Latest releases
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1,992 releases
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“Abortion Censorship Zones Echo the Ban in Civil Rights Marches in the North” – Denise Mullen
Aontú Cllr Denise Mullen criticises the UK Supreme Court's decision to uphold the Abortion Censorship Bill, arguing it restricts pro-life campaigners and cites 6,412 public submissions, mostly opposed. She calls on Stormont to reverse the bill and fund support for women with unplanned pregnancies.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Supreme Court ruling on Safe Access Zones legislation Original release: “Abortion Censorship Zones Echo the Ban in Civil Rights Marches in the North” – Denise Mullen (opens in a new tab)
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Clare Bailey has welcomed today’s ruling from the Supreme Court
Green Party MLA Clare Bailey welcomes the Supreme Court ruling that the Northern Ireland Assembly had legal competence to pass the Safe Access Zones Bill, which will now proceed to Royal Assent. She pays tribute to campaigners and says the ruling paves the way for similar legislation elsewhere.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Supreme Court ruling on Safe Access Zones legislation Original release: Clare Bailey has welcomed today’s ruling from the Supreme Court (opens in a new tab)
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Supreme Court ruling shows benefit of functioning Stormont, says Bradshaw
Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw welcomes a UK Supreme Court ruling that allows the Safe Access Zones Bill to become law in Northern Ireland, upholding the ban on protests outside abortion service facilities, and cites it as evidence of a functioning Stormont.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Supreme Court ruling on Safe Access Zones legislation Original release: Supreme Court ruling shows benefit of functioning Stormont, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath urges vigilance after spike in Strep A cases
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath urges parents to stay vigilant and learn Strep A signs after a rise in cases and a child's death, and calls on the Department of Health for reassurance and an awareness campaign. Cara Hunter separately calls for robust guidance for schools.
Health Education Issue: Child death linked to Strep A Original release: McGrath urges vigilance after spike in Strep A cases (opens in a new tab)
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Plans to cut EA youth services deeply concerning – Ferguson
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson says she is shocked and deeply concerned by Education Authority plans to cut youth services, and has written to the EA to oppose the cuts affecting Derry providers and outreach work for vulnerable young people. She calls on the DUP to return to the Executive.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Education Authority youth services cuts in Belfast Original release: Plans to cut EA youth services deeply concerning – Ferguson (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter expresses concern around youth centre cuts
SDLP Children and Young People Spokesperson Cara Hunter expresses concern over expected reductions in Education Authority funding for youth centres next year, warning of job losses and scaled-back services, and calls for centres to be properly funded.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Education Authority youth services cuts in Belfast Original release: Hunter expresses concern around youth centre cuts (opens in a new tab)
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Women have waited too long for modern and compassionate health services – Ní Chuilín
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín calls on the Department of Health to start commissioning abortion services for women in the north now, after the British Secretary of State instructed it to do so. She says women have waited long enough and have had to travel to England, often alone.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Secretary of State instruction to Department of Health on abortion services commissioning Original release: Women have waited too long for modern and compassionate health services – Ní Chuilín (opens in a new tab)
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Forsythe – NI childcare costs on a par with central London
DUP MLA Diane Forsythe and MP Sammy Wilson say they have jointly written to the Chancellor asking for Tax Free Childcare allowance to be raised beyond 20%, arguing Northern Ireland childcare costs match central London and keep working parents out of work.
Social security and welfare Economy and employment Issue: Employers for Childcare report on Northern Ireland childcare costs Original release: Forsythe – NI childcare costs on a par with central London (opens in a new tab)
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Further confirmation of ringfenced funding for reproductive health services a welcome step, say Bradshaw and Egan
Alliance MLAs Paula Bradshaw and Connie Egan welcome the Secretary of State's ringfenced funding and formal instruction to the Department of Health to commission reproductive health services, calling it a further step, while urging swift full provision locally.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Secretary of State instruction to Department of Health on abortion services commissioning Original release: Further confirmation of ringfenced funding for reproductive health services a welcome step, say Bradshaw and Egan (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson welcomes Covenant Duty advice to education sector
DUP MP Gavin Robinson welcomes Department of Education guidance to education stakeholders on the Armed Forces Covenant Act, which took effect on 22 November. He says the Act includes Northern Ireland fully and hopes other departments will issue similar guidance, and that the duty extends to…
Education Issue: Armed Forces Covenant Duty guidance to education sector Original release: Robinson welcomes Covenant Duty advice to education sector (opens in a new tab)
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The UCU Strikes
People Before Profit interviews Aisling O'Beirn, a UCU representative at Ulster University, on the picket line over the strike. She describes casualised contracts, rising workloads, staff shortages and cuts to pension benefits as the central issues.
