Latest releases
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22 releases
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Protecting the environment should be a collective effort, says Blair, on Biodiversity Day
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA calls for a collective political effort to protect the environment on Biodiversity Day, after visiting Divis and the Black Mountain with the National Trust. He backs DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's nature recovery work and urges support from other…
Environment and climate Original release: Protecting the environment should be a collective effort, says Blair, on Biodiversity Day (opens in a new tab)
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Net Zero targets must be met to protect our environment – Kearney
SDLP... no, Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says Net Zero targets must be met during a Stormont debate, pointing to Lough Neagh's ecological decline, threats to eel fishing livelihoods and calls for investment in green energy such as offshore wind.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Original release: Net Zero targets must be met to protect our environment – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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DUP are bringing common sense to government – Buckley
Upper Bann MLA and DUP Director of Campaigns Jonathan Buckley says Northern Ireland requires a return to practical government after a visit to Fermanagh, criticising net zero targets and green taxes as adding to fuel and energy costs. He also accuses Sinn Féin, the SDLP and Alliance of…
Economy and employment Environment and climate Original release: DUP are bringing common sense to government – Buckley (opens in a new tab)
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30 years on from BSE but has Beef ever properly recovered?
TUV agriculture spokesman Causeway Councillor Allister Kyle says beef prices have not recovered in real terms since the 1996 BSE crisis, citing October 1995 and 2025 meat plant quotes and rising red diesel, fertiliser, feed and land costs. He says processor margins have grown too large and that…
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Original release: 30 years on from BSE but has Beef ever properly recovered? (opens in a new tab)
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Not a lot of Christmas cheer for our farmers
TUV agricultural spokesman Councillor Allister Kyle says farmers face mounting anxiety over falling milk prices, beef price pressure from Republic plants, and the first confirmed Bluetongue case in Northern Ireland with its 20km Control Zone. He warns of possible losses on store lamb investments.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: Bluetongue virus confirmed in Northern Ireland with 20km Control Zone Original release: Not a lot of Christmas cheer for our farmers (opens in a new tab)
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Protecting and restoring Lough Neagh a priority for Sinn Féin – Finnegan
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan says safeguarding Lough Neagh is a party priority ahead of an Assembly debate, citing recurring blue-green algae. She backs a workable Nutrient Action Programme and calls for short and long term actions under the Executive's Lough Neagh Action Plan, shaped by lough…
Environment and climate Issue: Assembly debate on Lough Neagh blue-green algae Original release: Protecting and restoring Lough Neagh a priority for Sinn Féin – Finnegan (opens in a new tab)
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All-island approach needed to tackle air pollution – Finnegan
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan calls for an all-island approach to tackle air pollution on Clean Air Day, arguing it harms health, worsens health inequalities and contributes to hundreds of deaths each year. She pledges support for the Executive and the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and…
Environment and climate Health Original release: All-island approach needed to tackle air pollution – Finnegan (opens in a new tab)
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Farmers must not pay the price for addressing environmental challenges in securing a sustainable future – Butler
Ulster Unionist spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA says farmers must not bear the cost of climate action, calling for codesigned measures after recent changes to create a Climate Commissioner office raised concerns. He says the changes should not pit environmental goals against agriculture.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Assembly vote to create a Climate Commissioner role Original release: Farmers must not pay the price for addressing environmental challenges in securing a sustainable future – Butler (opens in a new tab)
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Let’s use Plastic Free July to shape our attitude towards plastic waste, says Blair.
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA urges people to use Plastic Free July to change how they use and dispose of plastic, citing harm to wildlife, waterways and marine life, and UN and BBC figures on global plastic waste.
