Latest releases
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3,733 releases
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Eastwood welcomes trust purchase of St Columb’s Hall
SDLP Foyle MP Colum Eastwood welcomes National Lottery funding that will bring St Columb's Hall in Derry into the ownership of the St Columb's Hall Trust, allowing a substantial redevelopment to begin. He says the restored venue will return the whole building to public use.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: National Lottery funding for St Columb's Hall trust ownership Original release: Eastwood welcomes trust purchase of St Columb’s Hall (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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O'Toole: DUP cannot use politics of the past to distract from Executive failure
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the DUP is using renewed Drumcree controversy to divert attention from the Executive's failure to pass a Budget, as public services face uncertainty. He calls on the DUP and Executive ministers to agree a Budget and address health, waiting…
Public finance and taxation Community relations and legacy Issue: Drumcree parading dispute and Executive Budget impasse Original release: O'Toole: DUP cannot use politics of the past to distract from Executive failure (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Stewart: It's not the flag on the lamppost, it's whether the lamppost works
UUP Infrastructure Spokesperson John Stewart MLA says the party will vote against the Display of Flags and Emblems Bill at Second Stage, arguing it forces the Department for Infrastructure to judge cultural symbols instead of fixing roads, street lighting and drainage.
Community relations and legacy Infrastructure and transport Issue: Display of Flags and Emblems Bill Second Stage Original release: Stewart: It's not the flag on the lamppost, it's whether the lamppost works (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 20 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Does Minister’s review meet his Leader’s promises?
DUP MLA Diane Dodds says a Health Minister's review of an earlier review fails to meet UUP leader Jon Burrows' promises on change and transparency. She questions the document's authorship and asks how far Department of Health officials shaped it.
Health Issue: Health Minister's review of a previous review Original release: Does Minister’s review meet his Leader’s promises? (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Say No to Abortion Illuminations on Belfast City Hall!
Aontú opposes Belfast City Council's decision to light up Belfast City Hall for International Safe Abortion Day, calling it shocking use of the building. It says Sinn Féin and the SDLP councillors who backed the lighting have abandoned pro-life principles and calls for support for mothers instead.
Health Local government Issue: Belfast City Hall lighting for International Safe Abortion Day Original release: Say No to Abortion Illuminations on Belfast City Hall! (opens in a new tab)
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Harkin: Strike Action Can Put it Up to Stormont Political Establishment
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin backs trade union strike action as a way to press the Stormont establishment for higher pay, public service funding and cost of living support. He accuses MLAs of backing a 27% pay rise for themselves and calls for all-out action demanding a change of…
Economy and employment Education Original release: Harkin: Strike Action Can Put it Up to Stormont Political Establishment (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone: Long-overdue NI Water audit must deliver answers and accountability
SDLP Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone welcomes the long-overdue audit of NI Water governance but says its terms of reference must establish accountability over public money and the handling of whistleblower concerns. He warns against a toothless investigation and says the Executive cannot shift blame…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins forensic governance audit of NI Water Original release: McGlone: Long-overdue NI Water audit must deliver answers and accountability (opens in a new tab)
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NI Water's infrastructure is at capacity and holding Northern Ireland back
UUP infrastructure spokesperson John Stewart MLA says NI Water's real crisis is wastewater capacity, not governance, blocking housing developments. He urges DfI to bring forward a funding plan now, alongside Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins's forensic governance audit rather than after it.
Infrastructure and transport Housing Issue: Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins forensic governance audit of NI Water Original release: NI Water's infrastructure is at capacity and holding Northern Ireland back (opens in a new tab)
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Hospital reform must deliver better outcomes for patients – McGuigan
Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Philip McGuigan MLA urges the Health Minister to ensure openness and public involvement in hospital service decisions, backing a proposed Independent Reconfiguration Committee if it is truly independent and hears clinicians, patients and communities. He says he will…
Health Issue: Proposed Independent Reconfiguration Committee for hospital reform Original release: Hospital reform must deliver better outcomes for patients – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Givan launches enhanced support programme for newly qualified teachers
Education Minister Paul Givan launches an online induction platform and expanded programme offering learning modules, webinars and face-to-face courses for newly qualified teachers in Northern Ireland's schools, covering literacy, numeracy, SEN, behaviour and classroom practice.
