Latest releases
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4,037 releases
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Council planning delays adding to the housing crisis, says Armstrong, following councils audit report.
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA raises concern that councils keep missing planning targets, citing a Local Government Auditor report showing 63% of major applications and around 62% of local applications exceeded statutory timescales, and urges councils to act.
Housing Local government Issue: Local Government Auditor report on council planning application timescales Original release: Council planning delays adding to the housing crisis, says Armstrong, following councils audit report. (opens in a new tab)
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McMurray marks one year since devastating floods, stating there has been insufficient support provided to those affected.
Alliance South Down MLA Andrew McMurray marks one year since the Newry, Mourne and Down floods, saying aid for homes and businesses has been insufficient. He calls on the Department for the Economy to develop recovery plans and urges funding for a Flood Forecasting System and sewer improvements.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: One-year anniversary of Newry, Mourne and Down floods Original release: McMurray marks one year since devastating floods, stating there has been insufficient support provided to those affected. (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson – “we must be persuaders for the Union”
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP urges unionists to persuade the undecided 'don't knows' on the Union, arguing a functioning Executive is needed. He cites a poll showing support for the Union at 48.6% and touts a childcare support scheme for 11,500 families.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Poll showing Union support below 50% for first time Original release: Robinson – “we must be persuaders for the Union” (opens in a new tab)
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DUP MP Secures Government Commitment to Tackle Car Insurance Hikes in…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says the UK Government has committed to including Northern Ireland in its new taskforce on rising car insurance premiums, after talks with Transport Secretary Louise Haigh. A November meeting with the Department for Infrastructure is planned.
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Issue: Government taskforce on car insurance costs announcement Original release: DUP MP Secures Government Commitment to Tackle Car Insurance Hikes in… (opens in a new tab)
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Chaos at the Executive Office Committee
TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston says the Executive Office Committee meeting was a farce, claiming the First Minister refused to answer questions relating to the Executive Office and that none of the questions on Sinn Féin scandals were addressed. He calls on the DUP to resign the deputy First…
Constitutional affairs Issue: First Minister's appearance at Executive Office Committee Original release: Chaos at the Executive Office Committee (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds welcome investment in provision for children with disabilities
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds, the Upper Bann MLA, welcomes new investment in services for children with disabilities and says it is long overdue. She calls for the recommendations of Professor Ray Jones's report on children's social care to be taken forward.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Additional investment in services for children with disabilities Original release: Dodds welcome investment in provision for children with disabilities (opens in a new tab)
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Chambers welcomes Health Ministers’ commitment to additional support for children with Disabilities
UUP Health Spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA welcomes the Health Minister's identification of up to £2m for this year, within up to £13m multi-year funding, to improve services for children with disabilities. He links it to the Spotlight documentary 'I am not okay' and praises the Minister's…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Additional investment in services for children with disabilities Original release: Chambers welcomes Health Ministers’ commitment to additional support for children with Disabilities (opens in a new tab)
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Neglect and underfunding of water infrastructure is impacting economic growth, house building and our environment, says McMurray
Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Andrew McMurray MLA says chronic underfunding of NI's water and wastewater infrastructure is harming health, growth, housing and the environment, and launches the In Deep Water policy paper with proposed alternative funding and governance for NI Water.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Alliance 'In Deep Water' water infrastructure policy paper launch Original release: Neglect and underfunding of water infrastructure is impacting economic growth, house building and our environment, says McMurray (opens in a new tab)
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McAllister welcomes announcement from Health Minister outlining plans to improve services for children with disabilities, stating it shouldn’t have taken this long.
Alliance Health spokesperson and North Belfast MLA Nuala McAllister welcomes the Health Minister's plan to invest in children's disability services, including more short breaks and community family and behavioural supports. She says the funding is long overdue and asks for clarity on multi-use…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Additional investment in services for children with disabilities Original release: McAllister welcomes announcement from Health Minister outlining plans to improve services for children with disabilities, stating it shouldn’t have taken this long. (opens in a new tab)
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Guy pays tribute to those campaigning for Harry’s Law.