Education Economy and employment Issue: UCU strike at Ulster University Original release: The UCU Strikes (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin urges progress on tackling sexual offences
SDLP Justice Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin says new PPS figures on sexual offences, showing prosecution rates rose from 23.6% to 31.6% in 2021/22, show the need for a violence against women and girls plan from a reformed Executive.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: PPS annual report on sexual offence prosecutions 2021/22 Original release: McLaughlin urges progress on tackling sexual offences (opens in a new tab)
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Dickson calls for a review of support mechanisms for staff experiencing domestic abuse
Alliance Economy Spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA calls on employers to review their policies and procedures so staff experiencing domestic abuse get the right support, citing the 16 days of activism campaign. He urges employers to consider paid leave for appointments, workplace security and…
Justice and policing Economy and employment Original release: Dickson calls for a review of support mechanisms for staff experiencing domestic abuse (opens in a new tab)
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Maskey deeply concerned about EA plans to cut youth services
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey says he is deeply concerned about Education Authority plans to cut youth services in Belfast, has written seeking an urgent meeting, and calls on the DUP to return to the Executive table.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Education Authority youth services cuts in Belfast Original release: Maskey deeply concerned about EA plans to cut youth services (opens in a new tab)
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Dillon welcomes campaign to raise awareness of the signs of all types of domestic abuse
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon welcomes the PSNI's Tis' the Season Christmas campaign on domestic abuse, citing holiday-period call and crime figures, and calls for the Executive to be restored so parties can take forward violence-against-women measures.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: PSNI Tis' the Season Christmas domestic abuse awareness campaign Original release: Dillon welcomes campaign to raise awareness of the signs of all types of domestic abuse (opens in a new tab)
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“British Court of Appeal Permits Abortion Up Until Birth on Grounds of Down Syndrome For North of Ireland” – Cllr Doyle
Aontú Cllr Emmet Doyle criticises a British Court of Appeal ruling that allows abortion on grounds of Down syndrome up to birth, saying it will apply in Northern Ireland. He calls on Stormont to oppose abortion in the North and accuses Sinn Féin and the SDLP of supporting the change.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Court of Appeal rejects Heidi Crowter challenge on Down's syndrome abortion law Original release: “British Court of Appeal Permits Abortion Up Until Birth on Grounds of Down Syndrome For North of Ireland” – Cllr Doyle (opens in a new tab)
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Nicholl marks International Women Human Rights Defenders Day
Alliance Spokesperson for Migration Kate Nicholl MLA marks International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, calling for enhanced protections for women human rights defenders, especially those at risk in migration contexts, from violence, discrimination and harassment.
Disability and equality Immigration Original release: Nicholl marks International Women Human Rights Defenders Day (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance MLAs endorse “Never Cross the Line” campaign
Alliance MLAs endorse Ulster GAA's "Never Cross the Line" campaign on violence against women, which aims to teach young people about consent. Sports Spokesperson David Honeyford calls for similar campaigns across other sports, and Connie Egan urges sporting bodies to host workshops.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: Alliance MLAs endorse “Never Cross the Line” campaign (opens in a new tab)
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A sad day for rights of the disabled – Lockhart
DUP MP Carla Lockhart, who chairs the All-Party Pro-Life Group at Westminster, says the Court of Appeal's rejection of Heidi Crowter's challenge to allow abortion up to birth for babies with Down's syndrome is a sad day for disabled people's rights. She hopes Crowter will take the case to the…
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Court of Appeal rejects Heidi Crowter challenge on Down's syndrome abortion law Original release: A sad day for rights of the disabled – Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Education Authority proposes huge unnecessary expense on Irish – but includes no costings
TUV leader Jim Allister urges the public to respond to the Education Authority's interim Irish-language services policy, arguing its proposals, such as Irish voicemail options and translator meetings, carry vast unCosted expense amid budget pressures.
Disability and equality Education Issue: Education Authority interim policy on Irish-language services consultation Original release: Education Authority proposes huge unnecessary expense on Irish – but includes no costings (opens in a new tab)