Latest releases
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4,952 releases
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O’Toole: Programme for Government will be judged on delivery for public, not photo-opps
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the Executive's Programme for Government will be judged on whether it delivers targets and priorities that improve people's lives. He criticises ministers for press conferences on a PfG that was signed off but not published for scrutiny.
Other Health Issue: Executive agreement on Programme for Government Original release: O’Toole: Programme for Government will be judged on delivery for public, not photo-opps (opens in a new tab)
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The right people and policies needed to make NI work – Wilson
DUP MP Sammy Wilson calls on the Secretary of State to ensure the NICS is fit for purpose, suggesting closer integration with the UK Home Civil Service. He also urges the Government to reconsider net-zero targets stalling projects such as the A5 road.
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Original release: The right people and policies needed to make NI work – Wilson (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent Action Needed to Protect Access in Fermanagh & South Tyrone -…
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine calls on the Health Minister to act on NHS dental access in Fermanagh and South Tyrone, citing 49% adult registration and limited practice coverage in rural areas, during an Assembly adjournment debate.
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‘One Island-One Environment’ discussion to be hosted in Dublin
MEP Lynn Boylan says she will host ‘One Island, One Environment’ on 4 April at the Ballymun Rediscovery Centre, inviting climate activists to discuss how a united Ireland could strengthen environmental action, north‑south cooperation and future climate policy.
Constitutional affairs Environment and climate Issue: One Island, One Environment event in Dublin Original release: ‘One Island-One Environment’ discussion to be hosted in Dublin (opens in a new tab)
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Mulholland welcomes historic election of Belfast President to Conradh na Gaeilge
Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland welcomes the election of a Belfast figure as president of Conradh na Gaeilge, the first from Belfast in 30 years, and congratulates him on his long-standing commitment to the organisation. She urges constructive dialogue over an emergency motion on legal action against…
Disability and equality Issue: Conradh na Gaeilge presidential election at Wexford ard fheis Original release: Mulholland welcomes historic election of Belfast President to Conradh na Gaeilge (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone backs striking Irish language groups
SDLP Irish Language Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA offers his party's support to Irish language and Gaeltacht groups taking half-day strike action over cuts to Foras na Gaeilge. He urges the Irish Government and Executive to fund the body with a long-term plan and welcomes UK plans to repeal the…
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Irish language organisations strike over Foras na Gaeilge funding cuts Original release: McGlone backs striking Irish language groups (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Programme for Government farce underlines Executive dysfunction
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the postponement of the Executive's Programme for Government reflects dysfunction, citing delays, a last-minute cancellation of a meeting and rising health waiting lists and poverty. He says Alliance must share responsibility.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Executive Programme for Government meeting postponement February 2025 Original release: O’Toole: Programme for Government farce underlines Executive dysfunction (opens in a new tab)
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Seasann Sinn Féin le hearnáil na Gaeilge sa stailc i gcionne ciorruithe – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD & Conor McGuinness TD
Sinn Féin TDs Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Irish language and Gaeltacht spokesperson, and Conor McGuinness, junior spokesperson for Tuaithe, Pobail agus Gaeltacht, back the Irish-language sector strike against planned Foras na Gaeilge cuts. Ó Snodaigh urges Minister Dara Calleary to fund affected…
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Irish language organisations strike over Foras na Gaeilge funding cuts Original release: Seasann Sinn Féin le hearnáil na Gaeilge sa stailc i gcionne ciorruithe – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD & Conor McGuinness TD (opens in a new tab)
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Popular aspiration for Irish unity is growing – Kearney
Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney says a LucidTalk poll shows 53% of voters and 60% of under-35s aspire to Irish unity within 20 years. He calls on the Irish government to set up a Citizens' Assembly, draft a green paper and appoint a Minister for Reunification.
