Latest releases
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95 releases
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We will not let drugs take hold of our rural communities
UUP Deputy Leader and Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Diana Armstrong is leading an Assembly adjournment debate on drugs and drug-related intimidation in rural communities. She calls on the Justice Minister to say what replaces the Executive drugs programme ending in March 2027.
Justice and policing Agriculture and rural affairs Original release: We will not let drugs take hold of our rural communities (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Reilly Secures Council Backing for Action on Economic Abuse
SDLP Councillor Martin Reilly says Derry and Strabane District Council has backed his motion calling for stronger action on economic abuse, including emergency financial help and specialist debt advice for those escaping abuse, and urges Executive departments to develop a coordinated response.
Justice and policing Local government Issue: Derry and Strabane District Council economic abuse motion Original release: Reilly Secures Council Backing for Action on Economic Abuse (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Harkin: Council Motion Stands with Sally Rooney Against Hypocritical British Government Repression
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin calls on Derry City and Strabane District Council to stand with Sally Rooney, condemn the British government's ban on her books and the criminalisation of Palestine Action, and demand the ban be lifted and freedom of expression protected.
International affairs Local government Issue: Ban on Sally Rooney's novels in Britain and Northern Ireland Original release: Harkin: Council Motion Stands with Sally Rooney Against Hypocritical British Government Repression (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Legacy matters and constitutional change discussed at recent British Irish Parliamentary Assembly meeting – Senator Conor Murphy
Sinn Féin Senator Conor Murphy raises concerns over British legacy legislation, calling for public inquiries including into the 1997 murder of Sean Brown and objecting to a recent amendment requiring Attorney General consent for prosecutions. He also asks BIPA to schedule a debate on…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: British Government legacy amendments announcement Original release: Legacy matters and constitutional change discussed at recent British Irish Parliamentary Assembly meeting – Senator Conor Murphy (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Swann Welcomes Commitment from Secretary of State on Troubles-Related Sexual Violence
UUP MP Robin Swann says the Secretary of State, Sir Chris Bryant, has given a firm undertaking to work with him on his amendment to bring Troubles-related sexual violence within Legacy Commission investigation criteria during the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill's passage to the Lords.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill amendment on Troubles-related sexual violence Original release: Swann Welcomes Commitment from Secretary of State on Troubles-Related Sexual Violence (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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Swann calls for cross party support as Legacy Sexual Offences Amendment is tabled for Parliamentary vote
UUP MP Robin Swann calls on MPs from all parties to back Amendment 4 to the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, extending the proposed Legacy Commission's remit to investigate Troubles-related sexual crimes rather than relying on PSNI reporting.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Amendment 4 to Northern Ireland Troubles Bill on Troubles-related sexual crimes Original release: Swann calls for cross party support as Legacy Sexual Offences Amendment is tabled for Parliamentary vote (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 26 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin submits Urgent Oral Questions following sentencing of Jeffrey Donaldson
Sinn Féin Chief Whip Sineád Ennis says the party has submitted urgent oral questions to three departments after Jeffrey Donaldson's sentencing for child sexual offences. Questions ask TEO about support for abuse victims, the Education Minister about safeguarding in schools and governing bodies…
Justice and policing Issue: Jeffrey Donaldson sentencing for sexual offences Original release: Sinn Féin submits Urgent Oral Questions following sentencing of Jeffrey Donaldson (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Carroll: Reject Givan’s Delay Tactics. Make Sure No Child Goes Hungry
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll says he will vote against the Education Minister's amendments to the Holiday Meal Payments Bill at Further Consideration Stage and back the Education Committee's amendments, so payments are never below a school dinner's cost.
Social security and welfare Education Issue: Education (Holiday Meal Payments) Bill Further Consideration Stage amendments Original release: Carroll: Reject Givan’s Delay Tactics. Make Sure No Child Goes Hungry (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 12 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Dublin City Council passes motion supporting Garvaghy Road residents
Sinn Féin Group Leader Cllr. Daithí Doolan says Dublin City Council passed an emergency motion, with cross-party support, urging the Orange Order to reroute its march away from Garvaghy Road. He says the Lord Mayor will ask the Taoiseach, PSNI and British Secretary of State to agree a reroute.
Community relations and legacy Local government Issue: Dublin City Council emergency motion on Orange Order march at Garvaghy Road Original release: Dublin City Council passes motion supporting Garvaghy Road residents (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 5 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Dublin City Council to debate supporting Garvaghy Residents
Sinn Féin Dublin City Council Group Leader Cllr. Daithí Doolan says the party has tabled an emergency motion for tomorrow's council meeting backing Garvaghy Road residents and urging the Orange Order not to march down the road. He says no Orange march has passed there for 28 years.
