Latest releases
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2,477 releases
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Sinn Féin remains resolute in opposition to Hightown Incinerator – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says the party remains opposed to the proposed Hightown Incinerator after leading a cross-party delegation to Department for Infrastructure officials following a May court ruling. He says he will request a follow-up meeting with the Permanent Secretary.
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: Hightown Incinerator planning application returned to Department for Infrastructure after court ruling Original release: Sinn Féin remains resolute in opposition to Hightown Incinerator – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw outlines Alliance rejection of Health Budget and seeks maintenance of Core Grants Funding Scheme
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA rejects the current Health Budget, saying it is unfairly drawn up without ministers and calls for the Core Grants Funding Scheme to be maintained and expanded to tackle health inequalities.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: 2023 Health Budget rejection Original release: Bradshaw outlines Alliance rejection of Health Budget and seeks maintenance of Core Grants Funding Scheme (opens in a new tab)
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North Down beaches water quality testing failure incredibly concerning, says Egan
Alliance North Down MLA Connie Egan says it is very worrying that several bathing sites across North Down have failed water quality tests, prompting warning signs and advice to stay out of the water. She welcomes a DAERA water pollution investigation and says she will press DAERA and the NI…
Environment and climate Issue: North Down bathing water quality test failures and swimming warnings Original release: North Down beaches water quality testing failure incredibly concerning, says Egan (opens in a new tab)
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John Stewart MLA Calls for Action on MoT Waiting Lists
UUP MLA John Stewart calls for action on the MoT backlog, urging the re‑introduction of a Temporary Exemption Certificate to clear delays and allow fines to be appealed after motorists were told the next test date is November 2023.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: MoT testing backlog November 2023 next available date Original release: John Stewart MLA Calls for Action on MoT Waiting Lists (opens in a new tab)
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A1 safety improvements another victim of DUP boycott, says Eastwood
Lagan Valley MLA Sorcha Eastwood says the DUP's boycott of the Executive is stalling phase two of A1 safety works between Hillsborough and Loughbrickland, which need Ministerial sign-off. She is writing to the Permanent Secretary and will raise it with the Secretary of State.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: A1 Hillsborough to Loughbrickland safety improvements stalled by ministerial sign-off Original release: A1 safety improvements another victim of DUP boycott, says Eastwood (opens in a new tab)
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Mike Nesbitt MLA Calls for Duty Free Anomaly to be Rectified.
UUP economy spokesperson Mike Nesbitt MLA calls for urgent action to let Northern Ireland's three airports reinstate duty free shopping on flights to the EU, saying the absence drives travellers to Republic of Ireland airports. He argues the current regime under the Windsor Framework is an anomaly…
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Original release: Mike Nesbitt MLA Calls for Duty Free Anomaly to be Rectified. (opens in a new tab)
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Defeat of Progress Pride flag motion a shameful display from ANB Council, says Boyle
Alliance Alderman Lewis Boyle says he is dismayed that his motion to raise the Progress Pride flag from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council buildings each year on Belfast Pride day was defeated, with the UUP opposed and the SDLP abstaining. He accuses the UUP of empty rhetoric on LGBTQ+ issues.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Antrim and Newtownabbey council Progress Pride flag motion defeat Original release: Defeat of Progress Pride flag motion a shameful display from ANB Council, says Boyle (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Brian Smyth has condemned today's announcement by the Prime Minister
Green Party Councillor Brian Smyth for Lisnasharragh condemns the Prime Minister's plan to allow 100 new North Sea oil and gas licences, saying it undermines Net Zero by 2050 and will not lower fuel bills. He calls for a renewable energy revolution with green jobs instead.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Prime Minister's approval of 100 new North Sea oil and gas licences Original release: Cllr Brian Smyth has condemned today's announcement by the Prime Minister (opens in a new tab)
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Sunak’s expansion of oil and gas ‘economically and environmentally illiterate’ says Tennyson
Environment and climate Economy and employment Original release: Sunak’s expansion of oil and gas ‘economically and environmentally illiterate’ says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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PSNI need to take necessary action on hate speech at Belfast Pride, says Cllr Murray
Alliance Belfast councillor Micky Murray says he will meet the Assistant Chief Constable on 2 August to press the PSNI over a street preacher's derogatory remarks about the LGBTQ+ community during Belfast Pride, seeking assurances that homophobic hate crimes are treated seriously.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Street preacher's anti-LGBTQ+ remarks at Belfast Pride 2023 Original release: PSNI need to take necessary action on hate speech at Belfast Pride, says Cllr Murray (opens in a new tab)
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Free fares Minister presses for retention of Scheme
DUP East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell urges the public to respond to the DfI consultation on changes to concessionary fares for over-60s, and calls on the Department to protect the scheme, citing Translink figures showing over nine million senior journeys in 2022.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: DFI consultation on raising free bus pass eligibility age Original release: Free fares Minister presses for retention of Scheme (opens in a new tab)
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We all have our part to play combating discrimination and supporting those who are marginalised, says Nicholl, ahead of Belfast Pride
Alliance's Kate Nicholl MLA, who speaks on diversity and migration, wishes attendees a safe Pride ahead of Belfast Pride's parade and says hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people are rising, urging these attitudes be challenged early.