Constitutional affairs Issue: LucidTalk poll on Irish unity aspirations Original release: Popular aspiration for Irish unity is growing – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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We must work together to improve dental services in Fermanagh and South Tyrone – Dolan
Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan calls for urgent action on the shortage of NHS dentists in Fermanagh, urging parties and ministers to work together. She says low NHS fee uplifts are driving dentists away and asks the Health Minister to explore reinstating financial support schemes.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Assembly debate on dental services in Fermanagh and South Tyrone Original release: We must work together to improve dental services in Fermanagh and South Tyrone – Dolan (opens in a new tab)
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Ofcom’s New Social Media Guidance - Toothless and Ineffective
DUP Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart says Ofcom's new guidance on online misogyny and deepfake abuse lacks enforcement, calling it symbolic and relying on voluntary compliance. She calls for legally binding obligations and financial penalties for social media platforms.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Ofcom online misogyny and deepfake abuse guidance Original release: Ofcom’s New Social Media Guidance - Toothless and Ineffective (opens in a new tab)
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Lifting ban on Irish in our courts wrong on three fronts
TUV leader Jim Allister MP says repealing the ban on Irish in Northern Ireland's courts is regressive on equality, justice and finances. He claims it would make the legal profession less welcoming to Unionists, weaken juries' understanding of defendants, and add translation costs and delays.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: British government repeal of ban on Irish in courts Original release: Lifting ban on Irish in our courts wrong on three fronts (opens in a new tab)
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‘Hugely significant’ as British government to scrap ban on Irish in courts – Reilly
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly welcomes reports that the British government will repeal its ban on Irish being used in courts, a provision from the 2022 Irish language act that has not yet taken effect. She describes the move as a major step for Irish speakers in the north.
Disability and equality Issue: British government repeal of ban on Irish in courts Original release: ‘Hugely significant’ as British government to scrap ban on Irish in courts – Reilly (opens in a new tab)
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Irish language organisations deserve fair funding – Delargy
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy backs Irish language groups ahead of a Wednesday walkout protesting cuts to their funding, urging a fair, long-term resolution to Foras na Gaeilge funding disputes.
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Irish language organisations strike over Foras na Gaeilge funding cuts Original release: Irish language organisations deserve fair funding – Delargy (opens in a new tab)
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25 February 2025: The Arrival of the ‘West – East’ Irish Sea Border
TUV MP Jim Allister KC says export procedures on Northern Ireland goods moving to Great Britain show the Irish Sea border is cementing division, and calls on the government to abandon the Parcels Border and pursue Mutual Enforcement instead.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: West – East Irish Sea Border enforcement commencement on Northern Ireland to GB goods Original release: 25 February 2025: The Arrival of the ‘West – East’ Irish Sea Border (opens in a new tab)
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DUP Peers welcome Gambling Levy
DUP peer Lord Browne says the draft gambling levy regulations are too low to meaningfully address gambling harm, citing 2.5% of adults affected and costs possibly near £5 billion, and urges the Minister to raise rates, including to at least 5% for the most harmful remote licences.
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Draft gambling harm levy regulations for Great Britain Original release: DUP Peers welcome Gambling Levy (opens in a new tab)
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Repeal of ban on languages other than English in courts needs follow-up action from First and deputy First Minister, says Bradshaw
Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Paula Bradshaw welcomes the Secretary of State’s decision to start the fourth section of the Identity and Language (NI) Act 2022, which clarifies the repeal of the ban on non‑English languages in courts, and urges the First and deputy First Minister to promptly
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Commencement of Section 4 of the Identity and Language Act Original release: Repeal of ban on languages other than English in courts needs follow-up action from First and deputy First Minister, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Ministers repeatedly dodging Assembly accountability: O’Toole
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA accuses Executive Ministers of repeatedly avoiding Assembly scrutiny, citing the Finance Minister's draft Budget and monitoring rounds issued by written statement. He also cites the Health Minister's grant funding cuts and an AERA avian flu update…
Constitutional affairs Public finance and taxation Original release: Ministers repeatedly dodging Assembly accountability: O’Toole (opens in a new tab)
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“We have lost a great patriot who lived his life for the freedom and unity of Ireland”
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald sends condolences after the death of Bik McFarlane, describing him as a lifelong republican and a key figure in the H-Blocks and the peace process. She pays tribute to his music and extends sympathy to his family.
Other Constitutional affairs Original release: “We have lost a great patriot who lived his life for the freedom and unity of Ireland” (opens in a new tab)
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Children with special educational needs in Irish-medium schools must not be left behind – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason urges the Health and Education departments to act urgently on support for children with special educational needs in Irish-medium schools, after a joint committee meeting. She says there is no clear picture of allied health professionals in the sector and calls for…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Joint Health and Education Committees meeting on SEN support in Irish-medium schools Original release: Children with special educational needs in Irish-medium schools must not be left behind – Mason (opens in a new tab)