Latest releases
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29 releases
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Council’s Armed Forces jobs fair ban is insulting and ridiculous
TUV West Tyrone candidate Stevan Patterson condemns Derry City and Strabane District Council's decision to withdraw from future jobs fairs involving the Armed Forces, calling it ridiculous and insulting. He cites a recent bomb disposal operation at an Ebrington Square hotel as context.
Local government Economy and employment Issue: Derry City and Strabane District Council Armed Forces jobs fair ban Original release: Council’s Armed Forces jobs fair ban is insulting and ridiculous (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Unionist attempt to remove me as Chair of PCSP fails – Lynch
Sinn Féin councillor Declan Lynch says an attempt by unionist parties to oust him as chair of Lisburn and Castlereagh's Policing and Community Safety Partnership failed at Tuesday's full council meeting. He pledges to keep representing people across Lisburn and the Lagan Valley.
Justice and policing Local government Issue: Unionist motion to replace PCSP chair at Lisburn and Castlereagh council Original release: Unionist attempt to remove me as Chair of PCSP fails – Lynch (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Say No to Abortion Illuminations on Belfast City Hall!
Aontú opposes Belfast City Council's decision to light up Belfast City Hall for International Safe Abortion Day, calling it shocking use of the building. It says Sinn Féin and the SDLP councillors who backed the lighting have abandoned pro-life principles and calls for support for mothers instead.
Health Local government Issue: Belfast City Hall lighting for International Safe Abortion Day Original release: Say No to Abortion Illuminations on Belfast City Hall! (opens in a new tab)
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TUV welcome declaration on Palestinian flag case
TUV deputy leader Councillor Ron McDowell welcomes the High Court declaration by Mr Justice McLaughlin that Belfast City Council's 1 December 2025 procedure on the Palestinian flag decision was unlawful and breached its standing orders. He calls it a serious finding and congratulates Ann McClure…
Local government Justice and policing Issue: High Court declaration on Belfast City Council Palestinian flag decision Original release: TUV welcome declaration on Palestinian flag case (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Groogan statement on Belfast City Council special meeting
Green Party councillor Áine Groogan says a special Belfast City Council meeting on planning enforcement should not have happened, arguing that political interventions risk undermining impartial officer decisions and breaching the councillors' code of conduct. She calls the move distraction…
Local government Issue: Belfast City Council special meeting Original release: Cllr Groogan statement on Belfast City Council special meeting (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 26 April 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McDowell supports submission of Call-In on Belfast City Centre anti free speech bye-laws
TUV deputy leader Councillor Ron McDowell says he has joined other unionist councillors in submitting a call-in of proposed Belfast City Centre bye-laws that would require a permit for amplification equipment and regulate displays and activities in the primary retail area. He argues the measures…
Local government Issue: Belfast City Centre bye-laws call-in submission Original release: McDowell supports submission of Call-In on Belfast City Centre anti free speech bye-laws (opens in a new tab)
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Assembly Rooms back in public ownership – Brennan
Sinn Féin councillor Natasha Brennan welcomes confirmation that the Assembly Rooms and surrounding land have returned to public ownership, following a council purchase decided earlier this year. She says the building will regenerate Belfast city centre.
Local government Issue: Assembly Rooms purchase returned to public ownership Belfast Original release: Assembly Rooms back in public ownership – Brennan (opens in a new tab)
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Council committee suspended over decision to censor trade union meeting – Beattie
Sinn Féin councillor Ciaran Beattie says legal advice has been requested after ICC Belfast (Waterfront) banned a Palestine graphic at a UNISON meeting, prompting trade unionists to walk out. He reports that the council's Strategic Policy & Resources Committee has been suspended until legal clarity…
Local government International affairs Issue: ICC Belfast Waterfront ban on Palestine graphic at UNISON meeting Original release: Council committee suspended over decision to censor trade union meeting – Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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Nelson welcomes BCC acquisition of Assembly Rooms building
Alliance Castle Councillor Sam Nelson welcomes Belfast City Council's completed acquisition of the Assembly Rooms, a 1769 building now moving from private ownership. He calls it a first step towards restoring the building and bringing it into public use.
Local government Issue: Assembly Rooms purchase returned to public ownership Belfast Original release: Nelson welcomes BCC acquisition of Assembly Rooms building (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance will not participate in councillor strike, says Lavery
Alliance Party Chair Councillor Peter Lavery says Alliance will not take part in any councillor strike or work‑to‑rule, arguing that working families face rising costs and public services are under strain, and warning that such action would damage public confidence.
Local government Issue: National Association of Councillors strike ballot proposal over allowances Original release: Alliance will not participate in councillor strike, says Lavery (opens in a new tab)
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Recent strike proposals are untenable and Ulster Unionist councillors remain open for business – Cllr David Taylor
Ulster Unionist Councillors Association chairman Cllr David Taylor says the UUP opposes any strike action or work to rule over the Ministerial Review of councillors' roles and responsibilities, arguing it would harm local government and constituents.
