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90 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 Original release: Harkin: Council Motion Stands with Sally Rooney Against Hypocritical British Government Repression (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 Original release: Legacy matters and constitutional change discussed at recent British Irish Parliamentary Assembly meeting – Senator Conor Murphy (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 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 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 Original release: Sinn Féin submits Urgent Oral Questions following sentencing of Jeffrey Donaldson (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 Original release: Dublin City Council passes motion supporting Garvaghy Road residents (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 Original release: Dublin City Council to debate supporting Garvaghy Residents (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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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 Original release: Sheerin welcomes progress of Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill (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 Original release: McGlone welcomes support for new police powers to tackle scramblers and e-scooters (opens in a new tab)
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Ballymena Showgrounds 3G Pitch Receives Green Light
TUV Alderman Stewart McDonald, on Mid and East Antrim's planning committee, says he welcomed approval of an application to replace the natural grass at Ballymena Showgrounds with a 3G hybrid pitch, crediting Councillor Matthew Armstrong.
Local government Infrastructure and transport Original release: Ballymena Showgrounds 3G Pitch Receives Green Light (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 Original release: Why the DUP is holding the line on criminal responsibility (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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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 Original release: Tools available to criminal justice system should not be removed: Frew (opens in a new tab)
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Backing Belfast City Airport Master Plan will deliver jobs and growth…
DUP MLAs Phillip Brett, Diane Forsythe and Jonathan Buckley table a motion in the Assembly backing the George Best Belfast City Airport Master Plan 2040, saying it will create jobs, double the workforce, add a £1.7 billion boost to the economy and improve connectivity with a direct rail link.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Original release: Backing Belfast City Airport Master Plan will deliver jobs and growth… (opens in a new tab)
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The Aontú week that was…
Aontú's weekly digest highlights party activity on several fronts: Peadar Tóibín's call for parties to register court character references by TDs and a bill to amend the Ethics Act, support for the Presidential Voting Rights Bill, opposition to the Social Democrats' move to scrap the abortion…
Justice and policing Economy and employment Original release: The Aontú week that was… (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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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 Original release: Burrows presses case for Northern Ireland at Westminster (opens in a new tab)