Latest releases
Searching a long passage? Find similar statements.
1,992 releases
-
Everyone should be free to take part in discussion on the future – Archibald
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald says everyone should be free to join an informed debate on Ireland's constitutional future. She calls on unionist politicians to stop attempts to stifle academic debate after criticism of Professor Colin Harvey's Irish Unity report and his university logo, and urges…
Constitutional affairs Education Issue: Criticism of Professor Colin Harvey's Irish Unity report and university logo use Original release: Everyone should be free to take part in discussion on the future – Archibald (opens in a new tab)
-
Historic day as legislation passes to give official recognition to the Irish language – O’Neill
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill welcomes legislation passing to give official recognition to the Irish language, saying it secures Irish speakers' rights to public services and court use. She credits grassroots activists and points to a planned Irish language commissioner with statutory powers.
Disability and equality Issue: Irish Language Act legislation passes Original release: Historic day as legislation passes to give official recognition to the Irish language – O’Neill (opens in a new tab)
-
Armstrong: Proud day for Integrated Education
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong welcomes the enactment of the Integrated Education Act as a proud day for the integrated sector, saying it supports families seeking integrated schooling. She notes the act followed her private members bill and gives the Department for Education and Education…
Education Issue: Integrated Education Act becomes law Original release: Armstrong: Proud day for Integrated Education (opens in a new tab)
-
Hanna: UK Government must ensure no further blockage of language rights
SDLP South Belfast MP Claire Hanna urges the UK Government to guarantee no further obstruction of Irish language protections after an SDLP amendment on the Identity and Language Bill was defeated in the Commons. She says the bill passed its final reading.
Disability and equality Issue: Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Bill final Commons reading and defeated SDLP amendment Original release: Hanna: UK Government must ensure no further blockage of language rights (opens in a new tab)
-
Endometriosis sufferers still require urgent action: Lockhart
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says urgent action is still needed on endometriosis healthcare, calling for reinstatement of specialist care in the Western Trust and full accreditation for the Belfast centre. She also urges access to care across the UK for local patients, citing APPG and RCOG reports.
Health Disability and equality Original release: Endometriosis sufferers still require urgent action: Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
-
Tennyson welcomes protection of Citypark in Craigavon
Alliance MLA Eóin Tennyson welcomes the Court of Appeal's ruling overturning planning permission for a Southern Regional College campus at Craigavon Lakes. He calls on SRC and the council to accept public opposition and find an alternative site in the area.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Court of Appeal overturns Southern Regional College Citypark campus planning approval Original release: Tennyson welcomes protection of Citypark in Craigavon (opens in a new tab)
-
Announcement concerning the commissioning of abortion services welcome, says Bradshaw and Egan
Alliance MLAs Paula Bradshaw and Connie Egan welcome the Secretary of State's confirmation that the UK Government will commission abortion services in Northern Ireland, but Bradshaw says no funding plan has yet been provided and calls for a clear roadmap.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Commissioning of abortion services in Northern Ireland announced by Secretary of State Original release: Announcement concerning the commissioning of abortion services welcome, says Bradshaw and Egan (opens in a new tab)
-
Urgent need for commissioning of abortion services, say Bradshaw and Egan
Alliance MLAs Paula Bradshaw and Connie Egan call for urgent commissioning of abortion services on the third anniversary of decriminalisation in Northern Ireland, saying women face a postcode lottery in access. Egan urges the Secretary of State to step in and commission full services under UN…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Third anniversary of abortion decriminalisation in Northern Ireland Original release: Urgent need for commissioning of abortion services, say Bradshaw and Egan (opens in a new tab)
-
Online abuse and the harm it causes must be rooted out of our society, says Alliance MLAs
Alliance MLAs Connie Egan and Patricia O’Lynn call for the eradication of targeted cyber abuse, welcome Justice Minister Naomi Long’s proactive steps and PSNI involvement, and pledge continued work to stamp out online intimidation of women in public life.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Justice Minister Naomi Long meeting on online abuse of women Original release: Online abuse and the harm it causes must be rooted out of our society, says Alliance MLAs (opens in a new tab)
-
Dickson brands student finance news as insult to injury
Alliance Economy spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA says he is alarmed by the Economy Minister's decision to raise student maintenance loans by 40 per cent and tuition fees by 1.8 per cent. He calls for an urgent financial support package for students, including higher maintenance grants and…
Education Economy and employment Issue: Economy Minister's student finance changes and maintenance loan increase Original release: Dickson brands student finance news as insult to injury (opens in a new tab)
-
‘Education minister needs to resolve sub teacher pay issue’ – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan urges the Education Minister to resolve delayed pay for substitute teachers, saying they have not been paid in mid-October because of problems with the new substitute booking system.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Substitute teacher pay delays linked to new booking system Original release: ‘Education minister needs to resolve sub teacher pay issue’ – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
-
O'Lynn and Egan hit out at Education Authority after substitute teachers again left without pay
Alliance MLA Patricia O'Lynn and Education spokesperson Connie Egan criticise the Education Authority after substitute teachers went unpaid again, citing problems with the NISTR supply teacher register. They call for the EA and Department of Education to urgently fix the system and ensure full…
Education Economy and employment Issue: Substitute teacher pay delays linked to new booking system Original release: O'Lynn and Egan hit out at Education Authority after substitute teachers again left without pay (opens in a new tab)
-
Vaughan concerned at impact of childcare costs on parents’ mental health
SDLP Spokesperson for Fair Childcare Déirdre Vaughan says rising childcare costs are harming parents' mental health, citing YouGov research showing some low-income parents skipping meals to pay fees. She urges the Education Minister to find ways to help families.
