cost of living support directory published Original release: Cllr Doyle Welcomes Cost of Living Directory (opens in a new tab)
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Lack of Executive hampering climate and cost of living response, says Tennyson
Alliance climate spokesperson Eóin Tennyson MLA says the DUP's boycott of the Executive is holding back cost-of-living and climate work, after the Economy Department missed its end-2022 deadline for new home and business energy efficiency schemes.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Department for the Economy misses energy efficiency scheme launch deadline Original release: Lack of Executive hampering climate and cost of living response, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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Chancellor urged to increase Tax-Free Childcare allowance
DUP MLA Diane Forsythe has written again to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt urging an increase to the Tax-Free Childcare allowance in the Spring Budget, citing high Northern Ireland childcare costs and claiming the scheme underspends.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Chancellor's Spring Budget and Tax-Free Childcare allowance Original release: Chancellor urged to increase Tax-Free Childcare allowance (opens in a new tab)
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UUP call for recognition of role of the UDR Greenfinches in 50th anniversary year
UUP Alderman Glenn Barr calls on councils to recognise the Greenfinches of the Ulster Defence Regiment ahead of the 50th anniversary of their formation in July. He says he tabled a motion at Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council and that UUP motions will follow across Northern Ireland.
Community relations and legacy Disability and equality Original release: UUP call for recognition of role of the UDR Greenfinches in 50th anniversary year (opens in a new tab)
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Hargey expresses solidarity with Belfast Multi-Cultural Association
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey says it is disgraceful the Belfast Multi-Cultural Association has had to sell its Donegall Pass home after continued racist attacks. She calls for more action from the PSNI to pursue those responsible and pledges to help the BMCA find a new home.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Belfast Multi-Cultural Association sale of Donegall Pass home after racist attacks Original release: Hargey expresses solidarity with Belfast Multi-Cultural Association (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney expresses concern over Crumlin River fish kill
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney expresses concern at a severe fish kill over a large stretch of the Crumlin River, linked to reported slurry pollution. He calls for a full investigation, for those responsible to be held accountable, and for penalties to be as severe as the law allows.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Crumlin River slurry spill and fish kill investigation Original release: Kearney expresses concern over Crumlin River fish kill (opens in a new tab)
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North Down Greens 'Car Free' pilot motion passes Committee
Green councillors Rachel Woods and Stephen Dunlop say a North Down Borough Council committee has backed a viability report on a pilot of car-free days in the borough's towns, villages and city. They argue streets should prioritise people over vehicles, citing air pollution, safety and business…
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: North Down Borough Council committee vote on car-free days pilot motion Original release: North Down Greens 'Car Free' pilot motion passes Committee (opens in a new tab)
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Taoiseach Supports Aontú Campaign to Have Cash Ticket Purchases Returned to GAA Matches
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín, the Meath West TD, calls on the GAA to reverse its move away from cash ticket sales at matches, saying it excludes older fans. He welcomes the Taoiseach's support in the Dáil and urges at least one cash turnstile per match.
Disability and equality Issue: GAA cash ticket purchase ban at matches Original release: Taoiseach Supports Aontú Campaign to Have Cash Ticket Purchases Returned to GAA Matches (opens in a new tab)
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Blair condemns pollution in Crumlin River and expresses concern over impact on environment and local wildlife
Alliance Agriculture & Environment Spokesperson John Blair MLA condemns a slurry spill under investigation in the Crumlin River and its impact on fish and wildlife, and says he has written to DAERA asking when it was reported, what action was taken and for details of a fish kill.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Crumlin River slurry spill and fish kill investigation Original release: Blair condemns pollution in Crumlin River and expresses concern over impact on environment and local wildlife (opens in a new tab)
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WHICH? Report further highlights the need for robust intervention and support – Allen
UUP MLA Andy Allen welcomes a WHICH? report showing rising cost-cutting among Northern Ireland households, citing higher rates of reduced essentials spending and energy and food price worry. He calls for short, medium and long-term intervention, blaming the lack of a functioning Stormont executive.
Economy and employment Social security and welfare Issue: WHICH? consumer report on cost-of-living pressures in Northern Ireland Original release: WHICH? Report further highlights the need for robust intervention and support – Allen (opens in a new tab)