Latest releases
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5,413 releases
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Eastwood seeks clarity on BBC geoblocking
SDLP MP Colum Eastwood has written to BBC Northern Ireland's director asking for confirmation that the broadcaster will not add geoblocking to its news content, after weekend reports it was considering such a move. He argues restricting cross-border news access would harm audiences and the public…
Constitutional affairs Issue: BBC considering geoblocking of news content for Republic of Ireland audiences Original release: Eastwood seeks clarity on BBC geoblocking (opens in a new tab)
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A new constitutional future in the EU ‘best for island’ – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says the best future for the island is repairing Brexit's damage through deeper EU ties and Irish unity via a referendum. He welcomes EU and UK engagement on a new relationship but wants details on the north. He calls for observer status for northern MEPs and an EU…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Assembly motion on a European future for the north Original release: A new constitutional future in the EU ‘best for island’ – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Erskine welcomes action to make school transport safer
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine, Chair of the Assembly Infrastructure Committee, welcomes the DFI Minister's plan to legislate to ban overtaking school buses while children board or leave at bus stops. She urges swift progress through the Committee.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: DFI legislation to prohibit overtaking school buses at bus stops Original release: Erskine welcomes action to make school transport safer (opens in a new tab)
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Green Party NI Slams Delay on Safe Leave for Domestic Abuse Victims
Green Party Councillor for Holywood & Clandeboye Lauren Kendall says the delay in bringing in Safe Leave for domestic abuse victims is unacceptable, noting regulations may not be in place until late 2026. She calls on the Economy Minister to act urgently on the Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Act.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) regulations delay until late 2026 Original release: Green Party NI Slams Delay on Safe Leave for Domestic Abuse Victims (opens in a new tab)
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Ulster Unionist Councillor, Leah Kirkpatrick, becomes first-ever female Antrim and Newtownabbey Mayor
The Ulster Unionist Party announces that councillor Leah Kirkpatrick will become Antrim and Newtownabbey's first woman mayor, succeeding a run of ten men since the 2015 super council was formed. Alderman Mark Cosgrove and South Antrim MLA Steve Aiken praise her record on accessibility and…
Local government Disability and equality Original release: Ulster Unionist Councillor, Leah Kirkpatrick, becomes first-ever female Antrim and Newtownabbey Mayor (opens in a new tab)
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Gillian McCollum and Vicky Moore selected as Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down
Alliance Councillors Gillian McCollum and Vicky Moore say they have been appointed Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down for 2025/26, pledging to promote belonging, support families with learning disabilities, tackle the mental‑health crisis, end violence against women and girls, fightpover
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Appointment of Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down Original release: Gillian McCollum and Vicky Moore selected as Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down (opens in a new tab)
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Richard Stewart announced as Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
Alliance Causeway Councillor Richard Stewart says he will become Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, making him the first openly gay person to take that role in the Council's history. He says he hopes the appointment signals that everyone has a place in public life.
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Richard Stewart appointed Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Original release: Richard Stewart announced as Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council (opens in a new tab)
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Jessica Johnston officially installed as Deputy Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council
Alliance councillor Jessica Johnston has been installed as Deputy Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, the first Alliance representative to hold the role. She says she will promote youth political engagement, sport and exercise, and the Macmillan Move More Programme for…
Local government Health Original release: Jessica Johnston officially installed as Deputy Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council (opens in a new tab)
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UK-EU Reset Deal Is a Sell-Out
TUV North Down chairman Peter Wilson calls the UK-EU Reset Deal a betrayal of the Union, arguing that the Irish Sea border persists through new Larne port border posts and EU customs and SPS rules. He accuses the DUP of repackaging surrender as success.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: UK-EU Reset Deal announcement Original release: UK-EU Reset Deal Is a Sell-Out (opens in a new tab)
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Good Friday Agreement Committee must build on progress from last term – Hughes
Sinn Féin MP for Newry and Armagh Dáire Hughes says the Oireachtas Good Friday Agreement Committee must build on its last-term work on legacy, all-island healthcare and constitutional change. He calls for proactive engagement with northern voices, including unionist and British identity voices.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Joint Oireachtas Good Friday Agreement Committee first meeting of new term Original release: Good Friday Agreement Committee must build on progress from last term – Hughes (opens in a new tab)
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RVH report reinforces need to protect healthcare staff: Frew
DUP MLA for North Antrim Paul Frew says a recent inspection report into the Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac unit is shocking but not surprising, claiming healthcare staff widely fear speaking out and lack trust in whistleblowing protections. He backs his own proposed individual duty of candour…
Health Issue: Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac unit external review publication Original release: RVH report reinforces need to protect healthcare staff: Frew (opens in a new tab)
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Suicide Prevention Training Bill will ensure support and timely intervention – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn announces a proposed bill that would impose a legal duty on public employers to train frontline staff in suicide prevention, citing high suicide rates and higher risk in deprived areas.