Alliance Education spokesperson Michelle Guy MLA pays tribute to Deirdre Shakespeare and campaigners after a Public Services Ombudsman report on restraint of her autistic, non-verbal son. She calls for statutory restraint guidance timelines, repeal of Article 4(1)(c) of the Education (NI) Order…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Public Services Ombudsman report on restraint of Harry Shakespeare Original release: Guy pays tribute to those campaigning for Harry’s Law. (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath welcomes funding to support respite for children with disabilities
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath welcomes £13m multi-year funding from Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to increase short break respite for children with disabilities. He says he will seek urgent clarity on the impact on other health services.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Additional investment in services for children with disabilities Original release: McGrath welcomes funding to support respite for children with disabilities (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna raises violence against women and girls in Commons
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP highlighted the surge in violence against women and girls during a Commons debate, citing a femicide rate twice that of Britain and urging immediate, cross‑government action, clear funding for the Executive strategy and societal behavioural change.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Violence against women and girls debate in Commons Original release: Hanna raises violence against women and girls in Commons (opens in a new tab)
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A Sinn Féin government would prioritise planning for Irish unity – Matt Carthy TD
Sinn Féin's foreign affairs spokesperson Matt Carthy TD says the next government must prioritise preparing for Irish unity, proposing a green paper, a Citizens' Assembly and a Minister for Reunification in the Department of An Taoiseach, citing an Irish News poll showing rising support for unity.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Irish News poll on Irish unity and constitutional change Original release: A Sinn Féin government would prioritise planning for Irish unity – Matt Carthy TD (opens in a new tab)
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‘Incoming Irish government must make planning for Irish unity a priority’ – Hughes
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes says a poll in the Irish News shows growing demand for decisions on the island of Ireland to be taken at home. He calls on the incoming Irish government to prioritise planning for constitutional change, including a green paper on Irish unity and a Minister for…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Irish News poll on Irish unity and constitutional change Original release: ‘Incoming Irish government must make planning for Irish unity a priority’ – Hughes (opens in a new tab)
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Vital that work starts now towards meaningful action, says Alliance Education representatives, following IRE report.
Alliance MLAs Nick Mathison and Michelle Guy welcome the Education Minister’s response to the Independent Review of Education but say essential recommendations lack ambition, urging immediate action on raising participation age, SEN, academic selection, integrated schooling and an Early Childhood
Education Disability and equality Issue: Independent Review of Education recommendations response Original release: Vital that work starts now towards meaningful action, says Alliance Education representatives, following IRE report. (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath welcomes recognition of need for increased respite provision
SDLP Health Spokesperson and South Down MLA Colin McGrath welcomes the Assembly's backing for more respite care for children and adults with complex needs and severe behavioural challenges. He says the SDLP amended a motion on adult provision to cover children, and he calls on the Health Minister…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Assembly motion on respite services for learning disability carers Original release: McGrath welcomes recognition of need for increased respite provision (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin: Minister of Health must rethink refusal of Women's Health Strategy
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin urges the Health Minister to rethink his decision not to develop a dedicated Women's Health Strategy, after he cited budget constraints in an Assembly answer. She calls the refusal a backwards step for women's health.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Health Minister decision not to develop Women's Health Strategy Original release: McLaughlin: Minister of Health must rethink refusal of Women's Health Strategy (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin motion supporting improved respite services passes in Assembly – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon welcomes the Assembly's passage of a party motion urging the health minister to swiftly produce a plan to expand respite care for adults and children with learning disabilities and their carers.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Assembly motion on respite services for learning disability carers Original release: Sinn Féin motion supporting improved respite services passes in Assembly – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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PIRA and Army Council still raising questions for Sinn Fein coalition partners
TUV leader Jim Allister says a 2015 assessment still stands, that PIRA kept an Army Council overseeing Sinn Fein, retained departments and held undecommissioned weapons, and accuses unionist parties sustaining Sinn Fein in government of tolerating this.
Justice and policing Constitutional affairs Original release: PIRA and Army Council still raising questions for Sinn Fein coalition partners (opens in a new tab)
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TUV seek to raise status of PIRA in Stormont
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says the PSNI’s unchanged assessment of the PIRA and its Army Council conflicts with the Ministerial Pledge’s non‑violence commitment, and argues it is undemocratic for a party influenced by the PIRA to lead Stormont. He condemns the DUP’s partnership with Sinn Fein and says a
Justice and policing Constitutional affairs Issue: PSNI assessment of PIRA status unchanged Original release: TUV seek to raise status of PIRA in Stormont (opens in a new tab)