Latest releases
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75 releases
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Overwhelming opposition to Alliance Conversion Practices Bill -…
DUP MLA Pam Cameron says a Committee for Communities survey shows 93.55% of 1,379 respondents opposed the Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill, and calls on the Alliance Party to heed the public and halt the Bill. She argues prosecutors flagged vague harm thresholds and reach into family…
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Alliance Conversion Practices Bill Original release: Overwhelming opposition to Alliance Conversion Practices Bill -… (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 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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DUP will oppose carbon audit penalties on farmers – McIlveen
DUP agriculture spokesperson Michelle McIlveen MLA says her party will oppose Minister Andrew Muir's plan to tie the Farm Sustainability Payment to registering for the carbon audit project. She says cuts of 10% then 15% are a penalty, the project is underfunded, and calls on the Minister to think…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Original release: DUP will oppose carbon audit penalties on farmers – McIlveen (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance calls for progress in making Fleadh more accessible
Alliance Belfast Councillor Michael Long welcomes Belfast City Council's endorsement of an Alliance proposal to have council officers meet the Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee before next year's Fleadh. The move follows disability groups' concerns about this year's event.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Fleadh 2026 accessibility concerns and proposals Original release: Alliance calls for progress in making Fleadh more accessible (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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CCG: Don’t sell our land for an AI campus!
Aontú calls on Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's sub-committee to halt and reject the proposed sale of public land for a data centre expansion at the Coleraine campus. It argues the project lacks an updated Local Development Plan and demands transparency, public consultation and full…
Local government Infrastructure and transport Issue: Coleraine data centre expansion proposal Original release: CCG: Don’t sell our land for an AI campus! (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Call-in reveals serious concerns around transparency and fairness in council funding, says Murray
Alliance Belfast City Councillor Micky Murray says legal opinion backed his party's call-in over a £339,242 discretionary funding redirection by the DUP and Sinn Féin. He claims procedures were not properly followed, including a proposal to ring-fence funds for bilingual street signs before other…
Local government Public finance and taxation Issue: Belfast City Council discretionary funding allocation call-in Original release: Call-in reveals serious concerns around transparency and fairness in council funding, says Murray (opens in a new tab)
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Belfast to bid for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2028 – Maskey
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey welcomes Belfast City Council's decision to pursue a bid to host the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast in 2028, calling it a major step for the city after the last festival drew large crowds and boosted local businesses.
Local government Issue: Belfast City Council bid to host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2028 Original release: Belfast to bid for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2028 – Maskey (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Anna Henry welcomes £1.95 million investment in endometriosis services
TUV councillor Anna Henry welcomes the £1.95 million funding for endometriosis services across Northern Ireland, including £250,000 for the Northern Trust and a new Regional Endometriosis Pathway. She says more work is needed to cut waiting times and improve diagnosis.
Health Disability and equality Issue: £1.95 million investment in endometriosis services announced Original release: Cllr Anna Henry welcomes £1.95 million investment in endometriosis services (opens in a new tab)
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Flynn welcomes investment in Endometriosis services and new surgical technology
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn welcomes a new gynaecological surgical robot in Belfast, used in 130 surgeries, and the £1.95 million for regional endometriosis centres. She calls for the investment to improve diagnosis and access, and says she has written to the Health Minister on an all-island…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Introduction of new gynaecological surgical robot in Belfast Original release: Flynn welcomes investment in Endometriosis services and new surgical technology (opens in a new tab)
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Egan welcomes Bail Support Pilot for women
Alliance Justice Spokesperson Connie Egan MLA welcomes the Department of Justice’s new bail‑support scheme for women in Belfast and Ballymena, saying it recognises complex needs, offers early help for women on remand and should improve outcomes for them, families and community safety.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Bail Support Pilot announcement Original release: Egan welcomes Bail Support Pilot for women (opens in a new tab)
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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)
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Job Fairs decision is discrimination driven by narrow political…
DUP Foyle MLA Julie Middleton condemns Derry City and Strabane District Council's decision to end backing for job fairs that include the Armed Forces, calling it divisive and discriminatory toward those who serve. She argues it excludes young people from careers and training while dissident…
Economy and employment Local government Original release: Job Fairs decision is discrimination driven by narrow political… (opens in a new tab)
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Andrew Muir and Connie Egan selected as Alliance North Down Assembly candidates
Alliance MLAs Andrew Muir and Connie Egan say they have been re‑selected to contest North Down in the 6 May 2027 Assembly election, highlighting Muir’s record on water quality, climate action and farming, and Egan’s work on ending violence against women, integrated education and a reformed Stormont.
Other Environment and climate Original release: Andrew Muir and Connie Egan selected as Alliance North Down Assembly candidates (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance representatives express concern following devastating oil contamination incident
Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland and Councillor Chelsea Harwood express shock and sadness after an oil spill at the Broughshane wildlife trust killed several birds, including two Trumpeter swans.
Environment and climate Issue: Broughshane Environment Waterfowl and Wildlife Trust oil contamination Original release: Alliance representatives express concern following devastating oil contamination incident (opens in a new tab)
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New Strategy must mark a turning point for nature in Northern Ireland, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes the launch of the Nature Recovery Strategy, calling it a chance to turn around decades of decline. He points to 12 per cent of species facing extinction and urges other parties to back the strategy without further delay.
Environment and climate Issue: Launch of Nature Recovery Strategy Original release: New Strategy must mark a turning point for nature in Northern Ireland, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Backs Bid for Third Year of Belfast Fleadh
SDLP Group Leader Councillor Séamas de Faoite says the party backed a bid for a third Belfast Fleadh Cheoil, citing 1.6million visitors, and is exploring other landmark events including a case for the MTV Europe Music Awards.
Economy and employment Local government Original release: SDLP Backs Bid for Third Year of Belfast Fleadh (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood urges UK Government to intervene over BBC NI Irish-language cuts
SDLP Foyle MP Colum Eastwood has written to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy urging the UK Government to intervene over proposed BBC Northern Ireland cuts to Irish-language services, including a reported halving of its Irish-language unit staffing.
Disability and equality Issue: BBC NI Irish-language services proposed cuts announcement Original release: Eastwood urges UK Government to intervene over BBC NI Irish-language cuts (opens in a new tab)
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Harkin: FinTrU Redundancy Process Must be Restarted
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin calls for the FinTrU redundancy process to be restarted, backing the Financial Services Union's demand and seeking a meeting with management over unfair treatment of Derry staff. He says he will propose council support for workers at Derry City and Strabane…
Economy and employment Local government Issue: FinTrU proposed redundancies at Derry site Original release: Harkin: FinTrU Redundancy Process Must be Restarted (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone: BBC Cuts Demand Scrutiny
SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone seeks an urgent meeting with BBC Northern Ireland leadership over reported job losses and restructuring, wanting clarity on effects for staff, local output and Irish language services. He also plans talks with Foras na Gaeilge.
Disability and equality Economy and employment Issue: BBC Northern Ireland job losses and restructuring plans Original release: McGlone: BBC Cuts Demand Scrutiny (opens in a new tab)
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McDaid slams ‘wear more clothes’ advice in schools
SDLP councillor Catherine McDaid criticises Education Authority guidance telling pupils to dress warmer in schools amid high energy costs, linking it to cuts and crumbling school buildings. She raised the issue at a Derry City and Strabane council committee.
Education Public finance and taxation Original release: McDaid slams ‘wear more clothes’ advice in schools (opens in a new tab)