Latest releases
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1,990 releases
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Changes to marriage law reflect changing Northern Ireland, says Armstrong
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong welcomes Finance Minister Conor Murphy's announced plan to give non-religious marriages equal legal standing with faith marriages and raise the minimum marriage age to 18. She says a public consultation showed a clear majority in favour and urges permanent changes…
Disability and equality Issue: Finance Minister Conor Murphy announces marriage law reforms on non-religious marriage and minimum age Original release: Changes to marriage law reflect changing Northern Ireland, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Lisa McGee to become the first woman to receive the Freedom of the City
SDLP councillor Martin Reilly welcomes the unanimous council vote to nominate 'Derry Girls' creator Lisa McGee for the Freedom of the City of Derry, making her the first woman to receive the honour. He says a special meeting will now be arranged to confer it.
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Lisa McGee Freedom of the City of Derry council vote Original release: Lisa McGee to become the first woman to receive the Freedom of the City (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Fiona Ferguson Organises Belfast Rally In Solidarity With The Rollback Of Roe V Wade In America
People Before Profit councillor Fiona Ferguson, who organised a Belfast rally at City Hall tonight, says it shows solidarity with the US rollback of Roe v Wade and demands local abortion services. She accuses Health Minister Robin Swann of an abject failure over women still travelling to England.
Disability and equality International affairs Issue: US Supreme Court overturns Roe v Wade Original release: Cllr Fiona Ferguson Organises Belfast Rally In Solidarity With The Rollback Of Roe V Wade In America (opens in a new tab)
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Sheerin call on Health Minister to act on waiting lists at Gender Identity Clinic - Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin calls on the Department of Health to speed up care for trans people at the Brackenburn Clinic, citing 566 people waiting after a minister's update on the list. She says some are self-medicating from the internet.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Brackenburn Clinic gender identity waiting list figures Original release: Sheerin call on Health Minister to act on waiting lists at Gender Identity Clinic - Sinn Féin (opens in a new tab)
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Cost of living support must be given to carers, says Armstrong
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong says carers are being left out of the UK government's £650 cost of living payments, because carers' allowance is not a qualifying benefit. She calls on the Communities Minister to find ways to support carers facing the ongoing financial crisis.
Social security and welfare Economy and employment Issue: UK government £650 cost of living payments for benefit recipients Original release: Cost of living support must be given to carers, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Roe V Wade Decision Is A Wake Up Call To Repeal Movement In Ireland
People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith urges the Taoiseach in the Dáil to complete the ongoing review of the Termination of Pregnancy Act, citing the US Roe v Wade ruling as a warning against complacency on abortion rights.
Disability and equality Health Issue: US Supreme Court overturns Roe v Wade Original release: Roe V Wade Decision Is A Wake Up Call To Repeal Movement In Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison pledges work on school uniform legislation
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison says any incoming Executive must prioritise the cost of living crisis, and plans to introduce a members' bill to set fairness rules for school uniform pricing. He urges the Education Department to legislate for a cap on uniform costs and criticises the DUP for not…
Education Economy and employment Original release: Mathison pledges work on school uniform legislation (opens in a new tab)
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‘Damaging transfer tests should be scrapped’ – Sheehan - Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says new Ulster University research showing academic selection is traumatic for children strengthens the case for scrapping transfer tests. He calls on school Boards of Governors to back an inclusive, non-selective education system.
Education Issue: Ulster University research on academic selection and children's wellbeing Original release: ‘Damaging transfer tests should be scrapped’ – Sheehan - Sinn Féin (opens in a new tab)
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‘Children with no school places need certainty from education minister’ – Sheehan - Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan urges the Education Minister and Education Authority to give pupils with special educational needs and their families clarity on school placements for September, after reports that 300 such children lack a place. He also blames the DUP's boycott for stalling an Executive.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Over 300 SEN pupils without school places for September Original release: ‘Children with no school places need certainty from education minister’ – Sheehan - Sinn Féin (opens in a new tab)
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Cost of Fuel could leave some motability car users housebound - Doyle
Aontú Cllr Emmet Doyle says rising fuel and maintenance costs are pushing some disabled Motability car users in Derry to consider handing back their vehicles, and calls on Motability to extend its fuel-price payment to existing customers with long-term agreements.
