Latest releases
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11,733 releases
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Minister should lift pause on A1 upgrade, says Tennyson
Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson MLA calls on Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to end her pause on the A1 Junctions Phase 2 scheme. He says the delay, linked to a separate legal challenge over the A5, is unjustifiable and that work should start immediately.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Infrastructure Minister pause on A1 Junctions Phase 2 scheme Original release: Minister should lift pause on A1 upgrade, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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Adoption and refurbishment of old and disused phone boxes opportunity for urban regeneration, says Bower
Alliance Ormiston Councillor Christine Bower welcomes the council’s decision to forward her motion on repurposing vacant phone booths to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, calling it a chance for urban regeneration and community empowerment in Belfast.
Local government Issue: Belfast City Council phone box refurbishment motion Original release: Adoption and refurbishment of old and disused phone boxes opportunity for urban regeneration, says Bower (opens in a new tab)
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Murray calls for pilot drug testing facilities at Belfast events to improve public safety
Alliance councillor Micky Murray says a motion he brought to Belfast City Council seeking pilot drug-checking services at major city events and festivals has cleared its first stage. He argues such testing would help health authorities warn the public about dangerous substances and reduce…
Health Local government Issue: Belfast City Council motion on drug testing at city events Original release: Murray calls for pilot drug testing facilities at Belfast events to improve public safety (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison urges Education and Health Ministers to act urgently to save Summer schemes at special schools
Alliance Education spokesperson Nick Mathison calls on the Education and Health Ministers to urgently secure a joint funding package so summer schemes can run in special schools this year, after the Education Authority cancelled schemes over healthcare concerns.
Education Health Issue: Failure to provide special school summer programmes Original release: Mathison urges Education and Health Ministers to act urgently to save Summer schemes at special schools (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister’s written statement a bizarre distraction – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason calls the DUP Education Minister Paul Givan's written statement criticising her and Michelle Guy "a bizarre distraction" and says she will keep raising concerns about his reform plans. She says schools are not ready for the pace and scale of the changes and urges him to…
Education Issue: Paul Givan written statement on Education Committee members' comments about reforms Original release: Education Minister’s written statement a bizarre distraction – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Narrow Water Bridge is the key to unlocking South Down’s enormous economic potential – Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard says he met the Shared Island Unit in Dublin Castle on the Narrow Water Bridge project, calling for local projects linked to the crossing to be backed so South Down can gain from jobs and tourism.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Original release: Narrow Water Bridge is the key to unlocking South Down’s enormous economic potential – Hazzard (opens in a new tab)
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Retail staff concerns and legal reality ignored in Sunday trading push
TUV deputy leader Councillor Ron McDowell welcomes Usdaw's statement opposing longer Sunday opening in Belfast and argues the council's consultation on extending Sunday trading hours is legally flawed, calling for it to be withdrawn and halted.
Economy and employment Local government Issue: Belfast City Council Sunday trading hours public consultation Original release: Retail staff concerns and legal reality ignored in Sunday trading push (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson challenges Government failure on legacy promises and PSNI…
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP challenges the Secretary of State over delayed legacy legislation, saying victims were promised a replacement Legacy Act with cross-community support and that no clear timeline exists. He also says the PSNI faces a £200 million civil case burden without resources and…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Original release: Robinson challenges Government failure on legacy promises and PSNI… (opens in a new tab)
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No Applause for Terrorists in stopping killing-Campbell
DUP MP Gregory Campbell, speaking in Northern Ireland Questions in the Commons, rejects praise for the 1994 IRA and loyalist paramilitary ceasefires, saying murder was never justified and that stopping violence does not warrant applause.