Environment and climate Original release: Let’s use Plastic Free July to shape our attitude towards plastic waste, says Blair. (opens in a new tab)
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Deputy First Minister addresses UFU AGM
Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly addresses the Ulster Farmers' Union AGM, calling for government action on wet weather, veterinary medicines supply, climate change act targets and Bovine TB, and urging investment in technology and innovation.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Original release: Deputy First Minister addresses UFU AGM (opens in a new tab)
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Elliott explains that the complex interaction between farming and climate change requires addressing
UUP agriculture spokesperson Tom Elliott MLA says farming's role in climate change needs addressing, arguing farmers are partners rather than scapegoats. He points to carbon sequestration, renewable energy on farms and the sector's economic importance, and calls for incentives and collaboration.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Original release: Elliott explains that the complex interaction between farming and climate change requires addressing (opens in a new tab)
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McAleer welcomes protected status for high-quality Irish beef produce
Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer welcomes all-Ireland Protected Geographical Indicator status for Irish grass-fed beef, saying it will boost northern beef farmers, increase EU exports and strengthen producers' reach in global markets.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: All-Ireland PGI protected status for Irish grass-fed beef Original release: McAleer welcomes protected status for high-quality Irish beef produce (opens in a new tab)
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New DAERA Minister, Andrew Muir says he's committed to delivering across full remit of Department for good of everyone in NI
Alliance's Andrew Muir MLA, the new DAERA Minister, says he will deliver across the department's full remit, prioritising Lough Neagh's recovery, longer-term carbon targets and bovine TB, while working with farming and fishing communities.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Andrew Muir appointed Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Original release: New DAERA Minister, Andrew Muir says he's committed to delivering across full remit of Department for good of everyone in NI (opens in a new tab)
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John Blair MLA reiterates the need to do better for nature’s recovery
Alliance Agriculture and Environment Spokesperson John Blair MLA says the natural environment is depleting rapidly, citing Lough Neagh, and urges urgent action after meeting Ulster Wildlife, hoping a restored Assembly will make nature‑proofing central to government policy.
Environment and climate Issue: Meeting with Ulster Wildlife on nature recovery Original release: John Blair MLA reiterates the need to do better for nature’s recovery (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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Ireland can be a European leader of prosperity, peace and hope – Mary Lou McDonald TD
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD urges Ireland to position itself as a European leader in prosperity, peace and hope, in an address in Brussels. She argues EU membership should be driven by solidarity, affordable housing, public healthcare and education, and rejects calls to abandon…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Ireland can be a European leader of prosperity, peace and hope – Mary Lou McDonald TD (opens in a new tab)
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25 Years Of The Good Friday Agreement – Time To Make Poverty And Sectarianism History
People Before Profit publishes a special report on the impact of the Good Friday Agreement on its 25th anniversary. Councillor Shaun Harkin says the agreement failed to deliver prosperity or end sectarianism, citing poverty, food bank reliance and run-down public services.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement Original release: 25 Years Of The Good Friday Agreement – Time To Make Poverty And Sectarianism History (opens in a new tab)
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To progress social justice we need political parties to work together, says Armstrong on #WorldSocialJusticeDay
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA calls on political parties to work together rather than put party first on World Social Justice Day, and welcomes the Independent Panel's Review of Welfare Mitigations recommendations on a Carers payment and family support.
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Original release: To progress social justice we need political parties to work together, says Armstrong on #WorldSocialJusticeDay (opens in a new tab)
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2023: Socialism Is The Answer To A World In Crisis
People Before Profit's New Year message looks back at 2022, arguing that inflation, climate inaction, reproductive rights, the war in Ukraine and Irish housing and health crises show capitalism is failing, and calls for Ireland's first left-wing government.
Economy and employment International affairs Original release: 2023: Socialism Is The Answer To A World In Crisis (opens in a new tab)
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This Is The Reality Of Climate Change
People Before Profit's statement says the UN environment agency's latest report shows global pledges would reach 2.8°C of warming, far above the 1.5°C scientists say is needed. It warns of heatwaves, crop failures and famine, especially in the Horn of Africa, and criticises military spending as a…
Environment and climate International affairs Issue: UN Environment Programme report on global warming pledges reaching 2.8°C Original release: This Is The Reality Of Climate Change (opens in a new tab)