Education Economy and employment Issue: YouGov research on parents struggling with childcare costs Original release: Vaughan concerned at impact of childcare costs on parents’ mental health (opens in a new tab)
-
McLaughlin challenges Education Minister on failure to support childminders
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin challenges Education Minister Michelle McIlveen over no action on childminders during the cost of living crisis, after the minister said childminders are self-employed and outside her department's remit. McLaughlin says childminders need a joined-up approach and…
Education Economy and employment Issue: Education Minister response on childminder support during cost of living crisis Original release: McLaughlin challenges Education Minister on failure to support childminders (opens in a new tab)
-
Amendment to Criminalise Care and Support Around Abortion Clinics Must be defeated - Brolly
Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly urges defeat of a proposed amendment by British MP Rupa Huq that would establish buffer zones restricting volunteers outside abortion clinics, arguing it threatens free assembly and support for pregnant women.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Rupa Huq amendment on buffer zones around abortion clinics Original release: Amendment to Criminalise Care and Support Around Abortion Clinics Must be defeated - Brolly (opens in a new tab)
-
Blair welcomes national report on police-perpetrated violence against women and girls
Alliance MLA John Blair welcomes the NPCC and College of Policing review of police-perpetrated violence against women, and says he wants the PSNI to set out reforms targeting lower-level sexual offending. He cites the Sarah Everard and Libby Squires cases to argue the police must prevent officers…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: NPCC and College of Policing review of police-perpetrated VAWG Original release: Blair welcomes national report on police-perpetrated violence against women and girls (opens in a new tab)
-
‘Need for greater awareness of challenges facing women during menopause’ – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn calls for greater awareness of the challenges women face during menopause, particularly in the workplace, after attending a Menopause Conference. She urges the DUP to end its boycott and restore the Executive so women can get support.
Health Disability and equality Original release: ‘Need for greater awareness of challenges facing women during menopause’ – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
-
DUP Leader congratulates Peter Weir & Arlene Foster on Life Peerage
The DUP welcomes Peter Weir's elevation to a Life Peer in the House of Lords, citing his 24 years as an MLA, and also welcomes the peerage for former First Minister Arlene Foster. Weir says he will advocate for Northern Ireland and the Union, and urges the removal of the Protocol.
Other Constitutional affairs Issue: Peter Weir and Arlene Foster Life Peerages Original release: DUP Leader congratulates Peter Weir & Arlene Foster on Life Peerage (opens in a new tab)
-
Forsythe - menace to women should be in jail for longer
DUP South Down MLA Diane Forsythe welcomes the Lady Chief Justice's response to her complaint about Judge Sherrard's comments in Dungannon, which led to further judicial guidance and training. She says the comments were ill-judged and will write to Justice Minister Naomi Long on whether…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Judge Sherrard's comments in Dungannon court case Original release: Forsythe - menace to women should be in jail for longer (opens in a new tab)
-
Archibald welcomes Queen’s University cost of living support for students and staff
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald welcomes Queen's University's £8 million package of support for students and staff facing rising costs, and commends the waiver of library fines and graduation fees. She calls for an Executive and all parties to work together on the cost of living and agree a budget.
Economy and employment Education Issue: Queen's University £8 million cost of living support package Original release: Archibald welcomes Queen’s University cost of living support for students and staff (opens in a new tab)