Latest releases
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5,343 releases
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Education Minister playing games with children's education, says Mathison, following withdrawal of officials from Committee
Alliance Chair of the Education Committee Nick Mathison says the Education Minister's decision to withdraw departmental officials from committee is unprecedented and unacceptable, accusing him of avoiding scrutiny of SEN provision, school buildings and industrial relations.
Education Issue: Education Minister withdraws officials from Education Committee appearances Original release: Education Minister playing games with children's education, says Mathison, following withdrawal of officials from Committee (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 2 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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O’Neill needs to finally accept scrutiny and questions: Erskine
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine says First Minister Michelle O'Neill's excuses for her Cardiff appearance have been exposed and calls on her to accept scrutiny and answer questions in the Assembly, citing an avoided Executive Office Committee appearance. Erskine says her avoidance of questioning goes back…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Michelle O'Neill Cardiff appearance and Assembly scrutiny Original release: O’Neill needs to finally accept scrutiny and questions: Erskine (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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The Strategy of Drumcree March is to Save a Unionism that is in Crisis – Tóibín
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín says the DUP and Sinn Féin benefit from community division over the Drumcree-linked Orange Order march down the Garvaghy Road, claiming it distracts from hospital closures, housing and cost of living. He calls the decision to allow the march the most destabilising since…
Community relations and legacy Health Issue: Orange Order application to march down Garvaghy Road Original release: The Strategy of Drumcree March is to Save a Unionism that is in Crisis – Tóibín (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 3 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Tennyson welcomes Conversion Practices Bill passing second stage
Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson MLA welcomes his Conversion Practices Bill clearing second stage in the Assembly, with the bill now moving to Committee Stage. He calls conversion practices cruel and archaic and says the bill protects LGBT+ people while preserving free speech and religious…
Disability and equality Issue: Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill Second Stage debate Original release: Tennyson welcomes Conversion Practices Bill passing second stage (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin opposed to conversion therapy – Hargey
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey says the party opposes conversion therapy during the Second Stage debate on the Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill. She says Sinn Féin will keep engaging with the Bill sponsor to make the legislation fit for purpose.
Disability and equality Issue: Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill Second Stage debate Original release: Sinn Féin opposed to conversion therapy – Hargey (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Green Party call for independent mediation as Drumcree "fails" the people of Garvaghy Road
The Green Party calls for independent international mediation over the Drumcree dispute, saying the Garvaghy Road community has been let down by institutions and parties that used it as a bargaining chip. Councillor Brian Smyth says a comprehensive mechanism for dealing with the past is still…
Community relations and legacy Constitutional affairs Issue: Drumcree dispute Original release: Green Party call for independent mediation as Drumcree "fails" the people of Garvaghy Road (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Funchion calls for urgent EU Parliamentary meeting following Parades Commission’s decision on Garvaghy Road
Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion has written to Sandro Gozi MEP, chair of the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly delegation, asking for an emergency session after the Parades Commission allowed an Orange Order march through Garvaghy Road. She expresses solidarity with residents and says the…
Community relations and legacy International affairs Issue: Parades Commission Garvaghy Road ruling Original release: Funchion calls for urgent EU Parliamentary meeting following Parades Commission’s decision on Garvaghy Road (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Clear public backing for unity preparations adds new momentum to debate – Mary Lou McDonald TD
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald TD says a recent Irish Times/Ipsos B&A poll, showing 68% support for government preparations for Irish unity, adds momentum to the debate. She calls on the Irish Government to publish economic and fiscal analysis, establish a Citizens' Assembly on unity and begin…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Irish Times/Ipsos B&A poll on Irish unity preparations Original release: Clear public backing for unity preparations adds new momentum to debate – Mary Lou McDonald TD (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Carroll: Stormont Stalemate Robbing Thousands of a Second Chance at Education
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll condemns the planned cut of almost 8,000 further‑education places, saying the Executive’s budget stalemate will hit working‑class, women returning to work and newcomers, and calls for emergency funding to restore the places.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Planned cuts of 8,000 further‑education places Original release: Carroll: Stormont Stalemate Robbing Thousands of a Second Chance at Education (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 3 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister announces Support While Waiting Grant Scheme
UUP reports Health Minister Robbie Butler has announced £500,000 to extend the Support While Waiting Grant Scheme for another year, funding voluntary groups to offer free support to people on HSCNI waiting lists. Applications open 25 September 2026 and close 6 November 2026.