Disability and equality Original release: We all have our part to play combating discrimination and supporting those who are marginalised, says Nicholl, ahead of Belfast Pride (opens in a new tab)
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Environmental crisis in NI only being fuelled by lack of Executive, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says Northern Ireland has again failed on its environmental commitments after DAERA missed the deadline for its first Environment Improvement Plan. He blames the lack of a functioning Executive and calls for Assembly scrutiny and a Minister to lead.
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA misses deadline for first Environment Improvement Plan Original release: Environmental crisis in NI only being fuelled by lack of Executive, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Appropriate adult mental health services must be a priority for a restored Executive – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney calls for an end to the differing approach to Adult ADHD diagnosis and treatment across health trusts, after meeting Northern Trust management. He says the stalled pilot for validating private diagnoses must be expedited and that a resolution is needed.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Northern Trust Adult ADHD diagnosis and treatment provision meeting Original release: Appropriate adult mental health services must be a priority for a restored Executive – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Heavy on infrastructure ideas but light on delivery
DUP infrastructure spokesperson and North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett says the All-Island Strategic Rail Review and Union Connectivity Review offer useful vision but lack practical follow-through. He cites the York Street Interchange, funded in 2017 yet still not started, and says the party will…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: All Island Rail Review draft publication Original release: Heavy on infrastructure ideas but light on delivery (opens in a new tab)
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Minister must act and invest as called for in All Island Strategic Rail Review – MacManus
Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus calls on the Transport Minister to invest in rail after the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, welcoming the proposed Western Rail Corridor restoration and hourly services between major cities. He criticises the lack of investment north of Claremorris and says Donegal…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: All Island Rail Review draft publication Original release: Minister must act and invest as called for in All Island Strategic Rail Review – MacManus (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to publish all-Ireland rail review – Boylan
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan urges that an Executive be formed without delay so the draft all-Ireland rail review can be fully published and its recommendations weighed. He welcomes the draft's release as a step forward and calls for more investment in northern rail, particularly in the north-west.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: All Island Rail Review draft publication Original release: Executive needed to publish all-Ireland rail review – Boylan (opens in a new tab)
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All Island Rail Review shows government must now step up to grow Ireland’s rail networks – Martin Kenny TD
Sinn Féin transport spokesperson Martin Kenny TD welcomes the draft All Island Rail Review and urges the government to produce a timed action plan to invest in rail, citing planned frequency, decarbonisation and freight capacity gains. He also calls for progress on the Western Rail Corridor and…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: All Island Rail Review draft publication Original release: All Island Rail Review shows government must now step up to grow Ireland’s rail networks – Martin Kenny TD (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: Once in a generation opportunity to restore rail infrastructure
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP says the All Island Strategic Rail Review offers a rare chance to rebuild rail across the North before its draft is published. He highlights a £30bn plan and a recommended Letterkenny–Derry–Portadown route.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: All Island Rail Review draft publication Original release: Eastwood: Once in a generation opportunity to restore rail infrastructure (opens in a new tab)
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Direct Action On Climate Change “Not A Crime”
People Before Profit says Greta Thunberg was fined by a Swedish court for blocking oil trucks bound for Malmo harbour, and argues governments, not activists, are the real criminals. It backs direct action, cites Ireland's government opposing a bill to keep fossil fuels in the ground, and calls for…
Environment and climate Issue: Greta Thunberg fined in Sweden over oil truck blockade Original release: Direct Action On Climate Change “Not A Crime” (opens in a new tab)