Latest releases
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58 releases
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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 Original release: Carroll: Reject Givan’s Delay Tactics. Make Sure No Child Goes Hungry (opens in a new tab)
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Diana Armstrong is new AERA committee chair
UUP MLA Diana Armstrong, Fermanagh and South Tyrone, says she will chair the Assembly's agriculture and environment committee, replacing Robbie Butler, and pledges to hold the Department to account on farm affordability, bovine TB, mental health and the Dilapidation Bill.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Original release: Diana Armstrong is new AERA committee chair (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 Original release: No girl should have to ask permission to wear trousers to school – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Bower welcomes motion passing on environmentally conscious public acts of remembrance
Alliance Belfast Councillor Christine Bower welcomes council's passing of her motion urging support for public remembrance acts that are safe and environmentally mindful, including designated memorial spaces in parks and greener events. Officers will research feasibility.
Environment and climate Local government Original release: Bower welcomes motion passing on environmentally conscious public acts of remembrance (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter welcomes Assembly backing for post-19 SEN reform
SDLP's Hunter welcomes the Assembly's backing for reform of special educational needs (SEN) provision for young people aged over 19. The release is brief and gives no further detail on the vote or the reform's contents.
Education Disability and equality Original release: Hunter welcomes Assembly backing for post-19 SEN reform (opens in a new tab)
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Banning petroleum exploration and licensing ‘important step forward in protecting both people and the planet’ – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy welcomes the Petroleum Exploration and Licensing Bill in the Assembly, saying it bans petroleum exploration and licensing and credits Fermanagh and Leitrim communities who campaigned against fracking. She argues new fossil fuel exploration would be reckless amid climate…
Environment and climate Original release: Banning petroleum exploration and licensing ‘important step forward in protecting both people and the planet’ – Murphy (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.
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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…
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Carroll Passes Motion on Damp and Mould - Hits Out at Shameless Pay Hike
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll says his motion on damp and mould in rented housing has passed at Stormont and calls on the Communities Minister to bring in tougher legislation requiring landlords to investigate and fix such problems within set deadlines. He cites NHS costs of cold, damp…
Housing Economy and employment Original release: Carroll Passes Motion on Damp and Mould - Hits Out at Shameless Pay Hike (opens in a new tab)
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Ní Chuilín convenes meeting to tackle homelessness in Belfast
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín says she has hosted a multi-agency meeting at Belfast City Hall with homeless providers, the Housing Executive, council and elected representatives. She says the talks covered backing existing services and improving winter emergency protocol communication, with more…
Housing Local government Original release: Ní Chuilín convenes meeting to tackle homelessness in Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance proposal to explore nature-friendly burials passes in Belfast City Council
Alliance says a motion it brought forward, proposing that Belfast City Council explore nature-friendly burials, has passed the People and Communities committee. Cllr Hedley Abernethy says the motion would consider the feasibility of natural burials as an alternative to traditional burial and…
Environment and climate Local government Original release: Alliance proposal to explore nature-friendly burials passes in Belfast City Council (opens in a new tab)
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We must do all we can to protect and grow our ‘world-class’ agri-food industry – McAleer
Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer urges continued support for Northern Ireland's agri-food sector, opposing cattle culls and warning that cutting local production could raise emissions through imports, ahead of an Assembly food security debate.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Original release: We must do all we can to protect and grow our ‘world-class’ agri-food industry – McAleer (opens in a new tab)
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Mason welcomes support to allow girls the right to wear trousers in school
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason welcomes cross-party support on the Education Committee for a proposal giving girls a clear right to wear trousers in school. She says the DUP Education Minister missed a chance to modernise school uniform policy and pledges to work with others to deliver it.
Education Disability and equality Original release: Mason welcomes support to allow girls the right to wear trousers in school (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance backs decision to take forward legislation to give girls right to wear trousers in school
Alliance MLA Michelle Guy welcomes the Education Committee's decision to take forward a single-issue bill allowing girls to choose trousers as part of school uniform. She says the Education Minister could have made the change through his uniform guidance and urges him to update the guidelines…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Alliance backs decision to take forward legislation to give girls right to wear trousers in school (opens in a new tab)
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Carroll’s Motion of No Confidence Gains Further Momentum
People Before Profit's Gerry Carroll says his no confidence motion against Education Minister Paul Givan has gathered the 30 signatures needed, with support from Sinn Féin, the SDLP and Alliance, and will be debated at Stormont on 10 November. He calls for Givan to resign over his stance on Israel.
Education Original release: Carroll’s Motion of No Confidence Gains Further Momentum (opens in a new tab)
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Givan welcomes final stage of School Uniforms Bill
Education Minister Paul Givan welcomes the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill passing its Final Stage, saying it will take effect for the 2026/2027 school year. He says schools must now follow Departmental guidelines and the Department can enforce them.
Education Original release: Givan welcomes final stage of School Uniforms Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Bower welcomes passing of motion encouraging more community orchards in Belfast
Alliance Belfast City Councillor Christine Bower welcomes council's passing of her motion urging Belfast to develop community orchards, citing food access, local resilience and green space, and calls for council to back their creation with local groups and families.
Environment and climate Local government Original release: Bower welcomes passing of motion encouraging more community orchards in Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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This Is only the Beginning: Education Minister updates the Assembly…
The DUP says Education Minister Paul Givan hailed early progress on TransformED, his education reform strategy launched in March 2025, in an Assembly update listing initiatives such as a £31million Teacher Professional Learning Fund, a CPD Academy and curriculum reviews, with further reforms…
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European Parliament recognises that Irish environment knows no borders
Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan welcomes the European Parliament's Environment Committee adopting her amendment recognising the island of Ireland as a single ecological unit. The amendment, part of an opinion on the post-Brexit EU-UK trade agreement, also calls for more cooperation through Good Friday…
Environment and climate International affairs Original release: European Parliament recognises that Irish environment knows no borders (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin will continue working to cut cost of school uniforms – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan welcomes progress on the Assembly's school uniform affordability bill after the Education Committee finished scrutiny. He calls for an end to single-supplier contracts, limits on branded items and enforceable guidance to stop families being overcharged.