Health Issue: Support While Waiting Grant Scheme extension announcement Original release: Health Minister announces Support While Waiting Grant Scheme (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Trust, Minister and Department must find solutions to Daisy Hill Maternity crisis – Hughes
Sinn Féin MP for Newry and Armagh Dáire Hughes calls on the Southern Trust, the health department and the Health Minister to find workable fixes for the Daisy Hill maternity crisis, saying local expectant mothers are anxious and warning of patient safety risks over capacity and travel times.
Health Issue: Daisy Hill Hospital maternity services crisis and possible relocation to Craigavon Original release: Trust, Minister and Department must find solutions to Daisy Hill Maternity crisis – Hughes (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Minister needs to fulfil promise of transparency and communication:…
DUP MLA Diane Dodds says the Health Minister must deliver on promised transparency after he failed to answer questions at the Health Committee on the youngest puberty blocker recipient and the Maternity Hospital handover review. She claims bowel screening and thrombectomy announcements were hard…
Health Issue: Health Committee questioning of Health Minister on transparency and communication Original release: Minister needs to fulfil promise of transparency and communication:… (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 1 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Givan launches programme to boost support for pupils preparing for…
DUP's Education Minister Paul Givan announces a new Primary Literacy and Numeracy / Transitions Support Programme for Primary 6 and 7 pupils, with up to £600,000 for schools in 2026/27 and expressions of interest open until 1 October.
Education Issue: Primary Literacy and Numeracy / Transitions Support Programme launch Original release: Givan launches programme to boost support for pupils preparing for… (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 1 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin secures commitment from Minister to help end geo-blocking of audiences in North of Ireland – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD
Sinn Féin spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD welcomes a commitment from Minister Patrick O'Donovan TD to help end geo-blocking of broadcast audiences in the North, given after a Sinn Féin amendment at a Dáil Select Committee. He says the minister will seek a meeting with the British Media Minister.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Dáil Select Committee commitment on geo-blocking of Northern audiences Original release: Sinn Féin secures commitment from Minister to help end geo-blocking of audiences in North of Ireland – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 24 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Calling it a final offer doesn't make it fair
UUP Finance Spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA says the UK Government's latest funding package is not fair or sufficient despite its movement, calls for an agreed multi-year Budget, and urges the Secretary of State to stay open to further targeted support rather than threatening to set spending…
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: UK Government final offer on Northern Ireland funding package Original release: Calling it a final offer doesn't make it fair (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Clear answers must be provided on proposed Richill AFC funding allocation – Sheehan
Sinn Féin Education spokesperson Pat Sheehan MLA calls for clear answers from Education Minister Paul Givan on a proposed £30,000 allocation for a football pitch at Richhill AFC, questioning changed departmental advice after the minister's visit and asking the Education Committee to investigate.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Proposed £30,000 funding allocation for Richhill AFC football pitch Original release: Clear answers must be provided on proposed Richill AFC funding allocation – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Carroll: Teachers Right to Take stand. Minister Must Deliver Not Delay
People Before Profit's Gerry Carroll backs teachers and school leaders in industrial action, urging Education Minister Paul Givan to deliver a funded plan cutting workload instead of seeking more time on the workload review's 27 proposals.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Teacher workload industrial action and Independent Teacher Workload Review implementation Original release: Carroll: Teachers Right to Take stand. Minister Must Deliver Not Delay (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 3 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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O'Toole: Belfast Met cuts expose cost of Executive Budget failure
SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole says cuts of over 2,500 places at Belfast Met reflect the impact of the Executive's failure to agree a Budget, noting the college is on a contingency allocation with a shortfall of about £6.8m. He calls on the four Executive parties to resolve the Budget impasse.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Belfast Met student places cuts linked to Executive Budget Original release: O'Toole: Belfast Met cuts expose cost of Executive Budget failure (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Inquiry on Cross-departmental funding for Suicide prevention launched – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn, mental health spokesperson, says the Executive must provide a fair cross‑departmental funding package for suicide prevention and hold regular Executive Working Group meetings, after launching an All‑Party Group report on the issue.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: All‑Party Group report on cross‑departmental suicide prevention funding Original release: Inquiry on Cross-departmental funding for Suicide prevention launched – Flynn (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin announce Declan Kearney as Assembly election candidate in South Antrim
Sinn Féin selects sitting South Antrim MLA Declan Kearney as its candidate for the May 2027 Assembly election, with Michelle O'Neill saying the vote is crucial for change in the North. Kearney says he is honoured and calls for a stronger party team across South Antrim.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Original release: Sinn Féin announce Declan Kearney as Assembly election candidate in South Antrim (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)