Latest releases
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69 releases
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SDLP proposes “no regrets” actions to enhance all-island cooperation
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP urges the Irish Government to fast-track all-island economic integration in its upcoming 2027 spending plans, seeking more Shared Island Fund investment and an All-Island Economic Task Force. She warns that Stormont's lack of budgets is creating uncertainty for public…
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Original release: SDLP proposes “no regrets” actions to enhance all-island cooperation (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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Budget must put workers and families first – Mary Lou McDonald TD
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald TD says Budget 2027 must put workers and families first, setting out proposals to abolish USC on the first €40,000 and provide a €400 energy credit. She also calls on the Irish government to prepare for Irish unity and to put the Triple Lock dismantling plan to a…
Public finance and taxation Constitutional affairs Original release: Budget must put workers and families first – Mary Lou McDonald TD (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Opportunity to build on legacy of Fleadh can’t be squandered
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA urges the First Minister and deputy First Minister to act on proposals for Belfast after the 2026 Fleadh, including a car-free city centre, licensing reform, better transport, good relations funding and an annual music festival.
Infrastructure and transport Original release: O’Toole: Opportunity to build on legacy of Fleadh can’t be squandered (opens in a new tab)
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Construction sector can be a strategic partner for creating jobs and tackling regional imbalance – Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard says planning reform and multi-year capital funding are needed for the construction sector to create jobs and tackle regional imbalance. Speaking at the Construction Employers Federation conference, he calls for an independent Infrastructure Commission and a long-term…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Original release: Construction sector can be a strategic partner for creating jobs and tackling regional imbalance – Hazzard (opens in a new tab)
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The DUP’s Proposed Hard Border between North and South is Impossible – Tóibín
Aontú Leader and Meath West TD says the DUP’s proposed hard border between the north and south is impossible to police, would damage the all‑Ireland economy and risk a return to Troubles‑era controls, and calls on the Irish government to open talks with the UK, pledging to raise the issue at the BI‑
Constitutional affairs Immigration Original release: The DUP’s Proposed Hard Border between North and South is Impossible – Tóibín (opens in a new tab)
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Gerry Carroll’s People's Housing Bill: the Tenant Protections Stormont Refuses to Deliver
People Before Profit's Gerry Carroll says Belfast rents have jumped over 50% in five years, leaving tenants vulnerable to evictions and disrepair. He announces a private members People’s Housing Bill to cut rents and ban no‑fault evictions, calling for urgent action on the housing crisis.
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Huge support for all pupils having the option to wear trousers – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason welcomes the strongly positive response to a survey by the Education Committee on a plan guaranteeing all pupils the right to wear trousers, with about 98% in favour. She says the School Uniform Bill was a missed opportunity and calls for it to pass before next year's…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Huge support for all pupils having the option to wear trousers – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin bill removes barriers to accessing social housing – Eoin Ó Broin TD
Sinn Féin TD Eoin Ó Broin, with Louise O'Reilly and Mark Ward, has introduced the Social Housing Passport Bill 2026 in the Dáil. It would let people move between local authority housing lists and keep their years on the list in cases such as domestic violence, employment or medical needs, and…
Housing Local government Original release: Sinn Féin bill removes barriers to accessing social housing – Eoin Ó Broin TD (opens in a new tab)
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Givan: Childcare reforms could cut costs for families by over 50%
Education Minister Paul Givan launches a draft Executive Early Learning and Childcare Strategy, with a public consultation, saying it could subsidise working families' childcare costs by more than 50%. It proposes universal full-time pre-school education and an Early Years Curriculum Framework.
Education Public finance and taxation Original release: Givan: Childcare reforms could cut costs for families by over 50% (opens in a new tab)
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Costs faced by families in schools must be reduced – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker calls on the Education Minister to move towards free school meals for all children, ahead of an Assembly debate on school meals. He also says he is bringing forward legislation to support families during school holidays.
Education Social security and welfare Original release: Costs faced by families in schools must be reduced – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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Ending the rip-off and supporting workers and families must be top priority in this budget – Mary Lou McDonald TD
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Original release: Ending the rip-off and supporting workers and families must be top priority in this budget – Mary Lou McDonald TD (opens in a new tab)
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Ferguson committed to banning unfair letting fees
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson welcomes progress on her bill to ban unfair letting fees, following the close of her consultation, and says most respondents backed a ban on charges such as application, administration, credit check and inspection fees. The bill would also require Department for…
Housing Economy and employment Original release: Ferguson committed to banning unfair letting fees (opens in a new tab)
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Amendments to School Uniform Bill would benefit families and young people – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan has re-submitted amendments to the School Uniforms Bill to reduce family costs, proposing limits on branded items, generic alternatives, girls' right to wear trousers, support for children with additional needs, and uniform banks and swap schemes.
Education Disability and equality Original release: Amendments to School Uniform Bill would benefit families and young people – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Knockmore Line can unlock opportunities for South Antrim – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says reinstating the Knockmore Line to Belfast International Airport could transform the regional economy and ease transport pressures, and welcomes its inclusion in the All-Island Strategic Rail review.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Original release: Knockmore Line can unlock opportunities for South Antrim – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Congratulations to GCSE students – time the powers that be delivered for them on apprenticeships
TUV chairman Councillor Allister Kyle congratulates GCSE students on results day and calls for a complete overhaul of the apprenticeship system, arguing the current college-then-employer route is flawed and that training centres should return.
Economy and employment Education Original release: Congratulations to GCSE students – time the powers that be delivered for them on apprenticeships (opens in a new tab)
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Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Begins with Consistent Sentencing – Beattie
UUP justice spokesperson Doug Beattie MLA calls for a Sentencing Council for Northern Ireland, arguing inconsistent sentencing is undermining confidence in the courts. He cites a recent case where a man received a suspended sentence for striking a teenage girl, and urges the Justice Minister to…
Justice and policing Education Original release: Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Begins with Consistent Sentencing – Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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Votes at 16 welcome, but it must be accompanied by changes to education curriculum - Butler
UUP MLA Robbie Butler, young people's spokesperson, welcomes votes at 16 but says it must be accompanied by changes to the education curriculum adding political education on how the Northern Ireland and UK voting systems work. He hopes this will encourage wider youth turnout.
Constitutional affairs Education Original release: Votes at 16 welcome, but it must be accompanied by changes to education curriculum - Butler (opens in a new tab)
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Irish medium education requires a workforce plan – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan publishes a report calling for a new approach to workforce planning in Irish-medium education, following a consultation on his proposed legislation. He says he will bring forward a Bill requiring the Department of Education to produce a five-year Irish-medium workforce…
Education Original release: Irish medium education requires a workforce plan – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Opposition announces plan to mark Executive card on delivery
SDLP Opposition announces amendments to the Fiscal Council Bill giving the independent Fiscal Council a legal duty to assess annually the Executive's delivery against specific Programme for Government targets. Leader Matthew O'Toole says the social housing target looks all but certain to be missed.
Public finance and taxation Housing Original release: SDLP Opposition announces plan to mark Executive card on delivery (opens in a new tab)
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‘No child should be priced out of a school because of the cost of a uniform’ – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker says the School Uniforms Bill offers a chance to modernise uniform policy, and calls for proposals covering affordability, accessibility for children with special educational needs, and allowing girls to wear trousers.
Education Disability and equality Original release: ‘No child should be priced out of a school because of the cost of a uniform’ – Baker (opens in a new tab)