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Original release: No Applause for Terrorists in stopping killing-Campbell (opens in a new tab)
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Lyons announces start of construction on the Shankill Gateway Public…
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announces construction has started on the Shankill Gateway Public Realm scheme, funded by the Department for Communities with £3.18million and expected to take about twelve months. The works cover the Lower Shankill Road, with paving, tree planting and wider…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Shankill Gateway Public Realm scheme construction start Original release: Lyons announces start of construction on the Shankill Gateway Public… (opens in a new tab)
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British government must bring forward a support package for struggling families – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says rising fuel and energy costs are squeezing working families and urges the British government to reduce duty and sales tax on motor fuel and heating oil, and introduce a windfall levy on oil and gas producers.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: Rising fuel and energy costs following Iran war energy shock Original release: British government must bring forward a support package for struggling families – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Reilly: Executive must provide clarity on Altnagelvin Hospital ED redevelopment
SDLP Waterside Councillor Martin Reilly says the Executive must provide clarity on the Altnagelvin Hospital Emergency Department redevelopment, after Health Minister Mike Nesbitt confirmed full works would cost £72.8m and depend on a multi-year budget and a 10-year capital plan.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Altnagelvin Hospital Emergency Department redevelopment cost and funding dependency Original release: Reilly: Executive must provide clarity on Altnagelvin Hospital ED redevelopment (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna raises violence against women and girls in House of Commons
SDLP leader Claire Hanna MP used Northern Ireland Questions in the Commons to press for stronger action on violence against women and girls, citing recent killings and a murder conviction and urging the Executive and UK Government to act beyond expressions of concern.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: Hanna raises violence against women and girls in House of Commons (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Public deserve to know money wasted on free hospital car parking delays
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the public should be informed of the expense incurred by the Executive’s repeated postponements of free hospital car parking, and notes an amendment obliges the Health Department to issue a cost report.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Delays to free hospital car parking implementation Original release: McGrath: Public deserve to know money wasted on free hospital car parking delays (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent action needed to tackle spiralling rents across NI, says Armstrong
Alliance Housing spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA calls on the Communities Minister to act urgently on spiralling private rents, citing a report that rents rose an average of 51% over five years. She urges restrictions on rent increase frequency, a ban on inflation-busting hikes and a cap on…
Housing Economy and employment Issue: Reported rise in Northern Ireland rents over five years Original release: Urgent action needed to tackle spiralling rents across NI, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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People Before Profit Statement on the Murder of Amy Doherty and the Prevalence of Gender Based Violence
People Before Profit representative Maeve O'Neill expresses sympathy over the murder of Amy Doherty and calls for structural change to tackle gender-based violence, including Safe Leave Act implementation, RSE in schools, anti-poverty and housing action, and better funding for women's shelters…
Justice and policing Economy and employment Issue: Derry-Londonderry woman's death in Summer Meadows Mews murder arrest Original release: People Before Profit Statement on the Murder of Amy Doherty and the Prevalence of Gender Based Violence (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister Can't Be Trusted on Extent of Defective Block in Derry
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin accuses Communities Minister Gordon Lyons of dismissing a wider defective block problem in the North too readily, and says the Derry and Strabane council area's full extent remains unknown. He calls for assurances of government support for potentially…
Housing Local government Issue: Communities Minister comments on defective block extent in Derry and Strabane Original release: Communities Minister Can't Be Trusted on Extent of Defective Block in Derry (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew welcomes progress on delivering Sign Language Bill
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew welcomes progress on the Sign Language Bill after it was approved at Consideration Stage. He says the Bill is an important step towards giving the deaf and deafblind community access to public services in their own language, and praises their input into shaping it.
Disability and equality Issue: Sign Language Bill approval at Consideration Stage Original release: Gildernew welcomes progress on delivering Sign Language Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Paid miscarriage leave a compassionate step for bereaved parents – Dolan
Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan welcomes Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald's confirmation of two weeks' paid miscarriage leave for parents, starting 6 April 2026, and says it will support thousands each year. She also says the party will push for paid parental leave during neonatal care via the Good…
Economy and employment Issue: Paid miscarriage leave scheme confirmed by Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald Original release: Paid miscarriage leave a compassionate step for bereaved parents – Dolan (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister must drive down ‘out of control’ rent prices – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew calls on Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to act on rising rents after new figures showed average rents continuing to climb. He says the minister has failed to buy any of the 600 homes funded for temporary accommodation and should prioritise delivering social and…
Housing Issue: New figures showing continued rise in average rents Original release: Communities Minister must drive down ‘out of control’ rent prices – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)