Latest releases
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2,484 releases
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Questions still remain surrounding blue-green algae, says Blair, following response from DAERA
Alliance spokesperson John Blair MLA says questions remain over blue-green algal blooms and water quality after a DAERA written response. He asks whether pollution contributed to the blooms, seeks transparency from the Department and Councils, and wants public awareness processes reviewed urgently.
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA written response on blue-green algae blooms in Lough Neagh Original release: Questions still remain surrounding blue-green algae, says Blair, following response from DAERA (opens in a new tab)
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Defend Free Travel Passes – Join The Protest, Saturday 19Th August, 1pm, Belfast City Hall
People Before Profit calls on supporters to join a protest in Belfast on Saturday 19 August against a Department for Infrastructure consultation that considers raising the age for free travel passes. The party says the proposals would hit isolated and vulnerable people and calls for free public…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: DFI consultation on raising free bus pass eligibility age Original release: Defend Free Travel Passes – Join The Protest, Saturday 19Th August, 1pm, Belfast City Hall (opens in a new tab)
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Toxic algae highlights need for action on water quality – Archibald
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald says repeated toxic algae in sea and river locations this summer, including Castlerock and Portstewart, shows the need for action on water quality. She reports NIEA says meetings on River Basin Management Plan measures to cut nutrients at source will start in…
Environment and climate Issue: Toxic algae occurrences in Northern Ireland waters summer 2023 Original release: Toxic algae highlights need for action on water quality – Archibald (opens in a new tab)
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Clarity needed on cross-departmental collaboration for managing budget, says Armstrong
Alliance's Kellie Armstrong MLA urges the Civil Service head to explain how departments are coordinating budget decisions, linking unbuilt housing targets in Strangford to unfunded waste water treatment and calling for Stormont's return.
Public finance and taxation Housing Issue: Civil Service roads list and budget cross-departmental planning concerns Original release: Clarity needed on cross-departmental collaboration for managing budget, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood calls for investment in Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP says UEFA's refusal to let Derry City host a Europa Conference League qualifier at Windsor Park shows Brandywell upgrades are overdue. He has written to UEFA seeking support for redevelopment plans and urges release of frozen Sub-Regional Stadia funding.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: UEFA refusal of Derry City Windsor Park Europa Conference League venue Original release: Eastwood calls for investment in Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium (opens in a new tab)
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Clarity needed on measures to investigate and tackle blue-green algae, says Alliance Party representatives
Alliance Party’s John Blair MLA, agriculture and environment spokesperson, and Causeway councillor Peter McCully urge DAERA to clarify and accelerate investigations into blue‑green algae outbreaks, assess any pollution link and publish findings, citing health risks and tourism impacts.
Environment and climate Issue: Blue‑green algae outbreaks affecting NI beaches Original release: Clarity needed on measures to investigate and tackle blue-green algae, says Alliance Party representatives (opens in a new tab)
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Health, housing and climate top agenda during Brisbane trip
Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty and Matt Carthy, Finance and Foreign Affairs spokespeople, open a week-long Australian visit in Queensland, meeting the state's health minister and reviewing social housing, energy transition and jobs plans.
Housing Economy and employment Original release: Health, housing and climate top agenda during Brisbane trip (opens in a new tab)
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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)