Economy and employment Disability and equality Original release: Cost of Fuel could leave some motability car users housebound - Doyle (opens in a new tab)
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Children with special educational needs left behind yet again, says Egan
Alliance Education spokesperson Connie Egan MLA says children with special educational needs have been left behind again after reports that over 300 lack a school place for September. She blames area planning failures by the Education Minister and the Education Authority, and calls for the…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Over 300 SEN pupils without school places for September Original release: Children with special educational needs left behind yet again, says Egan (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan dismayed at lack of school places for SEN children
SDLP Education Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan says he is dismayed that more than 300 children with special educational needs lack a school place for September, and blames the Education Authority for repeated failures and weak strategic planning. He calls for the placements to be confirmed…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Over 300 SEN pupils without school places for September Original release: McCrossan dismayed at lack of school places for SEN children (opens in a new tab)
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Too much money not being spent on educating children, says Armstrong
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong says excessive spending on sectoral and employing bodies should be redirected to educate children, urging a shift to a child‑centric system after the Department of Education’s EA landscape review highlighted ongoing concerns.
Education Issue: Department of Education EA landscape review Original release: Too much money not being spent on educating children, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Minister must introduce Education Authority review recommendations
SDLP Education Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan calls on Education Minister Michelle McIlveen to implement all 13 recommendations of the Education Authority review, and to publish a timescale and costed plan for reform of the EA.
Education Issue: Department of Education EA landscape review Original release: McCrossan: Minister must introduce Education Authority review recommendations (opens in a new tab)
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Figures for women still travelling to GB for healthcare nothing short of an outrage, says Bradshaw
Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw says latest figures showing 161 women travelled from Northern Ireland to England or Wales for reproductive healthcare in 2021 are outrageous. She says the law on abortion is not being implemented and calls for those services to be provided locally.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Figures on Northern Ireland women travelling to GB for reproductive healthcare in 2021 Original release: Figures for women still travelling to GB for healthcare nothing short of an outrage, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Exam clarity relief for students and teachers
SDLP Education Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan welcomes the Department of Education's outlining of CCEA qualification exam arrangements for the next school year, saying it avoids last-minute decisions. He also welcomes extra financial support for schools to help pupils prepare for examinations, and…
Education Issue: Department of Education CCEA exam arrangements for next school year Original release: McCrossan: Exam clarity relief for students and teachers (opens in a new tab)
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PSNI ‘Spit Hood’ Justification Can’t Be Trusted
People Before Profit Cllr Maeve O'Neill says the PSNI's decision to make spit hood use permanent is unjustifiable, citing refusal to publish consultation findings on equality impact and reported disproportionate use on disabled people, Catholic-background people and children.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: PSNI decision to make spit hood use permanent Original release: PSNI ‘Spit Hood’ Justification Can’t Be Trusted (opens in a new tab)
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Sheehan welcomes uniform grant increase - Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan welcomes the announcement of an extra £1 million, raising uniform grants for eligible families by 20%, but says more is needed and urges the DUP to end its Executive boycott to address the cost‑of‑living crisis.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Uniform grant increase for low‑income families Original release: Sheehan welcomes uniform grant increase - Sinn Féin (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Lee Calls For Regional Model For Learning Disability Services
Cllr Simon Lee urges the Health Minister to acknowledge pandemic‑induced isolation and reduced provision for people with learning disabilities, and calls for a rapid rollout of a regional service model to end postcode‑based inequities.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Learning Disability Week service disruption Original release: Cllr Lee Calls For Regional Model For Learning Disability Services (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Families need more support with school uniform costs
SDLP Education Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan says families need more support with school uniform costs, saying a further £1m for low-income families is welcome but insufficient and that Northern Ireland lags Scotland on grants. He calls on the Education Minister to step up and provide support…
Education Economy and employment Issue: Uniform grant increase for low‑income families Original release: McCrossan: Families need more support with school uniform costs (opens in a new tab)