Latest releases
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4,181 releases
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New homes for north Belfast a positive announcement – Ní Chuilín
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín welcomes Belfast City Council's plan to turn car parks and disused land near Little Donegall Street, Library Street and Kent Street into mixed housing, shops and meeting spaces, and says it will help cut housing waiting lists.
Housing Local government Issue: Belfast City Council Little Donegall Street housing regeneration announcement Original release: New homes for north Belfast a positive announcement – Ní Chuilín (opens in a new tab)
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Action, not words, needed on civil service reform - Forsythe
DUP MLA Diane Forsythe, vice-chair of the Finance Committee, says the UK Government's call for civil service reform is welcome but must lead to real change. She links NICS skills gaps to delayed infrastructure projects and overspends, and urges use of the skills exchange with the UK Home Civil…
Public finance and taxation Infrastructure and transport Issue: Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster civil service reform call Original release: Action, not words, needed on civil service reform - Forsythe (opens in a new tab)
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Amplification of women’s voices crucial in constitutional discussion – Rose Conway-Walsh TD
Sinn Féin spokesperson Rose Conway-Walsh TD says a feminist analysis is crucial to the constitutional debate, welcoming the National Women's Council's Women's Assembly report and urging the Irish government to begin planning a referendum on Irish Unity.
Constitutional affairs Disability and equality Issue: National Women's Council Women's Assembly report launch Original release: Amplification of women’s voices crucial in constitutional discussion – Rose Conway-Walsh TD (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP launches plan to reduce pressure on ambulance service and emergency departments
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA launches 'Help Can't Wait', a plan to ease ambulance and emergency department pressure by adopting London's W45 45-minute patient handover policy, which he says could cut handover times by 50% and free up 60,000 operational hours.
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Transparency and accountability needed on hospital building projects
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds calls for an independent review of new Belfast Trust building projects after rot and black mould were discovered in the Acute Mental Inpatient centre, urging the Minister to provide details on repairs, costs, timelines and patient impact.
Health Issue: Rot and black mould found in Belfast Trust Acute Mental Inpatient centre Original release: Transparency and accountability needed on hospital building projects (opens in a new tab)
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‘Extension will help motorists stay on the road legally’ – Boylan
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan welcomes Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins's decision to extend Temporary Exemption Certificates for a further year, saying the scheme has helped cut MOT waiting times to 30 days. He also points to extra staff recruitment and Sunday and bank holiday testing.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Extension of MOT Temporary Exemption Certificates for a further year Original release: ‘Extension will help motorists stay on the road legally’ – Boylan (opens in a new tab)
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DUP delivering on yet another Republican demand
TUV vice chairman Causeway Councillor Allister Kyle says the Executive Office's start of recruitment for an Irish language commissioner gives Sinn Féin a route to directions over the role, and contrasts it with a weaker Ulster Scots commissioner, which he says the DUP's Emma Little-Pengelly…
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Issue: Irish Language Commissioner application process opening announcement Original release: DUP delivering on yet another Republican demand (opens in a new tab)
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Reducing MOT backlog must remain a priority, says McReynolds, welcoming extension of TECs
Alliance infrastructure spokesperson Peter McReynolds MLA welcomes the extension of Temporary Exemption Certificates to continue reducing the MOT backlog. He credits DVA staff for weekend and bank holiday appointments and recruitment of more vehicle examiners, and says Alliance supports exploring…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Extension of MOT Temporary Exemption Certificates for a further year Original release: Reducing MOT backlog must remain a priority, says McReynolds, welcoming extension of TECs (opens in a new tab)
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It’s time we start recognising the benefits of renewable energy, says Honeyford
Alliance Economy spokesperson David Honeyford MLA says Department for Economy figures showing a decline in renewable electricity use in Northern Ireland are shocking. He calls on the Economy Minister to deliver faster on renewables and meet the 2030 target of 80 percent renewable electricity.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Department for Economy electricity consumption and renewable generation report 2025 Original release: It’s time we start recognising the benefits of renewable energy, says Honeyford (opens in a new tab)
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Dickson welcomes Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland appointment
Alliance spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA welcomes the Executive Office's appointment of Siobhan Casey as Older People Commissioner for Northern Ireland, starting 7 April, and says she has shown a commitment to championing older people's needs.