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Chambers welcomes publication of further waiting list plans
UUP health spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA welcomes the publication of a funded plan to tackle hospital waiting lists and the reopening of the £10m reimbursement scheme for patients waiting two years or more to have surgery in the Republic. He criticises DUP health spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA's…
Health Issue: Waiting List Reimbursement Scheme reopening and waiting list implementation plan Original release: Chambers welcomes publication of further waiting list plans (opens in a new tab)
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Belfast Trusts response to leaked Cardiac Hub report will be measured in demonstrable actions and not words alone – Chambers
UUP Health Spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA says the Belfast Trust's response to a leaked report on bullying at the Royal Victoria Hospital Cardiac Hub will be judged on demonstrable actions, not words. He welcomes Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's push for answers and urges urgent cultural change.
Health Issue: Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac unit external review publication Original release: Belfast Trusts response to leaked Cardiac Hub report will be measured in demonstrable actions and not words alone – Chambers (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood to host Ulster GAA in organisation’s first official visit to Westminster
Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood says she is proud to host Ulster GAA on its first official visit to Westminster and calls for Casement Park to be finished without further delay. She says she will press the UK Government on the project and keep the association's views in decision-making.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Ulster GAA first official visit to Westminster Original release: Eastwood to host Ulster GAA in organisation’s first official visit to Westminster (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP nominates Johnston as Deputy Chair of Mid Ulster
SDLP MLA... no, Moyola councillor Denise Johnston is to be nominated by the SDLP for Deputy Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, taking up the post on 2 June. The party says she will champion victims' causes, Lough Neagh pollution and stronger road safety measures.
Local government Community relations and legacy Original release: SDLP nominates Johnston as Deputy Chair of Mid Ulster (opens in a new tab)
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Culture in Belfast Trust must change – Dodds
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds raises concerns about workplace culture in the Belfast Trust after a cardiac unit report at the Royal Victoria Hospital, calls for an independent investigation, and says the Minister appeared unaware of wider problems. She also criticises the Minister's claim…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac unit external review publication Original release: Culture in Belfast Trust must change – Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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We all have a role to play in making our roads safer – Erskine
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine, chair of the Assembly Infrastructure Committee, calls for a more co-ordinated, cross-departmental approach to speeding after new figures on road deaths and serious injuries from 2019 to 2023. She urges greater urgency from the Minister and stakeholders including the PSNI.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Northern Ireland road casualty figures on speeding, 2019 to 2023 Original release: We all have a role to play in making our roads safer – Erskine (opens in a new tab)
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OEP evidence indicates pressing need to reduce our impact on natural environment, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says Office for Environmental Protection evidence to the agriculture committee shows wastewater infrastructure and the agri-food sector are placing unsustainable pressure on the environment. He calls for cross-sector collaboration, including on the…
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: OEP evidence to Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs on environmental pressures Original release: OEP evidence indicates pressing need to reduce our impact on natural environment, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Health Minister must intervene at Belfast Trust
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA urges Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to step in and assume greater authority over the Belfast Trust after alarming reports from the Royal Victoria Hospital’s Cardiac Unit, calling for direct ministerial control to address systemic failures.
Health Issue: Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac unit external review publication Original release: McGrath: Health Minister must intervene at Belfast Trust (opens in a new tab)