Education Issue: Northern Ireland Teacher Induction Online Platform launch Original release: Givan launches enhanced support programme for newly qualified teachers (opens in a new tab)
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Sheehan criticises Education Minister’s decision to deny four schools integrated status
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan criticises Education Minister Paul Givan's decision to deny integrated status to four schools, saying the DUP is preventing children from being educated together and that families will be dismayed.
Education Issue: Education Minister denies integrated status to four schools Original release: Sheehan criticises Education Minister’s decision to deny four schools integrated status (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Health Minister must deliver on new approach to hospital reform
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA urges Health Minister Robbie Butler to act on his pledges for rural services and avoid centralisation in hospital reform, citing Daisy Hill, Downe, SWAH and Causeway as cases where communities must be protected first.
Health Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Proposed Independent Reconfiguration Committee for hospital reform Original release: McGrath: Health Minister must deliver on new approach to hospital reform (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister highlights gynaecology care closer to home
Health Minister Robbie Butler highlights primary care gynaecology services, including HRT, heavy menstrual bleeding, LARC and pessary replacement, that avoid hospital referral, after visiting Lisnaskea Primary Care Centre. He says the model is reform in practice and cites around 650 patients…
Health Original release: Health Minister highlights gynaecology care closer to home (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows: Education Minister’s New teacher support programme must not add to workload
UUP leader and education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA welcomes the Education Minister's expanded induction support for newly qualified teachers, but says it must come with protected time, fully funded substitute cover and no added workload. He also calls for relief from bureaucracy and better…
Education Issue: Education Minister's enhanced support programme for newly qualified teachers Original release: Burrows: Education Minister’s New teacher support programme must not add to workload (opens in a new tab)
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Expert committee announced to provide advice on major HSC service changes
The UUP says the Health Minister, Robbie Butler, has published the Hospitals consultation outcomes and will set up an independent reconfiguration committee to advise on major or controversial service changes, with its advice published. The party reports that hospital categorisation proposals will…
Health Issue: Proposed Independent Reconfiguration Committee for hospital reform Original release: Expert committee announced to provide advice on major HSC service changes (opens in a new tab)
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McGuigan calls for urgent action on Muckamore Inquiry recommendations
Sinn Féin health spokesperson Philip McGuigan MLA calls for progress and accountability on Muckamore Abbey Inquiry recommendations after meeting Action for Muckamore, who raised concerns about slow implementation. He urges the Department of Health to produce a timed roadmap covering each…
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Education Minister must engage with teachers over workload – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan urges the Education Minister to meet teachers and school leaders over workload and avert industrial action, saying a review's recommendations were diluted in the previous plan and teachers are exhausted.
Education Issue: Teacher workload review and industrial action threat Original release: Education Minister must engage with teachers over workload – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister announces three post-primary school projects to…
The DUP's Education Minister Paul Givan announces that three post-primary school works projects, paused due to budget constraints, will move forward to planning and design. The schools are Belfast High School, Ballyclare High School and St Brigid's College, Londonderry, with capital investment…
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Three post-primary school capital projects advance to planning and design Original release: Education Minister announces three post-primary school projects to… (opens in a new tab)
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Zero Action on Teacher Workload - Carroll Backs Teachers' Strike Mandate
People Before Profit's Gerry Carroll backs five teaching unions that have voted to strike over workload, and calls on Education Minister to implement the 27 recommendations of the 2025 workload review without delay.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Teacher workload review and industrial action threat Original release: Zero Action on Teacher Workload - Carroll Backs Teachers' Strike Mandate (opens in a new tab)
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Teaching has become the art of doing the impossible, says Burrows
UUP leader and Education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA urges Education Minister Paul Givan to act urgently on teacher workload after five teaching unions backed industrial action in a ballot. He says teachers face too many duties and calls for a reassessment of workload expectations and reopening…
Education Issue: Teacher workload review and industrial action threat Original release: Teaching has become the art of doing the impossible, says Burrows (opens in a new tab)