Latest releases
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34 releases
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McGrath: Newcastle's Bendy Tree Makes History with UK First
SDLP MLA Colin McGrath welcomes Newcastle's Bendy Tree being named UK Tree of the Year 2026 by the Woodland Trust, the first Northern Ireland tree to take the award. He has written to Newry, Mourne and Down Council asking for a permanent commemorative plaque beside it.
Environment and climate Original release: McGrath: Newcastle's Bendy Tree Makes History with UK First (opens in a new tab)
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Pride more important than ever, says Murray, wishing all celebrating a happy Belfast Pride
Alliance councillor Micky Murray, a former Belfast Lord Mayor, wishes everyone celebrating Belfast Pride a safe and happy event, saying the 'No Going Back' theme is especially fitting given the present social climate.
Disability and equality Original release: Pride more important than ever, says Murray, wishing all celebrating a happy Belfast Pride (opens in a new tab)
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Stewart welcomes recognition of Portstewart Strand as UK Beach of the Year
Alliance Alderman Richard Stewart, Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Council, welcomes Portstewart Strand being ranked the top beach in the UK and Northern Ireland in a Times and Sunday Times guide, praising its scenery, water quality and community spirit.
Environment and climate Local government Original release: Stewart welcomes recognition of Portstewart Strand as UK Beach of the Year (opens in a new tab)
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Amanda Grehan officially installed as first female Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council
Alliance Alderman Amanda Grehan has been installed as Lisburn and Castlereagh's inaugural woman mayor, pledging inclusive leadership and naming Action Cancer as her mayoral charity, with an inclusivity-for-disabilities theme for her year.
Local government Disability and equality Original release: Amanda Grehan officially installed as first female Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (opens in a new tab)
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Gillian McCollum and Vicky Moore selected as Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down
Alliance Councillors Gillian McCollum and Vicky Moore say they have been appointed Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down for 2025/26, pledging to promote belonging, support families with learning disabilities, tackle the mental‑health crisis, end violence against women and girls, fightpover
Local government Disability and equality Original release: Gillian McCollum and Vicky Moore selected as Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down (opens in a new tab)
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Richard Stewart announced as Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
Alliance Causeway Councillor Richard Stewart says he will become Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, making him the first openly gay person to take that role in the Council's history. He says he hopes the appointment signals that everyone has a place in public life.
Local government Disability and equality Original release: Richard Stewart announced as Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council (opens in a new tab)
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Mulholland welcomes historic election of Belfast President to Conradh na Gaeilge
Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland welcomes the election of a Belfast figure as president of Conradh na Gaeilge, the first from Belfast in 30 years, and congratulates him on his long-standing commitment to the organisation. She urges constructive dialogue over an emergency motion on legal action against…
Disability and equality Original release: Mulholland welcomes historic election of Belfast President to Conradh na Gaeilge (opens in a new tab)
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McAteer names Eastside Greenways one of High Sheriff charities
Alliance Councillor Fiona McAteer, now High Sheriff of Belfast, says she will support Eastside Greenways during her term, praising its work on the Connswater Community Greenway in east Belfast.
Environment and climate Local government Original release: McAteer names Eastside Greenways one of High Sheriff charities (opens in a new tab)
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We must stand united against all prejudice, hatred, and violence, says Bradshaw, marking Holocaust Memorial Day.
Alliance's Paula Bradshaw, the South Belfast MLA, marks Holocaust Memorial Day 2025 by calling for unity against prejudice, hatred and violence, citing Northern Ireland's record of offering sanctuary to refugees and rejecting antisemitism, Islamophobia and other forms of bigotry.
Disability and equality International affairs Original release: We must stand united against all prejudice, hatred, and violence, says Bradshaw, marking Holocaust Memorial Day. (opens in a new tab)
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Anna Lo will forever be remembered as a ground-breaker in local politics, says Long, after former MLA passes away
Alliance Leader Naomi Long pays tribute to former South Belfast MLA Anna Lo, who has died aged 74, calling her a ground-breaker in local politics and recalling her work on the environment, human rights and women's rights. Former Alliance Leader David Ford also offers sympathies.
