Latest releases
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2,017 releases
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Green Party Councillor for Botanic Áine Groogan will be the next Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast
The Green Party announces that Cllr Áine Groogan, Botanic councillor, will be Belfast's deputy Lord Mayor for 2023-2024. She says she will use the role to highlight community and voluntary organisations facing Stormont cuts, and calls for faster action on climate and biodiversity.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Áine Groogan named next deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast Original release: Green Party Councillor for Botanic Áine Groogan will be the next Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong calls for support for a New Deal for Unpaid Carers
Alliance Communities Spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA urges backing for Carers NI's New Deal for Unpaid Carers report, launched today, and wants parties and departments to build its recommendations into their work plans. She says the report sets out how Health and Social Care systems must change…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Carers NI New Deal for Unpaid Carers report launch Original release: Armstrong calls for support for a New Deal for Unpaid Carers (opens in a new tab)
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Cuts will have detrimental effect on pupils with special educational needs, says Egan
Alliance Education spokesperson Connie Egan MLA says Department of Education cuts halving funding for SEN co-ordinators, from £22 million to £11 million, will harm pupils with special educational needs. She calls on the Department to clarify the basis for the cuts and how it will meet its…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Department of Education proposed halving of SEN funding Original release: Cuts will have detrimental effect on pupils with special educational needs, says Egan (opens in a new tab)
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Blair calls for greater cooperation to prevent further environmental damage
Alliance Environment Spokesperson John Blair MLA calls for greater inter-agency cooperation to address threats to Northern Ireland's environment, rivers and oceans, citing plastic pollution on UN World Environment Day. He says the absence of a local minister and Executive has delayed progress and…
Environment and climate Local government Original release: Blair calls for greater cooperation to prevent further environmental damage (opens in a new tab)
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Archibald condemns the painting of racist graffiti
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald condemns those who painted racist graffiti in Coleraine and Portrush, calling it an attempt to provoke fear and hatred. She thanks the council for quickly removing the graffiti and says the party is committed to equal rights and an inclusive society.
Disability and equality Issue: Racist graffiti in Coleraine and Portrush Original release: Archibald condemns the painting of racist graffiti (opens in a new tab)
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Reilly encourages women to have their say on unity at ‘Belfast Women’s Assembly’
Sinn Féin's Aisling Reilly MLA encourages women from greater Belfast to register for a Belfast Women's Assembly on Irish unity, to be held at the Europa Hotel on 27 June, with childcare available on request. The release says women's voices have often gone unheard and invites written contributions…
Constitutional affairs Disability and equality Issue: Belfast Women's Assembly on Irish unity, Europa Hotel, 27 June Original release: Reilly encourages women to have their say on unity at ‘Belfast Women’s Assembly’ (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: Accessible public transport must be expanded
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP calls for accessible public transport to be expanded, not restricted, and urges people to respond to the Department for Infrastructure's consultation on the Concessionary Fares Scheme. He warns changes to age eligibility or criteria could cut off older and disabled…
Infrastructure and transport Disability and equality Issue: Department for Infrastructure consultation on Concessionary Fares Scheme Original release: Eastwood: Accessible public transport must be expanded (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney seeking meeting with Department for Infrastructure following Hightown incinerator court ruling
South Antrim MLA Declan Kearney says he is disappointed that the Hightown incinerator, after a High Court ruling, is expected to return to the Department for Infrastructure for a fresh decision. He says he will seek a meeting with senior officials to clarify the department's position.
