Latest releases
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3,062 releases
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Orchestrated and cynical racist attacks "deplorable" - Cllr Groogan
Green Party Councillor Áine Groogan for Botanic DEA condemns racist attacks and intimidation in South Belfast, calls for urgent practical support for those affected and a special council meeting for a cross-party response, and says political leaders, press and social media must be held to account.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Belfast disorder following weekend rallies, August 2024 Original release: Orchestrated and cynical racist attacks "deplorable" - Cllr Groogan (opens in a new tab)
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‘No place for racism, hatred, discrimination and intimidation’ – Hargey
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey says she offered ongoing support and solidarity to representatives of Northern Ireland's ethnic minority community, pledging that all residents should feel welcome, safe and respected in society.
Disability and equality Original release: ‘No place for racism, hatred, discrimination and intimidation’ – Hargey (opens in a new tab)
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Funding must be prioritised for Belfast wide early years pilot programme – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker urges the Education Minister to engage with affected organisations and protect funding for the Belfast-wide early years pilot, which supports disadvantaged children with special educational needs, amid uncertainty over its continuation.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Belfast wide early years pilot programme funding uncertainty Original release: Funding must be prioritised for Belfast wide early years pilot programme – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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TUV speaks up for female sport
TUV Bannside councillor Anna Henry says a male boxer's win over a female opponent in the women's boxing at the Paris Olympics is destructive and dangerous for female sport. She claims the woke agenda has damaged the Games.
Disability and equality Issue: Paris Olympics women's boxing bout involving a male-born competitor Original release: TUV speaks up for female sport (opens in a new tab)
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Extension to victims pension scheme the right decision - Bunting
DUP MLA Joanne Bunting, chair of the Assembly's Justice Committee, welcomes the Government's decision to extend the application deadline for the Troubles Permanent Disability Payment Scheme to August 2026. She says slow administration has frustrated applicants and calls for continued support for…
Community relations and legacy Disability and equality Issue: Troubles Permanent Disability Payment Scheme deadline extended to August 2026 Original release: Extension to victims pension scheme the right decision - Bunting (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance representatives welcome two-year extension of the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme
Alliance welcomes the UK Government's decision to extend the deadline for backdated applications to the Troubles disablement payment scheme until August 2026, and says the review report due later this month must now be considered.
Community relations and legacy Disability and equality Issue: Troubles Permanent Disability Payment Scheme deadline extended to August 2026 Original release: Alliance representatives welcome two-year extension of the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme (opens in a new tab)
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McReynolds calls for reform of Northern Ireland planning system
Alliance MLA Peter McReynolds calls for urgent reform of the Northern Ireland planning system, saying the latest planning statistics show record low decisions and missed processing targets, and urging streamlined Local Development Plans and statutory timeframes.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Northern Ireland Annual Planning Statistics release Original release: McReynolds calls for reform of Northern Ireland planning system (opens in a new tab)
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Doherty urges response to Belfast deaths
SDLP councillor Paul Doherty calls for a swift, multi-agency response after five deaths in Belfast, linked to homelessness, addiction and mental health, and urges the Executive to reverse budget cuts to homelessness groups. He says he is helping the Welcome Organisation find a new premises after…
Housing Health Issue: Belfast deaths linked to Welcome Organisation headquarters closure Original release: Doherty urges response to Belfast deaths (opens in a new tab)
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Genuine users of RHI Scheme must be treated fairly - Elliott
UUP agriculture, environment and rural affairs spokesperson Tom Elliott says genuine RHI users who suffered severe financial losses must be properly compensated following the Economy Minister's announcement of the scheme's closure. He blames the DUP for a flawed copy of Whitehall legislation and…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive scheme closure announcement Original release: Genuine users of RHI Scheme must be treated fairly - Elliott (opens in a new tab)
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Labour setting out path towards tax rises: Wilson
DUP MP Sammy Wilson says the Labour government is setting out a path to tax rises ahead of the Chancellor's statement, after abandoning a promised £300 cut in electricity bills and citing a black hole in public finances.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Chancellor's statement on public finances and expected tax rises, July 2024 Original release: Labour setting out path towards tax rises: Wilson (opens in a new tab)
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Hughes welcomes decision to allow northern citizens to enter All-Ireland Final competition
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes welcomes RTÉ's decision to let people from Northern Ireland enter its All-Ireland Final ticket competition after initially excluding them. He says the change is a step towards removing barriers for northern citizens using RTÉ's services.