Other Disability and equality Original release: Anna Lo will forever be remembered as a ground-breaker in local politics, says Long, after former MLA passes away (opens in a new tab)
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Guy pays tribute to those campaigning for Harry’s Law.
Alliance MLA Michelle Guy pays tribute to Deirdre Shakespeare and her family for their strength and dedication after the release of an ombudsman findings on the treatment of Harry, her son.
Health Disability and equality Original release: Guy pays tribute to those campaigning for Harry’s Law. (opens in a new tab)
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Mulholland commends strength and resilience of rural women on International Day of Rural Women.
Alliance North Antrim MLA Sian Mulholland urges wider recognition of the difficulties rural women encounter, pointing to job insecurity, limited childcare, and poor access to healthcare and transport in North Antrim, on International Day of Rural Women.
Disability and equality Economy and employment Original release: Mulholland commends strength and resilience of rural women on International Day of Rural Women. (opens in a new tab)
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Funding essential to aid delivery of long-awaited Environmental Improvement Plan, says Blair, commending its agreement.
Environment and climate Original release: Funding essential to aid delivery of long-awaited Environmental Improvement Plan, says Blair, commending its agreement. (opens in a new tab)
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Kurtis Dickson installed as new Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council
Alliance Downshire East Councillor Kurtis Dickson was sworn in as Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, becoming the council’s youngest and first openly LGBTQIA+ mayor. He says he will boost youth involvement, promote mental‑well‑being and champion environmental issues.
Local government Disability and equality Original release: Kurtis Dickson installed as new Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council (opens in a new tab)
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Lee-Surginor becomes Deputy Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, and first civic dignitary from a Chinese ethnic background
Alliance Councillor David Lee-Surginor says he is honoured to be installed as Deputy Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, and pledges to prioritise tourism, support flood-affected businesses and voluntary groups facing funding cuts, and promote equality.
Local government Disability and equality Original release: Lee-Surginor becomes Deputy Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, and first civic dignitary from a Chinese ethnic background (opens in a new tab)
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Long congratulates Harris on becoming the new Taoiseach
Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA congratulates Fine Gael Leader Simon Harris on becoming Taoiseach and says she looks forward to working with him to strengthen cross-island co-operation. She expresses confidence he will build on the North-South partnership developed under Leo Varadkar.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Long congratulates Harris on becoming the new Taoiseach (opens in a new tab)
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Mal O’Hara is likely to be successfully elected to the Seanad
The Green Party welcomes news that party leader Mal O'Hara is likely to be elected unopposed to the Seanad, making him its fifth sitting Senator. O'Hara says a Northern Ireland voice must remain in the Seanad and pledges to amplify voices from across the north.
Other Environment and climate Original release: Mal O’Hara is likely to be successfully elected to the Seanad (opens in a new tab)
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Long pays tribute to Varadkar following resignation announcement
Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA pays tribute to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar following his announced resignation, praising his role in north-south relations, restoring the Executive and his engagement on local issues.
Other Constitutional affairs Original release: Long pays tribute to Varadkar following resignation announcement (opens in a new tab)
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Muir sponsors exhibition to mark Holocaust Memorial Day
Alliance Chief Whip Andrew Muir MLA says the Holocaust should warn against allowing antisemitism and prejudice to go unchecked, speaking after an exhibition he sponsored at the Assembly to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. He warns that refugees are increasingly met with hostility and pledges Alliance…
Disability and equality International affairs Original release: Muir sponsors exhibition to mark Holocaust Memorial Day (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong sends congratulations to James Martin
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong congratulates actor James Martin on his MBE in the New Year's Honours List, on behalf of the All Party Group on Learning Disability, which she chairs. She highlights his Oscar-winning film An Irish Goodbye and his work with Mencap.
Disability and equality Original release: Armstrong sends congratulations to James Martin (opens in a new tab)