Local government Issue: Ministerial Review of the Roles and Responsibilities of Councillors in Northern Ireland Original release: Recent strike proposals are untenable and Ulster Unionist councillors remain open for business – Cllr David Taylor (opens in a new tab)
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Long welcomes ratification of BCC bid for Assembly Rooms building
Alliance Councillor Michael Long welcomes Belfast City Council's ratification of a bid to purchase the historic Assembly Rooms in the city centre, which he helped propose, and urges further efforts to regenerate the city centre.
Local government Issue: Belfast City Council bid to purchase Assembly Rooms building Original release: Long welcomes ratification of BCC bid for Assembly Rooms building (opens in a new tab)
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Greens deliver sale of the Assembly rooms
Green Party Councillor Aine Groogan welcomes Belfast City Council's agreement to seek completion of the sale of the Assembly rooms, which she says would bring the building back into public ownership. She credits Green campaigning on the Cathedral Quarter regeneration and Castlebrook for helping…
Local government Issue: Belfast City Council offer to acquire Assembly Rooms building Original release: Greens deliver sale of the Assembly rooms (opens in a new tab)
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McDonough-Brown welcomes agreement on BCC acquisition of Assembly Rooms building
Alliance Botanic Councillor Emmet McDonough-Brown welcomes agreement at Belfast City Council's Strategic Policy and Resources Committee on an offer to acquire the listed Assembly Rooms building. He says restoring the 1769 city-centre building would help preserve heritage and support regeneration…
Local government Issue: Belfast City Council offer to acquire Assembly Rooms building Original release: McDonough-Brown welcomes agreement on BCC acquisition of Assembly Rooms building (opens in a new tab)
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TUV Action Prompts Investigation into Offensive City Hall Pride Window
TUV secretary and equality spokesperson Ann McClure says a formal complaint over Belfast City Council's City Hall "Pride" window has prompted an internal equality investigation, and calls for the offensive portion to be covered or removed, retrospective equality screening, consultation with faith…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Belfast City Hall Pride window equality complaint and investigation Original release: TUV Action Prompts Investigation into Offensive City Hall Pride Window (opens in a new tab)
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Statement on PPS Decision to Prosecute in Mid and East Antrim Borough Council FOI Case
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston welcomes the Public Prosecution Service decision to bring charges after a police probe into alleged email deletions at Mid and East Antrim council, saying Freedom of Information integrity matters and interference must have consequences.
Local government Justice and policing Issue: PPS decision to prosecute Mid and East Antrim FOI email case Original release: Statement on PPS Decision to Prosecute in Mid and East Antrim Borough Council FOI Case (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Brian Smyth "Alliance Party's dead horse flogging idea" defeated
Green Party councillor Brian Smyth welcomes the defeat at Belfast City Council of an Alliance proposal to let large multinational stores open longer on Sundays. He says trade unions and small businesses opposed it and calls for Belfast to offer a distinct cultural attraction instead.
Local government Economy and employment Issue: Belfast City Council vote on longer Sunday trading for large stores Original release: Cllr Brian Smyth "Alliance Party's dead horse flogging idea" defeated (opens in a new tab)
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De Faoite expresses concern about extension to Sunday trading in Belfast
SDLP Belfast City Council Group Leader Séamas de Faoite opposes a Belfast council pilot that would halt enforcement against shops opening early on Sundays, arguing it benefits large retailers at workers' expense. He calls for alternative Sunday initiatives and questions the 2016-2017 surveys…
Economy and employment Local government Issue: Belfast city centre Sunday trading pilot scheme agreed Original release: De Faoite expresses concern about extension to Sunday trading in Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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Statement from Councillor Debbie Coyle
Sinn Féin councillor Debbie Coyle says statements issued by Fermanagh and Omagh council officials on the UK Supreme Court ruling were not authorised by elected councillors. She says the party will raise it at the next council meeting and urges public bodies to await Equality and Human Rights…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Fermanagh and Omagh council officials' comments on UK Supreme Court ruling Original release: Statement from Councillor Debbie Coyle (opens in a new tab)
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Decision to strike down proposals for charities' use of council facilities disappointing, says Skinner.
Alliance councillor Aaron Skinner says he is disappointed that DUP, TUV and Sinn Féin councillors voted down plans at Mid and East Antrim Council letting charities use council facilities free at set times. He argues the decision blocks services such as Positive Life's proposed free HIV testing…
Local government Health Issue: Mid and East Antrim Council rejects free charity use of council facilities Original release: Decision to strike down proposals for charities' use of council facilities disappointing, says Skinner. (opens in a new tab)