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: Hightown incinerator High Court ruling and Department for Infrastructure reconsideration Original release: Kearney seeking meeting with Department for Infrastructure following Hightown incinerator court ruling (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin: Independent review of gynaecology services long overdue
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin welcomes the announcement of a rapid, independent review of gynaecology services, saying it is long overdue. She calls for a fully resourced Women's Health Strategy and warns the review's report must not be left unactioned.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Independent review of gynaecology services announced by Department of Health Original release: McLaughlin: Independent review of gynaecology services long overdue (opens in a new tab)
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Advisory Committee should rethink approach to British identity:…
DUP MP Gregory Campbell urges the Council of Europe's Advisory Committee on National Minorities to retract its finding that British culture and identity is political and to rethink its approach to Ulster British identity. He objects to recommendation 159 on linking Ulster Scots and Ulster British…
Disability and equality Issue: Advisory Committee report on Framework Convention recommendation 159 Ulster British identity Original release: Advisory Committee should rethink approach to British identity:… (opens in a new tab)
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Transformation of Special Education services essential
DUP Education Spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA welcomes the Ipsos review of Special Educational Needs, citing SEN spending of around £500m a year and calls for transformational change, a sustainable funding model and a more skilled classroom assistant workforce.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Ipsos review of Special Educational Needs services in Northern Ireland Original release: Transformation of Special Education services essential (opens in a new tab)
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We need clarity on the implementation of the ammonia strategy, says Blair, following news of investigation into DAERA
Alliance MLA John Blair welcomes the Office for Environmental Protection's investigation into DAERA's handling of environmental law around ammonia guidance, and says he will write to the department seeking a timeline for its draft ammonia strategy.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: OEP investigation into DAERA's application of environmental law on ammonia Original release: We need clarity on the implementation of the ammonia strategy, says Blair, following news of investigation into DAERA (opens in a new tab)
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Achieving decarbonisation of homes possible but only with cross-Departmental commitment, says Armstrong
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong says decarbonising homes is possible but needs a concerted cross-Departmental commitment, after hosting the launch of the Forum for a Better Housing Market's New Foundations report on low carbon homes. She backs its suggestions on retrofitting social housing, grants…
Environment and climate Housing Issue: New Foundations: The Route to Low Carbon Homes report launch Original release: Achieving decarbonisation of homes possible but only with cross-Departmental commitment, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Cuts to Women’s Aid would be catastrophic, says Egan
Alliance's Connie Egan says cutting Department of Health funding for the Women's Aid Federation, due to end in September 2023, would be catastrophic. She calls for the decision to be reversed, arguing it conflicts with proposed Executive strategies on violence against women and girls.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Department of Health ending Women's Aid Federation funding from September 2023 Original release: Cuts to Women’s Aid would be catastrophic, says Egan (opens in a new tab)
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No place for racism or racist displays – Archibald
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald condemns racism and racist displays after a Sunday protest in Portrush that included National Front flags. She says those involved do not represent the people of Portrush or the north coast, and calls for a safe, inclusive society for all, including asylum seekers.
Disability and equality Issue: Portrush National Front anti-asylum protest and counter-demonstration, May 2023 Original release: No place for racism or racist displays – Archibald (opens in a new tab)
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Those carrying out protests against asylum seekers represent nobody, Alliance Councillors say
Alliance Councillors Richard Stewart and Peter McCully condemn a protest against asylum seekers at the Portrush war memorial, saying those involved represent only an extremely small minority. They call on all political representatives to unite in calling for an end to such protests.
Immigration Disability and equality Issue: Portrush National Front anti-asylum protest and counter-demonstration, May 2023 Original release: Those carrying out protests against asylum seekers represent nobody, Alliance Councillors say (opens in a new tab)
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Former UUP Councillor endorses DUP Candidates
Former UUP Belfast City Council Group Leader Davy Browne MBE calls on North Belfast voters to back the DUP in Thursday’s election, endorsing candidates Dean McCullough and Fred Cobain and urging unity of Unionism in the Castle DEA.
Other Local government Issue: North Belfast Castle DEA council election, 18 May 2023 Original release: Former UUP Councillor endorses DUP Candidates (opens in a new tab)
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Celebrations come early for Lisburn South TUV candidate with birth of baby boy
TUV candidate Stewart McEvoy announces the birth of his son Peter in Lisburn South, weighing 8lb 5oz, with mother and baby doing well. He says he will step back from campaigning to prioritise family, and thanks well-wishers.
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Manifesto for greener, cleaner, fairer communities launched
The Green Party NI launches its local government manifesto, setting out commitments on community green energy, street cleanliness and waste infrastructure, and a living wage for council employees and contractors. Leader Cllr Mal O'Hara urges voters to back the party on 18 May.
Local government Environment and climate Issue: Green Party NI local government manifesto launch Original release: Manifesto for greener, cleaner, fairer communities launched (opens in a new tab)
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Blair says Alliance Councillors will continue to be environmental champions
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says Alliance candidates have endorsed the RSPB Local Government manifesto covering planning, biodiversity and climate, and will pursue its aims if elected as Councillors. He calls for a restored Assembly and Executive immediately.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Alliance endorsement of RSPB Local Government manifesto Original release: Blair says Alliance Councillors will continue to be environmental champions (opens in a new tab)