Disability and equality Issue: RTÉ All-Ireland Final ticket competition open to northern citizens Original release: Hughes welcomes decision to allow northern citizens to enter All-Ireland Final competition (opens in a new tab)
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Time to Get Serious About Use of Public Money – Shannon
DUP MP for Strangford Jim Shannon urges the Chancellor to scrutinise how current public money is spent instead of raising taxes, citing a think tank figure of £557 million a year on equality, diversity and inclusion staff while the two-child benefit cap remains.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Original release: Time to Get Serious About Use of Public Money – Shannon (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister must ensure support for those suffering severe mental distress – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon calls on the Health Minister to ensure people in severe mental distress get timely, appropriate care, and says she will raise the 'right care, right person' approach with the Policing Board over police arrests in such cases.
Health Justice and policing Original release: Health Minister must ensure support for those suffering severe mental distress – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Hughes reacts to RTÉ news bulletin resumption for north
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes welcomes RTÉ's decision to reverse geo-blocking of its news bulletins for viewers in the north, but asks why northern viewers were blocked initially. He criticises continued blocking of Olympic coverage and says he will seek a meeting with the Media Minister and RTÉ…
Disability and equality Issue: RTÉ News geo-blocking of northern viewers Original release: Hughes reacts to RTÉ news bulletin resumption for north (opens in a new tab)
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NI Should Not Be Left Behind in UK-Wide Ban on Puberty Blockers –…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart expresses shock at the Department of Health's reversal on banning puberty blockers, saying Northern Ireland risks being left behind the UK-wide restrictions. She urges the Health Minister to ask the UK Government to extend the ban across the UK and questions whether the…
Health Issue: Department of Health reversal on puberty blocker ban in Northern Ireland Original release: NI Should Not Be Left Behind in UK-Wide Ban on Puberty Blockers –… (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney meets with DAERA Minister alongside Lough Neagh fishermen
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says he brought DAERA Minister Andrew Muir to meet Lough Neagh fishermen and environmental tourism stakeholders in Toomebridge about blue-green algae's impact on fishing and tourism. He calls the minister's action plan a positive first step and urges a full…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Lough Neagh blue-green algae meeting with DAERA Minister Andrew Muir Original release: Kearney meets with DAERA Minister alongside Lough Neagh fishermen (opens in a new tab)
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Geo-Blocking RTÉ News is treating northern citizens with contempt – Hughes
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes calls on RTÉ to immediately reverse its geo-blocking of RTÉ News for northern viewers, which he says treats citizens with contempt. He cites the Gaelic football final and Olympic coverage, and says he will write to the Media Minister and RTÉ's Director General.
Disability and equality Issue: RTÉ News geo-blocking of northern viewers Original release: Geo-Blocking RTÉ News is treating northern citizens with contempt – Hughes (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston calls for action on puberty blockers from Department of Health
North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston calls on the Health Minister to bring forward plans banning puberty blockers in Northern Ireland, warning the region could become a back door for them into Great Britain after a Belfast Telegraph report.
Health Issue: Belfast Telegraph report on puberty blockers reaching Great Britain via Northern Ireland Original release: Gaston calls for action on puberty blockers from Department of Health (opens in a new tab)
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Bill important first step in securing future of woodlands here, says McReynolds
Alliance MLA Peter McReynolds says his proposed Private Members' Bill on tree protection is an important first step to securing Northern Ireland's woodlands. The Bill would strengthen tree preservation orders, create a 'heritage tree' designation and protect trees from permitted developments.
Environment and climate Issue: Private Members' Bill on tree protection submission Original release: Bill important first step in securing future of woodlands here, says McReynolds (opens in a new tab)
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One year past Environment Improvement Plan deadline despite Minister’s efforts, says Blair
Alliance spokesperson John Blair MLA says the Environment Improvement Plan is more urgent than ever, welcoming the DAERA Minister's efforts to secure Executive approval after the July 2023 deadline was missed. He urges the Executive to act.
Environment and climate Original release: One year past Environment Improvement Plan deadline despite Minister’s efforts, says Blair (opens in a new tab)