Disability and equality Issue: Older People Commissioner for Northern Ireland appointment of Siobhan Casey Original release: Dickson welcomes Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland appointment (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Every area should benefit from community healthcare funding
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath says all parts of the North should receive multidisciplinary care teams, welcomes the £61 m funding for five new GP Federation areas but urges the Health Minister to fund and roll out MDTs to the remaining five areas lacking the service.
Health Issue: Finance Minister announces £61m MDT funding for five GP Federation areas Original release: McGrath: Every area should benefit from community healthcare funding (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone welcomes overdue progress on Irish Language Commissioner
SDLP Irish Language Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA welcomes the start of recruitment for language commissioners but says the move is long overdue. He questions the timing of the announcement and says he has asked the First and deputy First Ministers for a timescale and budget.
Disability and equality Issue: Recruitment launch for language commissioners announced March 2025 Original release: McGlone welcomes overdue progress on Irish Language Commissioner (opens in a new tab)
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‘Fógra ar Choimisnéir Gaeilge céim eile chun cinn don chomhionannas’ – Reilly
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly welcomes The Executive Office's announcement that applications for the Irish Language Commissioner role will open in the coming days, calling it another step forward for equality and for Gaeilgeoirí.
Disability and equality Issue: Irish Language Commissioner application process opening announcement Original release: ‘Fógra ar Choimisnéir Gaeilge céim eile chun cinn don chomhionannas’ – Reilly (opens in a new tab)
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‘I am committed to the struggle for equality for everyone’ – Finnegan makes inaugural Assembly speech
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan says her first Assembly speech at the International Women’s Day debate reaffirms her commitment to gender equality for all and urges upgrading rural schools, including a new programme for St Patrick’s Primary in Crossmaglen.
Disability and equality Education Issue: International Women’s Day Assembly debate Original release: ‘I am committed to the struggle for equality for everyone’ – Finnegan makes inaugural Assembly speech (opens in a new tab)
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Affordable rent scheme to deliver 300 homes
DUP Housing Minister Gordon Lyons announces funding to Maple & May to deliver 300 Intermediate Rent homes at below-market rents, with some construction starting within a year and first tenancies targeted from late 2026.
Housing Issue: Maple & May Intermediate Rent funding for 300 homes Original release: Affordable rent scheme to deliver 300 homes (opens in a new tab)
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Blair welcomes Minister’s commitment to tackling water pollution in South Antrim
Alliance MLA John Blair says he met DAERA Minister Andrew Muir and angling clubs from South Antrim to discuss recurring pollution on local rivers flowing into Lough Neagh. He says the Minister reaffirmed his commitment to tackling water pollution and pledged ongoing engagement with the angling…
Environment and climate Issue: South Antrim angling clubs meeting with DAERA Minister on river pollution Original release: Blair welcomes Minister’s commitment to tackling water pollution in South Antrim (opens in a new tab)
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Protections for private renters must go further, says Armstrong
Alliance spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA says protections for private renters must go further after Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announced rent increases limited to once a year. She calls for legislation banning inflation-busting rent rises and a new Housing Ombudsman.
Housing Issue: Communities Minister rent increase limit regulations for private tenancies Original release: Protections for private renters must go further, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Department needs to agree new contract with local GPs, says McAllister
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA calls on the Department of Health to agree a new GP contract in Northern Ireland, citing the recent England deal worth an extra £889 million a year for general practices and a cut in red tape.
Health Issue: England GP contract deal with UK Government and BMA Original release: Department needs to agree new contract with local GPs, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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Drug-related death figures highlight urgent need for public health intervention, says Donnelly
Alliance Health spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA expresses concern over NISRA figures showing 169 drug-related deaths registered in 2023, up 47% on ten years ago. He calls for urgent investment in prevention, treatment and harm reduction, and for the Health Minister to strengthen addiction services.
Health Issue: NISRA drug-related deaths figures for 2023 Original release: Drug-related death figures highlight urgent need for public health intervention, says Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
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Dunne urges support for Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal
North Down DUP MLA Stephen Dunne backs the March fundraising drive for Marie Curie, praising its end-of-life care and staff and urging people to donate, wear a daffodil pin or raise awareness.
Health Original release: Dunne urges support for Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal (opens in a new tab)