Community relations and legacy Local government Issue: Dublin City Council emergency motion on Orange Order march at Garvaghy Road Original release: Dublin City Council to debate supporting Garvaghy Residents (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 5 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Sheerin welcomes progress of Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin welcomes the Assembly's second stage passage of the Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill, backing a statutory footing for the Victims of Crime Commissioner. She also backs tighter privacy safeguards for those who report serious sexual offences and extra courtroom…
Justice and policing Issue: Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill second stage vote Original release: Sheerin welcomes progress of Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill (opens in a new tab)
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No girl should have to ask permission to wear trousers to school – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason says the School Uniforms Bill’s latest Assembly stage provides an opportunity to guarantee every pupil the automatic right to wear trousers, urging school uniform policy to be brought into the 21st century.
Education Disability and equality Issue: School Uniforms Bill passes Assembly stage Original release: No girl should have to ask permission to wear trousers to school – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone welcomes support for new police powers to tackle scramblers and e-scooters
SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone welcomes Assembly backing for an SDLP-proposed amendment to the Justice Bill giving police powers to seize scramblers and e-scooters causing alarm, distress or annoyance without a prior warning. He says it balances intervention with avoiding criminalising young people.
Justice and policing Issue: Justice Bill amendment on police seizure powers for scramblers and e-scooters Original release: McGlone welcomes support for new police powers to tackle scramblers and e-scooters (opens in a new tab)
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Why the DUP is holding the line on criminal responsibility
DUP MLA Paul Frew says the party will not support raising the age of criminal responsibility from ten, condemns recent youth sentences and announces a Petition of Concern to block amendments that would limit criminal sanctions for serious offences.
Justice and policing Issue: Proposed increase in age of criminal responsibility Original release: Why the DUP is holding the line on criminal responsibility (opens in a new tab)
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Tools available to criminal justice system should not be removed: Frew
DUP Justice Spokesperson Paul Frew says the party has lodged a Petition of Concern to block proposals to raise the age of criminal responsibility, urging signatures and warning that removing police powers would undermine the justice system.
Justice and policing Issue: Proposed increase in age of criminal responsibility Original release: Tools available to criminal justice system should not be removed: Frew (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows presses case for Northern Ireland at Westminster
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA says his Westminster visit was to make the case for Northern Ireland, urging a VAT reduction for hospitality and tourism, restoration of the Irish Sea border settlement, fairness for veterans and former RUC officers, and answers on the former Police Ombudsman's security‑v
Constitutional affairs Justice and policing Issue: UUP Westminster visit urging VAT cut for hospitality Original release: Burrows presses case for Northern Ireland at Westminster (opens in a new tab)
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Cuireann Sheehan fáilte roimh an dul chun cinn ar Bhille um Ghaelscolaíocht
Sinn Féin MLA for West Belfast Sheehan welcomes the Irish Medium Education workforce bill passing its second stage in the Assembly. He says it will require the Department of Education to plan for the sector's staffing needs, and accuses the DUP and others of trying to obstruct progress.
Education Issue: Irish Medium Education workforce bill second stage in Assembly Original release: Cuireann Sheehan fáilte roimh an dul chun cinn ar Bhille um Ghaelscolaíocht (opens in a new tab)
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Baker welcomes Holiday Hunger Bill progressing to next stage
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker welcomes the Holiday Hunger Bill clearing second stage in the Assembly and moving to committee, saying it will help 90,000 disadvantaged children and families during holidays. He criticises the Education Minister for not backing the bill and pledges cross-party work to…
Social security and welfare Issue: Holiday Hunger Bill passes second stage in Assembly Original release: Baker welcomes Holiday Hunger Bill progressing to next stage (opens in a new tab)
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Campbell Marks European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism
DUP MP Gregory Campbell has tabled a Commons motion recognising victims of terrorism across the UK and Europe on the anniversary of the 2004 Madrid bombings. He says the victims' suffering must never be forgotten and that a clear line must be drawn between victims and perpetrators who portray…
Justice and policing International affairs Original release: Campbell Marks European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism (opens in a new tab)
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Bill to support Irish-medium education passes first stage – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says his Irish Medium Education Bill has passed its first stage in the Assembly. He says Irish-medium schools struggle to recruit teachers, SEN and early years staff, and calls for the Department of Education to plan the Irish-medium workforce with evidence, targets and…
Education Issue: Irish Medium Education Bill passes first stage in Assembly Original release: Bill to support Irish-medium education passes first stage – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)